Recruitment of surveyor:
This is a message from the Pacific Seabird Group listservice.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Семёнов Андрей
Date: Thursday, February 7, 2013
Subject: [MARMAM] Zoological expedition along the Sea of Japan and the Sea
of Okhotsk coastlines.
To:
marmam@lists.uvic.ca
Dear all,
From June, 1 till August, 28, 2013 “Finval” Research Centre (Russia) arranges an exploratory zoological expedition along the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk coastlines by a sail and motor trimaran " FIN WHALE ".
The expedition aims at studying species composition, distribution and number of marine mammals, marine colonial birds and birds of prey inhabiting the coastal area of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk of the Far East of Russia.
The expedition starts from the Vanino harbour in the Sea of Japan and finishes in the Magadan harbour in the Sea of Okhotsk.
The expedition will cover more than 3000 km of the sea exploratory routes. Many regions to be explored are poorly investigated, under populated and have a diversified and rich animal world.
We would like to invite independent researchers and organizations interested in studying of the animal world of this region as well as lovers of wildlife, photographers and others to take part in the expedition on the terms of co-financing (arrangement fee). The fee is $80 per day per person.
The expedition is divided into four independent stages of different duration. You may take part in the whole expedition or only in one stage of it.
Expedition stages:
1.Vanino – Nikolaevsk-on-Amur. From June, 1 till June, 25.
Duration - 25 days.
Travelling to Vanino is by plane or by train from Khabarovsk. Travelling from Nikolaevsk-on-Amur is by plane or by hydrofoil vessel along the Amur River to Khabarovsk.
2. Nikolaevsk-on-Amur – Shantarskie Islands – Tchumican. FromJune, 25 till July, 10.
Duration 15 days.
Travelling to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur is by plane or by hydrofoil vessel along the Amur River from Khabarovsk.
3. Tchumican – Shantarskie Islands – Tchumican. From July, 11 till July, 25.
Duration 15 days.
Travelling to Tchumican is by plane from Khabarovsk. The plane flies two days a week.
4. Tchumican – Ayan – Okhotsk – Magadan From July, 26 till August, 28.
Duration 34 days.
At this stage it is possible to travel to the Saint Jonah Island.
Travelling to Tchumican is by plane from Khabarovsk. Travelling from Magadan is by plane.
Technical and living conditions of the expedition:
The sail and motor trimaran "Finval" is 8,7 meters long and has a heated deck-house isolated from the outdoors that contains two separate sleeping quarters, common mess room, and boat toilet. The trimaran includes 7 isolated inflatable compartments securing the vessel from sinking. Moreover the vessel is equipped with an inflatable motor boat and a life raft. The vessel is also equipped with a 220-Volt generator and a 12-Volt accumulator battery.
Overnight stops are planned on the shipboard as well as in the tents on the shore. Once a week Russian sauna will be organized.
Scientific expedition program includes:
- observations on expansion of various marine mammals species;
- registration of marine mammals numerosity;
- observations on marine mammals behaviour;
- collection of biopsy samples of some cetaeceans;
- photo-id of cetaeceans;
- registration of marine colonial birds numerosity;
- identification of expansion of some birds of prey species;
- gathering of materials for collections;
- taking genetic samples of some marine mammals and birds species;
- gathering information on mortality of marine mammals;
- search of fossils of the extinct Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas).
Arrangement fee covers:
- three meals in the field daily;
- travelling along the expedition route by trimaran or motor boat;
- assistance and consulting by employees of the “Finval” research centre;
- obtainment of permits to attend border zone and specially protected natural reservations;
- insurance.
Arrangement fee does not cover:
- transport costs before embarkation on the trimaran and after debarkation
(at the end of the stage);
- expenses on cigarettes and alcohol;
- expenses on café food;
- hotel accommodation costs.
Please note:
Tickets to the place of joining the expedition and from the stage finishing point are obtained by the participants on their own. If necessary the employees of the centre would advise you on the selection of the air route.
For additional information please contact us at
finvalAC@yandex.ru
Andrey Semenov
Director of the "Finval" Research Center.
