INTERESTED IN STUDYING GREAT WHALES IN THEIR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT?
Join
an ORES whale research field course in
Meet different marine mammals during daily trips on the protected waters
of the St. Lawrence Estuary, support researchers in data collection during
daily boat-based surveys, learn about research methods, and gain insight into
the unique lives of minke whales.
There are still spaces available in our two-week field courses from
July to September.
For more information and photographs click www.ores.org
The Canadian non-for-profit organisation ORES (Ocean Research and
Education
Society) is dedicated to the study of free living whales and seals of the
St. Lawrence Estuary (
of beluga whales live year-round in these waters, while blue, finback,
humpback and minke whales as well as harbour porpoises and occasionally
sperm whales visit these highly dynamic and nutrient rich waters during the
summer
months. The study area lies within the first and only
Scientific studies focus on the agile and highly interesting minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) which
frequent these waters daily in high numbers to hunt schooling fish and
occasionally krill. Unique environmental parameters such as tidal currents,
areas of upwellings, and fronts often concentrate the prey at the surface where
the agile and highly creative minke whales coral, entrap and engulf the prey
while lunging into the air. Under the permit of Fisheries & Oceans and the
Marine Park ORES conducts long-term studies on the distribution, ecology and
conservation of minke whales which are based on the most comprehensive
photo-identification program of minke whales.
Since 1990, ORES offers two-week field courses for academic and
non-academic students who not only encounter different marine mammals and
observe different behaviours but also learn what the whales are doing and why
while helping to collect important research data. Throughout the course ORES
staff present comprehensive lectures on research results, marine mammal
biology, data sampling, breathing and diving ecology, hunting strategies and
techniques and individual habitat use. A special focus is given to the
photo-identification program allowing participants to identify individual
whales within a few days.
The courses include
-
daily boat-based surveys in protected waters (no
seasickness)
-
data collection in the field
-
primary data processing on land
-
comprehensive lectures on
o
the marine ecosystem
o
marine mammal biology
o
feeding and breathing ecology
o
distribution and habitat use
o
photo-identification
o
scientific sampling methods
o
primary data analysis
-
trips to museums and local attractions
Every day when we got back to
the harbour, I would think "Wow! What a great
day! It can't get any better than this." Then the next day would
come and
it would be more amazing then the day before. Watching the minkes as they
surface feed or when they are moving up the St. Lawrence was great. But
when I started learning the history of the individual whales like Loca and
Double Scoop, and then when I was able to identify Owl Eyes, I knew I was
making a difference. (Testimonial Wendy Beltz,
Course
dates 2009:
Group 1: July 5 17
Group 2: July 19 31
Group 3: August 2 -14
Group 4: August 16 28
Group 5: August 30 September 11
Group 6: September 13 - 25
The course fee of Swiss francs 1600 (~ 1100,
£ 1050, US 1500) include accommodation, all transports on land and on water and special
trips to museums and local events, all safety equipment and several multi-media
lectures given by marine biologists.
Everybody with
basic English and between 16 to 70+ years old is eligible.
No special skills
or knowledge are needed!!
For more information visit www.ores.org or contact: utscherter@ores.org
Ursula Tscherter, project director,