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Cetaceans in the Southern Indian Ocean 2004

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Availability: Creative Commons License This dataset is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Description
The purpose of this dataset was to get a first hand information on the occurrence of cetaceans in the Southern Ocean as a part of first Indian attempt. more

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. Two sightings on Feb 15, 2004 were sighted together.

Scope
Themes:
Biology > Mammals
Keywords:
Marine/Coastal, ISW, Indian Ocean, Balaenoptera borealis Lesson, 1828, Balaenoptera Lacépède, 1804, Balaenoptera musculus (Linnaeus, 1758), Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, 1758), Cetacea, Delphinidae Gray, 1821

Geographical coverage
ISW, Indian Ocean [Marine Regions]

Temporal coverage
24 January 2004 - 29 February 2004

Taxonomic coverage
Balaenoptera borealis Lesson, 1828 [WoRMS]
Balaenoptera Lacépède, 1804 [WoRMS]
Balaenoptera musculus (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
Cetacea [WoRMS]
Delphinidae Gray, 1821 [WoRMS]

Contributors
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), moredata owner
Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture; Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Division, more

Related datasets
Published in:
OBIS-SEAMAP: Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Populations, more

URLs

Dataset status: Completed
Data type: Data
Data origin: Research: field survey
Metadatarecord created: 2012-11-29
Information last updated: 2012-11-29
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