Whale you support us?

THE Ponant Foundation is supporting whale research in Antarctica, with General Manager Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific Deb Corbett witnessing the work firsthand, aboard Le Boreal early last year.

The ship hosted a research group from non-governmental organisation Conservation International, which was studying the behaviour of humpback whales in Antarctica.

The goal of the research was to assess the impact of climate change and tourism on humpback whale feeding and migratory patterns in the Antarctic.

Key questions included the effect of sea ice variability on whales, the state of whale population distribution and connectivity in the region, and the impact of ship noise on whales in the Antarctic.

The research effort resulted in 60 whales being listed and 16 hours of underwater recordings being made in order to help develop a better understanding of their songs and the significance to their feeding behaviour.

The results obtained will be analysed and will inform followup research during future voyages aboard the Ponant fleet this year and next.

“Being on a small ship like Le Boreal, we met and talked with them at regular daily expedition team updates,” Corbett said.

“We had discussions about the oceans, the land, government policies – it was an intellectual connection which stimulated you in a completely different way – looking at these people thinking they have dedicated their life to research and we are now a part of it.

“Being onboard and talking with the researchers created an educated environmental perspective and insight, deepened our understanding and really did enrich us all.”