Polarstern / CAML expedition: day of the Minkes
Three Minke Whales coming up to breathe in a waveless sea
© L. Lehnertt / Alfred Wegener Institut
Yesterday we left Larsen A, sailing towards the North-East, once more in magnificent light and with a sea as flat as a mirror. The ice conditions also continued to improve, so we arrived early this morning at our last sampling area, south of the "Antarctic Sound".
Early morning deployment of the ROV, followed by a Rauschert dredge (little bottom net very efficient for catching small animals) and an Agassiz trawl. By that time, whales specialists discreetly flew away for one of their last flights. They were quite inspired: already 32 Minke whales spotted this morning. Trying again in the afternoon, they had even more success, reaching 70 specimens spotted by the end of the day !
More in one day than in the last 2 months ...
