Follow the Banderas Bay Humpback Whales for Research Tours in Monterey Bay Keith May - Deep Blue Conservancy
April 28, 2015

Dear Members of the Ocean Friendly & Deep Blue Conservancy Family,

Many of you already know that we are moving forward with a new line of research that will include not only the Humpback whale’s (Megaptera novaeangliae) breeding and birthing grounds of Puerto Vallarta, México, but also now will include the feeding grounds of Monterey, California. We invite you all to join us on an intimate tour of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS).

The first of our research tours will begin on May 16, 2015 and we look forward to welcoming you as part of the research team! It is because of your support as Citizen Scientists that we continue our conservation projects. Without your ongoing support, we would be unable to continue to achieve our research goals and we are thankful for your support over all the years.

We are inviting just a handful of guests to join us on May 16th, 17th (Sunset Tour), 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd of 2015. There will limited availability with only 5 guests on board each day of the research surveys. You can book for one tour or multiple tours, as you like. We suggest that you make your bookings as soon as possible as reservations will start flowing in immediately and space is extremely limited.

Please reserve the morning 8:00 AM tour priced at $220 per person as the later tour is shorter and we will not be on board for those afternoon tours. We will meet at Moss Landing at 8:30 AM for the pre-departure briefing to insure the full experience and so that you will be prepared to be a cooperative part of the research experience.

In addition to the Humpback whales, that you already know from Puerto Vallarta, we will also have the possibility of observing Orcas, Blue whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea birds, sea lions and seals. We will depart the dock between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM to begin our 4 hour expedition. Water and snacks will be provided on board. Please check the FAQ section of the Fast Raft website for additional information.

Oscar and I will be conducting the fluke identification research of which you are all familiar. Additionally, we will be concentrating our efforts on documenting the behaviors between the breeding/birthing grounds of México and the feeding grounds of California.

One main focus will be to record the differences of the acoustics that the Humpback whales produce in the feeding grounds and to document how they utilize each of these two distinct ecosystems for very specific reasons.

This northern research will take place within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) and our vessel will depart from Moss Landing. MBNMS is a US Federally protected marine area offshore of California's central coast and is the largest US national marine sanctuary. It has a shoreline length of 276 miles (444 km) stretching from just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at San Francisco to Cambria in San Luis Obispo County toward the south.

MBNMS supports one of the world’s most diverse marine ecosystems and is home to numerous marine mammals, seabirds, fishes, invertebrates and plants in a remarkably productive coastal environment. The sanctuary was established in 1992 for the purpose of resource protection, research, education and public use and is a carefully monitored and protected at all times.

Monterey Bay, just like Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta, is one of the deepest bays on the planet. It’s deepest point is 10,663 feet (3,250 meters) in the Monterey Submarine Canyon. And, like Banderas Bay, this canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon. During the research survey, we will describe the eight million year formation of Monterey Bay, while also observing and documenting the activities of the marine mammals, birds and other fauna and how they use this ecosystem to ensure the continuation of their species.

This new itinerary and new line of research blends the best of the natural environment with science, research and the emotional and sentient awareness of the Humpback whale’s existence in the realm of their world.

We hope that you can join us. We have forged a relationship with Fast Raft Safaris to make this all possible. Their low-to-the-water boat, Ranger, is comfortable, quiet, and highly maneuverable, offering an incredible perspective of marine wildlife and beautiful coastal scenery.

To reserve your space on board, please go to Fast Raft and find the dates that are mentioned above. Please know that through your participation and ticket purchases that 100% of all profits are funneled directly into the research programs of our non-profit corporation called Deep Blue Conservancy.

Oscar and I will be staying in Pacific Grove and are hopeful that those of you who make your reservations for the tours can join us after hours for a show and tell time. We’ll have a blast! You can find recommendations regarding hotels, restaurants, shopping, attractions and other activities at Pacific Grove.

If you are unable to join us, perhaps you might consider supporting our work through a tax-deductible contribution. It’s simple, just go to Deep Blue Conservancy to make a contribution toward helping us achieve our research, conservation and educational goals. It will be greatly appreciated and as guardians of your donations, you can be assured that 100% of all donations and profits of ticket purchases are used specifically for research purposes. A tax-deductible receipt will be issued at the time that you make your donation online.

We look forward to welcoming you on board. We are all headed toward and incredible journey! Oscar and I are incredibly excited about this expedition and can’t wait to share the experiences with you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitant to a email us. However, do book early, the seats will go quickly.

Very Best Regards,

Keith May, Executive Director
Deep Blue Conservancy
keithmay@me.com

Oscar Frey, Chief Researcher & Owner
Ocean Friendly
ofrey@oceanfriendly.com

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