Nova Atlantis Foundation is based on the island of Pico, one of the nine islands of the archipelago of the Azores, conducting research on cetaceans since 2000. The research team is skilled in both land and ocean observations.

The foundation has three objectives: Research, Conservation and Education. The two main projects of the foundation are the Risso Project (2000) and the Ocean Watch Project (2003). The Risso project is focussing on the behaviour and social structure of the Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus).

The objectives of The Ocean Watch Project are to create a habitat model of all the cetacean species present in the research area and to determine species-specific habitat functionality and management needs.