Indonesia  Oceanic Cetacean  Program Film & Photographic Expeditions

 

The Amazing Celebes Sea  Rare Marine Life, Remote Locations   Additional Special Interests in the Research Area   Expeditions Assists in Important Cetacean Research

 

The Amazing Celebes Sea
 

The warm, clear waters off northern Sulawesi, previously known as Celebes, are an exceptionally rich marine life hot spot.  Strong oceanic currents, deep sea trenches and sea mounts, combined with active volcanic islands result in complex oceanographic features and an impressive array of  rare marine life.    The Celebes Sea is located in the centre of a special oceanic realm of maximum marine diversity. It is home to a great abundance of whales and dolphins, sea-turtles, manta rays, marlin and other pelagics. In addition, some of the most bio-diverse coral reefs in the world can be found here, with over 2500 fish species and close to 500 coral varieties identified to date.  The Oceanic Cetacean Film & Photographic Expeditions have access to this pristine and remote region of Indonesia.  It enables adventurous naturalists and multi-media professionals to experience an exceptional marine wilderness, with all creature comforts and equipment maintenance and charging facilities on board.  The Indonesia Oceanic Cetacean Program (IOCP) research expertise and findings have been crucial to numerous international film makers and photographers interested in producing cetacean natural history and environmental documentaries.

Our on-going studies on northern Sulawesi's sperm whales and oceanic dolphins has resulted in an intimate knowledge of the whereabouts and ecology of these rare cetaceans. It is not unusual to have encounters with oceanic cetaceans such as sperm whales in the morning, and have a snorkel or dive on a brilliant coral reef drop-off in the afternoon!  We certainly don't know of any other location world-wide where this can be done....  In fact, during our previous research season we encountered over 15 different whale and dolphin species in Northern Sulawesi alone, totalling an estimated 1500 individual animals...  One of the main goals of our research is to find out why such a great diversity of whales and dolphins exists here. The IOCP also contributes to biological oceanography research on apex marine predators conducted in other parts of the world.

 

During the expedition, you are likely to come eye to eye with sperm whales - the most formidable of deep sea predators - as well as other oceanic cetaceans, such as pilot and melon-headed whales.  These in-water encounters often result in spectacular imagery, and are truly inspiring and not easily forgotten.  However, such encounters are not to be taken lightly and are carefully controlled by the expedition team to ensure both safety and maximum success.

 

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 Rare Marine Life, Remote Locations
 

A large proportion of the Indonesian species of whales and dolphin we see are considered rare in other parts of the world. Some are listed as endangered species. Orcas, pygmy and dwarf sperm whales, pilot and melon-headed whales, false and pygmy killer whales, Bryde's and minke whales, Risso's, Fraser's, rough-toothed, spotted and spinner dolphins, as well as pelagics such as tuna and marlin are all part of the living Sulawesi Sea. Sperm whales and the majority of other oceanic cetaceans frequenting the area are highly specialised, deep-diving oceanic predators.  In fact, if we like to consider ourselves divers because we occassionally submerge, then these creatures should be categorised as ' surfacers', as they occassionally surface!   Sperm whales, for example, spend about 10 minutes out of every hour on the surface. This means there are only around a dozen short surface intervals for each individual whale during daylight hours...  To be at the right place at the right time is one of the most difficult, yet essential necessities for a successful oceanic cetacean research program.  Sophisticated hydrophones and other acoustic equipment, constant visual surveying and lots of experience is required to have close encounters while causing minimal disturbance. Our research methods are scientifically designed to ensure minimal disturbance to cetaceans, yet it allows for discrete approaches to obtain positive photographic identifications of individual whales and dolphins.
APEX has been photographically studying cetaceans in Indonesian waters for numerous years now.  As a result, we  have an intimate knowledge of the whereabouts and biological hotspots frequented by these rare and spectacular marine mammals.  This information is then combined with preferred camera positions and anticipated whale behaviours to create ample and superb opportunities to film and photograph these animals in their natural habitat.  In addition, North Sulawesi and the islands of the Sangihe-Talaud Archipelago are considered one of the most scenic in Indonesia.
Our Oceanic Cetacean Film & Photographic Expeditions are of the highest standards, designed for discerning environmental media professionals.   The expedition vessel is a stable platform,  well equipped and sea worthy 15m sailing yacht. Expeditions are based in Manado, North Sulawesi and easily accessable with directl flights from Singapore, Phillipines, Bali, Java and other Indonesian islands. Expeditions to other IOCP research areas such as Komodo National Park and Nusa Tengara are possible.

Additional Special Interests in the Research Area
 

Biological Interests  Exceptionally diverse coral reefs  Open ocean ecology - pelagic turtles, sea snakes, sea birds, oceanic sharks and bill fish are frequently encountered  Coastal Rainforests with numerous endemic bird and mammal species.  Geological/Oceanographic Interests  Active volcanic island chains  Underwater volcanos  Seamounts  Trenches and inter-island passages  Currents and Upwellings    Cultural Interests  Traditional fishing techniques including spider web fishing, and cetacean assistance fishing  Village customs  Environmental Interests  Large-scale fishing, mining and nature-based tourism activities are all operational within the research area.  Top

Expeditions Assist in Important Cetacean Research

 

All Expedition contributions are being put back to work for the marine environment in the form of cetacean research activities, ocean conservation initiatives and marine education programs. We are actively involved in education and environmental awareness initiatives that promote the ecologically sustainable development of Sulawesi's natural assets, and undertake long-term cetacean research and surveys in northern Sulawesi.  Scientific observations made during the Expeditions on species identification, distribution and abundance of all cetaceans encountered assist in the Indonesia Oceanic Cetacean Program (IOCP).

1. Heathcote Williams - Whale Nation