KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND EARTHWATCH 2018

Transcription

1 KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND EARTHWATCH 2018

2 PLANNING CHECKLIST PLANNING CHECKLIST IMMEDIATELY Make sure you understand and agree to Earthwatch s Terms and Conditions and the Participant Code of Conduct. If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance, note that some policies require purchase at the time your expedition is booked. 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION Log in at earthwatch.org to complete your participant forms. If traveling internationally, make sure your passport is current and, if necessary, obtain a visa for your destination country. Bring your level of fitness up to the standards required (see the Project Conditions section). 90 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION Pay any outstanding balance for your expedition. Book travel arrangements (see the Travel Planning section for details). Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations for your project site. 60 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION Review the packing list to make sure you have all the clothing, personal supplies, and equipment needed. 30 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION Leave the Earthwatch 24-hour helpline number with a parent, relative, or friend. Leave copies of your photo ID and flight reservation number with a parent, relative, or friend. READ THIS EXPEDITION BRIEFING THOROUGHLY. It provides the most accurate information available at the time of your Earthwatch scientist s project planning, and will likely answer any questions you have about the project. However, please also keep in mind that research requires improvisation, and you may need to be flexible. Research plans evolve in response to new findings, as well as to unpredictable factors such as weather, equipment failure, and travel challenges. To enjoy your expedition to the fullest, remember to expect the unexpected, be tolerant of repetitive tasks, and try to find humor in difficult situations. If there are any major changes in the research plan or field logistics, Earthwatch will make every effort to keep you well informed before you go into the field.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOTE FROM THE PI... 2 THE RESEARCH... 4 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD... 7 ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD... 8 PROJECT CONDITIONS POTENTIAL HAZARDS...11 HEALTH & SAFETY TRAVEL TIPS EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST PROJECT STAFF RECOMMENDED READING LITERATURE CITED EMERGENCY NUMBERS

4 NOTE FROM THE PI DEAR EARTHWATCHER Iceland, due to its position in the North Atlantic marine ecosystem, sits at the confluence of major oceanic currents making its waters rich in wildlife including fish and marine mammals. Iceland has long been home to orcas (Orcinus orca), however little is known about this population. Crucial aspects of their lives such as what they eat, where they go and how many there are have been until recently little understood. Our research has shown that Icelandic waters are visited by over 400 orcas, for a variety of activities including feeding, resting, socializing, and nursing, although some seem to be only occasional visitors. The Icelandic Orca Project is a long-term research, monitoring and conservation program, focusing on orcas in Icelandic waters. Our mission is to understand the ecology and behavior of orcas in Iceland through a long-term monitoring research program so that we can better identify the threats they face and develop effective conservation and management strategies. We aim to raise public awareness of this little known orca population through education and outreach activities. This project represents the first long-term effort to monitor and better understand the Icelandic population of orcas. Before its inception, little was known about orcas in Iceland. By using several research techniques in combination with citizen science we now know that part of the population that occurs in Icelandic waters regularly travels to other parts of the North Atlantic, yet still Icelandic orcas show unique behavioral characteristics. We have only just begun to understand the complexity of these animals and many questions remain unanswered. We are extremely happy to have you join our project! With your help, whether it s an extra pair of eyes on the survey boat and land station, help setting up equipment, recording orca behavior, talking to the public, or helping with data entry and processing, we will be able to implement high quality research activities that will lead to better scientific knowledge and hopefully improved conservation. By participating in all aspects of the data collection, you will acquire unique knowledge and research experience. You will get practical, hands-on insights into how the work is carried out and experience both the joys and sometimes frustrations of being a cetacean field researcher. We hope (and are almost certain) that by the end of the expedition you will not only feel enriched, but also part of the family. Sincerely Yours, Filipa Samarra Principal Investigator at the Icelandic Orca Project CONNECT WITH OTHER EARTHWATCHERS! FIND US ON FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/ EARTHWATCH OR ON AND ON YOUTUBE AT YOUTUBE.COM/ EARTHWATCHINSTITUTE 2

