The Gulf of Catalina Gray Whale Preservation and Education Foundation seeks to determine through data collection exactly how many whales are transiting through the Catalina gulf during their great migration journey. Our staff will manage our scientific data that is collected throughout our proposed 10-year study, but the unique aspect of the Foundation's data collection is that it will involve students from all grade levels in this process. Utilizing our fleet from Dana Wharf we will be able to take out students from several areas of Orange County, including many underserved areas. We begin with in-classroom preparation for the trip and an overview of data collection so that when the students board the whale watching vessels they are prepared and know what to look for with respect to fluke recognition and other sighting characteristics. 

 

We will also be doing photography from our boats. It is very important to note that pictures taken from our boats will provide us with most valuable information, i.e. pictures from behind that make it possible to distinguish the whales. Utilizing this method we will be able to come up with a very accurate count of how many whales are using the Gulf of Catlina for their migration. The students aboard our boats will be assisting with this effort which in turn provides them with another excellent educational opportunity.

 

The other part to this research project is to have additional whale watching companies join our effort that operate out of other locations along the coast. These companies will need to meet our criteria for carrying students, but we look forward to this expansion over the next two years so that we are able to monitor the entire coast.