Organisation Cetacea (ORCA) have again been given the opportunity to join a platform of opportunity for cetacean observations in collaboration with the French Research Institute IFREMER. This institute participates in the "International Bottom Trawl Survey" or IBTS every year and have offered berths to ORCA on their February 2006 cruise; ORCA volunteers also joined this cruise in 2005. The survey area is the North Sea, Kattegat and Skagerrak on the survey vessel "Thalassa" (http://www.ifremer.fr/fleet/navires/hauturiers/thalassa/index.htm).
The survey will depart from Brest, France and will undertake oceanographic sampling and fishing trawls throughout the survey area. The first part of the survey begins 29th January and ends at Ijmuiden in the Netherlands on the 9th February. The second half starting the 10th February - 22nd February, departing from Ijmuiden, arriving in Boulogne, France. There are a maximum of three berths available for experienced cetacean observers during each of the two survey periods. Volunteers will be asked to undertake cetacean observations using a pre-defined protocol. Observers may take part in either one half of the survey or the entire survey. These are strictly voluntary positions and no travel costs can be reimbursed. However, berth and food onboard 'Thalassa' are provided free of charge.
ORCA are interested in collecting effort-related cetacean sightings data during this survey to contribute to ORCA's existing cetacean database. We hope that the opportunity to join the IBTS in the North Sea will be a long-term arrangement and will provide an excellent opportunity to collect monitoring data on distribution and relative abundance of cetaceans during the winter.
For further information about volunteering on this survey please send a letter of enquiry and details of previous experience or CV to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Regards
Michael J. Tetley
Director of Conservation
ORCA
www.orcaweb.org.uk
Organisation Cetacea (ORCA) promotes the conservation of the marine environment through research, partnership and education and provides a forum for the enjoyment of whales, dolphins, seabirds and other marine life.
Registered Charity no 1098765
_______________________________________________ MARMAM mailing list [email protected] http://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
