Cetacean (whales) aerial survey data from the Antarctic collected between 2008 and 2010

• Other Authors: AADC (owner), AADC, DATA OFFICER (distributor), AADC, DATA OFFICER (custodian), AU/AADC > Australian Antarctic Data Centre, Australia (hasAssociationWith), Australian Antarctic Data Centre (publisher), Australian Antarctic Division (sponsor), BRAVINGTON, MARK (hasPrincipalInvestigator), CONNELL, DAVE J. (author), GALES, NICK (collaborator), GALES, NICK (hasPrincipalInvestigator), Gales, N., Kelly, N., Peel, D., Bravington, M. and Johnson, C. (originator), JOHNSON, CATRIONA (collaborator), KELLY, NATALIE (collaborator), KELLY, NATALIE (hasPrincipalInvestigator)
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: Australian Ocean Data Network
• Subjects: biota; oceans; EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > MAMMALS > CETACEANS; CETACEANS > BALEEN WHALES; TOOTHED WHALES; CARNIVORES > SEALS/SEA LIONS/WALRUSES; BIRDS > PENGUINS; Whales; Survey; Cameras; Aircraft; AMD/AU; CEOS; AMD; OCEAN > SOUTHERN OCEAN; CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA; GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR; Antarc*; Antarctic; Antarctica; Balaenoptera bonaerensis; baleen whales; Davis Sea; East Antarctica; Ice Shelf; Killer Whale; Shackleton Ice Shelf; Southern Ocean; Southern Right Whale; toothed whales; Killer whale; walrus*
• Online Access: https://researchdata.edu.au/cetacean-whales-aerial-2008-2010/2816415

Progress Code: completed Statement: Some data (eg images) does not have a GPS stamp due to equipment failure. In these cases we can use timestamp to get an approximate position. Oftentimes there was no aircraft telemetry data as it was not recorded (accidental). Post-processed GPS files have been included here). With the aim of estimating the proportion of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in pack ice over summer, an Australian fixed-wing aerial survey programme, based in east Antarctica, was conducted in the austral summers of 2007/2008, 2008/09 and 2009/10 (See Kelly et al. 2010; SC/62/IA8). The first season (2007/08) comprised of three 'test' flights. As such, there were no real 'survey' data collected during these three flights, but video and digital stills data have been included in the dataset supplied. The surveys (2008/09 and 2009/10) covered two general regions: Vincennes Bay (66 degrees 24'S 110 degrees 18'E) which was surveyed multiple times across both seasons and within the 2009/10 season, and north and east of the Shackleton Ice Shelf and into the eastern section of the Davis Sea, which was surveyed once (2009/10). The primary focus was on Antarctic minke whales, however sightings of other species were also collected (killer whale, Southern right whale, penguins and seals). The survey was conducted in a CASA 212:400 aircraft at an altitude was 228m (750ft) and survey speed was 204 km/hr (110 knots). The survey was conducted as independent double-platform: the front and back observers were isolated visually and audibly. The aircraft was also fitted with a number of digital still, video and infrared cameras. Data Available 1. Sighting data set A .csv file of animal sightings. Two files, one for each survey season, has been supplied. The observers field of view was between 30 degrees and 60 degrees declination (approximately) from the horizon, corresponding to an on the ground area width of 264 metres each side of the aircraft. Protocol was followed as for traditional line transect ...