Galapagos – A Science Trip to Darwin and Wolf

Galapagos – A Science Trip to Darwin and Wolf

by | Aug 26, 2023 | Galapagos, Scientific Trips

Seahawk arrived to Darwin in July 2021, the northernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago, after previously cruising the southern parts of the province and formally launching YachtAid Global’s Swimming and Sailing program in San Cristobal.

Much excitement could be felt on the boat as the inaugural science mission was about to begin. In a joint effort led by YachtAid Global, Seahawk became an active participant in Operation Swimway; a project dedicated to lending support to science and marine conservation NGOs conducting state-of-the-art research around the world.

Operation Swimway’s focus is to determine patterns of migratory animals, such as sharks, mantas, and turtles. Understanding the movements of these animals and the corridors they use to feed and breed is key for protecting all marine life, especially so for sharks who have to take increasingly dangerous journeys due to unsustainable fishing practices and other hazards including water pollution. High on the list of Operation Swimway’s priorities is to precisely define endangered species migratory patterns. The data collected and analyzed is then used to help define candidate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with the goal of seeking and obtaining approval from the responsible governing agencies.

While visiting Darwin, Seahawk was joined by scientists from the conservation group Migramar, a well-known organization that operates in the Eastern Pacific Ocean dedicated to studying the movement of threatened marine species. Dr. Alex Hearn led the effort on this expedition, which focused on studying whale sharks, known to visit Darwin Island during the July, August, and September timeframe. Adult female whale sharks congregate annually in the Galapagos, a phenomenon that is one of the subjects of Migramar’s research. Most of the females are pregnant when visiting the islands, suggesting the archipelago could serve as a nursery for these sharks. The mission’s objective was to attach GPS tags to individual whale sharks in order to provide tracking data based on a representative sample for determining the overall nature of species’ movements. Very little is known about where the whale sharks go, their pupping grounds, or their feeding habits.

During our cruising of Darwin and Wolf, we were lucky to have several encounters with some of the whale sharks. As stewardess Thea remembers:make

“It was a crazy experience. I suddenly saw this 12-meter fish swimming very fast past us. You could feel the water moving around you as she swam past. The scientists tried to tag her, but failed to do so as she was at full speed. The sighting lasted a few seconds, but it was incredible.”

Some of the attempts at tagging these sharks were successful, but the process is far from perfect. The sheer size, speed, and strength of whale sharks make the attachment of transmitters very challenging.

But not all was focused on GPS tracking. Dr. Diana Alexandra Pazmiño Jaramillo was part of the science team leading Operation Swimway. Her work at the Galapagos Science Center focuses on a more evolutionary approach; research designed to trace the migration patterns of various shark genotypes by using genomics, a special kind of DNA fingerprinting used to identify individual species without actually tagging them. Dr. Diana Alexandra’s work involves analyzing the secretions and tissues of the animals at a molecular level, which is crucial to revealing their behavior and patterns of movement. 

Miguel Herrero, Marine Biologist and Project director at Mantas Ecuador, was also on board Seahawk. His research revolves around developing an understanding of both the reproductive processes and migration patterns of giant manta rays. But Miguel is also interested in the role of cleaning stations and the special fishes that symbiotically bond to keep the rays healthy and free of parasites. Like many symbiotic relationships in the ocean, there is much specialization. In the case of the giant mantas, there are only a few specific types of cleaning fish suitable for servicing this shark family species. 

During our days at Darwin and Wolf, owners, guests, and crew were fortunate to experience the outstanding marine life that the famous Galapagos islands hold, while also witnessing how research on marine animals is conducted by professional scientists; an inspiring and educational experience.

However, not all was fieldwork. The Seahawk team also attended presentations held by the Migramar scientists, in which they discussed the experimental design needed to further improve the understanding of the mechanisms in play. Much was about how to better track the animals, sharks and mantas, but also important to the cause was developing a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem; the Galapagos islands in particular are complicated because of the byzantine matrix of converging currents, some very warm, some very cold. It is acknowledged that a more holistic approach to science is likely the right answer in order to secure the outcome desired.

Prototypically, developing MPAs in isolation will not solve the problem unless other environmental hazards are addressed. Migramar and other similar NGOs realize the problem is multifaceted and are working to establish more comprehensive understandings and solutions. As for the Seahawk team, the boat is exceedingly proud to have played a small role in this most important effort.

If you’d like to know more, you can watch the video below. It includes interviews with the Migramar team on board, as well as footage of our days cruising the islands. Not to be missed!

