Submitted February 17, 2008:

Over the past few days we have been working our way south into the lower Ross Sea and then eastwards towards 180°, paralleling the Ross Ice Shelf. During this period Tangaroa got to its southernmost point ever at 76° 52.164’S 179° 55.856’ W.

As expected, the main controller of all our activities has been the weather. Heavy snow showers earlier in this period gave everything a white coating, but once the snow cleared and the clouds broke, we had good (but distant) views of Ross Island, with the mountains of the Asgaard and Olympic Ranges as a backdrop.


Photo: Snow cover on trawl deck. by Glen Walker

This was followed by high winds and freezing salt spray that gave the sampling gear and parts of the ship a thick coating of ice. This meant chipping nets, CTD, sleds etc out of solid blocks of ice before they could be deployed on the next station. And that wasn’t the end of it.


Photo: Ice cover over wave gate and deck. by John Mitchell

Then we transited east into a patch of water where the sea temperature dropped below -1.8°C (freezing point of sea water). Grease ice started forming and once the wind dropped, extensive areas of pancake ice developed. We finished the work in that area and have now moved back west where the water temperature is warmer at -1.3°C.


Photo: Grease ice with water ripples. by John Mitchell

While all these weather and ice issues have been going on, the sampling has continued successfully with many hauls of fish and benthic organisms that excite the biologists on board.

See the Science Report on CAML-Cousteau Expedition tracking page

From February until mid-March 2008, New Zealand scientists are embarking on an eight-week voyage to the Ross Sea to survey the marine environment and explore the variety of life forms (biodiversity) in the region. This is part of the Census of Antarctic Marine Life and scientists on board will also contribute to the NZ Science Learning Hub for teachers and students. Follow all CAML expeditions routes on the CAML-Cousteau Expedition tracking page.