Killer Whales and Their Prey in Iceland

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.

Links:

• Earthwatch's Killer Whales Research Expedition