Posted on Monday June 25, 2012
Leah Hunter & Sarah Miles arrived from the States at the begnning of June, eager to begin their Internship with SASC and SRC!
“The highlight so far was definitely the last trip, when we got to see Southern rights’ breaching! So cool!“ -Leah Hunter 22.06.2012
Southern Right Charters has teamed up with the South African Shark Conservancy in the implementation of a new research programme in Walker Bay, Hermanus.
The Marine Ecology Research Programme (MERP) – is an innovative & holistic research project dedicated to conserving the diverse & dynamic marine ecosystem of Walker Bay, South Africa. This research will assist in understanding marine mammal ecology, develop scientifically meaningful conservation initiatives, and promote marine science in the Overstrand Region.
During the month of June, the interns have been on a number of whale watching trips with us and have begun collecting data on sightings and behaviour of the southern right whales and other marine life including the Brydes whale and dolphins.
“Sometimes it’s still hard for me to believe I’m in South Africa! I’ve gotten to see so many cool & fasinating things here. On our research trips, so far we’ve seen Southern right whales and Bryde’s whales. I have also never seen pods of dolphins a huge as they are here. One day there was about 450 of them, some playing in the boat wake, and some playing in the surf closer to shore.“ – Leah Hunter 21.06.2012