Sperm-whale
Physeter macrocephalus
Brings you the best marine ecotourism experiences in Europe
Objective
WhaleSafe
Whale protection from Strike by Active cetaceans detection and alarm issue and Ferries
Targeted Species & Habitats
WhaleSafe
About this project
WhaleSafe
The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals is a special marine protected area in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea. It is located between Liguria, France and Sardinia, and covers an area of around 90,000 km2. The sanctuary is the most important breeding and feeding site for cetacean populations living in the Mediterranean Sea and thus crucial for their well-being. The unique seabed features in the area, such as canyons, attract a large number of sperm whales that often emerge near the coast. Major commercial, tourist and industrial sites are also located in the area, and marine traffic (e.g. passenger, cargo and fishing boats) increases particularly during the summer, when the presence of sperm whales is also higher. Collisions and injured animals are consequently frequent and have a very high negative impact on the species, whose Mediterranean sub-population counts at just 2,500 mature individuals. The project wants to develop an interference avoidance system aimed at detecting and tracking sperm whales, identifying threats to them, and preventing collisions and other risks by issuing warning messages in real time to vessels in the area. A protocol for reducing the disturbance and impact risks is being drafted in cooperation with the local coast guard, and agreed by all stakeholders involved. After receiving the warning message, ships will be invited to apply this protocol and the coast guard will supervise its application. The system is innovative because it prevents ship impacts with the whales by monitoring and tracking the animals underwater, by acoustic means. This aspect is vital, considering sperm whales spend three quarters of their time underwater.
Multimedia and photos
WhaleSafe
Other projects
Warning Corals!—Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Sea has been…
Sea Birds—Spain
Although there are thousands of…
ProjecteGrampus—Spain
The aim of this project is to study the…
Dofins Metropolitans—Spain
Through a network of collaborators that…
Iberian Seabird and Marine Mammal Monitoring Network—Spain & Portugal
In this project groups of volunteer…
Experience marine wildlife
45.00
Deluxe Sea Baptism in Tossa de Mar
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Brava
Tossa de Mar
75.00
Discover Scuba Diving in Sesimbra
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
70.00
Two guided dives in one day for certified divers
Spain
Canary Islands
Tenerife
40.00
5-hour Ria Formosa Islands Boat Trip from Faro
Portugal
Algarve
50.00
Kayak Tour in Arrabida Natural Park
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
100.00
Discover Scuba Diving in Albufeira
Portugal
Algarve
1380.00
Balearic Islands Marine Expedition
Spain
Balearic Islands
Majorca
1850.00
St Kilda: an Outer Hebridean Cruise
UK
Scotland
Argyll & Bute
32.00
Shipwreck Dive River Gurara in Sesimbra
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
75.00
20-Minute Try Dive in Tenerife
Spain
Canary Islands
Tenerife
15.00
Algarve Eco-friendly Solar Boat Trip in Ria Formosa from Faro
Portugal
Algarve
35.00
Self-Guided Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling Trip to Areoso Island
Spain
Galicia
Rias Baixas
Ria de Arousa
115.00
Wreck Diving in Ocean Revival Park
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
60.00
Dolphin Watching Tour in Lisbon
Portugal
Lisbon region
45.00
Sea Safari in Funchal
Portugal
Madeira Islands
Madeira
30.00
Snorkeling in Portofino
Italy
Liguria
Genoa
Portofino
50.00
Whale Watching in Terceira Island Azores
Portugal
Azores Islands
1800.00
Diving & Marine Adventure in Cornwall
UK
Cornwall
Falmouth Area
Castle Beach and Silversteps
470.00
Whale & Dolphin Watching in Bilbao
Spain
Basque Country
40.00
Coasteering in Gorliz
Spain
Basque Country
Discover Europe's best natural landscapes
Tory Island
Ireland
County Donegal
Gaeltacht and Donegal Islands
Tory Island
Causeway Coast
UK
Northern Ireland
Causeway Coast & Glens
Causeway Coast
Malin Head
Ireland
County Donegal
Inishowen
Malin Head
North Wales
UK
Wales
North Wales
Dragonera Island
Spain
Balearic Islands
Majorca
Dragonera Island
Grianan of Aileach
Ireland
County Donegal
Inishowen
Grianan of Aileach
Falmouth Area
UK
Cornwall
Falmouth Area
Fuerteventura
Spain
