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WDCS's Sarah Dolman/WDCS© set sail for the Antarctic
on January 2nd onboard the 'Aurora Australis', as part of a marine mammal
survey to monitor cetaceans, seals and sea ice in Antarctica. The study will
also monitor sea birds, ocean currents, phytoplankton and krill, the tiny
crustaceans which form the main diet for many whales.
The 11 week
expedition aims to cover over one million square kilometres of the Southern
Ocean in a largely unexplored part of the Antarctic and is part of an ongoing
study of the ecosystems of the region. Data from the expedition will be used to
better understand the effects of climate change and the effects of the krill
fishery on the marine ecosytem.
The Aurora Australis departed
Freemantle, Australia at 2pm on the 2nd January 2006 and will return to Hobart
on 14th March 2006.
Click on the blue links below to read Sarah's diary.
 A pod of 40-50 fin whales approach the
boat
The team finally reaches the ice edge,
encountering penguins, Arctic terns and a group of 40 - 50 fin whales on the
way!
 Orca, humpback, fin, minke and sei
whales
The team encounter many different species
of whales and are accompanied by a pod of orcas as they continue their survey.
 The first Iceberg
Pilot whales, dolphins, albatross, a Barau's petrel and the
first iceberg.
 The Broke West survey
The detailed krill survey and cetacean monitoring begins.
The first days at sea
The ship sets off from Fremantle in Western
Australia.
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