Update on Antofagasta, Chile

Written by Cristóbal González Comella, our Head of Project Leadership & Fundraising for Latin America & Capt. Sveto Todorov, our Board Member WG Europe & Maritime Industry Liaison

Fin Whale season is in full bloom right now in Antofagasta Bay! Thanks to the invaluable work of the biologists who collaborate with Whale Guardians, significant amount of data is being collected at this moment. A team led by Ana María García Cegarra, a cetacean conservationists and assistant professor at the University of Antofagasta, are doing field research on a weekly basis which was done in January, and will continue through February and early March. So far it has been a very active Fin Whale season, with expectations that it will continue to be so.

Antofagasta and the northern coast of Chile harbor an important habitat for multiple resident and migratory species of great whales including Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, and even Eastern South Pacific Southern Right Whales, which are critically endangered and face severe risk of collisions with vessels that are heading into or out of the port of Antofagasta.

Embarking on a long-dreamed-of voyage from Chile to Brazil via the Strait of Magellan, our passionate advocate for oceans and whales, Capt. Svetoslav Todorov, engaged in Antofagasta and Mejillones with locally specialised biologists, whale-watching and conservation organisations, local shipping agencies, and the Port Authorities (Armada de Chile) to enhance cooperation aimed at preventing ship strikes on whales.

Sharing energy and experience with the crew of the MV Lowlands Pelikaan makes each day at sea a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of this global issue.

More to come - real time onboard trainings.