EARTHWATCH 2017
KILLER WHALES AND
THEIR PREY IN ICELAND
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
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION............................... 2
TRIP PLANNER...............................................3
THE RESEARCH............................................. 4
DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD............................... 6
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD....................... 8
PROJECT CONDITIONS.................................. 10
SAFETY........................................................ 12
TRAVEL TIPS................................................ 13
EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST................ 14
PROJECT STAFF........................................... 15
RECOMMENDED READING............................ 16
LITERATURE CITED....................................... 17
EMERGENCY NUMBERS................................ 18
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
1
GENERAL INFORMATION
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND
EARTHWATCH SCIENTISTS
Dr. Filipa Samarra, Principal Investigator
of the Icelandic Orca Project
Miss Sara Tavares, Co-Principal Investigator
Dr. Paul Wensveen, Field Team Leader
RESEARCH SITE
Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
EXPEDITION DATES
Team 1: Jun. 10–Jun. 21, 2017
Team 2: Jun. 24–Jul. 5, 2017
Team 3: Jul 8–Jul 19, 2017
Team 4: Jul. 22–Aug. 2, 2017
Team 5: Aug. 9–Aug. 20, 2017
Complete travel information is not
available in this version of the briefing.
Please contact Earthwatch
with any questions.
2
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
TRIP PLANNER
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND
TRIP PLANER
IMMEDIATELY
60 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
q Make sure you understand and agree to Earthwatch’s
Terms and Conditions and the Participant Code of
Conduct.
ake sure you have all the necessary vaccinations for
qM
your project site.
q If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance,
note that some policies require purchase when your
expedition is booked.
90 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
q Log in at earthwatch.org to complete your
volunteer forms.
q Pay any outstanding balance for your expedition.
q Book travel arrangements (see the Travel Planning
section for details).
eview the Packing Checklist to make sure you have all
qR
the clothing, personal supplies and equipment needed.
30 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
eave the Earthwatch 24-hour helpline number with
qL
a relative or friend.
eave copies of your passport, visa, and airline tickets
qL
with a relative or friend.
q If traveling internationally, make sure your passport
is current and, if necessary, obtain a visa for your
destination country.
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
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
3
THE RESEARCH
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND
THE STORY
4
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.
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.
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).
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).
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
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. K
iller whale occurrence in the Vestmannaeyjar spawning
ground will coincide with the spawning of herring;
2. K iller 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.
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.
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
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
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
DAILY ACTIVITIES
Daily activities depend on the weather as fieldwork is only
conducted in favorable weather, both for safety and reliability
of collected data.
If the sea is calm (generally Beaufort ≤3) and there is no severe
rain or wind, we will start our fieldwork after breakfast. The
team will split into three groups: one will head out on the boat
to monitor the whales and their prey, the second will head to the
land observation point, and the third will perform photo ID and
acoustic based tasks at the office. The teams will rotate after
lunch and take turns each day between the land, boat and office
based tasks.
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
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
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.
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.
RECREATIONAL DAY
All teams will reconvene by 6:00 p.m. at the field station.
DAY 12: PROGRAM CLOSE AND DEPARTURE
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.
After breakfast, the project staff will first depart for the
airport to drop volunteers off in time for 8:00 a.m. flights.
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
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.
NOTE* for team 5, the flight options times differ slightly.
The first available local flight leaves at 11:15 a.m. instead of
8:00 a.m. Volunteers on team 5 should book their flights for
11:15 a.m. or later.
7
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD
ABOUT YOUR HOME IN THE FIELD
SLEEPING
ELECTRICITY
Expedition participants will stay in a comfortable apartment in
the town center. The apartment has shared bunk style rooms
(split gender) as well as a kitchen, dining room, and living room
where you can spend free hours with your teammates and the
researchers. There are three rooms at the accommodations for
volunteers. Two rooms can accommodate three volunteers, and
the third room is a single, which will be offered on a first come
first serve basis, and may only be available if the the gender
breakdown allows. You’ll be within walking distance of cafes,
restaurants, and local shopping.
You are welcome to bring electrical equipment. The apartment
has 220–240 volt electrical outlets (type C, E or F).
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).
8
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.
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
VOLUNTEER CONTACT INFO
FOOD AND WATER
Dr. Filipa Samarra
Marine and Freshwater Research Institute
Skulagata 4, 101 Reykjavík
PHONE: +354 852 80 27
WEBSITE: http://www.icelandic-orcas.com/
EMAIL: [email protected]
The project team will purchase groceries for most meals.
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).
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.
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
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.
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.
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
9
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:
• 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.
• Tolerate 40–50°F weather with rain and wind.
• Sit and/or stand in a powerboat for periods of up to 3-5 hours.
• Carry personal daily supplies such as lunch, water, and some
small field equipment.
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.
• For the land based activities, carry equipment uphill for a
distance of approximately 300m from the car park to the
observation platform.
