Tag: Marine Mammal Science

One Ocean Expeditions is committed to marine mammal science programs with teams of internationally renown marine biologists on several departures. This important research collaboration determines growth rate and health of a wide variety of whale species and populations.

Internationally acknowledged marine mammal scientists join specific marine mammal voyages, allowing guests to observe their fieldwork in close proximity.  One Ocean Expeditions scientific team of cetacean experts includes leading researcher, Ari S Fiedlaender, Ph.D. Associate Professor at University of California, Santa Cruz.  Dr. Fiedlaender will share cutting-edge scientific research results vividly with passengers and encourage them, to participate with ongoing cetacean sighting programs during the voyage.  The experts’ guidance provides valuable and fascinating insight into the world of Antarctic science with an underlying message of conservation through education and inspiring experiences.

Dr. Ari Friedlaender successfully deployed non-invasive suction-cup video tags on humpback whales and dive-profile tags on Antarctic minke whales during two expeditions to Antarctica in 2017 on One Ocean’s Navigator, together with the Australian Antarctic Division.  The collected data these tags provided are extremely valuable as they will prove unique insights into the behaviour and movements of Antarctica whales in the delicate Antarctic ecosystems.

Science with One Ocean Expeditions

The oceans in the Polar Regions are known to be the most efficient in early warning detection as they are often the most highly affected by global environmental changes. One Ocean Expeditions carefully selects research partners, who execute important and relevant research projects, to travel alongside guests and conduct science while onboard our expedition cruises. These projects which take place in Antarctica, the Arctic and all places in between are exclusive to the One Ocean Expeditions program. Research may range from collecting data for critical meteorological and oceanographic studies used at an international level, to the tagging and tracking of migrant whale populations for universities and science institutions worldwide.

Whale Research in Antarctica

A whale research team recently traveled to Antarctica to understand on the health and growth of whales by using UAS to gather pertinent information. Learning the behavior of humpback whales and minke whales is critical to the understanding of whales and their habitats to ensure we they are protected in years to come.