SC/65b/SP05

Cruise Report of the Second Phase of the Japanese Whale
Research Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic(JARPAII) in 2013/2014
KOJI MATSUOKA1), GENTA YASUNAGA1), MASAKATSU MORI2), TATSUYA ISODA1), EISEI UEDA2), TAKAHIRO KONAGAI2),MASAOMI TSUNEKAWA2) , ISAMU YOSHIMURA2), KAZUYOSHI NAKAI1), HITOMI SATOH1), NAGISA SAKAMOTO1), TAKASHIYOSHIDA1), AND TOMOYUKI OGAWA2).
1) Institute of Cetacean Research, 4-5 Toyomi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0055 Japan.
2) Kyodo Senpaku Kaisya, Ltd., 4-5 Toyomi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0055 Japan.
Contact e-mail:matsuoka@cetacean.jp

ABSTRACTThe results of the 2013/14 survey of the Second Phase of the Japanese Whale Research Program under the Special Permit in the
Antarctic (JARPA II) are reported here. Two dedicated sighting vessels (SV), one sighting and sampling vessels (SSV) and one researchbase vessel engaged in the research for 70 days, from 3 January to 13 March 2014 in Areas V (130°E - 170°W) and VI West (VIW:170°W - 145°W). Unfortunately the research activities were interrupted several times by an anti-whaling group which directed violent
sabotage activities against Japanese research vessels in previous seasons. As a result the planned dedicated sighting survey wascancelled in the whole research area because the two SV had to dedicate to security tasks. The research activity of the SSV was alsointerrupted several times. The total searching distance was 3,182.0 n.miles by the SSV, which was approximately one-third of thesearching distance in ‘normal’ years. Seven species including five baleen (blue, fin, sei, Antarctic minke and humpback) and two toothed(sperm and southern bottlenose) whales were sighted during the research period. A total of 531 schools (313 individuals) of Antarctic
minke whales was sighted. It was the dominant species in the research area followed by the humpback whales (82 schools/ 133
individuals) and fin whales (45/99). The number of sightings of the Antarctic minke whales was about 4.0 times higher than that of
humpback whales. A total of 251 Antarctic minke whales was sampled which were examined on board the research base vessel except one
whale was lost during the transfer to the research base. Photo-id experiments were conducted and a total of two blue whales were
photographed. Oceanographic surveys to investigate vertical sea temperature profiles were also implemented using XCTD.

KEYWORDS: ANTARCTIC MINKE WHALES, BLUE WHALES, FIN WHALES, HUMPBACK WHALES, ROSSSEA, SCIENTIFIC PERMITSINTRODUCTION
The Second Phase of the Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic (JARPA II), which
combine lethal and non-lethal methods, started from the 2005/2006 austral summer season (Government of Japan, 2005,
Pastene et al., 2006, Nishiwaki et al., 2006, Nishiwaki et al., 2007, Ishikawa et al., 2008, Nishiwaki et al., 2009,
Nishiwaki et al., 2010, Ishikawa et al., 2011, Matsuoka et al., 2012, Tamura et al., 2013). The full-scale JARPAII
started from the 2007/08 season. JARPA II is a long-term research program with the following objectives: 1)
Monitoring of the Antarctic ecosystem, 2) Modeling interaction among whale species and developing future
management objectives, 3) Elucidation of temporal and spatial changes in stock structure and 4) Improving themanagement procedure for the Antarctic minke whale stocks. JARPA II focuses on Antarctic minke whale, humpback
whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), fin whale (B. physalus) and possibly other species in the Antarctic ecosystem that are
major predators of Antarctic krill.
A violent anti-whaling group (Sea Shepherd, SS) has been continuing violent sabotage activities against the research
vessels of JARPA II. The IWC has condemned SS’s tactics against Japan’s whale research vessels. The International
Maritime Organization (IMO) also adopted a resolution that seriously concerned safety and security of vessels, humanlife and marine environment caused by unlawful protests or confrontations on the high seas (IMO, 2010). In 2011, the
IWC adopted the Consensus Resolution 2011-2 on Safety at Sea which condemns any actions that are a risk to humanlife and property in relation to the activities of vessels at sea.
Despite international criticisms above, the research activities of the JARPA II survey in 2013/14 was again interrupted
by the SS first during the transit survey from Japan to the research area and throughout the research period. In order tosecure safety for the research vessels and their crew members, the planned sighting vessels had to dedicate many of its
planned research time to security tasks. It was very regrettable and disappointing to report that this large investment dedicated sighting survey in the Antarctic - had to be cancelled in the 2013/14 season. These dedicated sighting surveys
were planned according to the IWC survey guideline (IWC, 2005) and were endorsed by the IWC SC in 2011 (IWC,2011).
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The research objectives and research progress of JARPA II in the period 2005/06-2010/2011 seasons were summarized(Pastene et al., 2014a). In February 2014, “The expert workshop to review the Japanese JARPA II Special Permit
Research Programme” was carried out to review data and results for the period 2005/06 to 2010/11 data (IWC, 2014).
This paper reports the ninth survey of the JARPA II conducted during the austral summer season 2013/14.

