For research, we are using the technique of route combing which is one of the techniques of distant sampling. The best condition for this technique is planning the research in advance. After the preresearch prepared from Kas to Mersin for the volunteers to have experience, and will have an organized and planned programme from Kas to Mersin. The operation is carried out by 4 people in 2 hours of periods from 18:00 till 20:00 in the evening. While one person is watching the horizon through binoculars on the bow, the other two are observing with naked eye from starboard and portside. So they give us an opinion about whether dolphins react when they are approached by the ship. People who are observing are taking notes according to the dolphins' distance.
In addition to that, they also determine the kind and the number of dolphins. After this data is completed fully and truly, diversity of the dolphins in the combed area is calculated and population in the area is determined. Rafi and I are coordinating the monitoring and analysis and Ozgur, Atilla and Nazim are contributing to the survey. Many others, Elif, Bahadir, Anne, Emma, Salvo and Hakan are also volunteering in helping in this research.
Tomorrow morning from 8:00 in the morning till 20:00 in the evening we will go on with the research while passing from Aliaga to Dalaman. With the hope to see the dolphins this time.