The summer session of SMS324: Intro to Research Diving started off with an intensive dive week based out of the DMC, where students completed checkout dives and all required skills for earning their Advanced Open Water certification. Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve, New Harbor. Credit: Lis Maxwell

Last week was the annual SMS Graduate Student Symposium at the Darling Marine Center! We had two days to share research, build community, and enjoy seafood on the water. Thanks to the Pelagic Fisheries Lab, Norumbega Oyster, Pemaquid Wharf and all the grad students for making this happen!

ESTAPA LAB: Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that make up the base of the marine food web. This sample (mostly diatoms, some dinoflagellates) was collected offshore Pemaquid on 3/26 during an annual spring bloom, when there is an abundance of nutrients, increasing sunlight, and fewer predators.