Elephant Island satellite tracking studies: and overview

MUELBERT, M.M.C; HINDELL, M; LEWIS, M.; DE SOUZA, R.B

CANADA

Congreso; 18 Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals; 2008

MARINE MAMMAL SOCIETY

Upon the basis of a previous document “Census of Pinnipedia and Cetacea in the Complex Area South Shetland Islands – Antarctic Peninsula (SS-AP): A contribution to the International Polar Year 2007/2008 by the ABC Team”, prepared by Torres and Aguayo in May 5th, 2006, it is proposed: 1. Hypothesis: Since the results of the census of Pinnipedia carried out in the South Shetland Island – Antarctic Peninsula Area during the Antarctic Season 1965/1966, several changes has occurred in their population due to the human impact on the Antarctic environment, as well as due to the global changes. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the present status of Antarctic Pinnipedia and Cetacea in order to compare this data with that obtained in  previous censuses by the Members. 2. Methodology: To clarify this, it is important to agree with our colleagues of the Latin American countries the area to be covered, the platforms to be used, the standardized methodology for census and data analysis, as well as the task and procedures for papers production. All these activities  have the need of budget proposal taken into account the logistic effort in supporting the proposed actions.