RESEARCH METHODS
Research vessels
Three research vessels, Yushin-Maru (YS1), Yushin-Maru No. 2 (YS2), and Yushin-Maru No. 3 (YS3) were engaged insighting and sampling (SSV) (Table 1). Two SVs dedicated were planned to conduct independent sighting survey basedon the IWC survey guideline (IWC, 2005), oceanographic survey and some non-lethal experiments. A research basevessel (NM: Nisshin-Maru) served as a research base on which all biological examinations of sampled whales wereconducted.

Research area
Figure 1 shows the geographic location of the research area for the 2013/14 JARPAII survey. The research area for the
2013/14 survey was the eastern side of the whole JARPA II research area, i.e. Area V (130°E - 170°W) and Area VIW(170°W - 145°W). Area V (130°E - 170°W) was divided into western part (Area VW: 130°E - 165°E) and eastern part
(Area VE: 165°E - 170°W). The Area VE was further divided into East-North stratum and Ross Sea (East-Southstratum). The Ross Sea was defined as south of 69°S. The southern stratum of the Area VIW was defined as south of
68°15’S.

Survey track line design
In North and South stratum Area VIW, North and South stratum of Area VE and Area VW, the survey track line
consisted of a zigzag course changing direction at 1°40’ longitudinal degree intervals. In the Ross Sea and the southern
stratum of the Area VIW, the survey track lines were randomly consisted of a mesh designed zigzag course changing
direction at 1° latitudinal and 30° longitudinal degree intervals, respectively.
Two parallel track lines were set at 7 n. miles apart. Two legs of track line for the northern stratum were set every six
legs for southern stratum, in principle. The interval of legs and number of legs for the northern stratum could bechanged by sub-area according to progress of the survey. In these areas, the southern stratum was defined from ice edge
to 45 n. miles north in principle. For this survey, as same as IWC-SOWER (Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem
Research), our best estimate of the position of the ice edge was based on our visual and radar observations of the iceedge using the DMSP SSM/I daily polar griddled sea ice concentration data set available from the National Snow andIce Data Center (NSIDC) (Matsuoka et al., 2003, Cavalieri et al, 1999).

Sighting method
Sighting procedures followed the previous JARPA surveys (e.g. Nishiwaki et al. 2007) in principle. The sighting survey
using SSVs was conducted under closing mode (when a sighting of target species was made on the predetermined trackline, the vessel approached the whales and species and school size were confirmed). Three SSVs advanced along
parallel track lines at a standard speed of 11.5 knots.
The survey by SSVs was operated under optimal research conditions (when the wind speed was below 25 knots in thesouth strata or 20 knots in the north strata and visibility was over 2 n. miles). In addition to the sightings of Antarctic
minke whales, the SSVs approached blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), southern right whale (Eubalaena australis)and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) for conducting experiments.
Sampling methods and biological survey for whales
Sampling of 850 Antarctic minke whales (with 10 % of allowance) and 50 fin whales was planned in the research area
south of 62°S. Although the original plan included 50 humpback whales (Government of Japan, 2005), Government ofJapan decided to suspend the sampling of humpback whales. One to two Antarctic minke whales were sampled
randomly from each primary sighted school within 3n.miles of the track line. Dwarf minke whales were not a target for
sampling. Sampling of fin whales was restricted to those animals with an estimated body length in principal 19m or lessdue to logistic limitations at the NM. Only one fin whale was planed to be sampled from each primary sighted school
within 3n.miles of the track line. If two or more animals (less than 18m in body length) were found in a school, only
one of them was randomly selected and sampled. Biological research on all sampled whales was conducted on the NM.

