WhaleNet Information Packet
mwilliamson@vmsvax.simmons.edu
Mon, 4 Oct 1994 13:59:01
Capture the text and save to a word processing file. Format according to
[new page indicators in text and print. Data sheet included in the hard copy
of the packet is not included in the e-mail copy. Send you mane and address
for a hard copy.
Mike Williamson
Whalenet
copy follows
Whalenet Info Packet/5.94
copyright 1994-WhaleNet/J. Michael Williamson
Welcome to WhaleNet
This packet gives you the information that you need to start using
WhaleNet in your classroom. This packet contains the following
1. Whale Watch Data Sheet
2. Instructions for recording whale watch data.
3. Instructions on how to access WhaleNet
4. Instructions on how to input data into the WhaleNet bulletin board
5. Marine mammal species sheet with abbreviations
6. Activities sheets
7. Supplemental Materials order forms
8. WhaleNet data base Information Sheet
Please feel free to contact us for further information.
Mr. Michael Williamson Mr. Paul Colombo
WhaleNet Coordinator Co-Director EnviroNet
Science Dept. Dept. of Biology
Wheelock College Simmons College
200 Riverway 300 Fenway
Boston, MA 02215 Boston, MA 02115
617/734-5200, x256 617/521-2665
Mwilliamson@vmsvax.simmons.edu Pcolombo@vmsvax.simmons.edu
WhaleNet is a teacher enhancement project funded by the
National Science Foundation and sponsored by Wheelock College and
Simmons College, Boston. The purpose of WhaleNet is to enhance
science education and environmental awareness using
interdisciplinary learning through the use of telecommunications.
[new page
Affiliates' Organizations
Allied Whale, College of the Atlantic
American Cetacean Society
Atlantic Cetacean Research Center
Briar Island Ocean Study, N.S.
Buffalo Museum of Science
Cape Ann Whale Watch
Captain Tim Brady & Sons Whale Watch
Carolina Ocean Study Programs
Cetacean Research Unit
Cetacean Society International
Ceta-Research, Inc., Nfld..
Compagnie de la Baie de Tadoussac, P.Q.
Dolphin Fleet
Frenchman Bay Whale Watch Co.
Gulf of Maine Aquarium
Gulf of Maine Marine Ed. Assoc.
Hatfield Marine Science Center, OR
Hyannis Whale Watcher
International Wildlife Coalition
Isles of Shoals Steamship Co.
Manomet Bird Observatory
Marine Education Center of Cape Ann
Marine Education & Research Group
Marine Mammal Center
Massachusetts Audubon Society
Massachusetts Marine Educators
Mingan Island Cetacean Study
M.I.T.S.
Newburyport Whale Watch
New England Aquarium
Pelagic Research Lab -NEA
Stranding Network-NEA
Teacher Resource Center-NEA
New England Science Center
New England Whale Watch
New Hampshire Seacoast Cruises
North Carolina Sea Grant
Northeast Whale Watch
Odyssey Whale Watch
Portuguese Princess Whale Watch
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
Quebec-Labrador Foundation
Seattle Public Schools
Seven Seas Whale Watch
Simmons College
Twillingate Island Boat Tours, Nfld.
U. of Alaska Southeast
UC Santa Barbara
UNH Sea Grant
Virginia Marine Science Museum
Whale Conservation Institute
Wheelock College
Yankee Fleet
[new page
Broaden Your Whale Watch Horizons
with Telecommunications
WhaleNet, in conjunction with research and educational
organizations, and whale watch companies, provides a program to
enhance the educational opportunities of students.
WhaleNet offers, students and teachers, curriculum support, a
source of data for interdisciplinary classroom activities , and interactive
informational support through the WhaleNet/EnviroNet bulletin boards
utilizing telecommunications.
WhaleNet provides a system where students, teachers, and
researchers collect data on their whale watching cruises and compile
their data on the WhaleNet bulletin board. The data is then shared, via
WhaleNet, with schools for student research and interdisciplinary
curricular activities in their respective classrooms nation-wide.
WhaleNet is establishing Internet communication between classes from
around the world so that students can compare and relate their
experiences, data, and knowledge with one another.
