RESEARCHING SPERM WHALES

Canary Islands

Griffith University is leading a critical research expedition in the Canary Islands to study sperm whale behaviour, feeding patterns, and social structures. These whales are facing serious threats from vessel strikes in the region, and this project aims to provide essential data for conservation efforts. Key activities include collecting behavioural data, biometric samples, and tagging information, all of which will contribute to scientific publications and conservation efforts.

The expedition is flexible within the window of December 9, 2024, to February 14, 2025, and will run for seven days based around Fuerteventura or possibly Tenerife. The research team is small—just two researchers and a photographer Henley Spiers. They’re looking for a vessel with a swim platform, tender for support, and a bit of deck space for their work.

OUTSTANDING OUTCOMES FOR RESEARCH

Detailed assessment:

- Behaviour such as feeding patterns and habitat preferences

- Social structure

- Health assessment based on biometric data

- Outcomes published in an international, scientific journal

Researchers will be collecting unique and never collected before underwater footage of sperm whales deep diving to more than 1000m using new tag technology that so far only has been tested on pilot whales at similar depth.

LOGISTICS

Locations: Fuerteventura or possibly Tenerife

Dates: December 2024 –February 2025

Duration: 1 Week

Berths: 2 - 3 people

NECESSARY EQUIPTMENT

Calm weather conditions

Swim Platform

Tender

Desk Space

RESEARCHERS

Dr Olaf Meynecke

Dr Patricia Arranz

Both project leaders have 20 years of marine research experience working at sea

and in remote environments. Both researchers have previously undertaken the

proposed research successfully. There are track records available on research

expeditions led by the researchers over the past decades including the completion

of international research projects.