Description: The project centred on evaluating South Georgia’s right whales within the SGSSI marine protected area and the Antarctic krill fishery. Its focus encompassed summer baseline surveys to scrutinise prey sources, habitat utilisation relative to krill fishing, genetic diversity, population connectivity, and health status assessment. Leveraging satellite, acoustic, and oceanographic data, it pinpointed critical whale habitats and foraging patterns. These findings served to inform reviews of the SGSSI MPA, contributed to CCAMLR discussions on krill fishery management, and explored migratory connections with calving areas off Argentina and Brazil. Capacity-building initiatives involved engagement with Antarctic tour operators and distribution of photo-ID placards in the industry. Although some goals faced limitations due to data constraints, notable achievements included confirming migration to South Atlantic calving grounds, establishing whales’ good condition, and amplifying species visibility among stakeholders and the wider public.
Duration: 24 months
