Cetacean research methods and platforms
LAND BASED Land-based surveys are done from the top of Andenes lighthouse using special BigEyes binoculars. We can spot whale blows all the way to the horizon, 25 km away, and find their exact position. These surveys can be done at any time when there is sufficient visibility - even in the middle of the ''night'' during the mindinght sun period in the summer. |
BOAT BASED Boat-based surveys help us collect more detailed data on the whales: we can record the sounds whales make and also take their photo-ID, making it possible to estimate how many animals there are in the area, how long do they stay in our area, and if they create some social bonds. Our researchers collect data from whale-watching boats of Whalesafari Andenes, a good example of a company supporting research efforts, and from Andenes-Senja ferry. Arctic Whale Tours also contributes the data to MAREFA database. |
OBSERVATION NETWORK
Observation network is a way of collecting a large quantity of information from casual whale-watchers who can be photographers, fishermen, whale watching enthusiasts or just accidentally spot a whale while walking along the coast or crossing a fjord with a ferry. Everyone can report their sighting in a simple sighting report form, which gives a large spatial and areal coverage of information about whale movements, especially in the winter. |