Canary Islands
Fuerteventura
Punta Socastro
Spain
Galicia
Mariña Lucense
Punta Socastro
Pedra do Meio
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
Pedra do Meio
Trawbreaga Bay
Ireland
County Donegal
Inishowen
Trawbreaga Bay
The Glens of Antrim
UK
Northern Ireland
Causeway Coast & Glens
The Glens of Antrim
Istria
Croatia
Istria
Owey Island
Ireland
County Donegal
Gaeltacht and Donegal Islands
Owey Island
Pedra da Nau
Portugal
Lisbon region
Cascais
Pedra da Nau
Pedras de Portimao
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
Pedras de Portimao
Cita Wreckage
UK
Cornwall
Isles of Scilly
Cita Wreckage
La Gomera
Spain
Canary Islands
La Gomera
Causeway Coast & Glens
UK
Northern Ireland
Causeway Coast & Glens
Basque Country
Spain
Basque Country
County Sligo
Ireland
County Sligo
Aries Shipwreck
Spain
Galicia
Rias Baixas
Ria de Arousa
Aries Shipwreck
Illa de Ons
Spain
Galicia
Rias Baixas
Ria de Arousa
Illa de Ons
Bota de Fora
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
Bota de Fora
Pedra do Mariano
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
Pedra do Mariano
Svealand
Sweden
Svealand
Inishowen
Ireland
County Donegal
Inishowen
Inishtrahull Island
Ireland
County Donegal
Inishowen
Inishtrahull Island
Jardim das Gorgonias
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
Jardim das Gorgonias
Parque das Gorgonias
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
Parque das Gorgonias
Gemeos Pequenos
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
Gemeos Pequenos
Torre de Hercules - Punta Herminia
Spain
Galicia
Costa da Morte
Torre de Hercules - Punta Herminia
West Wales
UK
Wales
West Wales
Manacles Reef
UK
Cornwall
Falmouth Area
Manacles Reef
Gilstone Reef
UK
Cornwall
Isles of Scilly
Gilstone Reef
El Hierro
Spain
Canary Islands
El Hierro
Rovinj
Croatia
Istria
Rovinj
Majorca
Spain
Balearic Islands
Majorca
Kornati National Park
Croatia
Sibenik-Knin
Kornati National Park
Gobbins and Larne
UK
Northern Ireland
Causeway Coast & Glens
Gobbins and Larne
Porec
Croatia
Istria
Porec
Tenerife
Spain
Canary Islands
Tenerife
Delta de l'Ebre Natural Park
Spain
Catalonia
Terres de l'Ebre
Delta de l'Ebre Natural Park
Malin Beg
Ireland
County Donegal
Donegal Bay
Malin Beg
Jardim dos Nudibrânquios
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
Jardim dos Nudibrânquios
Barcelona
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Barcelona
Barcelona
Talland Bay
UK
Cornwall
South East Cornwall
Talland Bay
Liguria
Italy
Liguria
Blasket Islands
Ireland
County Kerry
Blasket Islands
Götaland
Sweden
Götaland
County Donegal
Ireland
County Donegal
Brijuni National Park
Croatia
Istria
Brijuni National Park
Hatt Rock
UK
Cornwall
South East Cornwall
Hatt Rock
El Palmar
Spain
Andalusia
Cadiz
El Palmar
El Cabron
Spain
Canary Islands
Gran Canaria
El Cabron
Ponta de Rana
Portugal
Lisbon region
Cascais
Ponta de Rana
St John's Point
Ireland
County Donegal
Donegal Bay
St John's Point
Cabo Raso
Portugal
Lisbon region
Cascais
Cabo Raso
Lough Swilly
Ireland
County Donegal
Inishowen
Lough Swilly
La Palma
Spain
Canary Islands
La Palma
North Inishowen
Ireland
County Donegal
Inishowen
North Inishowen
Pedra da Âncora
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
Pedra da Âncora
Underwater Canyons of Maresme
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Barcelona
Underwater Canyons of Maresme
Pednathise Head
UK
Cornwall
Isles of Scilly
Pednathise Head
Costa Daurada
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Daurada
Delta del Llobregat Natural Park
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Barcelona
Delta del Llobregat Natural Park
Cape Kamenjak
Croatia
Istria
Cape Kamenjak
Labin & Rabac
Croatia
Istria
Labin & Rabac
Central Wales
UK
Wales
Central Wales
Illa de Rua
Spain
Galicia
Rias Baixas
Ria de Arousa
Illa de Rua
Las Raras
Spain
Galicia
Costa da Morte
Las Raras
Tarifa
Spain
Andalusia
Cadiz
Tarifa
Costa Brava
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Brava
Catalonia
Spain
Catalonia
Madeira
Portugal
Madeira Islands
Madeira
Arranmore Island
Ireland
County Donegal
Gaeltacht and Donegal Islands
Arranmore Island
Cinque Terre
Italy
Liguria
Genoa
Cinque Terre
Ballycastle and Rathlin
UK
Northern Ireland
Causeway Coast & Glens
Ballycastle and Rathlin
Castle Beach and Silversteps
UK
Cornwall
Falmouth Area
Castle Beach and Silversteps
Skye and Lochalsh
UK
Scotland
Highlands
Skye and Lochalsh
Tossa de Mar
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Brava
Tossa de Mar
SS Hildebrand
Portugal
Lisbon region
Cascais
