Jacopo's Master project
Hi guys. My name is Jacopo Di Clemente and I'm a MSc student in Marine Science at the University of Southern Denmark. I am an Italian sea passionate guy, maybe because I was born in an island in the middle of Rome (yes, we have one as well...).
I grew up studying all the sea creatures until I fell in love with...whales :)
So now I am in Denmark pursuing my Master’s and for my thesis I am doing research in Alaska with humpback whales. Here is my fundraising campaign.
The basecamp for this research is the city of Juneau in southeast Alaska.
The goal is to collect data on humpback whale ecology and hopefully publish the results. Every outcome from this work will help us to know more about these giants of the sea and to protect them in a busy tourist place, such as southeast Alaska.
Past studies have shown that whale watching activities impact several aspects of humpback whale ecology. Juneau is one of the most popular whale watching destinations in the world and the amount of tourists visiting Juneau is on the rise. In response to the growth of the whale watching industry in Juneau, we aim to provide baseline information on if/how whale watching vessels impact humpback whales in Juneau waters. Using a theodolite, we will perform land-based observations from a cliff, collecting data regarding movement and behavioural patterns of the whales.
Our results will help to create sustainable conservation and management practices.
Research hypothesis: Whale movement and behavioural patterns will change in the presence of whale watch vessels.
Through this research, we aim to catalyse interest inside as well as outside the scientific community about important issues that will help to protect this species. These projects are part of joined effort between the University of Southern Denmark and the BREACH (Behavioral Research and Ecosystem Health) research group at the University of Alaska Southeast. We will be posting updates about our field research and study progress to the BREACH website, so please check back often: https://online.uas.alaska.edu/online/portfolio/HCPEARSON
We are still in need of some funds for field lodging and computer equipment.
If you want to be part of this project and help in protecting these giants of sea, you're welcome to donate what you wish (you can donate in every currency)!
If we want to protect our environment we need to do research.. money is important, but what about people's support?
Please share my campaign on your social networks or feel free to spread the word.
If you have questions, just click on the button "Contact" and I will be happy to get back to you.
Thanks for all your support, keep calm and save the whales!
