Zoological expedition along the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk coastlines. (1 Viewer)

Dear friends and colleagues,

From June, 1 till August, 28, 2013 “Finval” research centre (Russia) arranges an exploratory zoological expedition along the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk coastlines by a sail and motor trimaran " FIN WHALE ".
. The expedition aims at studying species composition, distribution and number of marine mammals, marine colonial birds and birds of prey inhabiting the coastal area of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk of the Far East of Russia.
The expedition starts from the Vanino harbour in the Sea of Japan and finishes in the Magadan harbour in the Sea of Okhotsk.
The expedition will cover more than 3000 km of the sea exploratory routes. Many regions to be explored are poorly investigated, under populated and have a diversified and rich animal world.
We would like to invite independent researchers and organizations interested in studying of the animal world of this region as well as lovers of wildlife, photographers and others to take part in the expedition on the terms of co-financing (arrangement fee).
The expedition is divided into four independent stages of different duration. You may take part in the whole expedition or only in one stage of it.

For additional information please contact us at finvalAC at yandex.ru

The first thought was that this could be a fascinating experience for participants. Then all the negative thoughts cut in. I suspect that this expedition is for other institutions rather than for individuals to participate. My reasoning is:

Institutions can release members for blocks of time. Most individuals who could participate would be post retirement age,

There is no indication of cost and I suspect that this may be prohibitively expensive -- way beyond my means and that of 99.99% of other Birdforum readers and

You would be looking for specific sets of skills from participants. Otherwise it would be similar to a commercial pelagic wildlife tour.

If you wish to elicit a response from your invitation, I would suggest that these, and probably other salient points, are addressed in a further explanitory message.

I hope these are taken as positive suggestions as they are so intended.

This is a real expedition. We do not do commerce. To justify the expedition we take organizational fee $ 80 per day per person. The expedition is divided into four independent stages of different duration. These funds include daily meals, paperwork, transportation and others. Not part of the road to the site and back. For more information contact me by email. Please do not send emails from here. Copy and send email with your address.

Scientific expedition program includes:

observations on expansion of various marine mammals species;

registration of marine mammals numerosity;

observations on marine mammals behaviour;

collection of biopsy samples of some cetaeceans;

photo-fit photographic identification of cetaeceans;

registration of marine colonial birds numerosity;

identification of expansion of some birds of prey species;

gathering of materials for collections;

taking genetic samples of some marine mammals and birds species;

gathering information on mortality of marine mammals;

search of fossils of the extinct Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas).

To contact us, please, copy our e-mail address here and send us a message from your e-mail. We are glad to answer any question of your concern.

Andrey Semenov, expedition leader

Hi,

This sounds very interesting. Could you please provide some information about each of the stages, like dates, focus of stage, likely sightings, embarkation and disembarkation points and logistics of getting to and from each one, given that many of us are located in the uk, us etc, it would be useful to know how feasible it would be to get on and off the expedition.

Many thanks.

Hello

Expedition stages:

1. Vanino – Nikolaevsk-on-Amur. From June, 1 till June, 25.
Duration - 25 days.
Travelling to Vanino (or Covgavan) is by plane or by train from Khabarovsk. Travelling from Nikolaevsk-on-Amur is by plane or by hydrofoil vessel along the Amur River to Khabarovsk.

2. Nikolaevsk-on-Amur – Shantarskie Islands – Tchumican. From June, 25 till July, 10.
Duration 15 days.
Travelling to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur is by plane or by hydrofoil vessel along the Amur River from Khabarovsk.

3. Tchumican – Shantarskie Islands – Tchumican. From July, 11 till July, 25.
Duration 15 days.
Travelling to Tchumican is by plane from Khabarovsk. The plane flies two days a week.

4. Tchumican – Ayan – Okhotsk – Magadan From July, 26 till August, 28.
Duration 34 days.
At this stage it is possible to travel to the Saint Jonah Island.
Travelling to Tchumican is by plane from Khabarovsk. Travelling from Magadan is by plane.


Send me an email. I will answer all questions. Thank you!

Andrey

Hi Andrey

I might be interested in the second stage of your expedition. A few questions:

Can you provide some more information about the boat?
Will it be possible to go for walks during days when the boat is moored up? Or will everyone else be busy doing scientific research and I be liable to be eaten by a bear/get lost if I go off on a walk?
Will a reasonable number of people speak English?
Any kayaking possible?

Thanks

Rob

Hello,
* Please send me an email. Address in my first message. I shall reply to your questions.