Citizen Scientists Illuminate the Mysterious Lives of Pygmy Blue Whales in Timor-Leste

A citizen scientist initiative in Timor-Leste is successfully tracking and studying pygmy blue whales, leading to groundbreaking discoveries about their behaviors while boosting local tourism and community involvement.

In the pristine waters of the South Pacific, a remarkable effort led by local citizen scientists is unlocking the secrets of pygmy blue whales, renowned as one of the largest inhabitants of the ocean. Fisherman Faustino Mauloko da Cunha, alongside his son Zacarias, traverses the sea for months, utilizing their dugout canoe to observe these majestic creatures. They are guided by Australian marine ecologist Karen Edyvane, who spearheads this pioneering research effort from their coastal village, Subaun, in Timor-Leste.

This grassroots project, which harnesses drones and telephoto cameras, has recorded nearly 3,000 sightings of pygmy blue whales over the past decade, a figure that Prof Edyvane lauds as "truly extraordinary." Located in an archipelago with one of the world's highest concentrations of marine mammals, Timor-Leste is a crucial migration path for these whales, particularly from southern Australia into the Banda Sea during the peak season of October and November.

Since its inception in 2014, the initiative has focused on enhancing local knowledge and skills through training in surveying techniques and drone operation. The use of social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp has helped mobilize community members to share sightings in real-time, igniting excitement and fostering a collaborative spirit among participants. In 2016, a partnership with a diving service launched Timor-Leste's first whale-watching tour.

This year, a dedicated research station was established at the da Cunha's home, providing a base for undergraduate students from the National University of East Timor to assist in monitoring the whales. According to Prof Edyvane, the station has significantly improved their ability to monitor the whales constantly, allowing for the capture of exceptional footage, enhancing their understanding of the species' reproductive habits, including the intimate moment of a mother nursing her calf.

As the project’s visibility grows, so too does eco-tourism in the region, a potential boon for the local economy. Cassio Schumacher, a diving instructor, notes that whale-watching tours are now booked years in advance, but the influx raises concerns about unregulated tourism impacts, prompting calls for comprehensive conservation strategies. The government aims to leverage Prof Edyvane's findings to ensure the protection of marine life.

With sustainable tourism, the hopes of job creation in Subaun align with the aspirations of local families like the da Cunhas, who have started preparing meals for tourists and students using local ingredients. Faustino expresses enthusiasm about improving experiences for future guests and emphasizes a shared commitment to marine conservation. His son Zacarias is also set to play a more significant role in the educational aspect of the project, training to share knowledge about the whales while urging respect for their habitat.

In this remarkable convergence of citizen science, community, and technological innovation, the people of Timor-Leste are not just observing the enigmatic pygmy blue whales; they are becoming stewards of marine conservation, fostering both environmental awareness and economic opportunities for their community.