EAGLE eyed Stonehaven residents may have spotted a boat bobbing off the Stonehaven shoreline over the last week.
The vessel, Temora, is temporary home to student Emma Moore (18), who is dedicating her summer holidays to reseaching minute sea creatures.
She is taking part in a Nuffield Foundation Science Bursary project, in collaboration with Fisheries Researc
h Services (FRS).
Emma has been tasked with the study of copepods – a minute animal that is the main food source for most fish in the North Sea.
Though they are smaller than half a grain of rice, copepods are one of the most abundant animals on earth and are fundamental for the survival of North Sea fish stocks. They feed on Phytoplankton at the surface of the water at night, and then sink to safer depths during the day. As well as being important to fish, copepods are a major source of Omega 3 oils, thought to be beneficial to human health.
Emma is hoping to establish a link between the release of an enzyme called chitobiase and the production of these vital copepods, which will provide an indication of the growth of the copepod population to further our understanding for the future of North Sea fish.
Teaming the animal's small, delicate frame with the unpredictable nature of our sea has set Emma one of her biggest challenges – being able to catch them on a stormy day – but with the advice of her supervisors at FRS, Emma's project is moving on swiftly.
Emma said: "I have always had an interest in the marine environment, and this is a great opportunity for me to develop knowledge though first hand experience. I am grateful to the Nuffield Foundation for giving me this opportunity, and especially appreciative to all those at FRS who have taught me such valuable skills.
I know this isn't every 18-year-old's idea of a good time, but I am glad to be doing something that can help make a difference."
Emma is hoping to go to Aberdeen University in the autumn to study for a degree in Marine science.
CAPTION
EMMA MOORE at work off the coast of Stonehaven