SS Hildebrand
Ibiza & Formentera
Spain
Balearic Islands
Ibiza & Formentera
Illa Coelleira
Spain
Galicia
Mariña Lucense
Illa Coelleira
Vrsar & Vuntana
Croatia
Istria
Vrsar & Vuntana
Jardim do Vau
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
Jardim do Vau
Krka National Park
Croatia
Sibenik-Knin
Krka National Park
The Syracusa
UK
Cornwall
North coast
Newquay
The Syracusa
Fanad Head
Ireland
County Donegal
Fanad Peninsula
Fanad Head
Spiros
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
Spiros
Praia da Duquesa
Portugal
Lisbon region
Cascais
Praia da Duquesa
Tixoso
Spain
Galicia
Mariña Lucense
Tixoso
Portnoo
Ireland
County Donegal
Donegal Bay
Portnoo
Lanzarote
Spain
Canary Islands
Lanzarote
Menorca
Spain
Balearic Islands
Menorca
Umag & Novigrad
Croatia
Istria
Umag & Novigrad
Baia da Armacao
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
Baia da Armacao
Lisbon region
Portugal
Lisbon region
Gemeos Grandes
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
Gemeos Grandes
Teelin
Ireland
County Donegal
Donegal Bay
Teelin
Illa de Salvora
Spain
Galicia
Rias Baixas
Ria de Arousa
Illa de Salvora
River Gurara - Popa
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
River Gurara - Popa
Sliabh Liag
Ireland
County Donegal
Gaeltacht and Donegal Islands
Sliabh Liag
Pedra do Leao
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
Pedra do Leao
Illas Sisargas
Spain
Galicia
Costa da Morte
Illas Sisargas
Portofino
Italy
Liguria
Genoa
Portofino
The Volnay
UK
Cornwall
Falmouth Area
The Volnay
Cap de Creus
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Brava
Cap de Creus
Highlands
UK
Scotland
Highlands
El Montgrí, Illes Medes i Baix Ter Natural Park
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Brava
El Montgrí, Illes Medes i Baix Ter Natural Park
Aiguamolls de l'Empordà
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Brava
Aiguamolls de l'Empordà
Gran Canaria
Spain
Canary Islands
Gran Canaria
Lobeira Islands
Spain
Galicia
Costa da Morte
Lobeira Islands
Portnablagh Beach
Ireland
County Donegal
Fanad Peninsula
Portnablagh Beach
HMS Scylla
UK
Cornwall
South East Cornwall
HMS Scylla
Hemptons Turbot Bank
Ireland
County Donegal
Inishowen
Hemptons Turbot Bank
Garraf Natural Park
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Barcelona
Garraf Natural Park
Norrland
Sweden
Norrland
Cornwall
UK
Cornwall
Forte da Baralha
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
Forte da Baralha
The Quies
UK
Cornwall
North coast
Newquay
The Quies
Porth Rock Reef
UK
Cornwall
North coast
Newquay
Porth Rock Reef
Porto Santo
Portugal
Madeira Islands
Porto Santo
South Wales
UK
Wales
South Wales
Costa Barcelona
Spain
Catalonia
Costa Barcelona
Mulroy Bay
Ireland
County Donegal
Fanad Peninsula
Mulroy Bay
Pula & Medulin
Croatia
Istria
Pula & Medulin
Newquay
UK
Cornwall
North coast
Newquay
Algarve
Portugal
Algarve
Farol da Guia
Portugal
Lisbon region
Cascais
Farol da Guia
Ponta da Passagem
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
Ponta da Passagem
Find your next marine wildlife experience in Europe!
20.00
Cave Discovery Boat Tour to Benagil
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
115.00
Wreck Diving in Ocean Revival Park
Portugal
Algarve
Portimao
1050.00
Small ship cruise to Skye & the Small Isles
UK
Scotland
Highlands
Skye and Lochalsh
39.00
Fun Dive in Dragonera Island
Spain
Balearic Islands
Majorca
Dragonera Island
30.00
Guided Stand Up Paddle Tour in Lisbon
Portugal
Lisbon region
75.00
Giant SUP experience in Nazaré
Portugal
Central Portugal
30.00
Surf Experience in Deba
Spain
Basque Country
30.00
Sea Kayak Tour to Ons Island
Spain
Galicia
Rias Baixas
100.00
Mountain bike tour of Portofino
Italy
Liguria
Genoa
Portofino
880.00
Sea Kayak & Wild Camping Experience in Sweden - Guided
Sweden
Götaland
250.00
2-Day SSI Diving Course in Mogán
Spain
Canary Islands
Gran Canaria
48.00
Snorkeling Adventure in Gran Canaria
Spain
Canary Islands
Gran Canaria
65.00
Solway Shipwreck
Spain
Galicia
Costa da Morte
115.00
Diving Adventure in Arrabida Natural Park
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
35.00
Sesimbra & Espichel Grotto Boat Tour
Portugal
Lisbon region
Sesimbra
110.00
5-day Surf Course for Beginners in Deba
Spain
Basque Country
550.00
5-day Sailing Route in Rías Baixas
Spain
Galicia
Rias Baixas
58.00
Half-Day Sea Kayaking Adventure in Menorca
Spain
Balearic Islands
Menorca
1380.00
Balearic Islands Marine Expedition
Spain
Balearic Islands
Majorca
30.00
Guided Sea Kayaking Tour to Udra Cape
Spain
Galicia
Rias Baixas