Radio 4 programme on selecting Marine Conservation Zones around the UK

A good overview of the process and problems of selecting Marine Conservation Zones around the UK. It's not perfect but is a step forward. Unfortunately no sites include key areas for cetaceans.

Listen at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pthk3

From http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/512xn/p013r4q7.jpg

Listen to the Chilean blue whale song!

Listen to an example of the Chilean blue whale song we recorded in 2008. This sequence is characteristic of animals in the Southeast Pacific and in Chilean waters and is the focus of the our current research.

http://static.quepasa.cl/20121213/1670881.wav

Article about our work in the Que Pasa magazine

Check out the article in Spanish written by Nicolas Alonso:
http://www.quepasa.cl/articulo/ciencia/2012/12/3-10753-9-los-hombres-que-oian-a-las-ballenas.shtml

Credit: Devin Altobello

Study of humpback whale song in Antarctic feeding grounds

An interesting study out today on humpback whale song in Antarctic feeding grounds, which breaks the long held view that feeding and breeding activities are spatially and temporally distinct. Song production produced by males, and which has a reproductive function, is now shown to occur in feeding grounds. For humpback whales, as for humans, the way to a female's heart is through her stomach!

Read more at:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121219174156.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fdolphins_and_whales+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Plants+%26+Animals+News+--+Dolphins+and+Whales%29

And download the scientific publication at:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0051214

Job done! Our latest acoustic buoy trip

100% success on our third acoustic buoy trip! We successfully deployed 3 MARUs and recovered the one pending MARU.

There was a lot of waiting around because of bad weather, but once we got going, we got everything done in a record 4 days.

Many thanks to all who were with us: Luis Bedrinana (Centro Ballena Azul/Universidad Austral de Chile), Fred Channell (University of Cornell), Nicolas Alonso (Que Pasa), Devin Altobello and the Captain and crew of Yagan II.

Here are some photos of our trip:

Setting off! Luis Bedrinana, Nicolas Alonso, Susannah Buchan, Fred Channell and Devin Altobello.
Credit: Susannah Buchan

Fred programming the buoys.
Credit: Susannah Buchan

With Luis on the upper deck.
Credit: Susannah Buchan

Tying down the equipment in rough seas!
Credit: Susannah Buchan

Luis on the look out for cetaceans.
Credit: Susannah Buchan

Luis and Nicolas having mate on the upper deck.
Credit: Susannah Buchan

On our way to the first deployment site...
Credit: Susannah Buchan

The MARU ready for deployment.
Credit: Susannah Buchan

All done! Unloading our equipment.
Credit: Susannah Buchan

Setting off...

Loading today and leaving port tomorrow!

We have loaded all our gear today and should be leaving tomorrow, weather permitting. We have been waiting in port in Dalcahue on Chiloe Island for the storm to pass for the past four days... But at least we got to sight-see a little, especially the beautiful oceanic side of Chiloe Island.

The purpose of our trip is to install some more hydrophones (Marine Autonomous Recording Units, MARUs) on the sea floor to listen for whales. I'll be updating on how our trip goes. But for now, fingers crossed for good weather!

Getting the MARUs ready with Luis Bedrinana and Nicolas Alonso

Loading MARUs and lowering them into the hold

The beautiful oceanic side of Chiloe Island