Moorings sitting in the ocean for the past two years could be the key to discovering how many sperm whales live in the Ross Sea
Moorings sitting in the ocean for the past two years could be the key to discovering how many sperm whales live in the Ross Sea 11 January 2021
A group of NIWA scientists have set sail for Antarctica to check whale sound detection devices.
They include Dr Matt Pinkerton, who says there may be too much sea ice for them to live that far south.
He says they want to see whether the ice affects where the whales go at different times in the year.
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Principal scientists Dr Matt Pinkerton, left, Dr Richard O Driscoll, right, and ice pilot Evan Solly, centre, in front of NIWA flagship Tangaroa ahead of its departure to Antarctica. “This year we are focused on understanding the key processes that drive the environment and oceanography of the region and assessing the potential impacts of climate change.” On board is a team of 40, including 20 science staff, 18 crew, one doctor, and one ice pilot, to return on February 17. The whole crew felt “incredibly lucky”, O’Driscoll said, to be setting off considering Covid-19 was stalling expeditions around the world. All onboard were tested for coronavirus ahead of departure, and an on-board quick testing machine would be used if anyone displayed symptoms.
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NIWA’s flagship research vessel Tangaroa leaves Wellington today on a six-week voyage to Antarctica, making it one of the few full scientific expeditions to the continent since the global outbreak of COVID-19.
The ship leaves with 20 science staff and 19 crew on board this afternoon to learn more about key environmental and biological processes in the Ross Sea.
Voyage leader and fisheries scientist Dr Richard O’Driscoll says this is the third in a series of voyages focused on providing baseline information about the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA) established in 2017.
“This year we are focused on understanding the key processes that drive the environment and oceanography of the region and assessing the potential impacts of climate change.
You may turn up at the coastline to find there’s a “red tide” (an algal bloom), said Niwa marine ecologist Matt Pinkerton. That’ll mean you and your pets will have to stay out of the water. If there’s still some sand remaining, you might notice fewer shells and larger dumps of seaweed, ripped out by more intense storms. The seaweed dumps could rot, making life unpleasant, Pinkerton said. Large swarms of jellyfish may be another unwelcome sight, he added. And that’s if you can get to the sea at all – steps, handrails and jetties are likely to suffer more frequent damage, from storms and erosion.
Press Release – NIWA When scientists head south to Antarctica on board NIWA research vessel Tangaroa next month, theyll be keeping a close eye out for an animal that is particularly good at staying out of sight. Sperm whales – specifically large males who feed on …
When scientists head south to Antarctica on board NIWA research vessel Tangaroa next month, they’ll be keeping a close eye out for an animal that is particularly good at staying out of sight.
Sperm whales – specifically large males who feed on toothfish in the Ross Sea – were targeted by the whaling industry in the 19th and 20th Centuries and more than 70 per cent of their population wiped out.