Coral
Sea
Seabird, Whale and Dolphin Cruise
Several
spaces are still available for the Coral
Sea Island scientific
expedition, departing Mackay Queensland on the 11 December 2006 and
returning on 20 December 2006. This 9-day cruise with Tura Charters (www.turacharters.com.au) will cost $2,495.00 per person*.
The aim is to relax, enjoy the tropical ocean and document cetaceans and pelagic
seabirds occurring in the Coral
Sea Island
Territory.
There
have been several trips across the Coral Sea this year documenting, amongst
other things, Audubon's Shearwaters, Tristram's Storm Petrel, Herald Petrel and
possible Collared Petrels and Beck's Petrel. This area is very poorly documented
and is a potentially exciting 'frontier' prospect for pelagic birding in
Australia. The expedition will take us out beyond the Great Barrier
Reef and along the outer reef edge before turning east and heading out to
Flinders Reef and thereafter cruising around the Coral
Sea islands. We will be cruising throughout each day and making
anchorage each afternoon for snorkelling or diving. There will also be
opportunities for island visits to observe seabird colonies.
The Tura
is a fully licensed 78 foot motorised vessel. She has a cruising speed of
approximately 10 knots, is air-conditioned and comfortably berthed. The Tura is
equipped with dive facilities and for those with the relevant dive certificates,
this service is offered. There may be a nominal hire charge for equipment if
required.
The Territory's
exquisite environment is likely to support concentrations of tropical cetacean
species, as well as other sealife including several species of turtle, many
seabirds and reef fish. The shallow atolls are set atop steep-sided seamounts
and the shelf is excised by deep ocean canyons, providing habitat for elusive
beaked whales. Longman?s beaked whale was first discovered from a beach-washed
skull in Mackay in the late 1800s and has never since been seen in
Australia - it is now known to be
locally common in other parts of the Pacific. Other species of cetacean
regularly seen in tropical reef areas of Australia
include rough-toothed dolphin , spinner dolphin and melon-headed whale. There is
also a chance of seeing pygmy / dwarf sperm whale, Fraser?s dolphin, striped
dolphin, Risso?s dolphin, short-finned pilot whale, Cuvier?s beaked whale and
Blainville?s beaked whale. On the trip out and back, inshore species occur
including indo-pacific humpback dolphin, Irrawaddy dolphin and Dugong.
We are taking reservations for this
trip now. A $450.00 holding deposit will be required
which will become non-refundable at the end of May 2006.
See www.turacharters.com for more information on the
vessel and contact Simon Mustoe on 03 9752 6398 (W) 03 9754 6083 (H) / 0405
220830 (M) if you have any queries.
*note, price does not include flights or
travel insurance. It is full board (excluding alcohol) and based on
twin-share cabins and a minimum of 14 people.
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