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From space, the planet is the territory Not of humans, but of the whale"
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From space, the planet is the territory Not of humans, but of the whale"
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WHALEFORCE has two tools to assist with the identification from the deck of a yacht:
1. 'Quick Cards'
2. WHALEFORCE Identification software (Available June 2009)
QUICK CARDS - The 'Quick Cards' are an 8.5" X 11" book containing a user friendly key to identify most of the cetaceans of the world. It is divided into three distinct groups based on the size of the cetacean as compared to your yacht or dingy. The identification features for the individual species are based on features as seen from the deck of a boat. They include blows, behaviour, fins, colour, distinguished markings. The 'Quick Cards are a part of the WHALEFORCE package for members. Here is an example of a 'Quick Card'.
WHALE IDENTIFICATION SOFTWARE - Over the past four years CEI has been using Cybertracker software (http://www.cybertracker.co.za/) on many of their terrestrial projects. This software, which is programmable, can be used to developed an intuitive identification system for cetaceans based on the features that you commonly see from the deck of a yacht. The software when used on a computer system linked to a GPS receiver (desktop, laptop or PDA) can also record and automatically add observations to a data base that can then downloaded directly to the CEI global database for sightings.
CEI will use the information and research from the WHALEFORCE book and 'Quick Cards' to develop this identification software. The fact that a high percentage of our member yachts will have a laptop on board will make this a highly attractive option for filling out the sighting cards and then transferring the sighting data to CEI.
The identification software is anticipated to be available in June 2009.
