What does a sperm whale sound like when it hunts? What is it like to sleep on the deck of a 100 year-old ship? These are just some of the questions you can answer with confidence after a week of volunteering with us, to study marine wildlife and conservation. Alnitak is a grassroots marine science organization dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity in our oceans. From May through to October, we run expeditions to survey the rich waters in the Balearic Sea, inviting any ocean enthusiasts to join us on board. Our expeditions take place in the stunning Cabrera National Park and the Menorca Biosphere Reserve.
Our volunteer program started with the notion that every citizen could be part of the conservation process. Since then, we’ve had over 3000 volunteers from 90 different countries join us on board. Alnitak’s founder and head scientist, Ric Sagarminaga, has been running these expeditions for over 28 years. The data collected created one of the most important marine databases in the Mediterranean. We track large pelagic species such as sperm whales, pilot whales, dolphins, Bluefin tuna, swordfish, manta rays and loggerhead sea turtles, to name a few…In 2019, Alnitak will begin a long-term populations study on local Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus).
All this is done on the wooden decks of the Toftevaag, a unique and ancient sailing ketch. Just one glance at this vessel will make you fall in love with it, with its red sails and gorgeous curves. Just the galley has a charm of its own – with spacious bunks and nautical wooden carvings. Formerly a Norwegian herring ketch, the Toftevaag has been expertly converted into a marine science vessel, carrying scientific equipment such as hydrophones and manta trawls, that enable us to listen in on whales and gather samples of surface microplastics.
The crew on-board is international. On a normal day, you will hear at least three languages being shouted across the deck! English is our official language, but open your ears to Spanish, Catalan and even Swiss German… Many of our volunteers and collaborators are drawn from the heart of Europe. We have marine scientists, professional photographers, science educators and sailors.
Just like there is no typical crewmember, there is no typical volunteer on-board the ship. We welcome young and old, expert sea-wolves and novices who have never been at sea before. The one thing everyone has in common is a positive spirit and a desire to help our oceans. Today, this is more important than ever before. Over 60% of the world’s wildlife disappeared since 1970. It’s all hands on deck to conserve the precious biodiversity we have left.
Some of our achievements so far:
- The data our volunteers helped to collect contributes directly to the expansion of marine protected areas in the Cabrera Archipelago
- Our past work on loggerhead sea turtles has contributed to the reduction of by-catch by 95%
- We have managed to change shipping lanes in the Western Mediterranean to reduce the chance of ship collisions. These are a hazard to sperm whale populations.
- Last summer, our educational program encouraged over 110 students to campaign against plastic pollution. Over 20 of those students were offered a space on our boat.
- Alnitak’s conservation work helped to create over 14 Marine Protected Areas around the world.
What is a typical day like on-board the ship?
- If the weather is good, the crew is up before the sun. We brew coffee and get ready to set sail. We all watch the sunrise and feast on a hearty breakfast.
- Volunteers quickly become part of the crew. They begin to help us with watches and keep an eye out for activity on the water. As a volunteer, you will quickly learn how to distinguish between species. At the end of the week, you will be able to tell apart different species of seabirds, dolphins and fish.
- As part of our OASIS research project, we are also on the lookout for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). They lazily bask in the afternoon sun. If we encounter one, we fit them with a satellite tag. This relays information on temperature, depth and location of the turtle. This helps us understand the ecology of loggerheads and apply the results to conservation.
- After a day at sea, we return to our beautiful mooring in the late afternoon. The crew is ready for a daily debrief and dinner. We are in Spain, so prepare for some fresh and delicious Mediterranean food! Our ingredients are carefully selected to be from local, sustainable farming collectives, organic and plastic free. Everyone takes a turn in the kitchen over the week.
- We usually have an early night. Some evenings, the popcorn and projector comes out for presentations on marine wildlife and animal behaviour. There is always the option to relax under the stars with a beer, at the island’s tiny cantina.
What do I have to do to join?
No experience is necessary to join our crew, just good physical health and a willingness to learn. All volunteers pay a contribution. This goes directly towards the running of the ship, covering things like fuel, equipment, food and crew. You can sign-up directly through our webpage.
Our projects are supported and/or are in collaboration with OceanCare, Ecoembes and Proyecto Libera, Fundación Biodiversidad of the Spanish Ministry for the Environment, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Fundación Reina Sofía and SOCIB.
Webpage: https://www.alnitak.org/
Links to our expedition dates: https://www.alnitak.org/surveys
Instagram: @alnitakmission
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alnitakmission/
Jasmine Spavieri is a professional science communicator and educator. She has over 10 years experience working in institutions like London’s Science Museum and Boston’s Museum of Science. For the last two years, she has been running the educational program for Alnitak, following her passion for marine science.