In the summer of 2022, our marine mammal observers (MMOs) collaborated with the University of Hamburg on a ground-breaking study in the Coral Sea off the coast of Australia.
Conducted aboard the German deep-ocean research vessel RV Sonne, this project investigated how ocean currents influence the formation of tropical carbonate platforms near the Great Barrier Reef.
Operating in this ecologically sensitive area – close to the breeding and calving grounds of humpback whales – our MMOs provided expert observations and passive acoustic monitoring to ensure adherence to strict environmental guidelines.
The Australian regulations required immediate shutdown of acoustic sources if a whale approached within 500 metres of the vessel, reflecting our commitment to safeguarding marine life in these waters.