Experiments2

Sighting distance and angle experimentThis experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the accuracy of sighting distance and angle given by observers on the
SSVs. Observers on each vessel were required to assess eight sets of angles and distance from two platforms (top barrel
and upper bridge). All trials were conducted under good sighting condition.

Photo-identification
The following species were targeted for photographic record of natural markings: blue, humpback and southern rightwhales.

Biopsy sampling
In addition to the species targeted for the photo-identification experiment, pygmy right whale (Caperea marginata), fin
whale, sei whale (B.borealis), Antarctic minke whale, sperm whale (Physeter macrocehpalus), and southern bottlenose
whale (Hyperoodon planifrons) were targeted for biopsy skin sampling using a compound-crossbow.

Vomiting and fecal observation
The SSVs was engaged in observations of vomits and feaces of sighted whales which closed within 0.2 n.miles from thevessel. Target species of these observations were Antarctic minke, fin and humpback whales.

Oceanographic survey
The SSVs planned the following oceanographic survey; 1) consecutive measuring of vertical water temperature profile
by expendable XCTD system, 2) marine debris recording in the research area, 3) all marine debris found in the stomachof whales taken was also recorded on the NM.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Outline of the research activities
Table 2 shows an outline of the research activities. Research vessels were frequently attacked by the anti-whaling groupand the survey was interrupted in several opportunities. As a consequence vessels YS3 and YS2 had to dedicate tosearch and monitor the anti-whaling group vessels most of the research period. Total research period was 70 days from
3 January to 13 March 2014. Unfortunately the research activity was interrupted for over 18 days by directed violent
sabotage activities of the SS. Therefore the research of most part of East-North in Area V and Western part of Area V
had to be cancelled (Figure 1).

Sighting
Low and middle latitudinal sighting survey
During transit, sighting surveys were conducted from 26 December 2013 in the area between 30°S and 60°S outside ofnational EEZs. However, in order to secure safety of the research vessels and their crew members, the planned sighting
surveys to and from the research area were cancelled completely. Sei whale (1 school / 1 individual) and sperm whales(2 sch. / 3 ind.) were sighted as secondary sightings (Table 3).

Antarctic research area
In the research area the sighting survey by the SV was planned to operate independently. However the survey by the SV
was cancelled because of obstruction from the anti-whaling group. There was no searching effort of the SV. The total
searching distance was 3,182.0 n.miles by the SSV, which was approximately one-third of the searching distance in anormal year (Table 4).
Seven species including five baleen whales and three toothed whales were identified during the research period. The
following five species of baleen whales were identified: blue, fin, sei, Antarctic minke and humpback whales. Three
toothed whale species were identified; sperm and southern bottlenose whales. Table 5 shows the number of sightings byeach sub-area and Figures 2, 3 and 4 show sighting position of Antarctic minke, other baleen (blue, fin, sei andhumpback) whales and toothed (sperm and southern bottlenose) whales, respectively. Antarctic minke whale was themost abundant species in the research area, followed by humpback whale (in number of schools).
The number of sightings of Antarctic minke whales (313 schools and 531 individuals in total) was about 4.0 times
higher (individuals) than that of humpback whales (82 schools and 133 individuals) and was considerably higher thanthose of other species. Both Antarctic minke and humpback whales were widely distributed in the entire research area, but
density was different among strata. No mother and calf pair of Antarctic minke whale was observed in the research area.
Humpback whales were widely distributed in Area V even at ice edge north of the Ross Sea. Most of them were foundin Area VIW (Figure 3). These distribution patterns were almost same as in previous surveys (e.g.Matsuoka et al.,2011).
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Fin whales (45 schools and 99 individuals) were also found in the Areas VE and VIW. There were sightings of fin
whales in the Ross Sea (Figure 3). Although sightings of blue whales were small (15 schools and 20 individuals), they
were found in all of the research area even in the Ross Sea (Figure 3). These observations were almost the same as inpast JARPA/JARPAII surveys (Nishiwaki et al. 2009 and 2010). Further, blue whales (3 schools and 3 individuals)
were found in most southern part of Area VIW between 72oS and 74oS in particular compare with the previous JARPA
and JARPAII surveys (Matsuoka and Hakamada, 2014). Sei whales were only distributed in the northern part of Area
VE (Figure 3). Solitary large male sperm whales were found between near ice edge and the northern strata (7 schools
and 7 individuals). Southern bottlenose whales were found in Area VIW (Figure 4).
These information are contributing significantly to the objectives of the JARPAII programme. It was noted in the reportof the JARPAII review meeting that the survey work represents a considerable expenditure of research time and a large
dataset for long-term monitoring. It complements the work of the IDCR/SOWER programme that has now finished.
The importance of monitoring trends in abundance in cetacean species is of general conservation and management
importance especially in the context of documenting the recovery of species/populations that had been extensively
depleted by commercial whaling, as well as investigating variation in species mix compared to the period prior to
exploitation (IWC, 2014).

