An opportunity for us to do boat-based cetacean surveys at two coastal sites near Trinidad came about when we heard that the Caribbean Forest Conservation Association (CFCA), working with EMA, the Wildlife/Forestry Division and UWI,  was embarking on a 6 month survey of the sea bird populations on two offshore islands, Saut d'Eau and Soldado Rock, which are important breeding sites for many of our seabirds. When CCARO approached them about the possibility of having a CCARO researcher accompanying them on their bird surveys, to do separate whale and dolphin surveys, they generously agreed. We would be going on a trial survey to Saut d'Eau in January and from February we expect to do two boat-based surveys every month (one to Soldado Rock and one to Saut d'Eau) until July.