So, that researcher’s name is Sabrina, and she is the Research Coordinator at the family-run whale-watching company I joined two weeks ago. My main task here is photo-identification of marine mammals.
2011 (Húsavík, ISL) vs. 2019 (Reykjavík, ISL)
#1: In the left photo, I’m wearing a life jacket; in the right one, I don’t need it anymore (12+).
#2: My LG phone has been replaced by a new camera.
Since Elding is mainly focused on guided tours, my work is closely connected to them. I collect photographs during the daily three-hour boat trips—capturing each observed individual from as many angles as possible. At the same time, I use a simple tablet app to log their location, behaviour, and other details.
🔗 If you’re curious about what we spot daily on our six tours, check out our Whale Diary: https://elding.is/whale-diary
To distinguish between individuals, we rely on any injuries, markings, and unique features on their bodies—especially the shape and appearance of the dorsal and tail fins (which vary depending on the species).
Once I edit the photos to clearly highlight these details, I compare them with our existing catalogue of identified individuals. For example, more than 400 humpback whales have been recorded so far. The population is constantly changing, and we regularly get new visitors.
Recently, a new humpback whale arrived in the bay—great news, as it confirms that Faxaflói is still a welcoming habitat for newcomers!
On the left, you can see a dolphin’s dorsal fin; on the right, a page from the catalogue highlighting key identification features of a random individual (not the same one as on the left).
The data collected here goes back a long time, offering plenty of research opportunities. A colleague from the Netherlands, for instance, is currently writing her master’s thesis on minke whales, using data gathered here. I must admit—she picked a pretty good location! Not to mention that she previously studied for a year in Australia, where she also did fieldwork.
And she’s not alone. She’s just one of many biologists here from all over Europe and beyond—each with their own inspiring story of how they got here.
Everyone is so calm, friendly, and open-minded that, for the first two days, I seriously doubted whether this world around me was even real.
Shortly after my arrival, one of the captains approached me, shook my hand, and started speaking in Icelandic. I found this odd because he knew I wasn’t from here. It sounded like he was saying an entire sentence, and when he finished, I just started laughing—because I didn’t understand a single word.
Then he looked at me. And, completely serious, he said:
“That was my name.”
…Oops.
One thing I love about working here is that job roles are not strictly defined. Any idea or ambition suddenly becomes a real possibility—and I absolutely love that.
One guide’s story particularly inspired me:
She had always dreamed of becoming a marine mammal trainer, so she completed several certification courses in comprehensive training techniques. At the same time, she’s also finishing a psychology degree. Her biggest wish? To bring this kind of work to her home country.
Then, a while ago, the news broke that two beluga whales were coming to Iceland. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately sprang into action.
“This is my job. If I don’t get it…” she passionately told me.
She contacted every relevant person, attended multiple interviews, and now… now, she’s working with us for a few more weeks before moving to a small island in southern Iceland, where the Beluga Whale Sanctuary is located. There, she will be their trainer. She has already met them—now, only a few weeks separate her from achieving her lifelong dream.
And I’m not just saying that there are amazing opportunities in marine biology for those who seek them—I think the bigger message here is:
See you soon—some photo-packed tourist & biology posts are on the way, and they’re my absolute favourites!
<3, Alenka