今年も三宅島に来遊する、ザトウクジラのブローをドローンで採取する
「クジラ鼻水プロジェクト」の現地調査が終了しました。※総勢２８名の参加
前日までは大荒れの天候で、クジラもちゃんと出てくれるか毎回心配です。
ところが調査の２日間は、奇跡のように静穏が続き、
富賀浜と伊豆岬の二か所で調査ができて、ブローのサンプルもたくさん採取できました。
帰る予定の日はなんと着発で、６時に三宅島で定期船は折返しになりました。
バタバタとした３日間でしたが、無事に調査を終えることができました。
この後は宮崎大学にブローのサンプルを送り、ＤＮＡの解析が行われます。
三宅島に住む側からすると、一年の初めに、毎年このような人数でお客様を呼び、
それがうまくいって、良いスタートが切れると今年一年の弾みがつく。
※おみくじが大吉だったみたいな感覚ですよ。
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This year’s field survey for the “Whale Snot Project,” which collects humpback whale blow samples using drones during their annual migration to Miyakejima, has successfully concluded.
A total of 28 people participated.
Up until the day before, the weather had been extremely rough, and as always, we were worried whether the whales would even show up.
However, during the two days of the survey, conditions remained miraculously calm.
We were able to conduct surveys at two locations—Tomigahama Beach and Izumisaki Cape—and successfully collected a large number of blow samples.
On our scheduled day of departure, the regular ferry made a same-day turnaround, leaving Miyakejima at 6 a.m.
It was a hectic three days, but we were able to complete the survey safely and successfully.
The collected blow samples will now be sent to Miyazaki University, where DNA analysis will be conducted.
From the perspective of those who live on Miyakejima, being able to welcome this many visitors at the very beginning of the year—and having everything go well—really sets the tone for the entire year.
It feels a bit like drawing a “大吉 (great blessing)” on a New Year’s fortune slip.