Kazumi Haag (she/her)
Bates College Research Intern (Major: Environmental Studies & Political Science)
Greetings from Hurricane on a lovely foggy morning!
This summer on Hurricane, I am working on an early benthic phase lobster trapping project that centers on young lobster populations off our shores. If all goes to plan, we will catch lobsters that are between 20 and 60 millimeters in four traps that we have set up in Gaston’s Cove, in deeper and shallower waters. These are a new trap design. We hope to further the work that began in New Hampshire with collaborators recently to help find out more about lobsters!
Madison, Noah, and Kazumi on the Skiff going out to haul traps
I am two years into college and have not spent much time with lobsters thus far in terms of doing research on them. Don’t get me wrong, crabs and mollusks are super cool, but studying a crustacean that is so key for Maine is an amazing opportunity! Just last week, we set up all of the traps and this week we are beginning to sample them for lobsters and other creatures. I am not only looking forward to what we find and to working with lobsters, but also learning more about lobster ecology and anatomy!
Lobster trap (left) and Noah & Kazumi hauling up a trap onto the deck to collect data (right)
I have only been on Hurricane Island for a week, but I already realize how unique it is and how much of a community culture exists here. I chose to come to Hurricane this summer when my professor and major advisor, Dr. Justin Baumann, who sometimes does research here, mentioned it to us in class. I hopped on Zoom for an info session with Will and Madison, and I was hooked! Here on the island, I love swimming or being out at the aquaculture farm, hiking to Sunset Rock, and chatting with friends overlooking the wonders in Hurricane Sound and Penobscot Bay!
Keeping calm and lobstering on,
Kazumi
