Project Title

NSFGEO-NERC Collaborative Research: Effects of a changing climate on the habitat utilization, foraging ecology and distribution of crabeater seals

Summary

Event Number:
B-038-L
NSF / OPP Award 2042032

Program Director:
Dr. Maria Vernet

ASC POC/Implementer:
David Rivera / Jamee Johnson

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Luis Alfredo Huckstadt
lahuckst@ucsc.edu
University of California Santa Cruz
Long Marine Lab

Project Web Site:
https://www.luishuckstadt.com/wap_cc

Location

Supporting Stations: ARSV Laurence M. Gould
Research Locations: Bransfield Strait and Marguerite Bay

Description

This project will focus on crabeater seal ecology to examine how seals may be affected by climate-induced match-mismatch interactions with their prey. The main aim of this study is to determine how match-mismatch between seals and krill relate to the predictability of ice cover in time and space, which, in turn, acts to enhance the availability of krill.

Field Season Overview

An eight member science team will deploy on the ARSV Laurence M. Gould in early May to late June. The goal is to sample 34 total individual seals in the northern Bransfield Strait and west of Alexander Island. They plan to use a combination of Unoccupied Aerial System surveys and satellite imagery to census the population of seals along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. The science team will use small boats to approach seals on pack ice. Once seals are located, animals will be darted with an anesthetic, then captured and secured with a net. Seals will be weighed using a crossbeam sling and an electronic digital scale. They will measure the animals and take samples of blood, muscle, blubber, fur and whiskers. Tags will be glued to the animal’s head using quick-epoxy. After sample collection and instrument attachment are complete, they will stop administering anesthetic and will let the individual recover before its release. Each animal should take about two hours from the initial dart. When time allows, prey species of krill and fish will be caught with an IKMT net, surface water will be collected for phytoplankton and ice will be collected.

Deploying Team Members