8775
Open
SC/67B/ASI/11
Research plan for the NEWREP-A dedicated sighting survey in the Antarctic in 2018/19
Takashi Hakamada, Koji Matsuoka and Luis A. Pastene
International Whaling Commission
2018
A systematic vessel-based sighting survey is planned in the Antarctic for the 2018/19 austral summer season by Japan as a part of the NEWREP-A. The main objective of this cruise is to examine the distribution and estimate the abundance of large whales for management and conservation purposes. Krill and oceanographic surveys will be also conducted along the track-lines of the sighting survey. The survey will be conducted using two research vessels, Yushin-Maru No. 2 (YS2) and Kaiyo-Maru No.7 (KY7), in Area IV (70°E-130°E). Sighting surveys will be conducted under passing and IO modes. Routine biopsy sampling and photo-id of large whales will be also conducted. The report of the sighting survey will be submitted to the 2019 IWC SC meeting.