Dart biopsies of Antarctic killer whale, Type C (Orcinus orca) and Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), Jan-Feb 2018

We collected tissue samples (dart biopsies) from adult Antarctic Type-C killer whales (Orcinus orca, n=27) and adult Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis, n=4) at multiple locations along the McMurdo Sound icebreaker channel and northern ice edge during the second half of January. All sampled whales were also photographed for photo-ID. The objective of the work was to (a) determine diet from stable isotope analysis; (b) expand our tissue data base started in 2013; (c) investigate population structure and taxonomic relationships from molecular genetics; and (d) support photo-ID recognition of individuals and based mark recapture analysis with DNA analysis, with the goal of estimating abundance and determining habitat use. This research supports specific objective (vii) for the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area, as articulated in CCAMLR Conservation Measure 91-05 Annex B