Another successful survey conducted by ORCA Research Scientists in the Southern Ocean

This week marks the end of another successful survey on board HX Expeditions MS Fram for ORCA Research Scientists, Rebecca and Karen.

Rebecca and Karen are the second team of ORCA Research Scientists this year to collect data from Fram in the Southern Ocean, as part of an exciting project working in collaboration with the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), British Antarctic Survey, HX, and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

The project aims to better understand the abundance and distribution of recovering whale populations in the Southern Ocean, with a particular focus on large baleen whales around South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. ORCA devised and conducted a bespoke research project for the 2022-2023 Antarctic season, and this important research is now being carried out for the third consecutive year.

By identifying high density areas, ORCA hopes to enable mitigation measures to be implemented to protect these incredible animals in this area where shipping traffic is increasing. Data collected during the first and second years of the project has already been used to safeguard whales in these areas, contributing to seasonal protected areas for large whales around South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.

On their way to South Georgia, Rebecca and Karen had an incredible experience whilst conducting a distance sampling survey from the bridge. The team were approximately an hour west of Shag Rocks, when they encountered a huge group of feeding whales. Whale blows stretched across the horizon – an amazing sight! When the ship reached the animals, the team recorded 76 humpback whales with at least six calves, along with four fin whales and four sei whales.

While the ship was stationary, some of the humpback whales came towards the ship treating guests and staff alike to close passes along the side of the ship, with some even lucky enough to see bright red whale poo – a clear sign that the whales were feeding in krill rich waters, an incredibly important and key prey species in the Southern Ocean. The ship was buzzing with excitement for the rest of the day as guests shared photos of the experience!

The South Georgia whale experience didn’t stop there with at least 40 humpback whales and 20 unidentified whales recorded over the next four days in shorter bridge based surveys between landing sites. Evenings also provided the most spectacular sunsets, with guests enjoying close humpback whale encounters and rare lenticular cloud formations against the stunning mountainous backdrop of South Georgia.

Rebecca and Karen disembarked Fram over the weekend, and the next team of ORCA Research Scientists will be back on board in February 2025 to continue this important research.