Guests aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines fleet of three smaller ships have made over 9,500 wildlife sightings together with ORCA’s Ocean Conservationists in 2024 as part of their marine wildlife conservation work.
The ORCA Ocean Conservationist programme is a unique whale and dolphin monitoring project, which uses the data collected during cruises to identify and monitor whale and dolphin populations around the world.
The data collected contributes directly to the conservation of marine wildlife by helping to establish important protected areas, such as those in the Bay of Biscay and the Hebrides. ORCA’s continued monitoring in these hard-to-reach areas is crucial for creating safe habitats for whales and dolphins around the world.
Across Fred. Olsen’s fleet, 9,539 sightings were made over a distance of 44,873km, with the most frequent wildlife spotted being the common dolphin, sighted 4,367 times and a total of 189 humpback whales. Other sightings included 307 tuna, 75 beluga whales, 11 orca, 5 blue whales and 16 of the deepest diving animals known, the elusive Cuvier’s beaked whales, which can dive to depths of nearly 3,000m.
James Moss, Cruise Product Manager at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“Last year was extraordinary for marine life encounters aboard our ships, thanks to our partnership with ORCA. As we’ve sailed across the globe, ORCA’s expert teams have been on hand to record remarkable wildlife sightings and share their knowledge with our guests.
“It’s a real privilege to work with ORCA, as we know that for our guests, spotting native wildlife is something that makes a cruise truly unforgettable, while also learning more about the wildlife they spot, and playing a part in capturing important data too.
“We’re looking forward to another successful year working together in 2025.”
Steve Jones, Director of Fundraising & Operations at ORCA, said:
“Our collaboration with Fred. Olsen goes from strength to strength every year, and once again we have a stunning set of itineraries in 2025 that will take us to all kinds of exciting destinations. Our Ocean Conservationists will onboard giving guests unforgettable wildlife experiences and teaching them about the amazing world of whales and dolphins – but most importantly, they will also be collecting important data to help us study and understand these animals better and help to protect them for the future. Every Fred. Olsen guest who comes and joins our teams out on deck will be helping us in our conservation mission and we can’t wait to work together for another amazing year in 2025.”
(Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines celebrate over 9,500 wildlife sightings in 2024 with marine conservation charity ORCA – Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines)
Tags: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Source: Latecruisenews.com