WhaleNet, part of EnviroNet, is a teacher enhancement project
funded by the National Science Foundation and sponsored by Wheelock
College and Simmons College in Boston. The purpose of
WhaleNet/EnviroNet is to enhance science education and
environmental awareness using interdisciplinary learning through
the use of telecommunications.
Class activities may be supplemented with information packets
with materials supplied by WhaleNet. Also available are Interactive CD-
Rom and curriculum materials and the Elementary Whale Study
Curriculum (EWSC) developed by Whale Conservation Institute and the
Discovery Channel, and the booklets Whale Watches as Interdisciplinary
Teaching Opportunities, The World of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises --
Interdisciplinary Curriculum Activities for Pre-K through High School,
and Marine Science Activities on a Budget. Plans to build a life-sized (55
ft.) inflatable whale that the students can actually walk through are
also available through WhaleNet. WhaleNet curricula support continues
through the winter months by utilizing information from the
humpback southern breeding areas, WCI Patagonia right whale
research, and research information on tracking whales, ocean toxics
(ECOTOX), and bioacoustics supplied by the voyages of the WCI research
vessel Odyssey.
If you are interested in receiving an information packet,
participating in the program, or learning more you can contact me,
Michael Williamson, WhaleNetCoordinator at 508/468-4699 or
617/734-5200, X256, or Dr. Karen Talentino or Paul Colombo, EnviroNet
co-directors, Park Science Bldg., Simmons College, 300 Fenway, Boston,
MA 02115, 617/521-2665,.
E-Mail :
Michael Williamson MWILLIAMSON@VMSVAX.SIMMONS.EDU
Paul Colombo PCOLOMBO@VMSVAX.SIMMONS.EDU
[new page
GUEST INSTRUCTIONS FOR EnviroNet / WhaleNet LOGINS
The following are some directions to access our network as a RguestS.
Please feel free to browse through our bulletin boards and let us know if
you find them a help to your instruction. Bold type indicates
information that you type.
to connect to us or you may use our IP# 134.140.112.5
Our direct dial-up # is (617)521-3000.
username> ENVIRONET
password >SIMMONS
[if Local appears--- Local> c vmsvax]
This will give you the BULLETIN> prompt.
There are currently thirteen different bulletin boards that we are
running:
ENVIRONET ROADKILL LEADPAINT ETHNICPLANTS
ACIDRAIN OZONE ENVST-L LICHENS FLU
WHALENET BIRDS WATERSHED ENVIROQUEST MARINE
You should access the WhaleNet bulletin board first by typing at the
prompt
BULLETIN> select WHALENET.
Once the folder has been set to WHALENET you should view the directory
by typing at the prompt
BULLETIN> dir
This will give you a list of current postings.
Type the number of the file and [Return] to view the material.
To access any of the other bulletin boards you would type select (space)
and then the name of the bulletin board at the BULLETIN> prompt.
When the board is activated you would simply hit your return key to
read the messages or you can type dir to see a directory of all messages
that appear in the board and access any one message by its number.
To LOG OFF or to get out of the system
BULLETIN> exit
ENVIRONET logged out at 8-MAY-1994 11:30:38.90
Local> lo
Local -020- Logged out port 1 on server MCB3
NO CARRIER
We hope you enjoy our network and please send us your comments.
*WhaleNetNet is funded by the National Science Foundation and
supported by Wheelock College and Simmons College, Boston, MA.
[new page
Recording Whale Watch Data
Prior to making reservations for your whale watch, ask the company
if they are WhaleNet affiliated and/or if they will allow you to conduct
your research: record LORAN positions, collect water samples, and/or
collect plankton samples. The companies need not be affiliated with
WhaleNet, but you should be sure that you will be allowed to conduct
your activities. Ask if the captain will allow a student in the pilot house
to collect LORAN readings, depths, etc.
Organize your data collecting teams or individuals before you
arrive at the boat. The excitement of the day, boarding, etc. does not
lend itself to organizing at dock side.
