Researchers taking part in the Madeira Ocean 2026 expedition have fitted a satellite tag to a Blainville’s beaked whale, marking a major milestone in the expedition’s first stage.
Scientific coordinator Beatriz Vinha told Lusa that the tag is expected to remain attached for around six months, allowing researchers to track the animal’s movements.
The species is difficult to spot and approach, as it spends much of its time in deep waters. Although Blainville’s beaked whales have previously been seen around Madeira, tagging one presents a considerable challenge.
According to information shared with Vinha by the MARE-Madeira team, this may be the first successful tagging of the species in the western Atlantic, and possibly across the entire Atlantic. However, she stressed that the wider claim still needs confirmation.
“This tagging allows us to understand more about their ecology and distribution and, essentially, to learn more about Madeira’s importance as a habitat for these animals,” she explained.
The achievement was one of the highlights of the expedition’s first stage, which took place around the Desertas Islands and Funchal between the 2nd and 5th of October. Researchers also used shorter-duration tags, which remain attached for only a few hours.
Other methods included underwater remote video systems, remotely operated underwater vehicles, DNA sampling, manta trawls and surveys of the intertidal zone — the area between the high and low tide marks. Underwater vehicles also identified fields of black coral.
Diving was not possible around the Desertas Islands because of the monk seals’ breeding season, so divers worked in the Cabo Girão area instead.
The expedition’s second phase began on the 6th of October and will continue along Madeira’s southern coast until the 9th of October. Researchers will use the same methods, with particular attention to the marine protected areas of Garajau and Cabo Girão, which Vinha described as important reference sites for the region.
Meanwhile, the historic Santa Maria Manuela docked in Funchal on the 6th of October and will remain in port on the 7th before returning to sea.
The former cod-fishing vessel is open to the public and is hosting activities involving more than 700 pupils from schools across the island. Vinha highlighted the importance of community involvement in explaining the expedition’s objectives and raising awareness of ocean conservation.
Running until the 28th of October, the expedition uses the Santa Maria Manuela as its main vessel, supported by 13 other boats operating around Madeira’s northern and southern coasts, the Desertas Islands and Porto Santo.
Its three main objectives are to assess the condition of the region’s marine protected areas, explore new areas of ecological interest and establish a monitoring programme to support long-term research.
The initiative is promoted by the Madeira Government, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation, ARDITI, the Oceano Azul Foundation, Lisbon Oceanarium and the National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas programme.
It brings together 34 partners and around 200 Portuguese and international participants, including approximately 120 scientists. Their work combines ecology, mapping, oceanography and molecular biology to study a range of marine environments.
Research is being conducted both inside and outside protected areas, allowing scientists to compare biodiversity, ecological connections and the effects of human activity. The findings will help inform future decisions on marine conservation.
Using a range of technologies, the teams are studying habitats from coastal waters to depths of 1,000 metres, including mesophotic environments between 30 and 200 metres and deeper marine ecosystems.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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