Baleen whales in the Scotia Sea during January and February 2003

Different species of baleen whales display distinct spatial distribution patterns in the Scotia Sea during austral summer. Passive acoustic and visual surveys for were conducted aboard RRS James Clark Ross around South Georgia January February 2003. Identified calls from four recorded survey including southern right (Eubalaena australis), blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus) humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae). These data included up made by whales, downswept D tonal two possible types whale moans grunts. Visual detections right, fin, Antarctic minke bonaerensis sp.). Most occurred either (southern whales) or south boundary Circumpolar Current (ACC) along outer edge ice pack blue, whales). Fin exception, being only acoustically visually detected primarily central Sea, ACC front. In addition to identifiable these species, probable detected: 50Hz upswept pulsing calls. It is proposed that may produce calls, based on their similarities with North Atlantic Ocean. There was an overlap between locations sightings recordings but most similar attributed other parts Antarctica. More study required determine if call types, so, which species. The efficiency acoustics varied easier detect using acoustics, best falling extremes.