Home 1-week projects Azores - whales, dolphins, turtles

Fascinating creatures of the deep: Studying whales, dolphins and turtles around the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Price/dates/status This expedition was honoured in the "Top Ten Outdoor Pursuits" list in the Independent on Sunday. This expedition was also honoured in the "Best Ten Wildlife Holidays in Europe" list in the Guardian. This expedition was also honoured on Islands magazine Voluntourism Blue List where it won the "Best in Sustainable Travel" award. This conservation work expedition will take you to the Azores Archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to study whales, dolphins and loggerhead turtles. You will photograph whales and dolphins and record them for local and international monitoring databases as part of a small international team. You will listen to and make recordings of whale and dolphin vocalisations and capture loggerhead turtles in the open ocean for tagging and release. If conditions are right and you would like to help, you may also be asked to collect sperm whale skin samples for DNA analysis without harming the animals by snorkelling to whale dive points or collecting shed skin in nets. All this in an effort to elucidate the animals’ life histories and migration patterns across the oceans and assist with the formulation of effective conservation strategies. The whole team will be working on a modern catamaran research boat during the day. Please note that a diving qualification is NOT required for this expedition. PRICE = Expedition contribution (land only per slot) £1090 (approx. €1190 | US$1780 | AU$1950). Please note: expedition contributions are quoted in British pound sterling and the approximate Euro and US Dollar equivalent. Try the XE currency converter for other currencies and an up to date Euro and US Dollar exchange rate. Where does my money go and other money questions. Dates 2010: 3 - 12 April | 17 - 26 April | 1 - 10 May (9 nights). Team members can join for multiple slots (within the periods specified). How long can I join for? Status Amber: Expeditions of status amber have few spaces available. To join them you need to decide soon, so please get in touch to talk about availability. Terrain Boat-based project with nights onshore. Weather expected during expedition Mild maritime Mediterranean. The average temperature during the expedition months is 16°C. Expedition base Our base is a modern guesthouse-style building with all modern amenities such as a kitchen, lounge, en suite showers & toilets, and research facilities. Team size Up to 10 team members + 2 local scientists + 1 expedition leader. Skills & prerequisites required None. You don't need to be a scientist or have any special qualifications - everyone can take part and there are no age limits whatsoever. Can laypeople really be of help to serious research & conservation projects? Fitness level required None, as most work is boat-based. Will it be for me or am I too old/young/unfit? Team assembly point Horta, the main town on the island of Faial. What about carbon neutrality and other environmental and social impact? Who books my flights? And finally Our expeditions are not about playing the primitive, neither are we a military style 'boot-camp'. Our expedition leader and the local scientist will be by your side and we believe strongly that we get the best out of our expedition teams by making them comfortable, safe and well fed. You won’t be living in the lap of luxury, but we will do our best to make you feel comfortable and at home in your working environment, as this is the key to a well-balanced and successful expedition. Details This conservation work expedition will take you to the Azores archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to study whales, dolphins and loggerhead turtles. You will photograph sperm, blue, fin, sei and minke whales, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins and record them for local and international monitoring databases. You will collect sperm whale skin samples for DNA analysis without harming the animals by snorkelling to whale dive points or collecting shed skin in nets. You will listen to and make recordings of whale and dolphin vocalisations and capture loggerhead turtles in the open ocean using nets and then measure, tag and release them as part of an international tagging programme. All this in an effort to elucidate the animals’ life histories and migration patterns across the oceans and assist with the formulation of effective conservation strategies. Aims & objectives (1) To photo-identify baleen whales (such as blue, fin, sei, humpback and minke whales) for comparative trans-Atlantic studies. (2) To photo-identify sperm whales, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins for inclusion in local and international monitoring databases. (3) To tag loggerhead turtles and record environmental data whenever other activities allow. (4) To record sperm whale coda vocalisations for a comparative study of different regional “dialects”. Background The Azores archipelago is one of the prime whale and dolphin hotspots in the world and around 30% of the world’s known cetacean species have been recorded there. For management purposes the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has included the Azores archipelago in the East Greenland and Iceland stocks, but there is little evidence to support this. The expedition initiated the first long term concerted study on baleen whales in