The unique conservation research vessel Song of the whale has returned to Icelandic waters to carry out vital, non-invasive research on whales and their behaviour. The vessel is owned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and is cooperating with the University of Iceland this summer.
Song of the Whale is now docked here in Reykjavík's old harbour and tomorrow (Friday 3 August) the researchers and the IFAW team will welcome guests on board from 14:00-17:00. This is a unique opportunity to take a look at the vessel, meet the researchers and learn about their research.
From IFAW's website:
The vessel is many things: research centre, outreach vehicle, floating classroom and global ambassador for whale conservation. It travels around the world and across the oceans on a unique mission to protect whales from harm and save whale species from extinction.
The research conducted from Song of the Whale plays a particularly important role. By carrying out population assessments, perfecting surveying techniques and developing technologies that may help save whale species from extinction, Song of the Whale is proving to be one of the most effective non-invasive whale research vessels in the world.
The team on board has a wealth of expertise and experience in marine conservation and are available to work with researchers or industry to facilitate their own conservation research requirements
A picture of Song of the Whale on the field observing the pilot whales off Akranes last Monday (taken by Lukas Kindermann)