Wildlife Conservation Iceland Project #25043

Killer Whales and Their Prey in Iceland

by Earthwatch Institute

Project Report | Jun 22, 2017
Earthwatch's Killer Whales Research Gets Underway in Iceland!

By Heather Wilcox | Director of Annual Giving & Advancement Services

A Killer Whale "Spyhopping"

After several years of planning and anticipation, Earthwatch is thrilled to announce that the first field season of Killer Whales and Their Prey in Iceland research expedition is now underway! Under the careful guidance of Lead Scientist Dr. Filippa Samarra, the first team of six lucky Earthwatch volunteers headed out to sea on June 10^th for a 12-day experience of a lifetime.

You may recall that this project represents the first long-term effort to monitor and better understand the Icelandic population of orcas. Before its inception, little was known about orcas in Iceland. By using several research techniques in combination with citizen science we now know that part of the population that occurs in Icelandic waters regularly travels to other parts of the North Atlantic, yet still Icelandic orcas show unique complex behavioral characteristics that we have only just begun to understand. Many questions remain unanswered.

This is where you come in. Your ongoing support will help ensure that this research is able to continue for as long as necessary to collect the data we need to answer these questions and help guide appropriate policies around fisheries and sustainable resource management.

Over the next few months, volunteers will use land- and boat-based observations to collect biological, behavioral and environmental data and will assist with capturing photos and acoustic recordings to build an identification database of individual whales. The first season of data collection for this study will conclude on August 20. We look forward to updating you on the progress of these efforts later in the year. In the meantime, thank you again for your past generosity, and have a wonderful summer!

P.S. Due to the nature of this research, which requires a small, fast boat to keep up with the orcas as they effortlessly move through the deep blue waters of Iceland, only six volunteers can participate at a time, for a total of 30 volunteers per year. With such limited seating, all volunteer spots through September 2018 are already reserved! If you are interested in joining this research yourself as an orca volunteer, we strongly recommend you join our waitlist.

Collecting a Blubber Biopsy

Preparing the Blubber Biopsy

Acoustic Monitoring for Killer Whale Pods

Killer Whale Calf With its Mother

Surveying for Killer Whales From Land

Links:

Join the Waitlist as a Killer Whale Volunteer

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Dec 2, 2016
Iceland's Killer Whale Research Begins June 2017

By Heather Wilcox | Director of Annual Giving & Advancement Services

A Killer Whale approaches the research boat

Thank you for supporting Earthwatch’s Killer Whales and Their Prey in Iceland research expedition. Earthwatch has spent the last two years developing this exciting new field study, which gets underway in June 2017, and we’re thrilled to announce that all 5 volunteer teams have been filled.

In a message to volunteers and supporters, Dr. Filippa Samarra, Principal Investigator, writes:

Iceland, due to its position in the North Atlantic marine ecosystem, sits at the confluence of major oceanic currents making its waters rich in wildlife including fish and marine mammals. Iceland has long been home to orcas, however little is known about this population. Crucial aspects of their lives such as what they eat, where they go and how many there are have been little understood. Our research has shown that Icelandic waters are visited by over 400 orcas, for a variety of activities including feeding, resting, socializing, and nursing, although some seem to be only occasional visitors.

The Icelandic Orca Project is a long-term research, monitoring and conservation program, focusing on orcas in Icelandic waters. Our mission is to understand the ecology and behavior of orcas in Iceland through a long-term monitoring research program so that we can better identify the threats they face and develop effective conservation and management strategies. We aim to raise public awareness of this little known orca population through education and outreach activities.

This project represents the first long-term effort to monitor and better understand the Icelandic population of orcas. Before its inception, little was known about orcas in Iceland. By using several research techniques in combination with citizen science we now know that part of the population that occurs in Icelandic waters regularly travels to other parts of the North Atlantic, yet still Icelandic orcas show unique behavioral characteristics. We have only just begun to understand the complexity of these animals and many questions remain unanswered. We are extremely happy to have your support!

We look forward to sharing observations from the field with you next summer. In the meantime, have a wonderful holiday season and new year!

With gratitude,

Heather Wilcox
Director of Annual Giving & Advancement Services
hwilcox@earthwatch.org
978-450-1208

P.S. Remember, you don't just have to read about this research from afar... you can be at the center of the action as an Earthwatch research volunteer! Please follow the link below to join the waitlist for volunteering on the Icelandic Orca Project, or visit earthwatch.org to learn about several other marine projects that are accepting volunteers.

Researchers tracking a pod of killer whales

Researchers listen for killer whale vocalizations

Stunning Iceland scenery

A killer whale surfaces

Dr. Filipa Samarra, Principal Investigator

Links:

Earthwatch's Killer Whales Research Expedition

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