the Azores. These animals in particular have not been studied around the Azores and accurate knowledge of the origins of the baleen whales passing the archipelago during April and May will help to determine which stocks they come from and assess more accurately their true numbers (which are often inflated in efforts to set hunting quotas). The expedition will also continue existing sperm whale, bottlenose and Rissos’s dolphin studies. The sperm whale study is part of a larger migration and social study, and the dolphin study is in the early stages of assessing animal numbers and migratory behaviour around the archipelago. Loggerhead turtles will also be studied and tagged as part of an international research project studying their life history and migration around the Atlantic. Study species Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) Other landmark species present:   Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) Pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) Orca (Orcinus orca) Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) Sowerby’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) Expedition work The first one to two days will be spent on land with training. The expedition leader and the local scientists will prepare you for your fieldwork tasks and explain the research methods and goals. Talks are organised to make you familiar with safety, the equipment, the research (and your part in it) and the area in which it will happen. Presentations will also focus on explaining the expedition aims and the system used to achieve these efficiently when on the water. Once you are trained up, your tasks will be mainly boat-based and consist of separate activities, which will be rotated amongst the whole team so that everyone will have the chance to take part in most or all activities. Research area The Azores archipelago, Europe’s westernmost point and part of Portugal’s territory, is a group of nine distinct islands, lying on the same latitude as New York and Lisbon, around 1600 kilometres off the coast of Portugal. Lying on the mid-Atlantic ridge, the islands display spectacular volcanic scenery, with large blue-green crater lakes, impressive black lava sea cliffs, and, towering above them all, the highest mountain in Portugal on the island of Pico. The volcanic activity continues, there are active geysers and hot mineral pools, and you can walk on land that rose from the sea just 50 years ago. The countryside also has a gentler side of green fields, distinctive hydrangea hedgerows and forests. The Azores were discovered in 1427 by Portuguese explorers and colonised shortly after by people of mainly Portuguese and Flemish descent. During the 20th century the islands were an important stopover point for undersea communications cables, trans-Atlantic flights and yachtsmen. Today their main income is from agriculture and fishing and mainstream tourism has all but passed by the islands. Partners Our main partner on this project is Whale Watch Azores, a whale watching and research group founded by our scientists and operating from Faial Island. Other partners include EUROPHLUKES (a European cetacean photo-ID system and research database), the University of the Azores, POPA (the Observer Programme for the Fisheries of the Azores), the University of Florida as well as the local community of whale spotters (vigias). Corporate support comes from Land Rover & Swarovski Optik. Maps   Map of the Azores. Faial island and Horta (the expedition's base) are in the centre.       Google map of all Biosphere Expeditions study sites, expedition bases, assembly points, office locations, etc.   Pictures Sperm whale (primary study species) fluke.   Sperm whale mother & cub.    Sperm whale. Humpback whale (primary study species) breaching.  Humpback whale.   Sei whale (primary study species).    Sei whale. Minke whale (primary study species) jumping.    Minke whale.  Blue whales (primary study species).   Blue whale. Fin whale (primary study species).    Fin whale. Risso's dolphin (primary study species).      Risso's dolphin. Bottlenose dolphin (primary study species) bowriding along the hull of our research boat. Bottlenose dolphin.    Loggerhead turtle (primary study species).   Common dolphin and calf.        Common dolphin. Striped dolphin leaping.   Striped dolphin.  Pilot whales. Pilot whale.   Orca.  Orca. Cuvier's beaked whale.   Cuvier's beaked whale.  Sowerby's beaked whale.  Sowerby's beaked whale. Azores coastline. View of Pico (the largest mountain in Portugal) from Faial island. Azores coastline. Azores coastline.  Green fields in the interior of Faial island.  Our research vessel, the “Physeter” (after the Latin name for sperm whale). The first briefing on shore. Training on the boat's communication and navigation equipment. Taking photographs of flukes to identify individuals and for inclusion in an international database. Data collection from the top bridge of the Physeter. Data collection from the top bridge of the Physeter Counting whale blow rates. On the hydrophone.  The look of utter concentration during hydrophone duty.. Getting ready to enter the water to collect whale skin samples using the most modern high-tech equipment available to humankind Taking the plunge to collect whale skin samples.  Taking water samples. Capturing a loggerhead turtle. Measuring a loggerhead turtle. Juvenile loggerhead turtle. Keeping the Physeter's log.  