Westman Islands

The Institute of Research Centers at the University of Iceland resumed operations in the Westman Islands on 1 June 2020. Research specialist Dr. Filipa Samarra leads the operation.

Filipa, who was formerly a specialist at the Icelandic Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, focuses on killer whales, their behavior, sounds, and movements in her research. Filipa is well acquainted with the Westman Islands, where she and her research group have carried out their research since 2008. 

The research in Vestmannaeyjar focuses on marine top predators, with an emphasis on marine mammals. Using boat-based and land-based observations, we investigate the biology, behaviour, and ecology of marine mammals occurring in Vestmannaeyjar in an attempt to contribute to understanding the biodiversity of this ecosystem as well as its importance for different species.

Our current research involves several species, including pilot whales and blue whales. Much of the research has focused on killer whales and is a part of the longest dedicated killer whale research programme in Iceland (Icelandic Orca Project).

We also aim to monitor the deeper waters surrounding Vestmannaeyjar and investigate the differences in species occurrence in these two environments, including the occurrence of deep-diving species (Hypmo Project).

• Icelandic Orca Project
• Hypmo Project

2020

• Selbmann A, Deecke VD, Fedutin ID, Filatova OA, Miller PJO, Svavarsson J and Samarra FIP (2020). A comparison of Northeast Atlantic killer whale (Orcinus orca) stereotyped call repertoires. Marine Mammal Science, doi: 10.1111/mms.12750