Fiji, Part II – Lau and the Seascape Initiative Project

Fiji, Part II – Lau and the Seascape Initiative Project

by | Jan 24, 2023 | Fiji, Scientific Trips

While our exploration of Fiji during the first part of the trip delivered much to celebrate, not all is well in paradise. In particular, underwater exploration of Fiji revealed much stress on the coral and fish life there; a bittersweet realization given the many goodnesses characteristic of the country. Arriving within the Lau Group, Fiji’s least visited hidden jewel to the east, we hoped to find a natural world largely untouched.

It is now August, about half way through our Fijian itinerary. Here, in Vanua Balavu, Seahawk and her crew stood ready to support a new scientific mission, again organized by our partners at YachtAid Global. This is where the sponsored scientist, Kristian Miles, working with the NGO Conservation International (CI), joined us to survey the remote islet of Duff Reef, a recently declared turtle sanctuary.

Sadly, many of our dives, including those conducted with Kristian, showed the coral reefs were struggling. Many colonies were bleached or suffering from other stressors such as cyanobacteria blooms and destruction by cyclones. And other marine life, especially larger pelagic fish species, were suspiciously lacking, 

All signs point to what is now a common problem around the world; overfishing, bad agricultural practices, and climate change. Over the course of our trip, we learned about Fiji’s struggles with overfishing, unsustainable fishing practices (catching of undersized, juvenile fish), and a growing population that increasingly turns to the sea for subsistence. Recent cyclones to hit the islands have also been problematic, some causing serious damage across coral reefs and devastation on land.

We wanted to know more about Fiji’s underwater world, the challenges faced and the organizations and individuals working towards solving them.

Behind the recently protected Duff Reef was the Lau Seascape Initiative; a plan launched in 2019 to protect Lau’s marine and terrestrial life from the current challenges while preparing the region’s communities to develop sustainably. It was launched by regional leaders with Conservation International and partners, with the support of the Fijian government. 

Duff reef is a community-based marine managed area and is now a no-take zone where sea turtles can find refuge as they visit the site to breed.

The mission was going to be highly constructive. Kris gave the crew and owners a presentation explaining the Duff Reef environment and the many species found there. The introduction was fortuitous because it facilitated both owners and crew playing a role in surveying the area for key species of marine life. Much to take in and learn to be able to properly identify the different turtles species and other resident fish like groupers, jacks, and barracuda targeted for the survey. It was an intensive course that had some of the team members studying the fish identification book all night prior to next day’s planned dive.

Unfortunately, due to rough weather conditions that included 40-knot winds and heavy rains, Duff Reef’s expedition had to be canceled; located in a very exposed area (the islet is a small sandbank in the ocean) and surrounded by coral reefs, the risk of dragging anchor in such a delicate environment was too high. Seahawk got there and had to turn around straight away, back to the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands.

On the bright side, Kristian and the Seahawk team were able to deploy a remote underwater temperature monitoring system in the northwestern pass of Vanua Balavu, to collect data on the inputs of ocean temperature. This unit is part of a greater effort by the University of the South Pacific to understand the impacts of climate change. The device will record temperatures over short intervals for up to a year. The annual retrieval/replacement of these devices will aid in the collection of data on ocean sea temperature changes. A similar system has already been installed in the southern Lau Group reef system.

During the days Kris  was with us he was able to conduct several surveys of marine life in the various Vanua Balavu passes Seahawk visited. These surveys are about determining the density of populations of benthopelagic and pelagic animals along with turtles & sharks within scientifically important areas of the Lau group.

The dive sites we explored were some of the best of the trip. The reefs were healthy, like busy cities, filled with fish, and diving alongside the reef wall we encountered big schools of barracuda and other pelagic fish. A thriving environment that benefits from the remote nature of the region. 

Still, cyanobacteria blooms were also present there. As Valu and Kris showed us how to identify the red algae covering the reef, it was difficult to unsee it. Another sign of how nutrient runoffs from agriculture are having an impact everywhere.

It is hoped that the Lau Seascape Initiative accomplishes its conservation goals and that the dependent communities in the area enjoy a sustainable future. There is much damage done, but also a lot to be saved within the pristine waters of the Lau islands.

The weeks that followed in Lau were marked by an immersion into the Fijian culture and a deeper understanding of the way of life and traditions of Fiji, as Seahawk made her way south of the group and visited some of the country’s most remote corners.

References used on this blog:

Sheldon Chanel, Shailendra Singh (2021, February 3rd). Fishing in Fiji Under Strain [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://earthjournalism.net/stories/fishing-in-fiji-under-strain#:~:text=According%20to%20a%202009%20University,fishing%20practices%2C%22%20says%20Dr.