Flying the flag on the Atlantic Entering whale fluke data into the computer for comparative analysis. Traditionally many sailors paint a mural on the dock walls of Horta harbour and Biosphere Expeditions teams have done this too... Horta on Faial island. The harbour is in the middle of the picture; the expedition base is on the left slightly up the hill. The expedition base. View from the expedition base towards Pico island.  It's not all just work, work, work  Relaxing at Peter's cafe.  Dinnertime! An expedition team. More images on Biosphere Expeditions'    Video Basic introduction to the whales & dolphins expedition to the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic. Recorded as part of an interview with L.A.-based "Econews". Some of the wildlife encountered during the expedition: humpback whale, sperm whales diving, blue whales, loggerhead turtle, dolphins, etc. Land- and seascapes and expedition life. Watch more Azores expedition clips on YouTube.   Audio Sperm whale vocalisations Pilot whale vocalisations Bottlenose dolphin vocalisations Common dolphin vocalisations Risso's dolphin vocalisations   Die Azoren - Leben auf Vulkangestein mitten im Atlantik Radio programme on Azores with some coverage of the expedition in German Press Blog by Patty Tse, expedition team member from Hong Kong in English  View blog 2.09 Mb Blog by Pere Morera, research assisting on the project in English View blog High time to sea in English  View article 325.79 Kb Biosphere wins travel award in English  View article 119.96 Kb Trip to change your world in English  View article 78.06 Kb Ich bin dann mal im Einsatz in German  View article 1.33 Mb Herren der Keksausstecher in German  View article 627.11 Kb Blow! in German  View article 359.28 Kb Feedback “Research teams from Biosphere Expeditions will enable cetacean research in the Azores to increase in scope and quality, thus increasing our knowledge of the whales and dolphins that are resident or passing through. This information will enable us to get a clearer picture of the migration patterns and behaviour of the animals and thus assess the threats they face from the modern world. We can confidently say that without Biosphere Expeditions, this research could not take place.”   Dr. Lisa Steiner & Chris Beer, local scientists, Azores. "My uncle used to work as a look-out for the whaling industry, spotting whales for the whalers and he taught me how to spot them. With whaling now banned around the Azores, I can do this job of spotting whales for Biosphere Expeditions and its research teams. It's a great way to use my skills, keeping them alive for future generations and helping the whales." Miguel Vargas, Cedros, Faial Island, Azores.   "I was very sad to leave. My expectations regarding animals and the research work were 100% fulfilled, but the thing that made it extra special for me was the genuinely friendly and relaxed atmosphere between everyone on the expedition. The group gelled really well right from the start despite our very diverse ages, backgrounds and languages!" Jörg Maubach, 48. "Very worthwhile work. This is an expedition for people who genuinely care about the creatures that they are studying.  Thank you for helping me find Eric (a whale!)  It was very special." Alison Dooley, 44. "It was one of my most exciting travels I've had for years.  And perfectly planned! Thank you very much!"  Sigrid Egert Merkle, 38. Feedback from team members about their experiences and reasons for coming (on/from various expeditions). “A fantastic two weeks with good company.  Thanks to everyone for making it both relaxing and enjoyable. I’ve learnt lots and seen some fantastic whales and dolphins” Ayesha Chibb, 28. “Oh my gosh!  I think for the first time I’m speechless… This expedition has been so many things I can’t even begin to describe, but I’m going away with so much passion and enthusiasm to do more to help nature and this planet and its amazing life! I saw so many wonderful creatures of the deep but seeing the blue whale (and about 10 times with some flukes) was the highlight. My respect for this animal and the work that Biosphere Expeditions does for research & conservation is beyond words” Deborah True, 36. “Thank you so much for the wonderful hospitality and brilliant experience.  It was a real learning curve but I think we cracked it in the end!” Peter Hochstätter, 63.  “A fantastic 2 weeks with good company.  Thanks to everyone for making it both relaxing and enjoyable.  I’ve learnt lots and seen some fantastic whales and dolphins.” “….absolutely brilliant – this has to be the best ever Biosphere experience! Very impressed by – well everything ……” "Thanks for the wonderful time.  It was even better than I hoped it was going to be.  I’ll be back…” “This expedition has been a great experience for me.  I never thought I’d see and learn so much in just under 2 weeks.” “Many thanks for a truly wonderful experience. It far exceeded my expectations and it was brilliant to be involved.” “Thanks everyone for making the last two weeks 2 weeks that I will never forget.  It has been an amazing experience and everybody I have met have been the best…” “A total of more than one thousand animals in sight days – much more than we expected and hoped for.” Briefing The expedition briefing contains very detailed information on this expedition, including instructions on how to get to the assembly point, what you will be doing whilst on expedition and who your expedition leader and scientists will be. You can access briefings via the Download Centre. Join Go on, you know you want to Sign up here.