• A s a safety precaution, we ask that volunteers be able to swim.
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)
10
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND
HAZARD TYPE
ASSOCIATED RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS
Transportation
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 1 minute walk 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.
Exposure to cold
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).
Hiking
You will also walk to the observation point, which is approximately 300m. You may take your time with any sections of
challenging terrain.
Getting Lost
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.
Animals
We will cover appropriate responses to wildlife encounters in the introductory briefing. Do not approach or touch any
wildlife.
Climate/ Weather
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.
Working on a Boat
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.
Slips and Trips
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.
Falling Overboard
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.
Personal Security
Vestmannaeyjar is a generally safe region for travelers; however, do not leave valuables unattended in public areas.
Earthquakes and
Volcanic Activity
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.
Distance from
Medical Care
T here 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 432-2500 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.
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
11
SAFETY
HEALTH INFORMATION
12
EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD
IMMUNIZATIONS
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).
Please be sure your routine immunizations are up-to-date
(for example: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles,
mumps, rubella and varicella). Medical decisions are the
responsibility of each volunteer and his or her doctor, and the
following are recommendations only. Visit the Healix Travel
Oracle website through the “Travel Assistance and Advice”
page in your Earthwatch portal, 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.
REQUIRED: If traveling from countries or region where
yellow fever is endemic, you must have a certificate of
vaccination. You may need to present this certificate when
you arrive in country.
PROJECT VACCINATIONS
RECOMMENDED FOR HEALTH REASONS: Typhoid, Hepatitis
A, Hepatitis B. Consult your physician for more information.
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
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.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Passport and visa requirements are subject to change.
Check with your travel advisor, embassy or consulate in your
home country for requirements specific to your circumstances.
Generally, passports must be valid for at least six months from
the date of entry and a return ticket is required.
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.
ELECTRICITY: The standard voltage used for small appliances in
Iceland is type C, E or F, which are 220–240 volts.
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
CITIZENSHIP
PASSPORT REQUIRED?
VISA REQUIRED?
United States
Yes
No
United Kingdom
Yes
No
Europe
Yes
No
Australia
Yes
No
Japan
Yes
No
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.
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
13
EXPEDITION PACKING LIST
WHAT TO BRING
EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST
GENERAL
FIELD SUPPLIES
q This expedition briefing
q Y our travel plans, rendezvous details, and Earthwatch’s
emergency contact information
hotocopies of your passport, flight itinerary, and
qP
credit cards in case the originals are lost or stolen;
the copies should be packed separately from the
original documents
assport and/or visa (if necessary)
qP
C
q ertification of vaccination (if necessary)
ocumentation for travel by minors (if necessary)
qD
mall waterproof daypack (drybag) to keep your personal
qS
items together and dry
unscreen lotion with SPF 30 or higher
qS
ry bag or plastic sealable bags (e.g. Ziploc) (good for
qD
protecting equipment such as camera from dust,
humidity, and water)
q Insect repellent spray
unglasses
qS
wo one-liter water bottles
qT
CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR FIELDWORK
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.
ath towel and small beach towel
qB
arthwatch T-shirt
qE
NOTE: Bring comfortable clothing that is easy to handwash and doesn’t need to be ironed
e sure to bring your Earthwatch t-shirt and remember
qB
to wear it as appropriate throughout your expedition
ightweight, quick drying pants/trousers, long-sleeved
qL
shirts, and pants
–3 warmer layers for boat work or land observations;
q2
warm base layer/thermal underwear is also useful.
ightweight windproof and waterproof jacket.
qL
–2 warm sweaters
q1
W
q arm, 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
eck warmer or scarf for the boat and land observation
qN
work
aterproof, windproof and warm gloves for boat work
qW
and warm, windproof gloves for land work
omfortable, waterproof shoes for boat work and land
qC
observations, such as hiking boots, rubber boots, etc.
For boat work it is important that the soles are not
slippery.
ye mask if light will disturb your sleep. The sun doesn’t
qE
set fully until 2am and there are only a few hours of
darkness each night during the summer.
CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR LEISURE
ne set of clothing to keep clean for end of expedition
qO
athing suit for local swimming pool (900 ISK per trip)
qB
14
BEDDING AND BATHING
PERSONAL SUPPLIES
ersonal toiletries (biodegradable soaps and shampoos
qP
are encouraged)
ntibacterial wipes or lotion (good for cleaning hands
qA
while in the field)
ersonal first aid kit (e.g., anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotics,
qP
antiseptic, itch-relief, pain reliever, bandages, blister
covers, etc.) and medications
pending money (150 euro, about $180)
qS
OPTIONAL ITEMS
inoculars (the research team has enough for all
qB
volunteer tasks, but you’re welcome to bring your own)
dapter for electronic devices
qA
couple of simple cooking recipes to help you cook for a
qA
group if you are not used to this.
omfortable shoes to change into after conducting
qC
fieldwork
ravel guide
qT
asic modern Icelandic vocabulary guide/phrasebook
qB
amera, film or memory card(s), extra camera battery
qC
H
q ardware for sharing digital photographs at the end of
the expedition
ooks, games, art supplies, etc. for free time
qB
arplugs for light sleepers
qE
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
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.