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6 THE RESEARCH KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND THE STORY In the 1960s, the population of herring in the Northeast Atlantic (Iceland and Norway) nearly collapsed, largely due to overfishing. At the time, there was rising conflict between fishermen and orca populations that were feeding on herring and were reportedly harming fishermen s nets. Today, the Icelandic government manages the herring stock carefully, and there is little competition between populations of killer whales feeding on herring and commercial fishermen whose livelihoods depend on it. However, killer whales, also known as orcas, face other threats that are connected to their diet. In recent years, the North Atlantic marine ecosystems have undergone dramatic changes due to warming waters (Dulvy et al. 2008). Changes in the availability of important fish species have been reported (Astthorsson et al. 2007, 2012; Solmundsson et al. 2010), and this is affecting the distribution, population size, and diet of top predators in the area (Víkingsson et al. 2014, 2015). 4

7 For killer whales, understanding how environmental changes impact their health and survival first requires a more complete understanding of their ecology and diet preferences. Scientists currently have very little information on the population and feeding patterns of killer whales in Iceland. While killer whales have used Iceland waters as a feeding ground for decades, the Icelandic Orca Project represents the first long-term research program dedicated to understanding their ecology, behavior, and conservation status. Our research to date suggests that Icelandic killer whales have a variety of feeding strategies. Some killer whales follow the migration of herring, while others appear to switch between herring and other prey types (Samarra and Foote 2015; Samarra et al. 2017). Understanding whether a large proportion of the Icelandic killer whale population specializes in hunting herring is relevant in the face of changing environmental conditions and will impact our ability to predict how these whales might cope with future climate change and other human impacts. By understanding threats to populations of killer whales, scientists can help to establish policies to better protect these animals. RESEARCH AIMS With the help of volunteers, this project aims to understand how widespread herring specialization is amongst the killer whale population in Iceland. By combining land-based observations with boat-based observations and biological sampling, our goal is to monitor killer whales in a known herring spawning ground and investigate how different groups use the study area. This includes how often feeding on herring occurs, and how different killer whale groups interact. Understanding which populations rely upon a single prey species, what proportion of whales share this feeding strategy, and how they interact with other whales, is crucial to our understanding of their behavioral complexity, adaptability, and the threats they may face. Our overarching objective is to test the hypothesis that killer whales observed in Vestmannaeyjar are herring specialists. If this is the case then we will expect that: 1. Killer whale occurrence in the Vestmannaeyjar spawning ground will coincide with the spawning of herring; 2. Killer whales observed in this area will be predominantly feeding; 3. Long-term dietary markers of whales observed in the area will suggest consistent feeding upon herring. HOW YOU WILL HELP Volunteers will be included in all aspects of the data collection. Due to its exposed location, weather is the main limiting factor for conducting fieldwork in Vestmannaeyjar. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding. Specific volunteer tasks include: LAND-BASED OBSERVATIONS You will help observe killer whales from land using high-magnification binoculars. You will record positions of whales and other marine mammals observed and also help record data on environmental factors. We expect 80 percent of days to be suitable for land-based observations. BOAT-BASED OBSERVATIONS You will help researchers on board the research vessel and focus on specific groups and perform behavioral observations and collect acoustic recordings. You will also help collect pictures for photo identification of individual killer whales. Additionally, you will support efforts to collect biological samples from whales for diet analysis. We expect about half of the days to be suitable for boat work. PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHS AND ACOUSTIC RECORDINGS You will help to process photographs for photo-identification. You will also be trained in how to process acoustic recordings. These activities are part of the regular schedule, but will also take place when the weather is unsuitable for fieldwork. 5

