Cetaceans in the Southern Indian Ocean 2004
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute

Dr. Pallipuram Jayasankar, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute

A multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional pilot expedition was organized by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) to the ice-free areas of the Western Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean onboard ORV Sagar Kanya during the austral summer of 2004 (January-March). This survey, conducted by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), is the first Indian attempt to survey for cetacean diversity in the Southern Ocean. The ultimate objective is to determine distribution, relative abundance, migration patterns and critical habitat parameters. 68% of a total of 13 sightings (22 individuals) were positively identified and species observed included Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), fin whales (B. physalus), sei whales (B. borealis) and blue whales (B. musculus). The blue whales were not identified to the sub-species level. The highest concentration of cetaceans was between 35° and 37°S (along 45°E) and between 48° and 53°S (along 45°E). Relatively small numbers of cetaceans were observed during the present cruise, possibly because most of the cetacean sighting effort was made during inclement sea conditions. Results on the sighting characteristics and occurrence patterns of the cetaceans in relation to the region and hydrographical parameters are discussed briefly vis a vis published information from the Southern Ocean.

To get a first hand information on the occurrence of cetaceans in the Southern Ocean as a part of first Indian attempt.

Two sightings on Feb 15, 2004 were sighted together.

Jayasankar, P., A.A. Krishnan, M. Rajagopalan and P.K. Krishnakumar. 2007. A note on observations on cetaceans in the western Indian sector of the Southern Ocean (20-56°S and 45-57°30'E), January to March 2004. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management. 9(3):263-267

De Boer, M.N. 2000. Observations on occurence and distribution of cetaceans in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary and southern part of the Indian Ocean Sanctuary. Paper SC/52/O9 presented to the IWC Scientific Committee, June 2000, in Adelaide, Australia. 10pp

Pandey, P.C., N. Khare and M. Sudhaker. 2006. Oceanographic research: Indian efforts and preliminary results from the Southern Ocean. Current Science. 90(7): 978-84

Overview

Attributes described below represent those in the original dataset provided by the provider.
Only minimum required attributes are visible and downlodable online. Other attributes may be obtained upon provider's permission unless otherwise noteded below.

Attributes in dataset provided

Attribute (table column)	Description
obs_date	Date
species	Species name
sp_tsn	ITIS taxonomic serial number
num_sightings	Number of sightings
obs_count	Number of individuals
latitude	Latitude (decimal degree)
longitude	Longitude (decimal degree)
depth	Depth (m)
sst	SST (degree Celcius)
salinity	Salinity
notes	Added by OBIS-SEAMAP
oid	Unique ID number (generated by SEAMAP)