Arctic Adventours - Whale Research and Whale Safari's in 1995

[Arctic Adventours logo]

This year we will do two different types of whale observation programs. Both programs are based at Hamn on Senja where we try to build a center for Studies of whales in cooperation with a.o. Earthwatch.

The basic program (six departures) are based on a week program starting and ending in Tromsø. One 14 days program do more pelagic observation search for the Fin Whale.

In addition to the observation safari's with Arctic Explorer out on the field approximately 4 hours from the base (3-4 of the days) the program is freely built for individual (or organized) activities like trekking / fishing / zodiac hikes to abandonned places. We do also hope that participants will engage in the registration work or other tasks concerning the establishing of the center, though of course volontary.

Project Whale Center Senja

We do not know what this is gonna' be. What we do know is that it is not going to be a new Sea World, The vision and plans are leading to a small, but effectful center, where the aim is to bring people who are interest in contact with an accumulated and dynamic information about our common field of interest the whales. The marine biologists from all over the world will be offered free lodging and studies and use of the fascilities (not at least the boat) at the center, in exchange for a share of their information to the visitors.

The center will be built on basis of support from organizations like Earthwatch in addition to municipal support from various Norwegian subsidiaries. The practical implementation and establishment of the center will be carried out by the owners of the Hamn Tourist Lodge (Ole Henning & Kari Anne) in addition to the hosts of Arctic Explorer (Knut & Christine ). The center will in its character not provide to be a major tourist attraction, but only be accessible for those who are staying (or joining ) for a period.

Program 1 - Study of the Sperm Whale

The program starts in Tromsø with arrival on the afternoon. Either the boat is there for a sailing leg down to the center at Hamn or we use the coastal steamer to Finnsnes and drive by car over the Senja Island. The arrivals not sailing from Tromsø will sail back the same route and vice versa.

For the stay in Hamn we will go out for observation when the conditions for this is right. The experience over years has shown that the most successful programs need to be flexible, so to have a extensive itinerary to see a large geographical area of the country at the same expedition is only giving frustration. Because if the weather turns wrong at the vital moments concerning the observation of whales, it simply blows it (so to say in whalish). Remember the rule one for a stay in Arctic, it is never threathening or exhaustible as long as you not set up a program where you have to push the conditions. So, this is an expedition for participants that want by return, to rely on deep impressions (on a micro level) instead of a list of visited places. Since we joined the Internet as a source of distribution for this programs we are not dealing with marketing in the sence of convincing you by the superlatives. We give you the content (and hopefully some enthusiasm) and if you don't want to join us it is not a problem for you not for us.

In average we do a 3-4 days missions out to the field during a week. Some of them will last for up to 24 hours when the weather is good. We also will arrive at some of the other villages by returnal from some of them.

The days when we are not out on the field, the area is a mekka for nature lovers. The number of peaks and routes for varied climb and mountaneering activity are sufficient for a whole life. In addition the coastline is giving access to an archipelago (with some of the norhternmost coral reefs) just outside our boat. The number of fish species to catch is oversizing most other places. The seafood and mussels are also numerous and in big quantities. So even basically staying at Hamn we experience that most of the friends visiting us has a feeling of left prospected task when leaving. Which also influence on the very high rate of repeated visits (40 % in 1994).

The research project is directly concerned on tasks like; registration of individs, numbers, stationarity, sounds. More indirectly we try to support research people (except financally) by being helping hands, computing and catalouging. Finally we do hope that we shall be able to establish the first interactive Internet connection to the very field itself, with video, sound and not at least a continous report with all the dynamic information updated every day. So if you whant to be a part of the 'cyberwhalley' you are welcome to join us.

Program 2 - Study of the Fin Whale

This program is very much in its preliminary phase. It is necessary to do some more pelagic expeditions to look for the Fin whale for several reasons. This program will also cover the same mainframe as the described under program one, but will in addition do one long or two expeditions in the Norwegian / Barents sea. It is only done for one trip in 1995. Possibly extended with one program with Arctic Explorer II if necessary. The sign up for this program should now that they are used to stand rough sea over a period though no special seamanship qualification is required. They can always be learnt onboard.

When this is said it is meant to be a major task to look for the group of Fin Whales in the coastal area so we will arrive at different ports for some night stays. The weather conditions have a major influence on the quality of observation, so it is no use to lie out there in conditions with either fog or more than a breeze/gale wind strenght (or more than 2-3 meter wawes). Under such conditions we either participate in an around the whale center at Hamn or we simply check out some spots along the coast that seems fascinating. Or we pick some mussels and drink a white wine and read a book!

For furhter information on books or knowledge about these fascinating animals, please look at the The Whale Watching Web!