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Cetacean distribution in relation to oceanographic features at the Kerguelen Plateau

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Abstract

The Kerguelen Plateau in the south-eastern Indian Ocean is one of the most isolated and understudied regions on earth. As part of the Kerguelen Plateau Drifts project, Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) data were collected during a seismic survey in the austral summer (January–February 2020). Relationships between observation effort, cetacean sightings, seismic operations, and oceanographic variables—including bathymetry (depth and slope), nutrient concentrations, and indices of primary productivity—were investigated using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). In total, 354 h and 45 min of observation effort resulted in 191 cetaceans (178 adults and at least 13 juveniles) of nine species observed on 48 occasions, over 14 days along the transect line. Marine mammal sightings occurred in water depths of 624–4699 m, with a hotspot of sightings recorded along the northern flank of the Kerguelen Plateau, in proximity to shelf edges. There was one sighting of a mixed pod of Kerguelen Commerson’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii kerguelenensis) and dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus), which to the best of our knowledge, is the first confirmed sighting of dusky dolphins in the Kerguelen Islands. Of the nine cetacean species observed, no niche separation was apparent, and all species were observed throughout the survey area. Dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll-a were the most significant predictors of cetacean occurrence. Systematic MMO data combined with synoptic satellite-derived/empirical oceanographic metadata have great potential to facilitate understanding of behaviour, geographical range, and population-status monitoring of cetaceans. This is especially important for cetacean stock assessment and minimising potential acoustic disturbance in Antarctic ecosystems.

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Availability of data and material

Data presented in this paper have been/will be published in the following databases, on the following dates: PANGAEA (raw data Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) February 2021, PANGAEA & BSH (multibeam, Parasound) February 2024, AWI data archive (seismic) February 2024, PANGAEA & MARUM (geology) February 2024.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for constructive comments received from Dr. Heidi Pearson and Prof. Rochelle Constantine on a previous version of this manuscript. We are also grateful for the support of Captain O. Meyer and his crew during collection of the data. The dedicated MMOs wish to thank the geology and seismic teams for their assistance in monitoring the observation zone, as well as the crew of the RV Sonne and all parties involved with this project. Special thanks to Dr. April Abbott, Brian Duggan, and Dr. Gabriele Wolters. Thanks to Laura Lazar and Irene Susini for contributions to previous drafts. Thanks to Sophie Cox (OSC) for some clarifications on MMO data, to Ian Todd (OSC) for project management, and to both Laura Lazar, and Ingrid Peters (OSC MMOs) for photo credits and field-data collection.

Funding

Funding for the cruise Leg SO272 and the Kerguelen Plateau Drifts project was received primarily by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under Project Number 03G0272A/B. Additional funding was provided by the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) and the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM), as well as Macquarie University and the University of South Carolina.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ocean Science Consulting, Spott Road, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1RR, Scotland, UK

    Victoria L. G. Todd & Laura D. Williamson

  2. Environmental Research Institute, University of the Highlands & Islands, Thurso, KW14 7EE, Scotland, UK

    Victoria L. G. Todd & Laura D. Williamson

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  1. Victoria L. G. Todd
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  2. Laura D. Williamson
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VLGT and LDW conceived and designed the research, wrote the manuscript, and share first authorship. LDW analysed the data. Both authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Laura D. Williamson.

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Todd, V.L.G., Williamson, L.D. Cetacean distribution in relation to oceanographic features at the Kerguelen Plateau. Polar Biol 45, 113–126 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-021-02977-3

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