8 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD PLANS FOR YOUR TEAM Upon arrival we will present the general expedition and house rules. You ll receive a safety briefing (safety protocol on-shore and boating safety) and important tips for successful fieldwork. In the following days we will review the safety protocol on-shore, along with boating safety and best practices in the field, and we will also introduce the research, general field sampling techniques and a framework for all of the project s key protocols. You will have time to practice research tasks, both at sea and on shore at the main observation points. Every team will also have several presentations related to the project and marine mammal research. When we begin our fieldwork each day, project staff will introduce and demonstrate each new task; we ll work with you until you re comfortable with any new activities. We will also supervise to ensure quality data. 6

9 ITINERARY DAY 1: ARRIVAL & INTRODUCTION Get picked up by field staff and travel from Vestmannaeyjar Airport to project accommodations, unpack, and settle in before having a group meal in the accommodations. In the evening of the first day we ll present the course of the expedition and an overview of the research. We do suggest an early night to prepare for the week ahead. DAY 2 You ll receive a safety briefing and important tips for successful fieldwork in the morning. Afterwards we will tour the area to see where the project boat and observation point is located and begin training throughout the rest of the day. DAYS 3 11 The whole team will usually have breakfast at 7:00 a.m. and start preparing for the day ahead. On good weather days, the team will split into three groups. The first group will go to the weather station and begin land observations. The second group will start preparing after breakfast to go out on the water to observe whales. The third group will stay at the research station to conduct photo ID and acoustic work. These groups will rotate during the day. There will be a morning shift (8:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.) and an afternoon shift (1:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. A member of staff will be present with all three groups at all times. All teams will reconvene by 6:00 p.m. at the field station. When back at the field station, all teams will backup the recorded data, as well as enter any data written on data sheets into the computer. The teams will carry out any equipment maintenance necessary, such as rinsing equipment with fresh water, cleaning lenses and cameras, charging batteries, etc., to ensure the equipment is ready to be used the next day. Usually all participants will be involved in these tasks, except for those that are on cooking duty who will be preparing dinner for the team. The staff will plan for the next working day before dinner, checking the weather forecast and making a preliminary decision on whether the teams will go out or not the next morning. At the end of dinner we will hold a brief team meeting, where we will inform all participants of the plan for the next day. Participants will then have time off in the evening to relax. On some nights, project staff members will provide presentations or offer documentaries featuring Icelandic wildlife. Staff members will occasionally visit a local indoor saltwater pool with outdoor hot tubs. The pool costs 900 ISK per visit. Volunteers are more than welcome to join. RECREATIONAL DAY Usually we will have one recreational day in the middle of the team, or on a day where there s poor weather. Volunteers will have the option to visit a small aquarium (1200 ISK), a folk museum (1000 ISK) and a volcano museum (2300). If you wish to visit all three places, there is a combined ticket option for 3200 ISK. In addition to the museums, some teams may have the opportunity to help a local puffin research project. If available, volunteers can help with bird counts from photos and observe nesting seabirds. DAY 12: PROGRAM CLOSE AND DEPARTURE After breakfast, the project staff will first depart for the airport to drop volunteers off in time for 8:00 a.m. flights. NOTE: this is based on the 2017 Eagle Air Flight Schedule. Earthwatch will notify you as soon as the 2018 summer flight schedule is available. 7

10 ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD ABOUT YOUR HOME IN THE FIELD SLEEPING Expedition participants will stay in a comfortable house within 20 minutes walk from the town center and cafes, restaurants, and local shopping. The apartment has shared rooms (split gender) as well as a kitchen, dining room, and living room where you can spend free hours with your teammates. There are three rooms at the accommodations. Two rooms can accommodate two volunteers (one double and two singles), and the third room can accommodate three volunteers. You ll be within walking distance of cafes, restaurants, and local shopping. BATHROOMS The apartment is equipped with one full bathroom with a hot shower and conventional toilet. Please bring clothes that you can easily wash by hand. Laundry service is available at the accommodations (there is a washing machine and drying rack). ELECTRICITY You are welcome to bring electrical equipment. The apartment has volt electrical outlets (type C, E or F). PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS Free Internet is available at most nearby cafes and at the research station/accommodations. Depending on your mobile phone carrier, cell service will also be available if you have set up your device in advance for international service. Please note that personal communication with outsiders is not always possible while participating in an expedition. Earthwatch encourages volunteers to minimize outgoing calls and immerse themselves in the experience; likewise, family and friends should restrict calls to urgent messages only. 8

