<strong>Big search:</strong> After hearing tales of whales sightings in the coastal town of Watamu, Kenya, British lawyer Jane Spilsbury set about finding evidence.
Big search: After hearing tales of whales sightings in the coastal town of Watamu, Kenya, British lawyer Jane Spilsbury set about finding evidence.
Courtesy Watamu Marine Association
<strong>Data gathering: </strong>Spilsbury and her marine biologist husband began hitting the waters together to seek out the migratory mammals and built a database of their sightings.
Data gathering: Spilsbury and her marine biologist husband began hitting the waters together to seek out the migratory mammals and built a database of their sightings.
Jane Spilsbury
<strong>Annual migration:</strong> They were soon able to determine that humpback whales were making an annual pilgrimage past Kenya between July and September, traveling from the waters of Antarctica to Somalia to reproduce.
Annual migration: They were soon able to determine that humpback whales were making an annual pilgrimage past Kenya between July and September, traveling from the waters of Antarctica to Somalia to reproduce.
Courtesy Watamu Marine Association
<strong>Expanding team:</strong> Michael Mwang'ombe from southeastern Kenya began helping Spilsbury with data collection in 2014.
Expanding team: Michael Mwang'ombe from southeastern Kenya began helping Spilsbury with data collection in 2014.
Jane Spilsbury
<strong>Community assistance: </strong>Mwang'ombe soon began working with local fishermen, who were asked to snap pictures of any sightings while out at sea to aid the team's research.
Community assistance: Mwang'ombe soon began working with local fishermen, who were asked to snap pictures of any sightings while out at sea to aid the team's research.
Courtesy Watamu Marine Association
<strong>Strong results: </strong>Spilsbury and her team have documented 24 species of whales and dolphins in the Watamu area.
Strong results: Spilsbury and her team have documented 24 species of whales and dolphins in the Watamu area.
Jane Spilsbury
<strong>Growing activity: </strong>197 humpback whales were reported in 2018, which is the highest number since records began.
Growing activity: 197 humpback whales were reported in 2018, which is the highest number since records began.
Courtesy Watamu Marine Association
<strong>'Citizen scientists':</strong> "The scientists are saying this is really local and important data and it has incredible value," Spilsbury tells CNN. "And here we are, just ordinary folk with ordinary skills."
'Citizen scientists': "The scientists are saying this is really local and important data and it has incredible value," Spilsbury tells CNN. "And here we are, just ordinary folk with ordinary skills."
Jane Spilsbury
<strong>Tourism boost:</strong> The country's tourism and research efforts have grown hand-in-hand, which has led to both international and domestic tourists flocking to Watamu for the chance of seeing humpback whales.
Tourism boost: The country's tourism and research efforts have grown hand-in-hand, which has led to both international and domestic tourists flocking to Watamu for the chance of seeing humpback whales.
Jane Spilsbury
<strong>Growing industry: </strong>"Local people didn't even know where Watamu was," says Spilsbury. "But there's a huge shift now. It's exciting."<br />
Growing industry: "Local people didn't even know where Watamu was," says Spilsbury. "But there's a huge shift now. It's exciting."
Courtesy Watamu Marine Association