On 8 February 2025, 22 undergraduate students with a keen interest in Ocean Science participated in a field trip organized by the Department of Ocean Science in celebration of “HKUST Ocean Day 2025.” The trip to Sharp Island provided students with hands-on experience in marine biology and related technologies.
During the trip, students engaged in three exciting activities aboard the boat: collecting phytoplankton samples, measuring seawater transparency, and deploying a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
In the first activity, students used nets to collect phytoplankton samples from the sea, which they then identified under a microscope. This allowed them to gain a new perspective on ocean life, and they even discovered jellyfish!
Next, students measured seawater transparency using a Secchi disk. They carefully lowered the disk into the water and recorded the depth at which it became invisible, known as the Secchi depth. This simple measurement provides valuable insight into water clarity.
The final activity involved deploying an ROV, a tool used for exploring and surveying underwater environments. The ROV enabled students to study various marine species, including filefish, crabs, Aequorea (a type of zooplankton), bubble-tip anemones, black sea cucumbers, purple sea urchins, long-spined sea urchins, and brain coral.
Overall, the field trip was a fantastic experience for all participants. The Department of Ocean Science hopes that students gained valuable insights into marine biology and enjoyed their time exploring the wonders of the ocean.
