Photo: DTIS image from Scott Seamount showing a seafloor lava flow and glacial ‘drop stones’. by Dave Bowden/DTISBy John Mitchell, Voyage Leader.

Now we are out of the inner Ross Sea the focus of the voyage has changed to sampling seamounts (underwater mountains) and the abyss (seafloor in the deep ocean 2000–4000 m). We’re surveying a series of seamounts, concentrating on the Scott complex around Scott Island north of the Ross Sea, at about 68 ºS, 180º followed by the Admiralty chain further to the west. Even further west are the Balleny Islands and associated seamounts, which will not be visited this trip as they have already been sampled during previous Tangaroa voyages. The composition of the fauna has gradually changed and reduced in quantity (but not quality) as we have moved north and is now ‘transitional’ i.e., is a mixture containing fauna typical of both the Ross Sea and the Southern Ocean.


Photo: DTIS image of the seabed at a depth of 3325 m, showing a predominantly muddy seabed with numerous drop stones and animal tracks. by Dave Bowden/DTIS

Running closely in parallel to our sampling programme is an extensive outreach programme which includes educational blogs for both New Zealand and International web sites, and the filming of the voyage with the aim of producing a documentary of our scientific journey. Max Quinn (Natural History NZ), assisted by Stacey Mulgrew (MFish), can be seen at all times of the day and night capturing the voyage activities on film or interviewing us.


Photo: Filmmaker Max at work, filming a trawl station and the recovery of the DTIS camera. by John Mitchell


Photo: The documentary team filming Tangaroa, working in heavy ice. by John Mitchell

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.