Pack-ice seals
The Antarctic pack-ice seals program (APIS)
 Crabeater seals in pack-ice Photo: Antarctic Division |
The APIS program was an international, multi-disciplinary research initiative aimed at improving our understanding of the ecological role of pack-ice seals.
A key goal of the APIS program has been to make accurate estimates of the circumpolar distribution and abundance of the four species, as well as better information on their
- population structure
- dietary preferences
- movements
- diving behaviour
Australia's main contribution to the APIS program has been to make a significant contribution to the circumpolar survey of seal distribution and abundance. Working with five other nations (Germany, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States), the survey component was completed in 1999/2000 and data analysis is ongoing. Australia's data analysis has been completed.