------ Data Sheet ------
Date sheet is not inculded in the e-mail information
The data sheet has the following headers for the columns
Time/LoranA/LoranB/Depth/Species/Number/Grouping/Behavior/Names
We also take weather data such as:
% cloud cover
Sea state/wave height
water temperature/air temperature
wind velocity/direction
time of last high tide
1. Fill in as much of the general information (weather, tides, etc.) in
the data sheet header as possible. Sea state (beaufort scale of wind
velocity), wave height, and visibility should be recorded at sea.
2. Take a LORAN fix about every 15 minutes on the way to and from the
primary whale watching area beginning at the harbor mouth.
3. The time should be recorded for each LORAN fix and marine mammal
observation. Use 24-hr. time for all data entries, i.e. 2:15 PM would be
14:15. (For afternoon or evening just add 12 to the hour.)
4. The location is determined by LORAN coordinates. Two coordinates
are used for a fix. Write one coordinate in each column under Location.
5. Depth can either be recorded by depth sounder on the boat or by
making a fix on the chart and noting the depth on the chart closest to
the fix. Many depth sounders do not work well when the boat is
traveling at higher speeds.
6. When a whale is observed record the species using the Species
Abbreviation Sheet, i.e. Mn for humpback, Bp for fin whale etc.
7. Record the number of whales in the immediate area (subjective
distance judgment) around the boat. This can be confusing when there
are a number of whales in the area. Use a separate line on the data
sheet for each species in an area, all the other data will be the same, i.e.
time, LORAN, depth, etc.
8. Grouping is recorded by listing the number of whales in a group. The
sum total of grouping must equal the previous Number recorded. For
instance, if you have 6 humpback whales, you may have 2+2+1+1 if
there are two pairs and two single animals. a cow/calf pair is recorded
as c/c.
9. Behavior is recorded as feeding, traveling, breaching, flipper
slapping, lob tailing, spy hop, logging, trumpeting, etc. There are more
behaviors and some researchers take minute detailed behavioral data,
but for your purposes that detail may not be necessary.
10. The last column can be used for names of humpbacks. Most of the
Gulf of Maine population have been named to facilitate data transfer by
researchers.
Marine Mammals and Turtle Sighting Abbreviations
Abbr No. Common Name Genus Species
Eg 1 Right Whale Eubalaena glacialis
Bm 2 Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus
Bp 3 Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus
Bb 4 Sei Whale Balaenoptera borealis
Be 5 Bryde's Whale Balaenoptera edeni
Ba 6 Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Mn 7 Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae
Pc 8 Sperm Whale Physeter catodon
Kb 9 Pygmy Sperm Whale Kogia breviceps
Ks 10 Dwarf Sperm Whale Kogia simus
Dl 11 Beluga Whale Delphinapterus leucas
Mb 12 Sowerby's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon bidens
Md 13 Blainville's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon densirostris
Me 14 Gerval's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon europaeus
Mm 15 True's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon mirus
Zc 16 Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris
Ha 17 Northern Bottlenose Whale Hyperoodon ampullatus
Pe 18 Melon-Headed Whale Peponocephala electra
Fa 19 Pygmy Killer Whale Feresa attenuata
Px 20 False Killer Whale Pseudorca crassidens
Oo 21 Killer Whale Orcinus orca
Gm 22 Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melaena
Gx 23 Short-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala macrorhynchus
Sb 24 Rough-Toothed Dolphin Steno bredanensis
Wb 25 White Beaked Dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris
La 26 Atlantic White Sided Dol Lagenorhynchus acutus
Lh 27 Frasar's Dolphin Lagenorhynchus hosei
Dd 28 Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis
Tt 29 Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops runcatus
Gg 30 Risso's Dolphin Grampus grisaus
Sp 31 Spotted Dolphin Stenella plaglodon
Sl 32 Long-Snouted Spinner Dol Stenella longirostris
Sx 33 Short-Snouted Spinner Dolphin Stenella clymene
Sc 34 Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba
Pp 35 Harbor Porpoise Phocoena phonoena
Or S.36 Walrus Odobenus rosmarus
Pg S.37 Harp Seal Phoca groenlandica
Cc S.38 Hooded Seal Cystophora cristata
Hg S.39 Gray Seal Halichoerus grypus
Pv S.40 Harbor Seal Phoca vitulina
Tm S.41 West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus
Dc T.42 Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys corlacea
Cc T.43 Loggerhead Turtle Caretta caretta
Cm T.44 Green Turtle Chelonia mydas
Lk T.45 Ridley Turtle Lepidochelys kempi
Ei T.46 Hawks Bill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata
UD U.47 Unidentified Dolphin/Porpoise
UB U.48 Unidentified Large Whale
UX U.49 Unidentified Small Whale
[new page
WhaleNet Data Input Instructions
After you access the E-mail address (see WhaleNet Access Sheet)
input the data as follows.
