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Occurrence and Distribution of Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Atlantic Sector of Antarctica

  • MARINE BIOLOGY
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Oceanology Aims and scope

Abstract—The occurrence and distribution of fin whales and humpback whales along the route of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh in the Atlantic sector of Antarctica in January and February 2022 were studied. The features of the whales’ distribution were considered depending on the depth of the water area, the abundance and age of krill, and the Chl-a concentration in the water. The highest occurrence of fin whales was found in the deep waters of the Powell Basin and the Orkney Trench, where the highest concentrations of adult krill were recorded. The highest occurrence of humpback whales was observed in shallow Bransfield Strait, where small and young krill predominated. The dependence of the occurrence of whales on the concentration of chlorophyll was not confirmed.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the crew of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh, headed by Captain L.V. Sazonov, for their assistance, as well as their colleagues participating on the cruise for their aid and support.

Funding

The study was carried out in accordance with state tasks FMWE-2021-0008, FFER-2019-0021, and FWMM-2022-0033.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    A. D. Chernetsky, V. V. Krasnova & S. A. Mosharov

  2. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    P. V. Chukmasov, A. V. Tretiakov & L. G. Tretiakova

  3. Sector of the World Ocean, Azov–Black Sea Branch of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (AzNIIRKH), Rostov-on-Don, Russia

    D. G. Bitiutskiy

  4. Ilichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia

    P. A. Salyuk

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  1. A. D. Chernetsky
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Correspondence to A. D. Chernetsky.

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Chernetsky, A.D., Chukmasov, P.V., Krasnova, V.V. et al. Occurrence and Distribution of Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Atlantic Sector of Antarctica. Oceanology 63, 589–599 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437023040033

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