Summary
The ‘Norfolk Meeting’ was held in November 2005 as a joint IWC SO GLOBEC initiative to outline a program of work to expedite integrative circumpolar analyses of existing cetacean data series for the Antarctic. Our aim was to use the results of these analyses to summarise, on a circumpolar scale, what is now known about whale-environment correlations, then use this to shape and develop a truly integrative cetacean field program for the future (ICED) with data output targeted at predictive capacity for spatial modelling. The results of the initial mapping of historical and current data series revealed that few data were available for input to dynamic and/or predictive modelling. Here we outline a preliminary field program for cetacean integrative studies in the Antarctic based on the results of our initial analyses and targeted at obtaining data series for predictive modelling. The field program has been developed for use in the next generation of integrative circumpolar research under ICED and can be adopted wholly, or in part by national programs and/or individual researchers. The field program will be adapted after further spatial analyses and consultation with the research community.