WhalesBermuda
Magical Whale
“Almost two decades ago, I had an unexpected up-close-and-personal in-the-water encounter with a whale. The two-hour experience changed my life.
I am on a personal mission to find this humpback we’ve named Magical Whale. I’ve searched for him in the Caribbean where they breed and give birth, and I’ve looked for him in their northern feeding grounds. In the process, I’ve identified almost 2,500 humpback whales in Bermuda waters alone.”
The Vision
“Since my encounter with Magical Whale I have discovered much about their pelagic social lives. I share my insights about these animals because I would like you to care about them as much as I do. If you think this is interesting, explore the website and discover more. Maybe you will become as passionate as I am. I hope so. “
Andrew Stevenson
Undertaken with an annual research permit issued by the Government of Bermuda
Aerial video under commercial license issued by the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority
“Some humpbacks seem determined to communicate. These intimate attempts at interspecies communication are profound. ”
For over two decades, WhalesBermuda has transformed our understanding of North Atlantic humpback whales. Operating as a resident research initiative in Bermuda's unique mid-ocean transit zone, we have bridged the gap between citizen science, academic research, and global conservation policy.
Key Achievements:
2,500+ Unique Whales Catalogued: Expanded the local historical record from just 140 identified whales to over 2,500 individuals.
5,400+ Hours of Acoustic Data: Collected extensive military-grade underwater audio recordings to track whale communication communication.
Global Policy Impact: Provided the foundational data used to establish Bermuda as a Marine Mammal Sanctuary and an IUCN Important Marine Mammal Area.
3 Feature Documentaries: Produced three internationally screened, award-winning films alongside peer-reviewed publications in Nature Journal.8 Million Web Views: Reached a global audience through digital platforms, school outreach, permanent museum exhibits, and official postal stamp collections.