*The Western Indian Ocean Whale (WIndOW) Project*
*Monitoring East African Humpback Whales in South African and Mozambican
waters*
Seven populations of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales migrate
annually between winter breeding grounds in coastal tropical waters and
summer feeding grounds in Antarctic waters, with populations found off
each of the west and east coasts of the three Southern Hemisphere
continents and in the central South Pacific Ocean. The population
breeding in the Western Indian Ocean occupies the coastal waters of
Mozambique, Madagascar and the Western Indian Ocean archipelagos between
July and October each year. Whales utilising Mozambique waters migrate
coastally along the South African coastline in June and July and October
and November, resulting in peak abundance in Mozambique waters in August
and September each year.
Heavily whaled on the breeding grounds, migration corridor and Antarctic
feeding ground until October 1963, last century; east African humpbacks
are now making a strong comeback. In August and September this year Sea
Quests will be sailing from South Africa to research population
abundance and trends as well as migratory destinations this population.
The research will be done aboard R/Y Angra Pequena, a classic 72ft
wooden expedition vessel operated by Sea Quests, whose *mission is to
support *research and conservation expeditions
<http://www.sea-quests.com/tour/research-conservation-missions/>*that
build knowledge and awareness of our oceans. This vessel has recently
been used as the research platform to film coelacanths in deep canyons
in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and to collect biological samples from
deep habitats (60-80m) on the continental shelf of South Africa.*The
research will be overseen by the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit,
under the direction of Dr Ken Findlay who has been researching this
population of humpback whales since the late 1980s.
Come join us on our mission, and help contribute towards the
conservation of this previously decimated species. You will live-aboard
the expedition vessel and get hands on experience assisting the
scientist team in field sampling and data collection, including:
·Individual Whale Photo ID and image matching
·Biopsy sampling for genetic population studies
·Line Transect abundance estimation
·Humpback song monitoring and recording
No prior experience is required, and all training is provided. There are
three 10-day research legs to contribute towards:
17 AugEmbark Maputo, Mozambique
18 Aug – 27 AugTeam 1 (10 days) Southern and Central Mozambique
28 AugChangeover at Beira (embark and disembark)
29 Aug -7 SeptemberTeam 2 (10 days) Northern Mozambique
8 SeptemberChangeover at Beira (embark and disembark)
9-18 SeptemberTeam 3 (10 days) Southern and Central Mozambique
19 SeptemberDisembark Maputo
Cost $2450 per person per 10-day leg, this includes full board and
lodging on M.Y. Angra Pequena, meals and soft drinks.
You are responsible for flights and visas.
*For more information please visit our website
http://sea-quests.com/charters/volunteer-for-conservation/*
*or to book your place please contact Nikki *
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
+27 765013492
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Postal address: PO Box 21405, Bluff, Durban, 4036, South Africa
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 0765013492
Twitter: @AngraPequena
Facebook: myangrapequenaexpeditions
Web: www.sea-quests.com
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