How does a field project continue?
With a lot of support! I wrote a few blogs ago that we are only here because of alot of local support and also the generous grant of Change Happens Foundation. We have so much help from the dive companies, Oasis Divers and Salt Cay Divers, who have been working hard to organize whale watching trips for us to get out on the water. Which believe it or not is heaps harder then it sounds, as the weather has not been very cooperative. But in the trips we have been able to squeeze in, we have seen lots of whales.
I went out on Wednesday, January 30th, with Oasis Divers and we saw 6 different humpbacks, including our second mother and calf pair of our field season. Of course, it help to find whales when you have such experienced captains as the ones we are working with. Oli Bean of Salt Cay Divers on Salt Cay has been working on the water all his life and can spot a whale miles off. And Tye Talbot, of Oasis Divers on Grand Turk, has an amazing sense of the whales. We are so lucky to be working with such great captains, it makes all the difference in the world. In fact, before going whale watching it is important to do a little research into the qualifications and experience of the operators. Especially as ecotourism, and particularly whale watching, is growing and spreading; it is as important as ever to ensure that it is being conducted responsibly.
Not only can Oli and Tye find whales in the expansive sea, but they also are very respectful and if it seems like the whales want to be left alone - well then that is exactly what they do.
Our field season is also possible because of the hospitality we are being shown from local hotels like Osprey Beach Hotel, who have gone above and beyond by putting up with quirky scientific things like storing of water samples in their freezer and helping to fix hydrophones.
We are also indebted to Pat and Henry Coe who have donated their home in Salt Cay to us for two weeks. It is because of their generous donation that we can stay for an entire month. And Pat and Henry have also gone above and beyond in allowing us into not only their home, but also their lives and take such good care of us. I think Pat even did Vale's laundry, little do they know that if they keep treating us this good then we are going to be difficult to get rid of. And of course, it takes a village, so we are also thankful to all the residents who share their time and stories with us.
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But kudos to the people who did their best to save him.