Cruise Report for filming expedition conducted from research vessel Song of the Whale in the Azores, Portugal from 13th August – 4th September 2020

Abstract

The expedition from R/V Song of the Whale was undertaken in August 2020 to film sperm whales in the waters of the Azores, both above and underwater. Film footage was being gathered by UK based production company Nutopia, on behalf of National Geographic for a documentary film series called One Strange Rock 2. Filming for the documentary has taken place in various locations around the world. A professional film permit for audio-visual work with cetaceans was granted to Nutopia, using R/V Song of the Whale as the expedition platform, by the Azores Regional Government (no. 08-ORAC-2020). Additional authorisation was granted by the National Aeronautical Authority for filming from a drone. This report outlines the cetacean encounters recorded during the period of the expedition, the track of the vessel and locations where the team worked, and the data collected opportunistically