RESEARCH ON BOARD

During the summer months teams of international researchers and volunteers accompany our tours. Elding provides a long-term platform for these marine biologists (MSc and PhD students) and supports their studies on wildlife on the bay. Since 2007 the main focus has been on minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) but also the white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

The researchers continually exchange data and collaborate with several local and foreign organisations among which the Wild North, WDCS and IFAW. Besides being an important contribution to the understanding of coastally occurring cetaceans, we belief that this also gives our tours a greater value.

Research conducted on board Elding boats:

Chiara Giulia Bertulli, PhD student University of Iceland
Period: 2011-
Estimating population abundance, social and health parameters of coastal cetacean populations.

Fredrik Oscar Christiansen, PhD student University of Aberdeen
Period: 2010-
The behavioural impacts of whale watching and whaling on minke whales.

Chiara Giulia Bertulli, MSc student University of Iceland
Period: 2007-2010
Photo identification of Minke Whales, white-beaked dolphins and humpback wahles in Faxaflói bay.

Sara Ratao, MSc student University of Exeter
Period: 2010
Prey capture between seabirds and cetaceans in Faxaflói area.

Edda Elísabet , MSc student University of Iceland
Period: 2005-2007
Distribution and abundance of dolphins southwest of Iceland.

Supported researches:

María Björk Gunnarsdóttir, MA student University of Iceland
Period: 2010
Attitudes towards whaling in Iceland: An attempted explantion / Viðhorf til hvalveiða: Hvað veldur og hvað verður?

Eva María Þórarinsdóttir Lange, BS student University of Iceland
Period: 2008
Experience and environmental awareness among whale watching passengers.

Angela Walk , BS student University of Iceland
Period: 2005
Development of whale watching in Iceland / Þróun hvalaskoðunar á Íslandi