11 VOLUNTEER CONTACT INFO Dr. Filipa Samarra Marine and Freshwater Research Institute Skulagata 4, 101 Reykjavík Phone: Website: FACILITIES AND AMENITIES The apartment will be the main site for all group activities including meals, presentations, and relaxation time. The apartment has a bathroom with a hot shower and conventional toilet, and a full kitchen. House chores such as cooking lunch/ dinner, dish washing and cleaning are shared among all, volunteers and team members. For each day a schedule is prepared listing teams of two or three for different chores. Feel free to bring cards, board games, or DVDs. There will be a separate office where most of the research work on computers will take place at the research station. The island is a beautiful area to visit, and volunteers are encouraged to explore and hike during free time (weather permitting). DISTANCE TO THE FIELD SITE The research boat and dock is a 3-minute drive from the accommodations and research center. The land observation point is a 10-minute drive from the accommodations. FOOD AND WATER The project team will purchase groceries for most meals. Volunteers will prepare breakfast and lunch. There is always a nice variety of food to choose from. Cooking dinner is a task shared by volunteers and staff members, according to the schedule of house chores, which is prepared in advance. As fieldwork may sometimes last longer, we recommend that you always pack a snack. Volunteers can expect continental-european and local cuisine, with balanced diet consisting of fresh ingredients. They can also expect a fixed menu with simple recipes to help guide them when helping the field staff. The following are examples of foods you may find in the field. Variety depends on availability. We appreciate your flexibility. TYPICAL MEALS BREAKFAST Cow milk, soya milk, yogurt, various cereals, bread, toast, eggs, ham, cheese, butter, jam, peanut butter, honey, various spreads, fruit and vegetables, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, juices, water. LUNCH Typically sandwiches for the team going out on the boat and soup and sandwiches with different options of spreads, meats, cheese, eggs, etc., will be available for the land teams coming back for lunch at the apartment. DINNER Dinner will be prepared by volunteers and research staff, depending on a previously prepared schedule, and will typically consist of pastas, rice, pizza, oven baked foods, etc. SNACKS Fruit, sandwich, nuts, chips, pretzels, granola bars, etc. BEVERAGES Water, juices SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS Please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements (e.g., diabetes, lactose intolerance, nut or other food allergies, vegetarian or vegan diets) as soon as possible, and note them in the space provided on your volunteer forms. This project can cater for vegetarian diets easily, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets may also be possible, but please contact Earthwatch in advance to inform us of your dietary preferences. 9

12 PROJECT CONDITIONS THE FIELD ENVIRONMENT BOATING CONDITIONS Our 19-foot (six meter) V-hull boat has no restrooms available and seating space is very limited. Occasionally, we will ride into a headwind or have some swell, which will make some rides bumpy. If you do need to use the bathroom, it is possible to urinate off the back of the boat, or use a bucket onboard, which we will have for emergencies only. WATER CONDITIONS TYPICAL WATER TEMPERATURE DURING PROJECT: 9 C to 11 C TYPES OF WATER ENVIRONMENT: Open water LIKELY SEA STATE: Beaufort Sea state 3 or less during research ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: All participants must be able to: Weather conditions can be variable, and may include high winds, rainfall, and changes in temperature. Research will be conducted on board a small boat around the island, which has no cabin and very limited seating, thus volunteers should be prepared for such working conditions. Although moderate fitness and balance are highly recommended, we strive to make the project as accessible as possible. For land-based activities, volunteers will walk up a hill to the observation point, and may have to carry project equipment. GENERAL CONDITIONS HUMIDITY: 80% to 85% TEMPERATURE RANGE: DAY: 40 F to 55 F (4 C to 12 C) RAINFALL: Monthly average from June August: 4 5 in (115mm) Follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion. Enjoy being outdoors most of the day in variable weather, in the potential presence of wild animals. Be comfortable wearing a flotation suit that s insulated. NOTE: the weather and temperatures are variable, so having layers like thermals and long underwear are useful to wear under the suit. Be comfortable looking through binoculars at sea and on land to help scout for whales. Tolerate F weather with rain and wind. Sit and/or stand in a small motorboat for periods of up to 3 5 hours with limited space. Good balance is important. Carry personal daily supplies such as lunch, water, and some small field equipment. For the land based activities, carry equipment uphill for a distance of approximately 300m from the car park to the observation platform over thick grass. As a safety precaution, we ask that volunteers be able to swim. 10

