ANTIGUANICE YACHTING INSIDER NEWSLETTER

UK Charity MARINElife Recruits Superyachts To Gather Data on Whales and Dolphins in the Open Ocean

Andy Williams briefing crew members from 3 superyachts aboard MY Grey Matters

 UK based Marine research charity MARINElife is working with Superyacht skippers and crew based in Antigua and Barbuda to gain vitally important information on whales and dolphins around the region and in the deep ocean. MARINElife trustee, founder and former Research Director, Andy Williams gave a presentation aboard the MY Grey Matters in Falmouth Harbour (Antigua) on Thursday 12th April 2017. Andy gave an overview of the species that the vessels might encounter, how to identify the animals and how to record the information in order to contribute to MARINElife’s ongoing research. As the Caribbean sailing season draws to an end many of these yachts will travel across the Atlantic or up the eastern seaboard of America covering thousands of miles of ocean. MARINElife and those who took part hope this will be the start of a long and productive initiative.

MY Grey Matters

MARINElife trustee, founder and former Research Director, Andy Williams said, “Throughout the nearly 25 years of MARINElife, we have a history of innovative research and are leaders in the area of citizen science for offshore research. Using Platforms of Opportunity like ferries, sailing vessels and now Super Yachts we have discovered located and been able to study rare beaked whales, make significant discoveries about whale and dolphin distribution and relative abundance. All this data is used to publish in the scientific literature, to support governments in identifying areas of environmental and conservation significance and providing the general public with information they would not otherwise have.”  

Cuvier’s beaked whale

“We are surrounded by the most beautiful waters here in Antigua and I am very excited that professional mariners who travel these waters and across the Atlantic or up to the US will now be part of our research efforts.”

“We are already excited about the Caribbean sailing season 2017/18 and hope to reach many more skippers and crew during the Antigua Boat show 2017.”

Captain of the MY Grey Matters, Andy Burridge said, “We are very pleased to be supporting the work of MARINElife. Of course our first job while we are at sea is the safety of the ship but our crew are highly vigilant and with the training they have received today I have no doubt we will be able to provide some good data. All the crews involved are very excited and looking forward to getting to sea now.”