Summary
Preliminary results from the IWC collaborative studies conducted on the 2001 winter survey and the 2002 late summer mooring cruise with the US SO GLOBEC program are presented. Sea-ice cover was significantly more extensive earlier in the season in 2002. Only minke whales were observed in the study region in winter 2001, although humpback concentrations were seen as late as end of May. Concentrations of humpbacks were seen in Marguerite Bay and east of Adelaide Island up until late May in 2001; and at the ice edge in southern Marguerite Bay and the passages to the north in February 2002. Although geographic locations of concentrations of humpbacks are different between years, habitat remained consistent. Baleen whale calls detected on sonobuoys included blue, minke, and possible fin whales. Autumn and winter multidisciplinary research cruises conducted last year under this program will be repeated this year, and will include both passive acoustic and IWC visual/biopsy teams.