Join The Experts To Study Marine Mammals In Antarctica 16-26 March 2013

Specialists in small cruise ship adventures, One Ocean Expeditions is offering a truly unique opportunity to join a 10-day Antarctic trip to study humpback, Minke and killer whales, departing from Ushuaia in Argentina on 16 March 2013.
By: One Ocean Expeditions
 
Oct. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- Specialists in small cruise ship adventures, One Ocean Expeditions is offering a truly unique opportunity to join a 10-day Antarctic trip to study humpback, Minke and killer whales, departing from Ushuaia in Argentina on 16 March 2013.  

Participants on this special departure, led by One Ocean Expeditions MD and founder, Andrew Prossin, will learn how to document whale numbers, help to conduct photo surveys, determine movement patterns of marine mammals and identify individual animals.  They will also be able to locate and document the behaviour of whales previously fitted with satellite tracking devices.

The Marine Mammals Voyage will be accompanied by Dr Ari Friedlaender, a Research Scientist at Duke University, who has been to the Antarctic nearly 20 times on scientific voyages.  His current project is to track the long-term movement patterns of humpback whales around the Antarctic Peninsula to understand how climate change and global warming are affecting whales and other krill predators.  

The Antarctic Peninsula is the main feeding ground for a large number of these krill predators.  And, since March is a critical time as they build energy stores for the long migration to tropical breeding grounds or to maintain energy in order to survive in ice-choked waters, it is anticipated that whales, particularly humpbacks, will be seen in abundance.

There is growing evidence that some humpbacks remain in ice-free areas for longer periods due to warming climates and this expedition aims to determine how the numbers change throughout the course of the Antarctic summer.  It will also go in search of the elusive Minke whale, and follow killer whales as they hunt, in order to note the special techniques that they have adopted to catch their Antarctic prey of seals, penguins and whales.

Els Vermeulen, international marine consultant and founder of the Marybio Foundation, which aims to contribute to the conservation of marine mammals in Argentine Patagonia, will also join the voyage.  Els is scientific advisor to the Belgian delegation in the International Whaling Commission, and a perfect companion to have on board during this special interest expedition.

In addition, photographer Kyle Marquardt will join the voyage.  With more than 30 polar expeditions under his belt, he is well placed to share photographic advice, techniques and expertise for capturing lasting memories of the Antarctic landscape and wildlife through talks and practical workshops.

Accommodation for the trip is on board the impressive ice-strengthened Akademik Sergey Vavilov, which has been designed for Polar research, with the comfort and safety of passengers its number one priority.  

A separate bar and lounge area, a dining room in which exceptional meals are served, a library for quiet time, plus a theatre style presentation room, gift-shop, fitness room, massage room, hot water spa, sauna, and salt water plunge pool, are among the facilities on board this exceptional vessel.

The 10-night Marine Mammals Voyage includes all meals and accommodation plus Zodiac excursions and landings, ship transfers, foul weather gear and overnight camping.  Prices start from US$5990pp based on triple share, while twin accommodation begins at US$8790pp.  Suites range from US$9590pp to US$10590pp.  

Price excludes flights UK – Ushuaia (available from £998 including pre-paid taxes and current fuel surcharges).  Dates: 16-26 March 2013 (Ushuaia/Ushuaia)

For further details visit www.oneoceanexpeditions.com.

For further press information, contact Debra Taylor on debra@toucanmoon.com, tel: 01491 613424 or 07956 852197.
End
Source:One Ocean Expeditions
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Tags:Antarctica, Expedition Cruising, One Ocean Expeditions, Akademik Sergey Vavilov, Whale Watching
Industry:Tourism
Location:Watlington - Oxon - England
Subject:Products
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