Training to be a Marine Mammal Observer

When I left Fairbanks for Anchorage on June 3rd to become a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO), the wild roses were in bloom ...

the robins were defending their nests ...

and the butterflies were mating. I only mention this as it is now all past.

Photo opportunities during training were limited as most of our time was spent indoors viewing powerpoint presentations and learning the importance of fully understanding restrictions included in permits issued for vessels to operate in the arctic. We also learned to identify and code marine mammal species, and procedures for recording and transmitting data. In addition, we spent a lot of time EATING.

I guess I should explain what an MMO is. Wikipedia defines an MMO as follows:

"A marine mammal observer (MMO) is a professional in environmental consulting who specialises in whales and dolphins.

In recent years there has been increased concern for the effect of man-made noise pollution in the ocean, particularly upon cetaceans - which are known to be sensitive to sound. As a result, environmental regulations have been introduced in an attempt to minimise negative impacts on marine wildlife. These guidelines have focused on the oil industry's seismicexploration for offshore oil. They centre on the practice of delaying or shutting down the use of air-guns if a whale or dolphin is sighted nearby. An MMO will implement these regulations in the field.

When onboard the seismic vessel, the MMO's job is two-fold:

• To spot sensitive wildlife species
• To ensure adherence to the guidelines."

This is the case with the exception of the fact that there are no dolphins in the arctic, but there ARE walruses, seals, and polar bears. I would also add a third bullet that "the MMO records data on mammals, weather, and ice specific to precise latitude and longitude positions of the vessel and transmits these data to the environmental contractor to be included in reports to various federal agencies".

The training was carried out in Palmer -- about 45 minutes north of Anchorage. We were assigned roommates, and this was the view from our room. It does not stay as light this far south as it does in Fairbanks, but you could definitely see the mountains all night.

In our spare time (which wasn't much at least during the day) we went for short hikes. My roommate is in the middle and Ann will recognize the guy on the left. She worked with him in the summer of 2008.

An abandoned structure on the trail.

The view from our training facility -- which was a 15 minute bus ride from the hotel.

As everywhere in Alaska, the focus is on wildlife. This carving rested over the fireplace in the hotel

... and this example of local taxidermy stood guard at the bottom of the stairway to the bar and restaurant. You have to get used to this here. Amanda knows....

Sunrise from our hotel room.

Here we have preparation for Cold Water Survival Training. This was a cause for anxiety for many of us. Most people get certified in a swimming pool. Our instructors at "Learn to Return" an outfit in Anchorage that carries out training for a variety of enterprises, adheres to a policy much like my dive instructor in PNG. "If you get certified to dive in a swimming pool, you are qualified to dive in a swimming pool". This would have been fine if all that was required was to get your "gumby suit" (an immersion suit) on and carry out the required exercises.

No, first we had to wade into Jewel Lake just outside of Anchorage up to our neck in our street clothes. This is a lake that just a month or two ago was frozen. This was COLD. Then we had to don life preservers and hang in the "help" position for a minute or two in our clothes. THEN we were allowed to put on Mustang suits to get a sense of what some protection feels like. If you are observing out on deck in the arctic, even in the summer, you wear these Mustang suits. Finally, we put on the gumby suits, practiced getting in and out of two different types of life rafts, and into a helicopter basket in the water.

We were initially scheduled for Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET) but since there is now a moratorium on actual drilling in the arctic no helicopters will be used to transport MMOs out to the drill boats. I was a little disappointed as this involves a simulation of exiting a helicopter underwater. There is a facility in Kenai that conducts this training. There are some interesting videos on U Tube of different versions of this training.

A group photo of candidates in their Mustang suits getting ready to enter the lake.

Two young women 40 years my junior that were my partners in exercises in the water. The one on the left accused me of trying to drown her (she was just kidding).

THIS is a gumby suit! It is actually very warm in the water but rather hard to move in.

We trained with members of the native populations (mainly from the North Slope) who will be matched with LGL observers on the vessels. A significant part of the training focused on the importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). Here you see my roommate and me with two of our very respected, wise and experienced Inupiats from Barrow just before we left to return to Anchorage.

Whether I will actually be able to go out on a vessel or arial survey this summer is still up in the air. The disaster in the Gulf has had a major impact on oil-related activities in the arctic (as everywhere else offshore) and there will now be less activity than anticipated. I feel I should say something here about my feelings about oil exploration in the arctic -- I wish they would leave it alone. On the other hand, if Shell is going to be out there we are at least doing something to protect the wildlife and the environment. My hope is that as some of the more experienced MMOs take other jobs before the end of August or September I may be called upon for any activities that continue on through September and October. I really hope I get an opportunity. The whole experience was fascinating and these MMOs are very interesting people. I hope to have made some lasting friendships.

Summer Solstice is coming up on Monday! Hope you are all having a great summer.