Recording Whale Watching Boat and Humpback Whale Collisions

Abstract

The purpose of this research protocol is to record collisions caused by whale watching boat tours. We make use of remotely operated water vehicles to collect video footage of whale watching tours and analyze the footage simultaneously. This data will be taken over a five year period at multiple whale watching sites along the coast of Mo'orea, French Polynesia.

Before start

Verify all permits have been obtained
Attempt to speak with whale watching agencies about project

Steps

Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle Set Up and Deployment

Drive ship to 300 feet distance from whale watching tour site

Equip the ROV with four video cameras and lights

Connect the ROV to ship with a tether

Deploy ROV to site carefully, make sure to stop at 10 feet deep

Follow general direction of where whale watching tours go from 5am to 7pm

5.1.

5am to 7pm as this is within the business hours of whale watching tour agencies

Observation Methods

For 14 hours that ROV is underwater, monitor video footage carefully

Make sure that are multiple observers on shift observing footage from different cameras/angles

If you observe a whale watching tour, record it on field notebook

8.1.

Include the following data: Date, Time, Agency

If you observe a collision, record it on field notebook

9.1.

Include the following data: Date, Time, Agency, Approximate Speed, Injuries (if visible), Deaths (visible through whale fall)

ROV Retrieval and Closing Steps

10.

Retrieve tether and ROV from under water carefully

11.

Be sure to transfer data from field notebook onto Google Spreadsheet