French Frigate Shoals day two

Today we went back to "Shark's Island" to do some ecological surveys and look for some more undiscovered wrecks. There are a few side scan sonar guys that are driving around looking for anomalies in the coral and traces of metal. They found three places where there could possibly wrecks so we all jumped in the water in our snorkel gear eagerly looking for artifacts. Unfortunately, we did not find anything at any of the three sites. So, back to the original unknown wreck we went. Today I was in change of fish surveys. And, yes I study invertebrates so therefore don't really know anything about fish. But its OK, I memorized the entire Hoover book in one evening (or so my dive partner thinks...lol)! Really though, I am learning a lot. I never really knew how to ID fish and now I know a bunch of them. The surge was totally crazy again today. Trying to stay in one spot to count fish was not an option, so that was a little bit of a challenge. Derek was trying to take pictures of the benthos so he had an even harder time staying still. We got everything we came for though! At the end of 3 snorkels and 2 dives the monument team recovered a once in a lifetime artifact and I was on the boat! They recovered a harpoon tip from the wreck site that may be the defining artifact. Apparently, in the early 1800's Whalers used to put a makers mark and the name of the ship at the end of their harpoons. Also, this is the only time (that they know of at least) that a harpoon tip has been recovered from a wreck. At the end of the cruise, the monument crew will be shipping the harpoon tip to a conservation place in California that will x-ray it and try to find the marks. Needless to say today was a very busy day, but lots of fun. Soo...
until tomorrow!

Nyssa