CERF is...
The Coastal Ecosystems Research Foundation is now in its sixth year of operation. We started the business in the summer of 1993 to work on the biology and ecology of Canada's marine mammals. After a short spell working in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, we moved to the west coast in
1994, and turned our attention to Pacific white-sided dolphins. We returned to Queen Charlotte Strait in 1995 aboard a 51' sailboat, the S/V Feel Free, shifting our focus to grey whales in the process. Since 1996, we've been aboard the 40' S/V Dagon. The smaller boat meant we had to reduce the number of guests per week to 4-5, but the lower cost has allowed us to lengthen the season by three weeks to 13. We have been spending most of our time with the greys, but also an increasing amount of time with humpback whales, especially in the mouth of Rivers Inlet. We've extended our range by quite a bit. In '94, our northern limit was just beyond Allison Harbour. In '95, we rarely got past Cape Caution, some 15 miles further north. In '96 we extended the range to include Smith Sound and Rivers Inlet, and in '97 we began making regular trips further north as far as Bella Bella.
The second edition
This issue covers the time period from February '95 to May '98. A new issue (Volume 3), covering the summer of '98, is in the works and should be out sometime next spring.
The Pale Whale Tales is meant as a means of communicating with our membership, of putting everyone's experiences into the larger context of what CERF is all about. In this edition you will find some semi-formal scientific reports on our research projects, as well as the necessary society business reports. But what really drives CERF is the people, both crew and guests. Enjoy their stories.