13 POTENTIAL HAZARDS KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND HAZARD TYPE Transportation Exposure to cold Hiking Getting Lost Animals Climate/ Weather Working on a Boat Slips and Trips Personal Security Earthquakes and Volcanic Activity Distance from Medical Care ASSOCIATED RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS Land vehicles will transport volunteers to the land observation point base (5 10 minute drive). For boat-based teams, the accommodations are a 3 minutes drive to the boat docks, and vehicles will transport volunteers and equipment. Only project staff will operate vehicles. Seatbelts must be worn at all times. For the office-based team, the research station is a 5-minute drive from the accommodations. We will use boats to travel across open water to study sites. The vessel is fully equipped with safety equipment (life jackets, flares, vhf radios, throw rope, and first aid kit), navigation, and communication items. It is always possible for the ride to become bumpy for some portion of the trip, so volunteers with back problems may experience difficulty. Volunteers are not permitted to drive the boat. Volunteers must also wear the proper flotation suits and lifejackets at all times when on the boats. Boats typically operate at a maximum of one-hour journey time to the harbor. Both the land team and boat team will be exposed to wind and rain and cooler temperatures. Volunteers should wear layers of clothes and rain jackets when necessary. Boat and land based teams will have flotation suits for insulation (provided by the project). You will also walk to the observation point, which is approximately 300m. You may take your time with any sections of challenging terrain. Please inform project staff if you need a moment away from the team. Volunteers will work in groups of at least two at all times. The scientists take great care to know, at all times, where each volunteer is working, so that lost volunteers can be located quickly. If you leave the accommodations to go off on your own, you must always notify the project staff first and sign out from the project. You must also let staff know when you will return. We will cover appropriate responses to wildlife encounters in the introductory briefing. Do not approach or touch any wildlife. Volunteers will be on the research vessels at sea or on the land station for three to eight hours per day. Bring protective hats and clothing, along with sunglasses. To avoid dehydration, volunteers will bring two water bottles each day, and extra water will be available. Volunteers will be briefed on the safety measures at sea including instructions for boarding and disembarking the boat. Appropriate footwear should be worn on the vessel, and volunteers should follow the captain s instructions for safety protocols when the boat is in motion. All volunteers will receive a safety briefing prior to research activities on the boat and will be told where safety equipment is located and how to use the equipment. Volunteers are screened for swimming ability. The boat is fully equipped with safety gear (life jackets for all crew members, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, VHF radio, mobile phone, etc.). Smoking is not allowed on the boat. The captain will have a valid nautical license and extensive navigation experience. The staff will go over safety protocols in the event someone falls out of the boat. Volunteers will wear flotation suits and life jackets at all times when on the boat as a precaution for falling overboard. The staff will also brief volunteers on the deployment of hydrophones and avoiding the cables, which are potential trip hazards. The land observation point is at a high elevation and has sheer cliff drop offs. The observation point is also covered in thick grass, which can be slippery when wet. Volunteers should stay be at least 10 feet away from the cliff edge as a precaution. Vestmannaeyjar is a generally safe region for travelers; however, do not leave valuables unattended in public areas. While rare on the island, earthquakes and eruptions are possible as the island and surrounding ocean have active volcanoes. Volunteers will be briefed on warning notices, safest locations on site during tremors/eruptions, evacuation procedures, and the group gathering point. There is a health care center on the island located at Sólhlíð 10, in the town center. It consists of a primary health care center including on-call emergency doctor service 24 hours a day and a small 15-bed hospital with an on-call physician/doctor as well. During working hours the health care center can be contacted via telephone for assistance or appointment booking, but in the case of emergency one can come directly to the reception. Out of working hours the central health care help desk should be contacted (1700) for assistance and the contact of the island s on-call doctor. In case of emergency the number to call is 112, and a local ambulance service operated by the health care center can assist. In the case of major injuries or illness patients can be transported via air ambulance to Landspitalinn hospital in Reykjavík either by plane or helicopter. 11

