Research

The University of Iceland’s Research Center in Húsavík was established in fall 2007, followed by the first research. The official opening was on the 4th of December 2008 in a newly renovated house in the Harbour area of Húsavík. The Research Center directs and supports marine biology in collaboration with universities and other institutes, in Iceland and abroad, involving both teaching and studying. The center is directed by Prof. Marianne Helene Rasmussen, a leading specialists in marine mammal research. Marianne has a Ph.D. degree in Marine Science from the University of Southern Denmark. Her research has largely focused on acoustic behaviour of white-beaked dolphins and other cetaceans.

Role and Operation

The main reasons for locating a marine biology research centre in Húsavík are:

• broad knowledge and local interest in marine mammals
• strong support in the fishing- and whale watching industry
• unique access to whales in their natural environment
• strong synergies in management

Previous research projects have focused on the photo-identification of whales, the sounds of Narwhals and behavioural reactions to noise pollution and mitigation of this noise pollution, just to name a few.

You can follow one of the centre’s current international projects on their blog page https://whalewise.org/ or Facebook page where they publish adventures and insights to their research at sea, stunning images and information on whales.