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Become a scientist for an hour: how your photos from a boat trip help save whales
Many people think that encountering a whale is simply a beautiful moment to cherish. A massive silhouette in the cold water, a spout rising above the surface, a tail slowly disappearing. But few realise that an ordinary photograph taken during a boat trip can become part of the global scientific record and help researchers better understand the lives of these marine giants.
Today, travellers to the Arctic are becoming not just tourists, but participants in real science. And if you’re heading to Teriberka to watch whales, you have the chance to literally become a researcher for a day.
Today, travellers to the Arctic are becoming not just tourists, but participants in real science. And if you’re heading to Teriberka to watch whales, you have the chance to literally become a researcher for a day.
Why is a whale’s tail like a fingerprint?
Why a whale’s tail is like a fingerprint Every whale is unique. This is particularly evident in the tail. In humpback whales, the underside of the tail has its own distinctive pattern: the spots, lines, scars and shape of the edge are never exactly the same. This is precisely why scientists use photo-identification of whales – a method of recognising animals from photographs of their tails.
In fact, a whale’s tail pattern works in much the same way as a human fingerprint. A single photograph helps us understand:
That is why even an ordinary photo of a whale taken by a tourist can prove to be very valuable.
In fact, a whale’s tail pattern works in much the same way as a human fingerprint. A single photograph helps us understand:
- which specific whale we have encountered;
- where it has been seen before;
- how it migrates;
- whether it returns to the Barents Sea every year.
That is why even an ordinary photo of a whale taken by a tourist can prove to be very valuable.
How does Happywhale work?
One of the best-known international projects is the happywhale.com platform. It brings together researchers, captains and ordinary travellers from all over the world.
The project is simple:
This is how modern whale science and the field of citizen science (whales) are developing, with ordinary people contributing to research. Sometimes it turns out that a whale spotted in Teriberka has previously been observed off the coasts of Iceland, Norway or even Canada.
The project is simple:
- You take a photo of a whale’s tail.
- You upload the photo to the database.
- An algorithm compares the image with thousands of other photos.
- If a match is found, the history of that particular animal appears.
This is how modern whale science and the field of citizen science (whales) are developing, with ordinary people contributing to research. Sometimes it turns out that a whale spotted in Teriberka has previously been observed off the coasts of Iceland, Norway or even Canada.
How can you tell a whale apart?
Researchers pay attention to a wide range of details:
The markings on the whales’ tails are particularly important. They remain unchanged over the years and allow researchers to track the animals’ movements around the world. That is why high-quality photos and descriptions of whales are of immense importance to researchers.
- the shape of the tail;
- light and dark patches;
- scars and markings;
- the shape of the fin;
- behavioural characteristics.
The markings on the whales’ tails are particularly important. They remain unchanged over the years and allow researchers to track the animals’ movements around the world. That is why high-quality photos and descriptions of whales are of immense importance to researchers.
How do tourists help science?
Our guests can also contribute to science – all they need to do is take a photo of a whale’s tail during our boat trip. That’s how an ordinary trip turns into a real research expedition.
When people go on a whale-watching tour to Teriberka, they become part of a global community of observers. And every successful photograph helps us to better understand:
When people go on a whale-watching tour to Teriberka, they become part of a global community of observers. And every successful photograph helps us to better understand:
- whale migration;
- population status;
- migration routes;
- the impact of climate change.
What kinds of whales can be found in Teriberka?
Teriberka is one of the best places in Russia for spotting these giants of the sea. That is precisely why people come here if they want to see whales in Murmansk and experience the real Arctic.
The most commonly sighted species here are:
Read our article for more details on which whales you can spot in Teriberka.
The most commonly sighted species here are:
- humpback whales;
- fin whales;
- minke whales;
- killer whales;
- porpoises.
Read our article for more details on which whales you can spot in Teriberka.
Why is it important to take photos carefully?
Whale watching isn’t about chasing the perfect shot. The most important rule is to respect the animals.
During encounters, it is important to:
Only this approach helps to preserve the animals’ natural behaviour and makes whale-watching trips to Teriberka safe for both people and these marine giants.
During encounters, it is important to:
- keep quiet;
- not try to get too close;
- not use drones near the whales;
- remain calm on board.
Only this approach helps to preserve the animals’ natural behaviour and makes whale-watching trips to Teriberka safe for both people and these marine giants.
A journey that becomes part of science!
There is a special magic in the thought that your photograph might, years later, help researchers trace a particular whale’s journey across the ocean. An ordinary photograph becomes part of the Arctic’s grand narrative. That is precisely why a trip to Teriberka offers the chance to experience real science at first hand.
Before your trip, you can explore our tours and locations in the region, check the weather, combine your trip with fishing, read reviews and save our contact details to plan your sea voyage.
The SEAHIKE.RU team invites you to set sail and see the whales with your own eyes – perhaps one day your photograph will help scientists better understand and protect these amazing Arctic animals.
Before your trip, you can explore our tours and locations in the region, check the weather, combine your trip with fishing, read reviews and save our contact details to plan your sea voyage.
The SEAHIKE.RU team invites you to set sail and see the whales with your own eyes – perhaps one day your photograph will help scientists better understand and protect these amazing Arctic animals.
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