Narwhal Camp 2018: Measuring the ocean’s rhythm

Deploying equipment. Photo: Melanie Lancaster / WWF

In summer, the sun never sets in the Arctic. The midnight sun makes the ocean very productive and teeming with life. Today we were lucky enough to see both narwhals and bowhead whales just off the camp among the ice floes.

The sea ice that moved in yesterday has stayed with us and is even more packed, ranging from bright white to light blue. We’re told that this blue ice is older and hasn’t melted for many years. We used the sea ice as a platform to get out over the deeper waters of Tremblay and deploy equipment that measures life in the ocean. We are continuing this every hour throughout the day and night to get an idea of the ocean’s daily rhythm.

As we get busier with the scientific program, cooperation and high spirits among team members make for inspired work with plenty of laughs.