1. Under the heading SUBJECT, enter the data as shown.
To: WhaleNet@vmsvax.simmons.edu
CC:
Subject: Data/NSB/May 4 94/WCI/Daunto/Stoneham MS 6
Data/Area/Date/Research Group/Vessel/School
Key:
Data - identifies the entry as data
NSB - identifies area [NSB- Northern Stellwagen Bank, SSB - Southern
Stellwagen Bank, JL-Jeffrey's Ledge, IP-Ipswich Bay, LIS - Long Island
Sound, VB - Virginia Beach, etc.]
May 4 94 - date
WCI - organization Whale Conservation Institute, boats should have a
research group affiliated with it.
Daunto- specific vessel name
Stoneham MS 6- school or group name, grade
NOTE: This must be consistent for the users' sake. This information will
appear on the Bulletin Board Directory, and thus, it will simplify sorting
through all of the many data entries on the directory. For instance, if
you wish to do a longitudinal study you may want to select only the WCI
data over a period of time. WCI will continually input data throughout
the season. If you want to concentrate on one specific area, you may
select only one area code like NSB (Northern Stellwagen Bank), if you
want to study from only one boat you may select it, or you may select
specific dates if you want to compare data by dates, etc.
** NON-WHALE WATCHING CLASSES **
If you are a class not going on a whale watch but using the whale
watch data, use the data sheets to copy data off of the WhaleNet Bulletin
Board. You can then use the data in the same way as those that did go on
an actual whale watch.
[new page
Simulated E-Mail Entry
To: WhaleNet@VMSVAX.simmons.edu
CC:
Subject: Data/NSB/ May 4 94/WCI/Daunty V/Stoneham MS
[data header]
Vessel - Daunto
Date - May 4 94
School - Stoneham Middle School
Grade - 6
Sea State- 2
Wave Ht.- 1-2 ft
Wind - NW/10 kts
Air Temp- 68'F
Water Temp- 55'F
Cloud Cover- 10 %
Visibility- 15 nm
High Tide (time) - 15:30
Recorder - Jim Williams
[data ]
Time/LoranA/LoranB/Depth/Species/Number/Grouping/Behavior/Names
10:45/25830/44359/150 ft./Mn/5/3+2/logging/Salt, Liner,
11:15/25850/44300/100 ft./Mn/3/1+1+1/Feeding/Pepper
11:15/25850/44300/100 ft./Bp/2/2/feeding
15:20/25800/44250/250 ft./Ba/7/1+1+1+1+1+1+1/feeding
Day Totals: Hrs ___3__ Mn __8___ Bp __2___ Ba ___7__ etc.
Data Entry:
Header: Each day's data must contain header information as
shown. For the Data Header write the name of the entry as shown on the
Simulated E-Mail Entry (above), and then type the information,i.e.
Vessel - Daunto.
Data: The first line of the data entry contains the column
headings on the Data Sheet separated by the /. Each of the following
lines are a single line from the data sheet with each column entry
separated by theJ/.
Data input example explanations using last line of entry (above):
15:20 = 3:20 PM - use 24 hr time
25800 & 44250 - LORAN coordinates taken from ships LORAN
250 ft.- depth taken either from location (fix) on chart or depth sounder
on boat.
Ba - species Minke (a listing of abbreviations will accompany packet)
7 - number of species of whale in area of boat
1+1+1+1+1+1+1 - grouping of whales, sometimes singles, pairs etc.
feeding - observed behavior (a listing of common behaviors will
accompany packet)
Day Totals - for day try to eliminate duplicate sightings of same whales.
Hours from leaving to arriving at harbor mouth.
