Aboard the USCGC Healy, we were wondering what the average water temperature is and besides the plankton, are there other life forms such as fish or crabs?
We have had fun watching and learning from your adventure!
Matthew and Anna Corinne Reese
La Plata, Maryland
Hello Matthew and Anna Corinne - Great questions! The temperature of the water is below freezing, -2 C, but it is still not frozen. Why? It is the salt in the water. Salt lowers the freezing point of water. That is the reason why people use salt to "unfreeze" their sidewalks. In the water column there are many types of fish. Cod and pollock are very common. Crabs are common, also. King crab, opilio (snow) crab and the common hermit crab can all be found here. I saw a bowhead whale, yesterday, and an orca today. See you soon, Deanna Wheeler