14 HEALTH & SAFETY KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD Accommodations and vehicles all have first aid kits. In the event of a medical emergency, the Earthwatch scientists will administer first aid, and depending on the seriousness of the injury or condition, either takes the volunteer to the hospital using a project vehicle or call emergency services by cellphone. While in the field, the scientists will carry cell phones for emergency communication. If a volunteer has to leave the expedition early for emergency reasons, the Earthwatch scientists will determine the most appropriate form of transport to the airport (either a project vehicle or an ambulance). IMMUNIZATIONS & TRAVEL VACCINATIONS Please be sure your routine immunizations are up-to-date (for example: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) and you have the appropriate vaccinations for your travel destination. Medical decisions are the responsibility of each volunteer and his or her doctor, and the following are recommendations only. Visit cdc.gov or who.int for guidance on immunizations. For emergency assistance in the field, please contact Earthwatch s 24-hour emergency hotline number on the last page of this briefing. Earthwatch is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; someone is always on call to respond to messages that come into our live answering service. 12

15 TRAVEL TIPS SUGGESTIONS FOR THE ROAD MONEY MATTERS LOCAL CURRENCY: Kronas (ISK) PERSONAL FUNDS: 18,000 Kronas (210 USD) should suffice if you d like to purchase additional food or supplies. ATMs and money exchange counters are available at the Keflavik International airport when you first arrive in Iceland. ATMs are also available in Vestmannaeyjar main town, and most locations accept credit cards. International volunteers may use credit cards and ATM cards at local banks to obtain currency in Kronas. COUNTRY AND PROJECT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Entry visa requirements differ by country of origin, layover, and destination, and do change unexpectedly. For this reason, please confirm your visa requirements at the time of booking and, again, 90 days prior to travel. Please apply early for your visa (we recommend starting 6 months prior to the start of your expedition). Refunds will not be made for volunteers cancelling due to not obtaining their visa in time to meet the team at the rendezvous. You can find up to date visa requirements via one of the following sites: If a visa is required, participants should apply for a TOURIST visa. Please note that obtaining a visa can take weeks or even months. We strongly recommend using a visa agency, which can both expedite and simplify the process. YOUR DESTINATION LANGUAGE: The project will be conducted in English. The official language of Iceland is Icelandic. TIME ZONE: GMT/UMT +0 hours. CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS: Casual, modest dress is acceptable nearly everywhere. Tipping restaurant wait staff, taxi drivers, airport curbside baggage handlers, and hotel bellhops is not expected. Generally, passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry and a return ticket is required. CONTACT INFORMATION You may be required to list the following contact information on your visa application and immigration form, or if your luggage does not make it to baggage claim at your destination: Dr. Filipa Samarra Marine Research and Freshwater Institute, Skulagata 4, 101 Reykjavík ELECTRICITY: The standard voltage used for small appliances in Iceland is type C, E or F, which are volts. 13