Experiments
Sighting distance and angle experimentThis experiment was performed on 6 February and 11 February by YS1 and on 11 February 2014 by YS2. The resultsof this experiment will be used for the calculation of abundance estimates.
Photo-IDNatural markings of two individuals of blue were photographed in this season (Table 6a). Although number ofphotographs is small, the scientific knowledge has been accumulated putting several seasons’ data together to make up
for some non-surveyed areas due to interrupt by violent sabotage activity. A total of 10 individuals of blue whale, 5 ofsouthern right whale and 13 of humpback whale were photographed between 2011/12 and 2013/14 JARPAII surveys(Table 6b). These data will be registered to the ICR catalogue and submission of photographs to relevant international
catalogues (e.g. Matsuoka and Pastene, 2014).

Biopsy samplingNo biopsy samples were obtained in this season. Although number of biopsy samples is small in recent seasons, thescientific knowledge has been accumulated putting several seasons’ data together to make up for some non-surveyed
areas due to interrupt by violent sabotage activity. A total of 4 biopsy samples of southern right whale, 5 of humpback
whale were collected between 2011/12 and 2013/14 JARPAII surveys (Table 6c). These data will be registered to the
ICR database and analyzed for genetic research (e.g. Pastene et al., 2014b, Kanda et al, 2014b).
Vomiting and feaces observation
A total 284 (454 individuals) of Antarctic minke whale, 20 (31 individuals) of fin whale and 26 (36 individuals) of
humpback whale schools were observed during school confirmations within 0.2 n.miles. There was no observation ofvomiting and feacal behavior in this season. There was no vomiting observations during 2011/12 to 2013/14 surveys.
There was only one case of fecal observation of fin whale in 2011/12 survey. It was spread the surface and it was not
impossible to collect from the vessel (Table 6d).
Oceanographic survey
Oceanographic survey using XCTD was conducted only at 43 stations due to external interruptions in this season. A
total of 107 XCTD oceanographic observations were conducted in recent 3 seasons (Table 6d). These data will be
accumulated into the oceanographic database and analyzed later to investigate such as relationship between whale
distributions and oceanographic structures (e.g. Watanabe et al., 2014, Naganobu et al., 2014).
Three marine debris (all single fishing floats) were observed from the research vessels in the research area in this season.
No marine debris was found in the stomach of Antarctic minke whales (Table 6d). These data are useful for monitoring
different type debris on which little information is available for the Antarctic Ocean (Isoda et al., 2014, IWC, 2014).
Sampling of Antarctic minke whales
Out of 416 schools (259 individuals) in the primary sightings of Antarctic minke whales, 313 schools (531 individuals)
were targeted for sampling. A total of 251 individuals were sampled. Sampling efficiency (the rate of successful
sampling for targeted individuals) was 89.7 % for solitary schools, 94.0 % for the first targeted individual from schools
with more than one animal. A total of 17 individuals were sampled as the second targeted individual from the schools
4with more than one animal. No struck and lost case occurred. And one sample lost in the transfer from sampling vessel
to research base vessel.
The scientific knowledge has been accumulated putting several seasons’ data together to make up for somenon-surveyed areas due to interrupt by violent sabotage activity. A total of 620 Antarctic minke whale was sampled
between 2011/12 and 2013/14 JARPAII surveys. Sampling of Antarctic minke whales in each IWC Areas are
conducted successfully and almost equally in the research area including the mixing area of Antarctic minke whale
stocks (Area VW), and the Ross sea (Area VE) (Tables 10a and 10b).
These data will be examined for genetic analysis and estimation of biological parameters for Antarctic minke whales(e.g. Kanda et al., 2014a, Bando et al., 2014, Kitakado et al., 2014, Yasunaga et al., 2014, Konishi and Walloe, 2014,
Konishi et al., 2014, Tamura and Konishi, 2014).

Biological research
Biological research was conducted on the research base vessel for all whales sampled except for one whale lost during
the transfer from sampling vessel to research base vessel. Of 250 Antarctic minke whales, 125 were male (50.0 %) and
125 were female (50.0 %) in this season (Tables 7 and 8).

Biological information of sampled whales
Figure 5 shows the distribution of sighting position of sampled Antarctic minke whales by sex and sexually mature
status. Mature males and females were dominant in the southern strata of Area VE and VIW.
Table 7 shows the summary of biological data and samples collected from Antarctic minke whales. Table 8 shows thesex and reproductive status of sampled Antarctic minke whales by stratum. Immature rate of both females and males
was high in the northern strata of Area VE and Area VIW (Figure 5). The mature rate of females was high in thesouthern stratum of Area VE and Area VIW (Figure 5). The ratio of pregnant mature females was high in the southern
stratum of Area VIW. One of sampled Antarctic minke whale was lactating.
Figure 6 shows the body length distribution of Antarctic minke whales sampled in this survey. Maximum length was
9.16 m for male and 9.46 m for female. Minimum length was 4.97 m and 4.80 m for male and female, respectively.
Maximum body length of immature animals was 8.01 m and 8.23 m for male and female, whereas minimum bodylength of mature animals was 7.17 m and 7.72 m for male and female, respectively.
Table 9 shows prey species found in the stomach of Antarctic minke whales sampled by in this survey. The Antarctic
krill (Euphausia superba) was the dominant prey species, in the Areas V and VIW. However, Thysanoessa spp. wasfound as main prey species from 6 whales and 8 whales in northern and southern stratum of Area VIW, respectively.
Results of past JARPA/JARPAII surveys strongly suggested that Antarctic minke whales, especially mature females
tend to concentrate in the ice free area beyond the ice edge where research vessels could not enter (Ishikawa et al, 1998,
2008, Ishikawa, 2003). It was also suggested that recent drastic expansion of humpback whale distribution in the Areas
IV and V may force Antarctic minke whales to move in the pack ice (Ishikawa et al., 2004, Fujise et al., 2006,
Matsuoka et al., 2011, Kitakado et al., 2012, Hakamada et al., 2014, Murase et al., 2014).

ACKNOWLEDEGMENTS
We acknowledge the Fisheries Agency of the Government of Japan and the Japanese Coast Guard for its support to thisresearch cruise. We are also indebted to Drs. Yoshihiro Fujise, Hiroshi Hatanaka, Seiji Ohsumi, Hidehiro Kato, Luis
Pastene, Tomowo Watanabe, Tomio Miyashita, Shigetoshi Nishiwaki and Tsutomu Tamura for their support in
implementing the research. We are also indebted to all Captains, officers, crew and colleagues of the ICR and otherrelated institutions who participated in the research for their contributions. We thank research technicians, Messrs. Tatsuo
Sasaki and Katsuhiko Kondou for their contribution.

