Song of the Whale 2011
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | Song of the Whale (74ZG) |
| Cruise identifier | 2011 |
| Cruise period | 2011-11-07 — 2011-11-24 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Ipswich, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Ipswich, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Harbour porpoise survey of the Dogger Bank
The project was aimed at providing data on the presence and distribution of harbour porpoises on the Dogger Bank, North sea in winter. A visual and acoustic survey was conducted from R/V Song of the Whale in November 2011 over the Dogger Bank and surrounding waters of the southern North Sea, including waters under the national jurisdictions of the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. The project, conducted by IFAW, MCRI and partners was to investigate the winter presence, distribution and relative abundance of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) on and around the Dogger Bank. Novel data on the abundance and distribution of harbour porpoises in the North Sea, particularly in winter, are required to determine their current conservation status. In order to assess the impact of bycatch and other human activities on the population status, on-going collection of such data is essential. Although stranding data and shore-based sightings provide invaluable insights into coastal distribution and behaviour, they do not provide a comprehensive overview of offshore distribution. |
| Chief scientist | Oliver Boisseau (Marine Conservation Research International) |
| Cruise report |  (1.97 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North Sea |
| Specific | Southern North Sea (Dogger Bank) |