[new page
WhaleNet Activities Sheet
Activity 1: Navigation
Simple navigation methods can be used to involve mathematics.
Using latitude and longitude or a system of navigation called LORAN
(Long Range Aid to Navigation) the ship's position can be plotted very
accurately on a navigation chart. The ship's track can be plotted on a
chart by taking a position check or fix periodically by recording the
time and ship's LORAN coordinates. Prior to your trip laminate your
chart or cover it with clear contact paper. The students can use water
soluble fine tip markers to plot the fixes and course as the day
progresses. Different colors can be used to indicate different species
sightings, etc. The chart can be reused when the fixes are washed off.
With the plot of the ship's course a number of activities can be
undertaken. Plot the vessel's research track and calculate: the distance
covered, the rate of the vessel's travel from point to point (D=R*T), the
depth of water at various points can be found by checking the depth on
the chart at the point of the fix, and the topography of the research
track can be observed (see bathymetry below).
Students can plot the track of the boat by recording the LORAN
coordinates at preset time intervals, i.e. every 15 minutes and/or at
every sighting of marine mammals, and then plotting these points
(taking a fix) on a chart of the area. (Charts are available for $13.00 or a
bathymetric (fishing) chart for $3.00 through boat yards or boating
magazines. The bathymetric chart gives a better visualization of the
bottom topography and may be more helpful if a study of bottom
topography is planned. The bathymetric chart also has some LORAN
lines on it, but not as many as the navigation chart. NOTE: you only
need two LORAN coordinates to plot your position.)
Using the research track, students should note locations, depths,
topography, etc. where marine mammals are observed along with the
behavior and activity observed.
Activity 2: Water Testing
Water testing is an important part of oceanography and whale
research. Activities such as testing the water temperature, density and
salinity are commonly measured qualities of sea water. To collect a
water sample notify crew members, wait until the boat stops
COMPLETELY, drop a bucket with a line attached to the handle overboard
and bring up a water sample. Use a thermometer to measure the
temperature, and a hydrometer to measure the density. With the density
and temperature, the salinity can be determined using
temp/density/salinity charts or graphs.
The color of the water, sea state (wave height), wind velocity and
direction, and air temperature are also important bits of information to
the researcher. This information is listed on the data sheet.
Activity 3: Plankton Tow and Analysis
A plankton tow and analysis explains a great deal about why the
whales are where they are. The plankton can be examined with hand
lenses or microscopes, and depending on the class age various degrees
of plankton analysis can be conducted. Data on density of plankton,
identification of plankton types, etc. can be included.
A discussion and development of food chains and food webs would
be a natural follow-up to the plankton tow. Phytoplankton (plants) and
zoo-plankton (animals) can be observed under normal conditions. If
only one plankton net can be purchased choose a phytoplankton net. It
collects both plant and animal plankton.
Activity 4: Data Collection
Data collection should be made on: the location of the observation,
the species observed, the number of each species, behavior of the
organism, and any other information that might be important.
Data sheets should be photocopied from the one included in
advance of the trips and research groups can be assigned in any
manner appropriate to the class. Groups can either be assigned to take
data for the class or groups can be assigned to take data throughout the
trip. It would be suggested that only one person at a time be assigned to
record the LORAN coordinates in the pilot house, and the captain should
be contacted and talked with about the best procedure prior to the trip.
Some vessels have LORAN receivers in the public cabin, inquire at the
time you make your reservations.
For more class involvement, additional data can be collected on
the trash and bird sightings. The Trash Data Table should include time
sighted, location, type of trash, amount of trash, composition of trash,
etc. The data of the times sighted can be coordinated with the LORAN
recordings to approximate the position of the trash sightings. Totals of
the trash sightings should be included after the whale sighting
information. Bird sightings can also be recorded in a similar fashion.
There is a bird sighting bulletin board in EnviroNet, see the EnviroNet
booklet for procedures to input bird data.
Activity 5: Photo-Identification of Whales
Photo-identification photographs of humpback whales taken on
the cruise should be recorded as follows: date, location, photo taken by
whom, what roll number of film, and what number on the roll. The
photographs can be used later to identify the whale using a humpback
whale catalogue or they can be mailed to Allied Whale, College of the
Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Maine to be entered into the humpback whale data
base.
