Research Trip Report
CORE was able to get out on two of our three scheduled research trips despite a summer of less than ideal weather! Unfortunately our three day canyons trip was cancelled, but we are planning on another three day excursion for 2001.
The first trip was our June 13th full day fund raiser aboard the Yankee Capts. Captain Greg Mercurio generously donated all the proceeds from this trip to CORE. Thanks again, Greg! Our successful twelve hour adventure took us the full length and width of Stellwagen Bank. Identified humpbacks included: Fracture, Stellar, Filament, Reaper, Apex, Echo, Falcon, Wizard and calf, Seal, Chimney, Anvil, Tear, Gibraltar, Sickle and calf, Thread, Pisces, Apostrophe and Simian. All told, we observed 19 minke whales, 21 fin whales and 32 humpbacks! We thank all of you for participating!
The next (and last) of our scheduled trips was the August 16 overnight trip. Aboard the Yankee Capts, this excursion ventured to the very productive waters of the Great South Channel (east and south of Cape Cod, MA). With less than ideal sighting conditions (fog, to be exact!) this trip was an enormous success with 28 humpbacks, 2 fin whales and 5 minke whales sighted. Individuals identified were: Touche, Lichen, Reflection and calf, Draco, Churn, Siberia, Milky Way and calf and Flamingo.
Thanks again to the passengers who join us on these great trips - your support of CORE’s research is sincerely appreciated.