SARA TAVARES, EARTHWATCH CO-PI, is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of St Andrews (U.K.). She has
been working on Icelandic orcas for her postgraduate research, focusing particularly on their social
structure and genetic relatedness. Present on most 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.
MIGUEL NEVES, is a research assistant at the University of St Andrews (U.K.). He received his M.Sc. from
the University of Oporto studying the acoustic repertoire of killer whales and has been working on the
Icelandic Orca Project since 2013. Present on all teams.
NOTE: Staff schedules are subject to change.
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
15
RECOMMENDED READING
YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME
RESOURCES
ARTICLES
ICELANDIC ORCA PROJECT SOCIAL MEDIA
• 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:
icelandic-orcas.com/#publications; please contact
[email protected] if you require copies
of any of these publications and can’t access them
• FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Icelandic.orcas
PROJECT-RELATED WEBSITES
• INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/earthwatch
• hafogvatn.is/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/
HV2017-005-3.pdf
• ICELANDIC ORCA PROJECT: icelandic-orcas.com
• BLOG: https://icelandic-orcas.blogspot.com
EARTHWATCH SOCIAL MEDIA
• FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Earthwatch
• T WITTER: twitter.com/earthwatch_org
• BLOG: earthwatchunlocked.wordpress.com
• YOUTUBE: youtube.com/earthwatchinstitute
•A
BOUT WESTMAN ISLANDS: visitwestmanislands.com
16
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
LITERATURE CITED
LITERATURE
• A stthorsson OS, Gislason A and Jonsson S (2007) Climate variability and the Icelandic marine ecosystem. Deep Sea
Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 54:2456-2477
• S amarra 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: 199-210
• A stthorsson 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): 1289-1297
• 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 45:1029–1039
• S amarra FIP and Foote AD (2015) Seasonal movements of killer whales between Iceland and Scotland. Aquatic Biology 24:
75-79
• Solmundsson J, Jonsson E and Bjornsson H (2010) Phase transition in recruitment and distribution of monkfish (Lophius
piscatorius) in Icelandic waters. Marine Biology 157: 295-305
• V íkingsson 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: 138-152
• V íkingsson 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 3:1-16
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
17
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
AROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT
EARTHWATCH’S 24-HOUR
EMERGENCY HOTLINE
Call Earthwatch’s 24-hour on-call duty officer in the U.S.:
+1 (978) 461.0081
+1 (800) 776.0188 (toll-free for calls placed from within the U.S.)
After business hours, leave a message with our live
answering service. State that you have an emergency and
give the name of your expedition, your name, the location
from which you are calling, and if possible, a phone
number where you can be reached. An Earthwatch staff
member will respond to your call within one hour.
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER:
HEALIX INTERNATIONAL
+44.20.3667.8991 (collect calls and reverse charges accepted)
U.S. TOLL FREE: +1.877.759.3917
U.K. FREE PHONE: 0.800.19.5180
E-MAIL: [email protected]
You may contact Healix International at any time. They can
assist in the event of a medicalor evacuation emergency
or for routine medical and travel advice, such as advice on
visas and vaccine requirements.
FOR VOLUNTEERS BOOKED THROUGH THE
EARTHWATCH AUSTRALIA OFFICE:
Earthwatch Australia 24-Hour
Emergency Helpline
+61.0.3.8508.5537
18
KILLER WHALES AND THEIR PREY IN ICELAND 2017
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 TWITTER
@EARTHWATCH_ORG,
AND ON YOUTUBE
AT YOUTUBE.COM/
EARTHWATCHINSTITUTE
Earthwatch U.S.
114 Western Ave.
Boston, MA 02134
United States
[email protected]
earthwatch.org
Phone: 1-978-461-0081
Toll-Free: 1-800-776-0188
Fax: 1-978-461-2332
Earthwatch Europe
Mayfield House
256 Banbury Rd.
Oxford, OX2 7DE
United Kingdom
Earthwatch Australia
126 Bank St.
South Melbourne,
VIC 3205
Australia
Earthwatch Japan
Food Science Bldg. 4F
The University of Tokyo
1-1-1, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
[email protected]
earthwatch.org
[email protected]
earthwatch.org
[email protected]
earthwatch.org
Phone: 44-0-1865-318-838
Fax: 44-0-1865-311-383
Phone: 61-0-3-9016-7590
Fax: 61-0-3-9686-3652
Phone: 81-0-3-6686-0300
Fax: 81-0-3-6686-0477