The offshore ocean may seem a flat featureless expanse, but underneath the surface there are interesting features, currents and water masses that make ideal habitats for a range of marine creatures.
Listen
During their 2021 survey off the coast of Northland, the Far Out Ocean Research Collective recorded many marine species including common dolphins and a young whale shark. Photo: Far Out Ocean Research Collective
Follow Our Changing World for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRADIO, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic or wherever you listen to your podcasts
The Far Out Ocean Research Collective is a non-governmental organisation based in Paihia in the Bay of Islands.
Their goal is to survey the Northland offshore area to find out more about what is out there, where they are, and why they are there.
They are interested in marine megafauna – large marine creatures – and the seabird life that can be found offshore.
Far Out Ocean Research Collective Trustees: Back row L-R: Lily Kozmian-Ledward and Marta Guerra. Front L-R: Sarah Dwyer, Jochen Zaeschmar andTom Brough. Photo: Far Out Ocean Research Collective
These types of offshore multi-day surveys are difficult to do. Travelling 20 – 50 nautical miles off the coast to observe and identify marine seabirds and creatures requires excellent weather conditions, a suitable vessel, and the right equipment and expertise.
This is why systematic surveying has not been done in this region before, and why we know quite a bit about New Zealand coastal or inshore marine species, but we lack data about those that live in this offshore environment.
For some species, the only information we have to date has come from strandings, rather than live sightings.
The team use the dinghy to get closer to a group of sperm whales to take ID shots. Photo: Far Out Ocean Research Collective
Since starting this work, the Far Out team has identified a wide range of marine life in this area.
Rarely-seen beaked whales, a previously unknown group of sperm whales, a juvenile whale shark and extremely rare dolphin species are just a few of the marine creatures encountered in this year’s survey.
A striped dolphin, one of four different species of dolphin identified in the Far Out Ocean Research Collective's 2021 survey off the Northland coast. Photo: Far Out Ocean Research Collective
Alongside the visual surveys, the team also uses acoustic recordings to help them locate cetaceans that might be in the area.
A few species can be identified by their calls alone.
Using a directional hydrophone to listen for marine mammals and locate them Photo: Far Out Ocean Research Collective
In the past few years, the scientists have collected incredible recordings of dolphins, false killer whales and pilot whales.
Their latest revelation is Northland sperm whale coda - a distinctive short patterned series of clicks, which sperm whales use to communicate with each other.
Marta Guerra listens for sperm whale clicks while making an acoustic recording. Photo: Far Out Ocean Research Collective
The Far Out team is planning further surveys and aims to build a map of this offshore area that integrates marine creature and seabird sightings, acoustic recordings and oceanographic data to give a detailed picture of what is out there.
A pod of logging, or resting, sperm whales recorded off the Northland coast. Photo: Far Out Ocean Research Collective
Listen to the full episode to take a trip to the open ocean and dive deep into the acoustic world of sperm whales.
Risso's dolphins live in deep water and are rarely recorded in New Zealand waters. Photo: Far Out Ocean Research Collective
Far Out Ocean Research Collective
The Far Out Ocean Research Collective is a group of five marine scientists who set up a not-for-profit trust in 2017.
Their key focus areas are offshore megafauna and seabird surveys, studying false killer whale and oceanic bottlenose dolphin interactions, pilot whales and sperm whales.
If you spot any of these species you can report sightings to: 0800 327 688 (0800 FAR OUT).
You can learn more about Far Out at www.farout.org.nz or by following them on Facebook or on Instagram @faroutocean.
A newly recognised group of Northland sperm whales rest at the surface, looking like "wrinkled submarines." Photo: Far Out Ocean Research Collective
Original music and sound design by Grains, the Wellington-based synthesiser-duo of Perry Hyde and Calum Turner. Find them on Instagram: @grains_nz.
This story was recorded and produced by Claire Concannon.
This programme was made to help Our Changing World mark Seaweek.