TDR tracking of Antarctic fur seals at Maiviken, South Georgia, 2009 to 2011

Time-Depth Recorder (TDR) tags were used to track 30 Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) at Maiviken, South Georgia. Tags were deployed over two austral summer seasons; 2009 to 2010 and 2010 to 2011. TDR tags record depth and temperature, and sometimes wet/dry status and light. In this case, depth and temperature were recorded, at one or two second intervals. Data are stored internally on the tag, and so tags must be retrieved to download the data. These data reveal how frequently the seals are diving, and how deep. When combined with GPS (Global Positioning System) data, a detailed picture can be obtained of seal movements. The accompanying tag deployment and retrieval metadata also includes morphological measurements of the seals.

This work was funded by Natural Environment Research Council (UK) core funding to the British Antarctic Survey.