16 EXPEDITION PACKING LIST WHAT TO BRING EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST GENERAL q This expedition briefing q Your travel plans, rendezvous details, and Earthwatch s emergency contact information q Photocopies of your passport, flight itinerary, and credit cards in case the originals are lost or stolen; the copies should be packed separately from the original documents q Passport and/or visa (if necessary) q Certification of vaccination (if necessary) q Documentation for travel by minors (if necessary) CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR FIELDWORK NOTE: Bring comfortable clothing that is easy to hand-wash and doesn t need to be ironed. Bring layers of clothing as well that can easily fit under a dry suit like thermals, fleeces, and long underwear. q Lightweight, quick drying pants/trousers, long-sleeved shirts, and pants q 2 3 warmer layers for boat work or land observations; warm base layer/thermal underwear is also useful. q Lightweight windproof and waterproof jacket. q 1 2 warm sweaters q Warm, waterproof/windproof hat (with a fleece layer on the inside, for example) are ideal to protect from the cold temperature; a wide brimmed hat or cap for sun protection q Neck warmer or scarf for the boat and land observation work q Waterproof, windproof and warm gloves for boat work and warm, windproof gloves for land work q Comfortable, waterproof shoes for boat work and land observations. We recommend hiking boots that are waterproof with good ankle support. For boat work, it is important that the soles are not slippery. q Eye mask if light will disturb your sleep. The sun doesn t set fully until 2am and there are only a few hours of darkness each night during the summer. CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR LEISURE q One set of clothing to keep clean for end of expedition q Bathing suit for local swimming pool (900 ISK per trip) FIELD SUPPLIES q Small waterproof daypack (drybag) to keep your personal items together and dry q Sunscreen lotion with SPF 30 or higher q Dry bag or plastic sealable bags (e.g. Ziploc) (good for protecting equipment such as camera from dust, humidity, and water) q Insect repellent spray q Sunglasses q Two one-liter water bottles BEDDING AND BATHING NOTE: Clean bed sheets, pillows and duvet covers will be provided by the project. However, those wishing to bring their own are welcome to do so. q Bath towel PERSONAL SUPPLIES q Personal toiletries (biodegradable soaps and shampoos are encouraged) q Antibacterial wipes or lotion (good for cleaning hands while in the field) q Personal first aid kit (e.g., anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotics, antiseptic, itch-relief, pain reliever, bandages, blister covers, etc.) and medications q Spending money (150 euro, about $180) OPTIONAL ITEMS q Binoculars (the research team has enough for all volunteer tasks, but you re welcome to bring your own) q Adapter for electronic devices q A couple of simple cooking recipes to help you cook for a group if you are not used to this. q Comfortable shoes to change into after conducting fieldwork q Travel guide q Basic modern Icelandic vocabulary guide/phrasebook q Camera, film or memory card(s), extra camera battery q Hardware for sharing digital photographs at the end of the expedition q Books, games, art supplies, etc. for free time q Earplugs for light sleepers NOTE: Do not bring more luggage than you can carry and handle on your own. If traveling by air and checking your luggage, we advise you to pack an extra set of field clothing and personal essentials in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost or delayed. 14

17 PROJECT STAFF YOUR RESOURCES IN THE FIELD FILIPA SAMARRA, EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST, is a postdoctoral researcher at the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute in Reykjavík (Iceland). She received her Ph.D. and M. Res. from the University of St. Andrews (U.K.) and a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of the Azores (Portugal). Filipa began studying killer whales more than a decade ago, while undertaking her Masters degree research. Filipa is the lead researcher of the Icelandic Orca Project. Present on all teams. PAUL WENSVEEN, EARTHWATCH FIELD TEAM LEADER, is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of St Andrews (U.K.). Paul received his Ph.D. and M.Phil. from the University of St. Andrews (U.K.) and a B.A.Sc. in Audiology from the Fontys University of Applied Sciences (The Netherlands). Paul s research includes bioacoustics and the effects of anthropogenic noise on several species of marine mammals, including orcas, and he has worked on locations including Svalbard, Jan Mayen and northern Norway. Present on most teams. NOTE: Staff schedules are based on current 2017 program and subject to change in

