Citizen Scientists Uncover Blue Whale Behaviors in Timor-Leste

For approximately two months annually, fisherman Faustino Mauloko da Cunha transforms his residence along the South Pacific coast into a whale observation post. Each morning, villagers and student volunteers gather at the house in Subaun, a village situated in northern Timor-Leste. Equipped with binoculars and telephoto cameras, they scan the deep blue waters for one of its significant natural assets – pygmy blue whales. When a sighting occurs, operations begin immediately. Faustino’s son, Zacarias, deploys a drone. Subsequently, Karen Edyvane, an Australian marine ecologist and the team’s leader, guides him to capture the best photographs. After the drone returns, the team reviews the images, documenting observations on a whiteboard. This modest and economical initiative in Timor-Leste, part of an archipelago located between South East Asia and the South Pacific, has nonetheless generated a wealth of information about pygmy blue whales. These creatures, among the largest animals on Earth, are challenging to study due to their extensive habitats and elusive nature. Over the past 10 years, these local citizen science researchers have observed nearly 3,000 pygmy blue whales, a number Professor Edyvane deems “truly extraordinary.” Timor-Leste possesses one of the world’s highest concentrations of marine mammals. During the migration season, specifically October and November, hundreds of pygmy blue whales traverse the country’s waters as they undertake an epic journey spanning thousands of kilometres from the Banda Sea, situated north of Timor-Leste, to southern Australia. However, this area has been under-researched, notes Professor Edyvane, who launched the citizen science monitoring programme in 2014. For the past two whale seasons, she has been based in Subaun, approximately 50km (31 miles) from the capital Dili, collaborating with fishermen, students, and dive tour operators to document these cetaceans. Professor Edyvane, a researcher at Charles Darwin University and Australian National University, states that they have documented “some of the lesser known, intimate reproductive behaviours of blue whales, some for the very first time.” In 2022, for instance, tourists accompanied by a local tour operator involved in the programme captured underwater footage of a mother nursing her calf, providing a glimpse into the species’ reproductive behaviours, which had largely remained unknown. “It’s very, very exciting,” she adds. The programme, supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, began as a Facebook group, inviting local tour operators, fishermen, and residents to share sightings of cetaceans. Professor Edyvane trained them on surveying methods and instructed them on how to use telephoto cameras and drones for conducting aerial and boat surveys. Professor Edyvane remarked, “When locals see the whales swimming by, they will post pictures on Facebook and WhatsApp. Updates come on a real-time basis and when someone shares something, everyone gets very excited.” In 2016, the team collaborated with a dive tour operator to launch the first whale-watching tour. It was only last year that a “research station” was established outside the da Cunha family’s village home – photographs depict a simple hut overlooking the bay. Outside are two tables, plastic chairs, and whiteboards mounted on the hut’s walls. During this year’s whale season, undergraduate students from the National University of East Timor and University Oriental Timor-Leste gathered at the research station to assist with the sightings. Even such a basic structure has simplified the task. Professor Edyvane stated, “We’re able to monitor all day and all night. We’ve also been able to get the most incredible footage. The whales come in so close sometimes we can actually hear their blows.” Wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta notes that citizen researchers like these have become powerful on-the-ground observers for marine scientists. She commented, “The combination of people having access to tools like drones and social media means we have insights into things that are happening while we may be behind the desk writing grants to fund our work.” The increase in research activity in Subaun has also led to a rise in tourism. Diving instructor Cassio Schumacher informed the BBC that the demand for whale-watching tours has increased, adding that these tours are “booked up years in advance.” Local non-profits have warned of the risks associated with unregulated whale tourism, and the government has stated its intention to use Professor Edyvane’s research to “fully protect and conserve” the marine life that passes through Timor-Leste’s waters. Professor Edyvane believes that with regulation, whale tourism has the potential to create jobs and stimulate Timor-Leste’s economy. According to the International Monetary Fund, the country is one of the poorest in the world, where average annual incomes in cities hover around $1,500. In Subaun, most villagers work as subsistence fishermen and farmers, earning approximately $600 to $900 a year. The da Cunha family has now begun preparing meals from local produce and the day’s catch for the students and tourists – an additional source of income. Faustino, 51, told the BBC on a WhatsApp video call, “We enjoyed having the guests around and will love to do it again. We will make it a better experience [next season].” His son, Zacarias, has also been contracted to provide drone services for the project. Professor Edyvane mentioned her plan to train him to deliver talks about whales in English. The 26-year-old expressed his appreciation that the visitors are learning to protect the area: “The university students learn fast and well to defend this area.” Regarding tourists, he stated that the locals are happy to teach them. “We remind tourists not to swim with the whales but instead watch them from a distance.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.