This trip is FULL
Click "Join waitlist" on the left to add your name to the waitlist

Whales. Researchers. You?

Join the Marine Education and Research Society trip with researchers - Sunday October 1st, 2023 departing from Campbell River.

Campbell River Whale Watching have graciously donated a trip, providing us with a significant fundraising opportunity and the chance to share our research in person with you.

The excursion will be ~6 hours long, aboard the MV Tenacious III, with highly experienced crew AND there will be two MERS Humpback Whale researchers aboard.

MERS team members will be on board to share with you what we have learned from nearly 20 years of research on Humpback Whales, and to answer your questions. Please note, this will not be a regular whale watching trip. While we will of course view and share information about other species, the primary focus will be on Humpback Whales - identifying individuals, interpreting behaviour, and discussing our research and further efforts to reduce threats.

Cost per person is $350 and includes lunch, also sponsored by Campbell River Whale Watching.

Check in will be at the Campbell River Whale Watching office, E Dock at the Discovery Harbour Marina, at 8:15 am  and then we will proceed to the MV Tenacious III for the safety talk and introductions for a 9 am departure. We will return to the dock around 4 pm.

The vessel has interior heating and indoor and outdoor seat. There are walk-around decks and onboard washroom.

Maximum group size will be 20 supporters + 2 MERS staff + Campbell River Whale Watching Captain and Naturalist.

Trip tips:
Please bring your own water bottle. 
Dress in layers. 
Bring binoculars. 

Campbell River Whale Watching vessel - MV Tenacious III.

The importance of sound to cetaceans
Join us in the world of the whales

Join us for a webinar dedicated to learning about how marine mammals rely on sound, and the impacts of ocean noise. We’ll be gaining from the expertise of those who listen and learn from sound in the sea:

• Dr. Harald Yurk - Bioacoustician / Biophysical Scientist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Dr. Valeria Vergara- Co-director of Raincoast Conservation Foundation’s Cetacean Conservation Research Program
• Helena Symonds - Co-founder of OrcaLab
  
  
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The content will include examples of how marine mammals use sound; the launch of two new educational animations; discussion of the cumulative effects of ocean noise on marine mammals; and efforts to research and reduce the impacts of acoustic disturbance.
Artist Dawn Dudek will also be on hand to answer questions about making the animations. 
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Ocean Voices is our campaign to increase awareness of how important sound is to marine mammals. They live in a world where sound travels ~4.5 x faster and much further than in air and where noise can impact their ability to communicate, rest, mate, establish territory, navigate, socialize, hunt, and /or avoid predation and other dangers.

Acoustic disturbance can also exacerbate the impacts of other stresses and threats such as reduced prey availability and build up of toxins.

May increased understanding compel more action to reduce underwater noise such as: (1) boater compliance with distance and speed limits; (2) slow down and avoidance zones; (3) support for quieter boating technologies and practices; and (4) consumer and voter action to reduce the amount and location of large vessel traffic.

Financial support for the www.OceanVoices.ca resources provided by the North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association's Conservation Fund (NIMMSA), www.nimmsa.org.

Guidance and expertise for Ocean Voices provided by Helena Symonds, Dr. Howard Harald Yurk, and Dr. Valeria Vegara. 
#OceanVoices #SoundInTheSea #TurnDownTheVolume #ForTheWhales

This trip is FULL
Click "Join waitlist" on the left to add your name to the waitlist

Whales. Researchers. You?

Join the Marine Education and Research Society trip with our researchers - Saturday October 7, 2023 departing from Port McNeill.

Bill and Donna Mackay, of Mackay Whale Watching in Port McNeill, have graciously donated a trip, providing us with a significant fundraising opportunity and the chance to share our research in person with you.

The excursion will be ~6 hours long, aboard the Naiad Explorer, with highly experienced crew including pioneer whale watching captain Bill Mackay, AND there will be two MERS Humpback Whale researchers aboard.

MERS team members will be on board to share with you what we have learned from nearly 20 years of research on Humpback Whales, and to answer your questions. Please note, this will not be a regular whale watching trip. While we will of course view and share information about other species, the primary focus will be on Humpback Whales - identifying individuals, interpreting behaviour, and discussing our research and further efforts to reduce threats.

Cost per person is $350. All funds raised will go directly to MERS Education, Research and Response work.

Check in will be at the Mackay Whale Watching office, 1514 Broughton Boulevard, between 9 am and 9:15 am. We will then proceed to the Naiad Explorer which is moored near the gas dock for the safety talk and introductions. We will return to the dock between 3:30 pm and 4 pm.

See www.whaletime.com for photos of the Naiad Explorer and further details about Mackay Whale Watching. The vessel has interior heating and indoor and outdoor seating. There is an onboard washroom.

Maximum group size will be 25 supporters + 2-3 MERS staff + Mackay Whale Watching crew.

Trip tips:
Please bring your own water bottle and lunch (snacks will be provided).
Dress in layers. 
Bring binoculars. 

Mackay Whale Watching vessel - Naiad Explorer