Baja Blue and Beaked Whales

Description:

Blue whales are thought to be the largest animal ever to have existed on earth, reaching lengths of nearly 100 feet. They were nearly hunted to extinction throughout the world and are currently listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. There are an estimated 5,000 to 12,000 animals remaining today, with the largest population of approximately 2,000 off the U.S. West Coast. 

Large concentrations of blue whales have been documented off California and Baja California and in the eastern tropical Pacific since the 1970s. From 1991 to 1997, John Calambokidis of the Cascadia Research Collective, initiated a research project to estimate humpback and blue whale abundance off the west coast of the U.S. and Mexico comparing capture-recapture models based on photographically identified animals and line-transect methods from ship-based surveys. In 2009, Calambokidis also documented blue whales in Alaska waters, speculating that this may represent a return to a migration pattern that has existed for earlier periods for eastern North Pacific blue whale population.

Blue whales are known to feed off California from May through November and migrate to waters off Mexico and as far south as the Costa Rica Dome in winter and spring. 

Almost a quarter of the 86 recognized species of cetaceans are beaked whales. Although rarely seen at sea, the waters of Guadalupe Island benefit from oceanic currents favored by Cuvier's beaked whales. Measuring a maxium size of 23 feet, these whales typically have a high profile above the water when surfacing making them relatively easy to spot.

Our research goals are to document the occurrence and distribution of blue and beaked whales in northern Baja waters.  Working side-by-side with the research scientist,  volunteers will conduct small boat surveys searching for blue and beaked  whales, and photographically identifying any whales encountered through their natural markings, and making underwater recordings of whales. You will observe and record the group size, behaviors, and movement of whales.

Our base of operations will be from aboard a live-aboard vessel offering eight double-occupancy cabins. Research will be conducted from the main vessel and smaller skiffs,   launched from the main vessel.

We depart from/return to San Diego heading south along the Baja  coast to search for blue whales and then further west to towards Guadalupe Island to search for the beaked whales.  Guadalupe Island is a Biosphere Reserve and a pinniped sanctuary  for northern elephants and Guadalupe fur seals.  We anchor in Guadalupe’s  protected bay and spend days searching beaked whales, snorkeling in the crystal clear waters, or paddling by kayak to explore the coastline.  In addition to the abundant fish life,  great in-water encounters with with  sea lions and fur seals can be expected

The  Baja California Blue Whale Research Project  cooperation between Oceanic Society and Cascadia Research Collective expands on past work off the California West Coast and Costa Rica.

Itinerary:

Day 1: San Diego. Board vessel between 4:00-6:00pm. Welcome and briefing.

Brief stop in Ensenada for customsDay 2. Cruise to Coronado  Island area to observe seabirds and sea lions, searching for blue whales, as well as dolphin species. Day 3: Cruise south of Ensenda to survey for blue whales and collect data. Evening depart for Guadalupe Island.

Day 4-5: Mid-morning arrival at Gudalupe Island. Three days to search for beaked whales, observe fur seals and enjoy snorkeling.

Day 6: Continue beaked whale surveys, and enjoy the island environs. Late afternoon departure from Guadalupe.

Day 7-8: Off northern Baja Peninsula conducting blue whale research.

Day 9: Morning at customs at Ensenada. Search for dolphins and whales enroute to San Diego. Disembark at 5:00pm 

Optional Extensions: