Habitat selection by marine mammals in the marginal ice zone

Abstract

As part of the multi-disciplinary project, Antarctic Marine Ecosystem Research at the Ice Edge Zone (AMERIEZ), habitat selection by marine mammals was investigated within the marginal ice zone in relation to measured ice variables and other environmental factors. Data were collected on three cruises to the southern Scotia and northern Weddell seas during spring 1983, autumn 1986, and winter 1988. During winter, Antarctic fur seals were significantly associated with drift, pancake, brash ice, icebergs, and areas of uneven floe distribution, all characteristic of the marginal ice zone. Fur seals were seen in open water close to the ice edge during autumn, but during spring, as the pack ice began to retreat rapidly, animals were seen more often away from the ice. Minke whales were also associated with pancake and new ice but were seen further into the pack ice during both winter and autumn. The largest groups of minke whales during winter were observed with a large krill swarm in new ice. Crabeater seal was exclusively a species of the deep pack ice during all seasons and was associated with ice cover of 7–8 oktas and evenly distributed ice floes.