Balearic Islands Marine Expedition

• Join a 7-day marine expedition on board a reasearch vessel as part of the crew.
• Take part in a scientific effort working towards the development of a new, large scale Marine National Park in the Balearic Islands (Spain).
• Sail the turquoise waters surrounding Majorca and Cabrera Island while you learn about marine biodiversity and contribute to its conservation.

Our 7-day marine expeditions are part of a road map for the design of a new large scale Marine National Park of over 100.000 hectares at the Balearic Islands - a “Hope Spot” of Mission Blue - by 2018, and the establishment of a first management plan proposal by 2020.

The islands' surrounding waters are a hot spot of biodiversity and home to unique habitats for great pelagic species, such as sperm whales, fin whales, pilot whales, dolphins, marine turtles, tunas, sharks and seabirds.

Alnitak's citizen science program - Sea Bioneers - has allowed us to ensure the continuity of Toftevaag’s surveys since 1990, providing national and international frameworks with one of the most extensive scientific data sets for conservation of marine biodiversity. Volunteers make this possible by covering their share in survey costs and by actively assisting scientists in the survey work. With a ratio of 4 scientists to 8 volunteers, on board the Toftevaag we work as a team, developing fascinating science, zooming right in on the amazing marine ecosystem.

You will participate in the photo identification of dolphins, satellite tracking of turtles and filming all creatures from the smallest plankton to the fin whale, whilst enjoying the magic of life on board a historic vessel based in the beautiful National Park of the Archipelago of Cabrera.

Out in the open seas we are not alone. Our role is to calibrate the biological response in the ecosystem for the Integrated Oceanographic Observation System of www.socib.es. We are one more element among satellites, gliders, buoys and our satellite tagged turtles. We are out there, looking closely at the marvels of this ecosystem, but also monitoring different forms of pollution and risk to biodiversity.

You do not need any sailing experience to join these expeditions. All you need is to pack light and a lot of positive team spirit and passion for the sea. Each expedition lasts 7 days.

So just start dreaming and choose your expedition:

• June 2nd to June 8th, 2018 (Team 3: Mahon – Cabrera): During this expedition we will sail from Mahon (Menorca), to the natural reserve of Cabrera. During our journey we will be conducting surveys of key pelagic species in the Mediterranean. We'll be looking out for sperm whales, dolphins, pilot whales and sea turtles.
• June 9th to 15th, 2018 (Team 4 - Cabrera): During this expedition we will conduct surveys of key pelagic species in the Mediterranean. We'll spend most days out at sea, looking for sperm whales, dolphins, pilot whales and sea turtles. During the night, we'll moor our ship in the beautiful natural reserve of Cabrera.
• June 16th - 22nd, 2018 (Team 5 - Cabrera): As Team 4 above! 
• June 23rd - 29th, 2018 (Team 6 - Cabrera): As Teams 4 & 5 above!
• June 30th - July 6th, 2018 (Team 7 - Cabrera): As Teams 4, 5 & 6 above!
• July 14th - 20th, 2018 (Team 8 - Cabrera): As Teams 4, 5, 6 & 7 above!
• July 21st - 27th, 2018 (Team 9 - Cabrera): As Teams 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 above!
• July 28th - August 3rd, 2018 (Team 10 - Cabrera to Menorca): The crew of the Toftevaag will continue to survey key species, like sperm whales, sea turtles and dolphins, all while sailing to the gorgeous island of Menorca.
• August 11th - August 17th, 2018 (Team 11 - Menorca): The crew of the Toftevaag will continue to survey key species, like sperm whales, sea turtles and dolphins in Menorca.
• August 18th - August 24th, 2018 (Team 12 - Menorca): As Team 11 above.