Grey Whale Migration Teleconference Q&A
Earthwatch staff member Alison Whelan went on the Grey Whale Migration
expedition to Baja the year before last. Together with fellow staff
member Malene Christensen, we held a teleconference for people
interested in the project. The following is a transcript of that
session.
Grey Whale Migration
Other teleconference Q&As
What really stood out for you about this expedition?
It was a phenomenal experience! You get quite close to the whales; I was surprised at how close we came to them. From your tent at night, you can hear the whales spout in the distance. The camp is in the desert, and the winds blow in one direction in the morning and another direction at night. There are amazing sunsets and birds, and you can kayak in the nearby mangroves.
What kind of computer skills are they looking for?
In Baja they're looking for a wide variety of skills, but they'll teach you what you need to know. You will mostly be loading the pictures that were taken on the boat, cropping them, categorizing them, and running them through the recognition program. It's not very difficult, and there are graduate students there to help. In the boat, the graduate students take the photos and call out what they're seeing, which is documented by another person in the boat. At the same time, another team is gathering GPS information to track where exactly the whale is at that exact time. Computer work is done until the power supply runs out. Power is supplied by solar panels and car batteries, although they're looking into getting a wind generator. In British Columbia, the computer tasks are similar.
What kinds of whales will we be able to see?
In British Columbia, the whales lost some of their feeding ground, though you can still see grey whales and humpbacks. In Mexico, you'll see grey whales and humpbacks, in addition to other sea life like dolphins and sea turtles. Before or after your expedition, you may like to take a whale-watching tour on your own, where you could see blue whales as well!
How much time do we spend on the water?
In Baja, there are morning and afternoon shifts of alternately inputting data and going out on the boat, and the volunteers are rotated so everyone gets on the water and on the computer in one day. In British Columbia, an entire day is spent on the boat, and the next day is devoted to data input, because the teams have to travel farther to find the whales.
How big are the boats?
In Baja, the pangas are 10-12 feet long and hold about 8 passengers, though fewer than that actually go out on them. They're not big, but they're sturdy and solid and are made out of heavy fiberglass or wood. The drivers are fishermen from the local community who stop fishing during migration so they don't interfere with the whales.
What's the climate like in Baja?
It's the desert, so there's a wide range. In the nights in January, it can get into the low 50's, so you should bring an insulated sleeping bag. During the day, it gets warmer (about 70°or warmer up to 100° later in the season), but the boat ride is cold, windy, and can be wet from the splash of the sea. Once the boat is stopped, you'll probably be comfortable in a t-shirt.
Where will we be patrolling in Baja?
There are two areas to patrol in Baja: Punta de Piedra, and the Boca, which is where the lagoon opens to the ocean.
Will we have contact with the locals?
Yes. The camp is wholly owned and run by a Mexican organization, a couple and assistant make all the meals, and there are a group of people who take care of the camp. There are also the fishermen who drive the boats. Some of the people speak some English, but you'll have an easier time connecting if you know some Spanish. We played cards, ate meals together and had a great time! A group of local women make crafts from locally available materials to sell to tourists. The volunteers on this expedition don't have to seek out these crafts: the co-op comes to them. Also, typically least once, you'll visit the nearby town of Poblado. This is where many of the fisherman live and their children go to school. There are a few small tiendas (stores) where you can buy snacks.
Can I bring art supplies for the local children?
There is nothing specific about bringing items for the local children in the briefing, but we will contact the PI, Megill, and ask him about how to have those items delivered to them.
Is there a vegetarian option in Baja?
Absolutely! The location is remote and the food basic, but I had plenty to eat. ( I'm a vegetarian who eats eggs.) There's a lot of rice and beans, and for those who eat meat, there is fish and sausage, and possibly other meats. The homemade tortillas and salsa were great!
Is there safe drinking water at Baja?
Yes. Clean drinking water is trucked in to the site. There is a desalinization plant nearby, which is fine to drink but some don't care for the taste, so that water is used just for washing. The toilets are Western, but bucket-flush. There's a sink set up to brush your teeth and wash your hands, and there are shower stalls for you to take sun showers. They ask that you don't take a shower more often than every other day, since they are trying to be responsible about conserving water. If you'd like a shower, let the staff know that morning, and they'll set out a bag of water to warm in the sun.
Can I bring biodegradable soap?
Yes, please bring only biodegradable personal care items! Campsuds is one type of biodegradable soap I've used. You can find this and other soaps at camp stores like REI, Eastern Mountain Sports, campmor.com or Trader Joe's, Whole Foods or other natural food/health type store.
If you can hear the whales from camp, can you see them too?
Yes! Where you eat, you can see them through the window. It's pretty amazing!
Will we be doing work in the mangroves?
Possibly, but it's not the main focus. The expedition is moving towards looking at the ecology of the area, using underwater cameras and sonar to start mapping the bottom of the area. You can visit the mangroves during the downtime; it's only a half mile from where you'll be staying.
What else can we do when we're not working in the ocean or on the computer?
You'll have a couple of hours each day to relax, take a walk, play cards, cribbage or kayak in the nearby mangroves.
I was thinking about going on this expedition with my 14-year old child. Would it be appropriate for her?
There is a family team in British Columbia this upcoming August. The tasks are similar to those of a regular team, but you're not out on the boat for as much time. There will be mapping and taking samples, and the PI and leaders approach the project so younger team members can understand the science and make a connection. The emphasis is on migration, and if there are no whales, the kids will understand the reasons for it. There is also a focus on a frog project. They're looking at the ecology of the entire area, and frogs are a good predictor species.
How many volunteers are going on the January 20th expedition?
Right now, there are 9 people signed up for it.
Will there be people on the team from outside the U.S.?
There may be. We will send out a team list 30 days before the team starts, so you can contact each other beforehand.
I'm having trouble planning my flight. Can you help me?
We list travel agencies in the briefing to help plan your travel needs, and you can always call us for recommendations. Or, you could call a travel agent just to figure out the routing for the trip, then book it yourself online. For the Baja teams; if coming from the East Coast, travel via Phoenix may save you long lay-overs. You can use any airline to Phoenix and then Aero México from Phoenix to Loreto.
Am I going to need a lot of camping gear?
You will need a low profile tent, a mat, and a sleeping bag. The campsite can provide a tent for you, but it's likely that you'll be sharing it with someone else. If you prefer privacy, definitely bring your own. If you do not plan to do much camping after this expedition, we recommend you ask your friends if you can borrow their gear, or you can rent sleeping bags and other gear from places like REI.
Are there a lot of other tourists at the camp?
February starts the tourist season, and there were a few tourists in January; later in the season (March/April), there are more tourists. Part of this expedition is interacting with the tourists and answering their questions about the research your team is doing and the importance protecting the lagoon.