Cascadia Research is seeking participants for a research expedition to study humpback whales in Nicaragua in February 2007. This is part of a long-term research program on humpback whales in Central America. Past work has been focused in Costa Rica (including trips sponsored by Oceanic Society) and only in the last 2 years has a more extensive effort been attempted in Nicaragua as part of the SPLASH research project. Past reports and publications on this research are available at Cascadia's web site (downloadable reports at http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/reports/onlinereports.htm).

We are seeking participants for two week-long trips in February. Our primary trip will be 17-23 February 2007 with a trip on 10-17 February if the primary trip fills up. Daily trips will be taken in two boats to find, photo-identify, and acoustically record, humpback whales in the Pacific Ocean along the northern coast of Nicaragua. Participants will assist with sightings, recording data, taking photographs, monitoring weather, and making recordings. There will be nightly lectures and research wrap-ups.

Food and accommodations are rather luxurious at a very nice resort based on a small lagoon in a remote area of northern Nicaragua. Costs of the trips cover all transportation, lodging, and meals starting in Managua as well as support the research effort. Full details on the trips are available at the Cascadia Research web site (www.cascadiaresearch.org then follow link to Nicaragua research).

For more information contact:

John Calambokidis
Research Biologist
Cascadia Research
218 1/2 W 4th Ave.
Olympia, WA 98501
Phone 360-943-7325
Web site: www.cascadiaresearch.org