18 RECOMMENDED READING YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME RESOURCES ARTICLES Icelandic Orca Project researchers are main authors or co-authors of several scientific papers, published in scientific journals; a list of these can be found here: please contact info@icelandic-orcas.com if you require copies of any of these publications and can t access them PROJECT-RELATED WEBSITES HV pdf Icelandic Orca Project: About Westman islands: visitwestmanislands.com ICELANDIC ORCA PROJECT SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK: facebook.com/icelandic.orcas BLOG: EARTHWATCH SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK: facebook.com/earthwatch TWITTER: twitter.com/earthwatch_org INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/earthwatch BLOG: YOUTUBE: youtube.com/earthwatchinstitute 16

19 LITERATURE CITED YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME LITERATURE CITED Astthorsson OS, Gislason A and Jonsson S (2007) Climate variability and the Icelandic marine ecosystem. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 54: Samarra FIP, Vighi M, Aguilar A and Víkingsson GA (2017). Intra-population variation in isotopic niche in herring-eating killer whales. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 564: Astthorsson OS, Valdimarsson H, Gudmundsdottir A and Óskarsson GJ (2012) Climate-related variations in the occurrence and distribution of mackerel (Scomber scombrus) in Icelandic waters. ICES Journal of Marine Science 69(7): Dulvy NK, Rogers SI, Jennings S, Stelzenmuller V, Dye SR and Skjoldal HR (2008) Climate change and deepening of the North Sea fish assemblage: a biotic indicator of warming seas. Journal of Applied Ecology 45: Samarra FIP and Foote AD (2015) Seasonal movements of killer whales between Iceland and Scotland. Aquatic Biology 24: Solmundsson J, Jonsson E and Bjornsson H (2010) Phase transition in recruitment and distribution of monkfish (Lophius piscatorius) in Icelandic waters. Marine Biology 157: Víkingsson GA, Elvarsson BT, Ólafsdottir D, Sigurjónsson J, Chosson V and Galan A (2014) Recent changes in the diet composition of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Icelandic waters. A consequence of climate change? Marine Biology Research 10: Víkingsson GA, Pike DG, Valdimarsson H, Schleimer A, Gunnlaugsson T, Silva T, Elvarsson BT, Mikkelsen B, Øien N, Desportes G, Bogason V and Hammond PS (2015) Distribution, abundance, and feeding ecology of baleen whales in Icelandic waters: have recent environmental changes had an effect? Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 3:

20 EMERGENCY NUMBERS AROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT 18

21 MESSAGE FROM EARTHWATCH DEAR EARTHWATCHER, Thank you for joining this expedition! We greatly appreciate your decision to contribute to hands-on environmental science and conservation. It is volunteers like you who fuel our mission and inspire our work. While at Earthwatch, I ve had the opportunity to field on a few expeditions, most recently in Kenya with one of my daughters. Each expedition has touched me deeply, and made me proud to be able to roll up my sleeves alongside my fellow volunteers and contribute to such meaningful work. As an Earthwatch volunteer, you have the opportunity to create positive change. And while you re out in the field working toward that change, we are committed to caring for your safety. Although risk is an inherent part of the environments in which we work, we ve been providing volunteer field experiences with careful risk management and diligent planning for nearly 45 years. You re in good hands. If you have questions as you prepare for your expedition, we encourage you to contact your Earthwatch office. Thank you for your support, and enjoy your expedition! Sincerely, Scott Kania President and CEO, Earthwatch CONNECT WITH OTHER EARTHWATCHERS! FIND US ON FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/ EARTHWATCH OR ON AND ON YOUTUBE AT YOUTUBE.COM/ EARTHWATCHINSTITUTE

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