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    British Antarctic Survey: Ecosystem Monitoring in Area 48 (2023/24)

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    Document Number:
    WG-EMM-2024/20
    Author(s):
    Waluda, C.M., S.E. Thorpe, A.H. Fleming, A. Bennison, T. Dornan, M.J. Dunn, P.R. Hollyman, S. Fielding, and M.A. Collins
    Submitted By:
    Dr Claire Waluda (United Kingdom)
    Approved By:
    Dr Martin Collins (United Kingdom)
    Agenda Item(s)
    WG-EMM-2024 - 6.2 - Monitoring of current and potential sentinel species
    Abstract
    • This paper provides an overview of CCAMLR-related ecosystem monitoring and scientific activities undertaken by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) during the period April 2023 to March 2024. 
    • The season saw record low Antarctic sea ice around the continent.
    • Several large icebergs passed through the South Georgia region shedding substantial numbers of smaller icebergs, which led to a large iceberg presence on the northern shelf of the island.
    • The El Niño-Southern Oscillation index entered a positive, El Niño, phase in 2023, ending the La Niña period that has occurred since 2020.
    • CEMP monitoring was reduced at Bird Island and Maiviken, South Georgia (Subarea 48.3) due to restrictions imposed by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). 
    • Macaroni penguins had below average numbers of breeding pairs, and gentoo penguin had a below average breeding success at Bird Island. However, gentoo penguin breeding success was above average at Maiviken. Black-browed albatross had below average breeding success. No monitoring was undertaken on Antarctic fur seals due to HPAI restrictions.
    • Breeding success and population size of penguins were generally below average at Signy Island (Subarea 48.2) with a continuing decline in numbers of Adélie and chinstraps and increase in the number of gentoos. HPAI was suspected but not confirmed at Signy Island but did not have an impact on CEMP monitoring. 
    • Gentoo penguins at Goudier Island (Subarea 48.1) had an above average breeding success. 
    • The South Georgia Polar Ocean Ecosystems Time Series (POETS) programme undertook acoustic surveys in the Western Core Box (WCB) during April 2024 and Eastern Core Box (ECB) surveys in November 2023, January 2024 and March 2024. 
    • BAS deployed an uncrewed surface vehicle (Sailbuoy) in January 2024 instrumented with a conductivity and temperature cell, fluorometer, dissolved oxygen sensor and 200 kHz wide band transceiver (WBT) echosounder. 
    • The number of items of beached marine debris was below average at Bird Island but above average at Signy Island and Port Lockroy. Low numbers of seal entanglements were recorded (two at Maiviken, none at any other site) and the number of items of debris associated with seabird colonies (at Bird Island) was below the long-term mean.