In September we will work in what is probably the Balearic Island’s best kept secret: the Tramuntana mountains. Here we will immerse ourselves in our ongoing marine conservation and research programmes while enjoying the day to day of a Mediterranean rural lifestyle.

This is a new and exciting type of Alnitak expedition, in which volunteers actively participate in its development and hopefully success in years to come. The end goal is to establish ourselves here in Tramuntana, developing our scientific projects on wildlife and the risks they face but also actively working alongside locals such as artisanal fishermen.

Our base camp will be a small mountain “Cortijo” owned by one of the local fishermen, Gori, who we collaborate with. On good sea days we will work either from Alnitak’s RIB “Iruka” or Gori’s small artisanal fishing vessel “Passador”. On bad sea days, we will dedicate time to a variety of chores such as renovating our new campsite, data entry, and more. We will do our best to live sustainably, acquiring our groceries from the local farmers markets, and breaking up daily chores between the whole team.

Below is a video made in 2022, filmed in the Tramuntana region. We will not have research ship Toftevaag, but the Risso’s project is one of our main actions for 2023 and we will strive to find them to document their secret lives.