Caribbean Calypso Survey Odyssey
Project Overview:
The Caribbean Calypso Survey Odyssey (CCS Odyssey) is a 3-month regional expedition led by the Caribbean Cetacean Society (CCS) to survey, document, and protect whales, dolphins, and marine megafauna across all Caribbean islands and the central basin.
Using standardized visual and acoustic surveys, the expeditions will collect data on species diversity, abundance, behavior, and threats. Photo-ID data will be shared via Flukebook to support regional collaboration. Local stakeholders, including fishers, NGOs, park authorities, and government agencies, will receive training to support long-term monitoring and contribute to the establishment of marine mammal sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
By integrating research, education, and diplomacy at sea, Ti Whale An Nou contributes directly to the 30×30 global target, national biodiversity strategies, and the UNESCO Ocean Decade. The initiative promotes regional cooperation, youth engagement, and community-led stewardship, shaping a future where marine megafauna in the Caribbean are better understood and effectively protected.
Program Partners
- Caribbean Cetacean Society
- Fundación Dominicana de Estudios Marinos, Inc. (FUNDEMAR)
- Dominica Sperm Whale Project (DSWP)
- Ripples to Waves
- Beyond the Reef
- The Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI)
- Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA)
- International Whaling Commission (IWC)
- Regional governments
Location
- Lesser & Greater Antilles, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Central Caribbean basins- please see map below for specific locations
Expected Time Frame
- March – July 2026 (can be flexible later in the year)
Duration of Expedition
- 1 month for each leg
Accommodation Needed
- 5-6 Researchers
Special Equipment Needed
- Sailing vessel required; licensed captain
Expedition parameters listed above are flexible and negotiable.
Background:
The Caribbean is a biodiversity hotspot, yet long-term monitoring of cetaceans remains limited. Fragmented governance, increasing maritime traffic, and climate impacts threaten marine megafauna. This project builds on over five years of CCS monitoring across 20+ islands, establishing the Caribbean’s largest multi-species cetacean research program.
Mission:
The main goal of this research is to obtain the first Caribbean-wide, effort-corrected density maps for all cetacean species, identifying hotspots and “blue corridors” for conservation. It also aims to train local NGOs, rangers, and officials to ensure sustainable, long-term monitoring and MPA management, as well as promote community involvement, youth engagement, and participatory science through Sea Camps, school programs, and on-board educational visits. This research will lead to the production of a documentary film “Calypso Odyssey”, showcasing Caribbean cooperation, science, and culture.
Applications:
The datasets collected will support the identification of cetacean hotspots and migratory corridors, evidence-based creation of Marine Protected Areas and sanctuaries, and harmonized regional conservation policies through a stronger Caribbean Cetacean Monitoring Network. They will also enhance public awareness, regional pride, and sustainable ecotourism opportunities, while contributing to seabird distribution mapping, eDNA research, and assessments of pelagic shark diversity and distribution.
Relevant/Previous Scientific Publication(s):
Program Partners:
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