Activity 6: Mathematics
Plot the complete research track on a chart. How many miles did
the trip cover? What was the average speed of the boat from fix to fix,
for the entire trip? What was the heading (compass direction) on each
leg of the trip? How many sighting were made for each hour of the
trip? (This is the "catch effort" used by whalers to compare the
efficiency of a trip.) This method can also be used to compare different
trips, on different days, locations, boats, etc.
Activity 7: Bathymetry
Using graph paper placed along each leg of the research track
the bottom topography can be plotted and displayed. Fold a piece of
graph paper along a line about one inch from the edge of the paper.
Place the graph paper on the track line drawn on the chart and using a
predetermined scale for depth on the vertical axis, plot the depth of the
bottom on the (vertical) Y-axis vs. appropriate/convenient points on
the (horizontal) X-axis. Connect the strip profiles for each leg of the
cruise together to show the bottom topography of the entire trip.
Return to the bottom topography profile and note where on the
surface what species were sighted and what the behavior observed was,
i.e. feeding, logging, traveling, etc. Is there a pattern of behavior of
the whales or the location of the whales to the bottom topography? Are
sightings usually made over a specific type of bottom? Analyze the data
from your trip.
Activity 8: Topographic Model of the Bottom
Construct a model of Stellwagen Bank. Draw lines perpendicular
to the ridge line of the bank about one inch apart. Have students use
graph paper to make a profile of the bottom on each line. Glue the
graph paper to pieces of cardboard and cut out the profiles. Line the
cardboard profiles up one inch apart in clay or similar substance to
hold up the cardboard, and cover with damp cloth or paper. Press the
cloth or paper down gently to the contour of the cardboard, allow to dry,
and spray with paint and allow to dry. Use your imagination!
Activity 9: Analysis of Whale Watch Data (examples)
Suggestions for analysis: (1) compare "catch efforts" (number of
sightings of a species for each hour on the whale watch) for different
days, different species, etc.; (2) compare the range of behaviors of
species on a given day; (3) compare data for Jeffrey's Ledge and
Stellwagen Bank on a given day or week; (4) compare numbers of
cow/calf pairs on given days; (5) calculate the number of whales with
killer whale scars; (6) compare the depths where the different species
were observed; (7) compare where most of the sightings were, on the
bank or ledge, over the deep water, etc. or (8) compare numbers of
sightings vs. sea state, cloud cover, wind velocity, etc.
** NON-WHALE WATCHING CLASSROOMS **
If you are one of the classrooms not going on a whale watch but
using the whale watch data, use the data sheets to copy data off of the
WhaleNet Bulletin Board. You can then use the data in the same way as
those that did go on an actual whale watch
[new page
WhaleNet Supplementary Materials
The listed materials may be purchased to supplement your classroom
curriculum.
Marine Science Activities on a Budget (booklet) - Contains a cross-
section of oceanographic activities that can be altered to accommodate
many grade levels.
The World of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises - Interdisciplinary
Curriculum Units for Pre-K through High School (book) - This contains
200+ pages of interdisciplinary activities, bibliographies, etc. suitable
for a wide range of interests, abilities, and grade levels.
How to Build an Inflatable (55 ft.) Fin Whale (booklet) - Instructions on
how to build a 55 foot long model of a whale that can be carried in a
duffel bag by one person. Students and teachers can walk inside.
Estimated cost for materials isbetween $40.00 and $50.00
Marine Science Bibliography (pamphlet) - Extensive bibliography for a
wide range of grade levels and interests from general knowledge,
children's books, to scientific information for the marine mammal
biologist.
Marine Science Activities on a Budget (booklet) $13.00
The World of Whales, Dolphins,and Porpoises - Interdisciplinary Curriculum
Units for Pre-K through High School (book) $20.00
How to Build an Inflatable (55 ft.)Fin Whale (booklet) $8.00
Marine Science Bibliography (pamphlet) $3.00
Prices (in US funds) include Shipping.
Make Check payable to: J. Michael Williamson
Send order form with your name and address to:
J. Michael Williamson
MICS
20 Moynihan Rd.
So. Hamilton, MA 01982