Download our induction pack here - Atlantic Whale Foundation

The Data Explained
1. In the middle of each snapshot box a simple boat
has been drawn, which is the starting point of every
drawing. The boat in the middle represents the boat
the observation is done from. Boat shapes represent
other boats as well, with the nose pointing into the
appropriate direction. On every boat drawn on the
snapshot, including the boat you are on, the boat
code and speed should be written on. These can be
obtained from the table on the bottom of the data
sheet guidelines.
Our volunteers go out on 15 different boats over 3 different
ports on the west coast of Tenerife.
One of our objectives whilst on the boat is to collect data on cetacean behaviour. There will often be
two volunteers on the boat, one to fill in the data sheets and the other to take photos (see the photo
identification guidelines)
One person on each boat is responsible for monitoring cetacean behaviour. This is carried out by
filling in the Cetacean Behaviour and Interactions Form. Part of this form are the ‘snapshot’ boxes, in
which drawings have to be made that give an overview of the situation at different times. The other
part is a summary of all the relevent data.
Before the interaction has started the top of the observation sheet should be filled in and
photographed. The fields should be filled in like the shot below. As soon as you are close enough to
the cetaceans, to be able to se what they are doing, record the start GPS coordinates and the time.
Then start to fill in the snapshot boxes. Proper drawings should give a simple and instant overview
of the situation of boats and cetaceans at a certain time.
In each pack that you take out on the boats with you or attached to your clipboard there will be
guidelines on how to fill out the sightings sheets. The box below is shown on this sheet and is a
reminder on how to fill in the snapshot boxes correctly. A completed snapshot box contains three
basic elements (see diagram).
2. Lines (I) are used to represent the cetaceans. One line represents one cetacean. They should
be enclosed in circles, if there is more than one species present. This makes it obvious to the
viewer where the different species were and if they were interacting with each other or not. The
lines should be drawn where the individuals are in relation to the boat at the start of the snapshot.
If the age class of the cetacean can be determined this should be written on next to the line, using
the abbreviations as shown on the guidelines sheet. It is especially important to mark on where
mother and calves are in the pod if they are present.