Development Project
Since its inception in 1999, Whalesound has encouraged scientific research in the area of the Francisco Coloane Marine Park and adjacent territories, by hosting researchers within your workgroup and logistical support to scientists from different disciplines (paleoclimatology and palaeovegetation, archeology ecology of rodents and huemules) as well as advice and support equipment popularizing science.
The Whalesound of special interest tourism project arose from science, from scientific questions 4 biologists regarding the distribution and abundance of cetaceans in Chilean waters and, in particular, about the humpback whale (Capella & Flórez González 1993). A question then related to the migratory route of this species for the southern waters on its way to Antarctica and the possible existence of localities where they remained during the austral summer.
In the late 80s, we began the search for humpback whales in the north central coast of Chile and then expanded our exploratory navigation to the fjords of Aysen and Magallanes. After traveling hundreds of kilometers for several months between 1997 and 1999, we found a unique concentration of sightings of humpback whales in the fjords and especially in the central waters of the Strait of Magellan, around the island Carlos III.
The results of our first studies sustained that, four years later, the Chilean government established the protection of the sector, creating the Protected Marine Coastal Area and Marine Park first country (Gibbons et al. 1998, Gibbons et al. 2003).
Between 1999 and 2001 the scientific research developed around Carlos III were made during sampling in boats. In 2002, we set up a camp to support basic science, from which we went out to sail to continue studies whales. So it could work with continuity, observing from the ground or following them in inflatable boats. In addition to research on the ecology and behavior of the population.
