The campaign to monitor sperm whales with the support of Marina Port Mahón begins

This June, the association TURSIOPS, with the support of Marina Port Mahón and Trasmapi, has launched a new campaign in Menorca, FotoID, aimed at tracking sperm whales using the capture-mark-recapture method known as photo-identification.

Through this method and by taking photographs of the whales' fins, looking for marks, scars, and patterns, they are able to identify the cetaceans. This technique allows for detailed evaluation of these features, enabling the identification of recaptures and long-term monitoring of the population.

The project objectives include conducting a series of monitoring campaigns from a boat to determine population parameters and habitat use.

Detection is carried out using acoustic techniques, based on the clicks produced by the individuals. Once the whales are located, images of the caudal fin are captured, which will later be evaluated for identifying marks.

During the past week, with only two days of good weather, they have already located two sperm whales, three groups of bottlenose dolphins, another group of striped dolphins, and several loggerhead turtles.

Marina Port Mahón and Trasmapi permanently support this initiative by providing mooring for the Tursiops boat and its crew to facilitate their research and share this interesting project.

According to Dr. Txema Brotons, scientific director, "Knowing that the Balearic Islands are a unique haven for an animal like the sperm whale should give us the energy needed to ensure its conservation."