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 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 Aug                                                          Embark Maputo, Mozambique

          18 Aug – 27 Aug                                         Team 1 (10 days) Southern and Central Mozambique

          28 Aug                                                          Changeover at Beira (embark and disembark)

          29 Aug -7 September                                 Team 2 (10 days) Northern Mozambique

          8 September                                               Changeover at Beira (embark and disembark)

          9-18 September                                         Team 3 (10 days) Southern and Central Mozambique

          19 September                                             Disembark 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

nikki@sea-quests.com

+27 765013492

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Postal address: PO Box 21405, Bluff, Durban, 4036, South Africa
Email: nikki@sea-quests.com
Cell: 0765013492
Twitter: @AngraPequena
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Web:  www.sea-quests.com

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