Alaska Whale Foundation and the Juneau Lighthouse Association have formally joined forces to establish a whale research platform at the historic Five Fingers Lighthouse. The lighthouse is situated at the confluence of Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage, in Southeast Alaska, and is surrounded by whales in the mid-summer months. It offers an elevated platform where we can observe behaviors without disturbing the whales.
The principal research objectives are to:
The title, “Rapunzel Project”, was chosen by graduate student and field supervisor, Michelle Fournet, and her all-woman team of research assistants as a nod to the German fairy tale that tells of a maiden locked in the tower. Vessels transiting the area no doubt enjoyed the back-and-forth marine radio communication between “Rapunzel” in the lighthouse, “noble steed” operating the hydrophone boat, and “troll”, Michelle’s graduate advisor Dr. Andy Szabo. Follow Michelle’s official 'Rapunzel Project' blog.