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The Three Research Platforms

Boat-based Observations

• Photo-Identification of Individual Whales

  During behavioral observations, digital photographs of the tail flukes of each member of a pod of whales are obtained using digital cameras equipped with 70-300 mm zoom lenses. The combination of the white-black pigementation patterns on the underside of the tail fluke and the serrated trailing edge of the fluke are unique to each whale (i.e., the whale's "finger-print") and can be used to identify individuals and trace their life histories. Dorsal fins, distinctive scars, and body markings may also be photographed, to contribute to the identification of each whale.

  While tracking a group of whales, every animal is given a temporary name. The name usually describes a distinctive feature of a whale's dorsal fin, such as "Hook" or "Scar." Although dorsal fins alone are not typically enough to permanently identify each whale, they are usually different enough to differentiate between animals within a small group. As a participant, you will document these individuals, keeping a log of the behaviors each animal performs, and the social roles assigned to each animal. Whenever an animal is about to dive, the time is noted, the whale is identified by its dorsal fin, and a fluke photograph is taken. This process allows us to link behavior and social roles to each individual whale. The fluke photograph will then be matched to our fluke catalog and it will add to that animal's sighting history.

• Underwater Videography

  To increase our understanding of the social matrix and social behaviors of humpback whales, it is necessary to complement our surface observations from the boat with more detailed underwater observations. Underwater videography provides a record of continuous behaviors which allows for a more complete, detailed study and analysis of behavioral changes and dynamics.

  We will use an underwater video camera equipped with a hydrophone to document social affiliations and social behavior during situations that allow a trained staff member to enter the water and observe the whales. Underwater observations will be made only by TDI staff members trained in the use of the underwater camera.
  

Shore-Based Observations

Use of a shore-based observational platform enables researchers to collect data without influencing the behavior of the animals under study, and allows for a larger scale of observation.

An electronic theodolite (Sokkia DT5) is used to track the movements of whales and vessels from shore. A theodolite measures horizontal and vertical angles to the object of interest. With the theodolite at a known elevation and location, the vertical and horizontal angles can be converted to positional information, expressed in terms of latitude and longitude. The speed and direction of movement of whales or vessels can be derived from a series of position estimates over time. The shore station is used by our team to document how whale density, pod composition, and behavior vary daily and seasonally. A specific focus of our work is using the theodolite to create digital computer maps of real-time whale locations that can be transmitted to ships to help them avoid striking whales.

Fluke Matching

Image and Sighting History for "Alpha"

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