Andrew Freedman (2020, December 17th). Fierce Cyclone Yasa strikes Fiji as one of the country’s most powerful storms [Washington Post]. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/12/17/cyclone-yasa-hits-fiji/

Mexico – Operation Swimway in Cabo Pulmo and Revillagigedo

Mexico – Operation Swimway in Cabo Pulmo and Revillagigedo

by | Nov 7, 2022 | Mexico, Scientific Trips

The Revillagigedo archipelago was a blessing in disguise for Seahawk. The visit, courtesy of a mechanical problem, landed the yacht in Ensenada until well beyond the time when a safe, typhoon-free crossing to the South Pacific would be possible. While not part of the yacht’s original itinerary, a remarkable trip with outstanding diving and marine encounters was the result. Mostly, though, we are grateful for having the opportunity to collaborate with Pelagios Kakunja, a world-renowned marine conservation NGO, to better understand the migratory patterns of pelagic species including sharks. Sometimes good things happen when you go off course.

Pelagios Kakunja operates in Mexico studying the populations of sharks and mantas that inhabit its waters. Their goal is to provide research that helps implement conservation strategies for the different species of these territories, many of which are known for their rich biodiversity, but also under stress due to overfishing and other threatening anthropogenic practices. 

After a few days exploring the mesmerizing surroundings of La Paz, Baja California, we were joined by scientists James Ketchum (Co-Founder of Pelagios), Miguel Grau (Field Technician), and experienced fisherman Alejandro Romero. And so the expedition “Operation Swimway” began. The main objective was the installation of new acoustic receivers and BRUVS (Baited Remote Underwater Video System) in strategic areas, the maintenance of legacy receivers, and the tagging of additional sharks, whose fastened transmitters will provide data on behavior and migration patterns. 

The technology used by Pelagios has been a popular tool among experts studying the movements of migratory marine animals. In the case of Pelagios’s work, tagged sharks in the proximity of the receivers send signals that identify the individual animal and its time of encounter, along with several other parameters.

The data on this acoustical sensors is then accessed by retrieving the receivers from the strategically fixed locations where they’ve been installed, a process that is done after 18 months or more. With enough receivers and transmitters installed and working together, a map of the species’ movements can be created, revealing migration patterns in and across the MPAs (Marine Protected Areas).

The information gathered on Operation Swimway intends to further the research on migration patterns; critical information that will benefit the creation of protected corridors between the MPAs of the Gulf of California and the Mexican Pacific.  

As for the BRUVS, they are useful for collecting data near important areas such as cleaning stations. These cameras gather information on shark behavior, such as feeding patterns and reproduction, thereby facilitating a more comprehensive picture of species’ life function and relationship to the environment.

In the days we spent cruising the waters of Cabo Pulmo and Revillagigedo, Pelagios managed to install 1 new receiver in Cabo Pulmo, renew a total of 7, and tag 4 sharks (two sharks with acoustic transmitters and two with satellite ones).

The owners, guests, and crew on board Seahawk also had the opportunity to attend educational presentations made by James and Miguel, who taught us about the research being conducted in the present and how the receivers installed work to gather valuable data. We also learned about the different species of marine life encountered in the areas visited and their conservation status.

Our experience exploring the underwater world of the Sea of Cortez and the Mexican Pacific is a highlight on Seahawk’s journey. From bull sharks in Cabo Pulmo to schools of scalloped hammerheads in the islands of Revillagigedo, along with the many encounters with the oceanic manta rays, magnificent gentle giants with wing spans of up to 25 feet, we are in awe of what the marine world holds.

Sadly, though, evidence points to the decline of sharks and reef fish in the past 20 years around most of the areas we visited. Industrial and unregulated fishing is a concern and a constant threat for many of these species. Pelagic fish migrating long distances, away from the protected areas for mating or feeding, are a special worry.

There is cause for optimism, however. Increasingly, there are inspiring stories that suggest positive change is in the wind. Oftentimes, the local communities negatively affected a declining environment successfully advocate for change. Cabo Pulmo National Park, 50NM south of La Paz, is an MPA with thriving marine life. But it wasn’t long ago that the region’s coral reefs and aquatic life were on the brink of collapsing, due in majority to overfishing and pollution. As studies started to be conducted on the area and locals became aware of the damage, the community came together in an effort to make Cabo Pulmo a protected area. Today, the town has a sustainable business model based on ecotourism and enjoys a healthy underwater world that keeps on giving income; marine animals, such as the resident group of bull sharks that inhabit the region, are more valuable alive than dead. 

