Tagging a fin whale

I have arrived in the tiny town of Long-pointe-de-Mingan and am enjoying the hospitality of the folks at the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS). Due to bad weather we were unable to head out on the water on the first day so - we found the next best thing and practiced! Of course we don't use our hands to do the tagging but this gives you an idea of what the tag looks like (note it attaches to the whale via a suction cup). The last picture shows Rene using the VHF system to track the tagged whale. The beeping gets stronger and louder when the whale comes up to the surface and we can follow it from a distance until the tag automatically pops off at a stipulated time - ready for collection!

The data you get about the whale's dive behaviour includes acceleration, depth, temperature and direction allowing you to visualise exactly what the whale was doing underwater. Its amazing what we can learn using non-invasive techniques like this one.

This beautiful replica of a fin whale is in the MICS museum. DEFINITELY worth a visit if you happen to be in the area. Its small but has so much information and the murals and sculptures are truly fantastic. The team members give visitors a tour and explain all the science behind studying these great creatures. They also run whale watch tours or you can join a researcher on the water - check them out at www.rorqual.com

On a final note - I went for a walk on the beach and saw my first minke whale swimming around not more than 50 m off shore. I am SO excited to be here!

Where can you find blue whales?

Blue whales are pretty cosmopolitan in their distribution but there are certain places where they are known to 'aggregate'. Please note that it was originally thought that blue whales were only found around the east coast of Sri Lanka (Trincomalee) but in fact, they can be found all around our coastline with easily accessible aggregations off the eastern and southern coasts.

Did you know

Marine mammals are voluntary air breathers which means they have to make a conscious effort to rise to the surface to breathe. If they are unable to do this due to entanglement in a net or for any other reason, they drown. This is why their nostrils or 'blow holes' are located on the top of their heads, as it enables them to surface to breathe while keeping most of their body underwater. Here, an Indian Ocean Blue whale exhales at the surface after a 12 minute dive off Mirissa, Sri Lanka.