Cetaceans play a key role in the ocean environment. They are also highly intelligent animals, living in complex societies and exhibiting a wide range of behaviours.

The way of life of most cetaceans, however, is still largely unknown, mainly because they live in an environment so different from ours. Fortunately, there is a group of people lucky enough to spend a great deal of time near wild whales and dolphins: the whale watching companies!

Realizing the social importance of the knowledge they have accumulated, whale watching companies have joined hands with scientists and put together the MONICET platform, with the help of an initial grant from the Azores Government.

MONICET is run on a voluntary basis. It is committed to the highest standards of scientific collaboration and data sharing.