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Blue Whales sightings documented

Published on
June 5, 2015

Observations of whales during the Antarctic expedition this year, have now been documented in full detail in a paper for the scientific committee of the International Whaling Commission IWC.

Our Antarctic expedition blog of 20 january 2015 “Researchers spotted whales during their way back north”, reported remarkable sightings of Blue Whales. Overall 26 of these giants were seen in a relatively small area north of the sea ice edge. These observations have now been documented in full detail in a paper for the scientific committee of the International Whaling Commission IWC.

Proper documentation of such sightings is of importance to trace the recovery of this species which was once hunted close to extinction, and to provide information for potential dedicated conservation measures.

Download the article:

  • Geelhoed, S.C.V., Feij, B., Van Franeker, J.A., Herr, H., Janinhoff, N., McKay, S., Müller, S., Thomisch, K., Verdaat, H. & Viquerat, S.  2015.
    Blue whale sightings in Antarctica west of the Greenwich meridian
    January 2015.  IWC SC/66a/SH/11 Rev3. 9pp.
The IWC paper distinguishes observations from different platforms. Systematic observations from Polarstern were made from (not occupied at time of photo) Platform 1= the crows nest, and Platform 3= the wooden observation boxes along the front railing on the Monkey deck
The IWC paper distinguishes observations from different platforms. Systematic observations from Polarstern were made from (not occupied at time of photo) Platform 1= the crows nest, and Platform 3= the wooden observation boxes along the front railing on the Monkey deck
Blue Whale seen from the ship with the far backward small dorsal fin, 16 Jan 2015 , with sea ice edge in distance
Blue Whale seen from the ship with the far backward small dorsal fin, 16 Jan 2015 , with sea ice edge in distance

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