Hello everyone and welcome to Whale Wise!
Like millions of people around the world, we are passionate about whales and their mysterious lives. We love nothing more than spending a day on the water, watching whales and dolphins feed, leap and maybe even interact with us. However, whales may not quite see it this way- instead, evidence exists that whale watching vessels can disrupt whale behaviour and may even be perceived as a predatory threat.
Therefore, we set up Whale Wise: a collaborative project aimed at minimising the negative impacts of the whale watching industry on whale and dolphin populations. We believe that it is possible to maintain a profitable whale watching industry, providing life-changing encounters, whilst allowing healthy and happy whale populations to thrive. Specifically, we have the following goals:
We will focus our efforts on the whales of Skjálfandi Bay, Iceland: an important feeding ground for various whale species and an area subject to intense, boat-based whale watching. The project will start with the 2018 field season, which will last from May to September.
Before our field season begins, I want to make clear that we are supporters of whale watching. As an industry, it has massive potential to educate the public, promote behavioural change towards conservation and ensure that protection of our marine life represents a priority for business and government alike. However, there is also evidence of potential negative impacts on whale behaviour and populations. We cannot yet say whether these impacts exist in Skjálfandi Bay, but we aim to use unbiased, scientific research to find out. At the end of the day, a healthy whale watching industry requires a healthy whale population.
Throughout the project, we will share our fieldwork stories, breakthroughs, trials and tribulations. We will also discuss the ways in which humans may harm marine mammals, and the steps we can take in our daily lives to reduce this harm. So, if you want to follow our adventures and learn more about whales generally, keep reading this blog! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email info@whalewise.org or comment on the website.
What a brilliant and forward thinking attitude to conservation and marine industry!
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Hi Donna, thank you so much. Hopefully we can make a change!
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Hi Tom
What wonderful work and adventures.
Good luck.
I shall enjoy reading your blogs.
Xx
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Hi Ali,
Thank you for the kind words, hopefully I’ll see you soon!
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This is such an interesting & well worth studying project Tom . I’m going to throughly enjoy your blog. Have a great time at Skjalfandi Bay. Good luck . X
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Thanks Ange, hopefully I’ll see you when I get back!
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Hi Tom. I have never blogged so thanks for encouraging me to join the 21st Century. Your goals are admirable and inspiring I will follow the blog with great interest (if I can get back to the site after leaving). Best wishes for your research. Nigel
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Hi Nigel, thank you for such a kind comment. Hopefully we will be able to realise our goals!
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