2008-2009 International Whaling Commission-Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem
changes in the spatial distribution of minke whales in relation to recession of the pack ice using a combination of line transect survey, photo-identification studies and biopsy/mark-recapture effort; 2) continue research on blue whales, as in previous years, and; 3) continue research on humpback an...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.501.7218 http://www.iwcoffice.co.uk/_documents/sci_com/SOWER/2008-2009 Cruise Report.pdf |
| Summary: | changes in the spatial distribution of minke whales in relation to recession of the pack ice using a combination of line transect survey, photo-identification studies and biopsy/mark-recapture effort; 2) continue research on blue whales, as in previous years, and; 3) continue research on humpback and southern right whales, as in previous years. The cruise duration was shorter-than-normal SOWER Antarctic cruises and the minke whale research was to have emphasis on investigation of feasibility aspects (especially with respect to the biopsy/mark-recapture effort). After transiting to the research area (spanning longitudes 082°E- 095°E), we carried out a whale survey conducted as a series of 4 repeat line-transect surveys of the research area from 19 January to 12 February. The research area extended from the pack ice edge and repeat surveys had a common northern boundary established 60 n.miles north of the ice edge determined during the first survey. A total of 1440.5 n.miles were covered during the 4 surveys, and in two survey modes: SS-II mode (611.4 n.miles) and BT-Option II mode (829.1 n.miles). The total number of minke whales sighted during the entire coverage of the research area was 49 groups, 56 animals. No substantial southward recession of the ice edge was observed during the survey period. AMSR-E satellite predictions of sea ice indicated extensive areas with low ice cover (0-3%) within the pack ice zone in the research area (the Davis Sea polynya and an adjoining large lead), however these areas were inaccessible for survey as they were south of our observed ice edge. Humpback |
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