Seahawk’s expedition in Mexico represents an important milestone. It reflects an aspiration to actively contribute to reverse damage to the environment by leveraging science, education, and technology in concert with the local experts best equipped to guide the effort. We hope Seahawk’s participation in “Operation Swimway” with YachtAid Global and Pelagios Kakunja helps protect bigger areas and create more MPAs, while serving to push conservation efforts even further. At the very least, all those involved come away knowing that a world without sharks is a poorer world and one that is likely unsustainable.

French Polynesia, Part II: Supporting Research in the Tuamotus

French Polynesia, Part II: Supporting Research in the Tuamotus

by | Jan 30, 2022 | French Polynesia, Scientific Trips

We had been navigating the French Polynesian waters for 6 weeks before our new Operation Swimway began in the Tuamotus Archipelago. After visiting some of the remote Marquesas islands, cruising the pristine waters of the Western Society Islands, and experiencing the culture in Tahiti and Moorea, we were set to start the next science expedition on board Seahawk.

For this trip, we were joined by a team of renowned marine researchers from top universities in the U.S and France; Eric Clua, Ph.D., shark specialist and professor at Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l’Environnement (CRIOBE); Mark Royer, Ph.D., Shark expert from the University of Hawaii; and Clémentine Séguigne, shark ecologist and Ph.D. student at CRIOBE. Planning and logistics for this mission were also arranged with YachtAid Global and Carl Meyer, Ph.D., professor, and researcher at the University of Hawaii.

Rodolphe Holler, our local guide and videographer throughout our time in French Polynesia, and his assistant Tearenui Poole joined the trip with their boat ‘Coconut’. Rodolphe’s expertise and understanding of the area were key for a successful trip and a safe navigation through the different Atolls.

This time, the mission’s goal was to study tiger shark populations in some of the Atolls of the Tuamotus. Specifically, their migration patterns and habitat use across the archipelago.

The research focused on tiger sharks as there’s still a lot to learn from them within their Polynesian habitats. Existing studies in the country have shown a population predominantly female from sightings around shark ecotourism sites, with males being a minority and seen more often in pelagic environments. Although photo-id studies have shed light on females’ reproductive biology, more studies needed to be conducted to deepen the knowledge of sharks’ habitat use and behavior in the Polynesian waters.

The objective of the project conducted in the Tuamotus, therefore, was the tagging of several individuals, the installation of new acoustic receivers, and the recuperation of old ones to recover previous data.

Our expedition began in the atoll of Makemo, located in Central Tuamotus. From there, we started a 10-day trip that was action-packed, with an itinerary that incorporated some of the archipelago’s most remote corners, where we found ourselves looking for tiger sharks, diving the extreme passes of the atolls, and even swimming alongside the rare Chilean Devil Rays (Mobulas Tarapacanas) in Raroia, as Eric collected DNA from them.

Another interesting experience was joining the scientists in their “recovery dives”, where we would drop at a location where previous receivers had been placed, to grab them and place new ones. These dives were challenging at times, due to the receivers being broken off and swept away by the strong currents of the passes. Due to the COVID lockdowns, some of the receivers had been in place for 2 years or more. Finding them was always a reason for an underwater celebration.

Fortunately, the data collected from these older receivers was worth the long search, as it had very valuable information on some of the sharks’ long migrations across French Polynesia. To be precise, a particular individual often sighted in Tahiti was recorded to have traveled several times to Hao (900km away!), proving the shark’s long-distance journeys.

The trip also included a visit to a local school in Hao, where Eric gave a presentation to students, aged 10 to 16, and taught them about sharks and their importance within the ecosystems they inhabit. The goal of the presentation was to educate the young generations about sustainable fishing practices, and why it is important to keep sharks alive in order to keep reefs and fish populations healthy. It was inspiring to see the great interest the children showed, and how knowledgeable some of them were, as they come from families that heavily depend on fishing as a source of income.

As for the shark tagging, the science team managed to tag a total of 4 tiger sharks (3 of them in one day!); A remarkable accomplishment, considering that a total of 10 sharks had been tagged in 7 years. It was also an unforgettable experience for guests and crew on board, as most were able to be present during the tagging.

However, this trip also made us face a hard reality. During one of our dives, in Raroia, we came across a dead black tip reef shark that showed signs of stabbing. A gruesome sight that most likely indicated that it had been killed for being a nuisance to fishermen. There is still work to be done in educating the population about shark conservation. Unfortunately, that isn’t just a local concern, but an international one.

On a positive note, thanks to the researchers’ accomplishments during the trip, a broader picture of these sharks’ spatial movements across the different atolls and further islands such as Tahiti is now underway. Hopefully, the new data will provide meaningful insight to protect key areas that serve as mating and pupping grounds for these animals, as well as create protected corridors for them to travel across islands safely.