It's a calm Monday and we're following a dolphin transect line. Visibility is good and the dolphin-spotting (pictured!) is on high effort. So I thought it was about time I explained some of this jargon for you.

'Dolphin-spotting' refers to the cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoises) survey being conducted by an independent team of WDCS scientists on board the Esperanza with us. We say 'dolphin-spotting' as shorthand because dolphins are far and away the most frequent cetaceans spotted.

A 'transect line' is a straight line on a chart that we follow, designed to 'randomly sample' an area. The survey data can then be used to extrapolate out figures based on these transect lines to [hopefully] work out some distribution, density and population data for cetaceans in the area.

There is a very rigid protocol for those doing the dolphin-spotting. Observers must continuously survey a set area of sea in front of them and note down specific details if and when they have a sighting - namely the distance, direction, which way they are heading, species, number of animals, and travel mode. Standard dolphin-spotting equipment consists of special binoculars, a watch, an angle-board (to record directions) and a radio. Gloves, sunglasses, a hat, and a mug of something hot are optional, but advised.

Sightings are then radioed through to the data-logger (who sits in the map room behind the bridge) where they also record the time, position, water depth, sea state, cloud cover, wind speed and the presence of any vessels.

When there's nothing to be spotted the rigid procedure may seem pointless - but of course it isn't. It's essential to make sure that all the data collected (even 'no sightings' = data) is collected in the same way - so that it can be put together and analysed later.

That is why WDCS team leader Marijke is such a stickler for the protocol - and anyone not adhering to it risks a smack on the legs with a ruler.

Willie, Campaigner

Thanks Cat,

that joke was *abysmal* though.

Willie

Hi Willie et al

Great weblogs! So I think it's about time the others on board pulled their weight and wrote something so Willie's not the only poor sod gettin' queazy staring at a moving computer screen!

How about some stuff on cetaeans from the WDCS team? Like, what's the difference between porpoises, dolphins and whales. (No, that's not the opener for a silly joke. This is a silly joke: Why did the whale cross the road? To get to the other tide)

Or how about: What do the 1st, 2nd and 3rd mates do? Interview with the chef? What does a trawler look like when it's bearing down on you in the water?

Keep up the great work. The dolphins love you and so do I.