Whale study group needs volunteer yacht for 3 weeks in the Pacific

by Nancy Knudsen on 8 Mar 2009 If you 'have yacht, will sail', this might be a project worthy of your consideration. Oceans Watch, well known for undertaking marine conservation projects in conjunction with coastal communities in developing countries, has been approached by the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium (SPWRC) for assistance... and are looking for a volunteering yacht for three weeks in August/September this year.

The SPWRC has been conducting long term whale and dolphin research projects in many islands - Tonga, New Caledonia, Cook Islands and French Polynesia. SPWRC now need to conduct long term research in Niue, Fiji, Samoa, Tuvalu, Tokelau and Kiribati.

In 2008 the first project was undertaken in Niue, in collaboration with the Niue Government and a local NGO (non-government organisation).

The results of this survey were very encouraging with over 50 humpbacks sighted and recorded over a ten day period. They did have many problems, however, due to the fact that the only boats available in Niue were small and did not allow for a stable platform from which to take tail fluke photos (used to ID individual whales).

SPWRC have been in communication with OceansWatch scientist Irene Llabres-Pohl about this project and have asked them if they might be able to help by putting them in touch with an OceansWatch yacht who might like the opportunity to help on this interesting project.

One of OceansWatch’s aims is to facilitate between institutions whose work supports marine conservation and their members.

Oceans Watch is therefore seeking expressions of interest. The project will be in August/September for about three weeks.

APWRC can cover food costs and all extra costs such as fuel but there can be no profit involved for the yacht owner as this would then become a charter, with insurance and other ramifications.

What a fantastic experience could be in store for some lucky yacht owner.

If you think you may be able to help, or even volunteer for crewing, email chris@oceanswatch.org and tell him we sent you!

For more information about OceansWatch click here, and for information about the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium click here