CCAMLR

SG-ASAM are invited to consider provide further recommendations for improving this fishing vessel data collection program and provide advice on

• the timing and frequency for conducting acoustic transects;
• the methods for the data transmission to the Secretariat including the use of EchoExplore to provide a meta-data catalogue of the data and
• whether to have acoustic data transferred to the Secretariat as complete (raw) acoustic data files for processing and/or analysis products (e.g. from the EchoViewR protocol agreed at SG-ASAM).

Aerial photography is widely accepted as a useful method for monitoring penguins in Antarctica, but there are concerns about the disturbance it causes to penguins in the process. Since 2016, aerial photography using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has been carried out by Korean scientists to count Adélie penguins’ nests at Cape Hallett, but the impact of using this method on breeding penguins has not been investigated. An annual survey should be conducted to determine the population size of Adélie penguins in this area, because Cape Hallett was designated as a new site for the Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in 2018. In order to obtain suitable images for counting the number of nests and mitigate disturbances derived from UAV operation, we compared the difference of the penguins’ behavioral responses to UAVs’ approaches by flight altitude and type (hexacopter and quadcopter). Based on penguins’ responses to visual approaches and noises of UAVs, we hereby suggest 50 m and 100 m as minimum flight altitudes for quadcopters and hexacopters, respectively, when monitoring penguins.

Our study presents some initial findings on Hg distribution in Antarctica from our preliminary field work, collecting environmental samples including coastal seawater, snow and snowmelt as well as terrestrial and marine biota samples. Long-term monitoring studies are crucial to better understand how Antarctic environments respond to globally reducing Hg emission with the Minamata Convention becoming effective. Further, Antarctic organisms sensitive to climate change need to be included as part of CEMP. Previous studies on Hg dynamics in Antarctica are limited and existing information is somewhat fragmented. Therefore, our goal is to add to the existing information and build a framework for long term monitoring program in this vulnerable and remote ecosystem.