USA/CANADA MARINE MAMMAL STUDY

1. USA/CANADA MARINE MAMMAL STUDY

2. MISSION STATEMENT To engender a genuine interest in the environment, the marine system, and field research by providing a unique off-campus experience.

3. St. Mary’s Class

4. WHALENET FIELD RESEARCH IN MARINE MAMMAL ECOLOGY and RELATED MARINE SCIENCES

5. Three levels of participation: • Level 1 is open to high school  seniors and juniors.  These sessions must be sponsored by a local educator who will accompany and assist in leading the trip. • Level 2 is open for college students and/or groups that wish to experience a field study course.  These sessions must also be accompanied by and lead by an institution instructor/professor. • Level 3 is a professional development opportunity for educators who whish to learn about field research, marine mammals, pelagic birds and the marine ecosystem.

6. COURSE DESCRIPTION APPROACH Through a hands-on approach the students learn about: • Food chains, Life and Physical Science, basic oceanographic concepts, animal behaviour, & general research methods. • The students have the opportunity to learn aspects of navigation, bathymetry and wildlife photography, ecology, life sciences, and physical sciences While observing and integrating: • coastal marine ecosystems, • marine mammal biology, • the organisms that inhabit the coastal environment, and • techniques related to marine field research.

7. Students • Learn about marine mammals/whales Mysticetes and Odontocetes (characteristics). Echolocation, communication and sound. Respiration. Diving reflex. Migration. Animal behaviour and social interaction. Feeding and reproduction. • Demonstrate an understanding of human interaction and influences on the marine environment. • Demonstrate methods of species and individual identification.

8. COURSE COORDINATOR: J. Michael Williamson • Associate Professor Wheelock College • Director WhaleNet • Associate Director, Mingan Island Cetacean Study

9. MINGAN ISLAND CETACEA STUDYGULF OF ST LAWRENCE CANADA

10. MICS Museum and Research StationLongue Pointe de Mingan, Quebec

11. Richard Sears Executive Director - MICS Course Location MICS Research Locations

12. MICS Research Station and Museum

13. MICS Museum Exhibits

14. MICS Lab Student Work

15. Fin Whale

16. HUMPBACK WHALES

17. 2005 MICS' Team In the usual order: Thomas, Andrea, Florence, Nina, Christian, Arnaud, Julien, Valentine and Frédéric. Hiding behind the inflatable or elsewhere: Alain, Jean-Marie and Richard.

18. Longue Pointe des Mingan, Quebec

19. MICS' Past Titbits July 10, 2005 This week, the MICS team welcomed 16 Australian students. The marine science students and their professors, from St Mary's Anglican Girls' School in Perth, are participating in a one-week research training session. Since their arrival Thursday evening, they have visited the MICS headquarters and interpretation centre in Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, gone on a small excursion on Quarry Island to see the unique flora and rock formations of the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, and spent two days on the water with MICS researchers observing Fin Whales, Minke Whales, and seals. In the coming days, they will have the opportunity to learn more about the local fauna and geography, as well as the occasional French lesson !

21. SPECIES IDENTIFICATION Typical observations: -- whales -- seals and -- bird life in the Gulf of St Lawrence.

22. OBSERVATIONS

23. Students on MICS research boat Lunch break

24. Heading In

25. Mingan Islands, Quebec

26. Mingan Harbor

28. ILE DE PARROQUETTE

33. Mingan Island Cetacean Study Contact: J. Michael Williamson 20 Moynihan Rd. South Hamilton, MA 01982 Email: mwilliamson@wheelock.edu Phone: 978.468.4699