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Nishiwaki, S., Tohyama, D., Ishikawa, H., Otani, S., Bando, T., Murase, H., Yasunaga, G., Isoda, T., Nemoto, K., Mori,
M., Tsunekawa, M., Fukutome, K., Shiozaki, M., Nagamine, M., Konagai, T., Takamatsu, T., Kumagai, S., Kage, T.,
Ito, K., Nagai, H. and Komatsu, W. 2006. Cruise Report of the Second Phase of the Japanese Whale Research
Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic (JARPA II) in 2005/2006 -Feasibility study-. Paper SC/58/O7
presented to the IWC Scientific Committee, May-June 2006 (unpublished). 21pp.
Nishiwaki, S., Ishikawa, H., and Fujise, Y. 2007. Review of general methodology and survey procedure under the JARPA.
IWC Paper SC/D06/J2 presented to the JARPA Review meeting, December 2006. June 2007 (unpublished). 47pp.
Nishiwaki, S., Ogawa, T., Matsuoka, K., Mogoe, T., Kiwada, T., Konishi, K., Kanda, N., Yoshida, T., Wada, A., Mori,
M., Osawa, T., Kumagai, S., Oshima, T., Kimura, K., Yoshimura, I., Sasaki, T., Aki, M., Matsushita, Y., Ito, H.,
Sudo, S. and Nakamura, G. Cruise Report of the Second Phase of the Japanese Whale Research Program underSpecial Permit in the Antarctic (JARPA II) in 2006/07 – Feasibility study. 23pp.
Nishiwaki S., Ogawa, T., Matsuoka, K., Bando, T., Mogoe, T., Otani, S., Konishi, K., Sato, H., Nakai, K., Nomura, I.,
Tanaka, H., Kiwada, H., Mori, M., Tsunekawa, M., Wada, A., Yoshimura, I., Yonezaki, S., Nagamine, M., Yoshida,K., Fukutome, K., Tamahashi, K., Morine, G. and Yoshida, T. 2009. Cruise report of the second phase of theJapanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic (JARPA II) in 2008/09. SC/61/O3 presented
to the IWC Scientific Committee, June 2009 (unpublished). 18pp.
Nishiwaki, S., Ogawa T, Bando, T., Isoda, T., Wada, A., Kumagai, S., Yoshida T., Nakai, K., Kobayashi, T., Koinuma, A.,
Mori, M., Yoshimura, I., Ohshima, T., Takamatsu, T., Konagai, S., Aki, M., and Tamura, T. 2010. Cruise Report of thesecond phase of the Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic (JARPA II) in 2009/2010.
SC/62/O3 presented to the IWC Scientific Committee, June 2010 (unpublished). 13pp. [Paper available at the IWC
Office].
Pastene, L.A., Goto, M. and Kanda, N., 2006. Genetic analysis on stock structure in the Antarctic minke whales fromthe JARPA research area based on mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites. SC/D06/J9 submitted to the JARPAREVIEW meeting called by the International Whaling Commission (2006) December, 2006. Tokyo, (unpublished).
22pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].
Pastene, L.A., Fujise, Y. and Hatanaka, H. 2014a. The Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the
Antarctic (JARPA II): origin, objectives, research progress made in the period 2005/06-2010/2011, and relevance formanagement and conservation of whales and the ecosystem. SC/F14/J1 presented to the IWC Scientific Committee,
February 2014 (unpublished). 76pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].
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in the Antarctic feeding grounds based on mitochondrial DNA analyses (Doc. SC/65a/SH13. This paper can be cited
only in the context of the IWC meetings). SC/F14/J30 presented to the IWC Scientific Committee, February 2014
(unpublished). 11pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].
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Yoshimura, I, Yoshida, T. and Ogawa, T., 2013. Cruise Report of the Japanese Whale Research Program underSpecial Permit in the Antarctic-Second Phase (JARPA II) in 2012/2013. SC/65a/O9 presented to the IWC ScientificCommittee, June 2013 (unpublished). 12pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].
Tamura, T. and Konishi, K., 2014. Prey composition and consumption rate by Antarctic minke whales based on JARPA
and JARPA II data. SC/F14/J15 presented to the IWC Scientific Committee, February 2014 (unpublished). 20pp.
[Paper available at the IWC Office].
7

Watanabe, T., Okazaki, M. and Matsuoka, K., 2014. Results of oceanographic analyses conducted under JARPA and
JARPA II and possible evidence of environmental changes. SC/F14/J20 presented to the IWC Scientific Committee,
February 2014 (unpublished). 10pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].
Yasunaga, G., Bando, T. and Fujise, Y., 2014. Preliminary estimation of the age of Antarctic minke whales based on
aspartic acid racemization. SC/F14/J12 presented to the IWC Scientific Committee, February 2014 (unpublished).
10pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].

Table1. Specifications of the research vessels.

Call sign
Length overall [m]Gross tonnage (GT)Barrel height [m]IO platform height [m]Upper bridge height [m]Bow height [m]Engine power [PS / kW]

Yushin-Maru

Yushin-Maru No.2

Yushin-Maru No.3

JLZS
69.61
724
19.5
13.5
11.5
6.5
5280 / 3900

JPPV
69.61
747
19.5
13.5
11.5
6.5
5280 / 3900

7JCH
69.61
742
19.5
13.5
11.5
6.5
5280 / 3900

Table2. Outline of the research activities.
Event

Date

Depature from Japan (YS3)
Depature from Japan (NM, YS1, YS2)
Low and middle latitudinal sighting survey
Survey in Antarctic research area
Low and middle latitudinal sighting survey
Arrival at Japan (NM, YS1, YS2, YS3)

5/
7/
26/
3/
14/
5/

Dec./
Dec./
Dec./
Jan./
Mar./
Apr./

2013
2013
2013
2014
2014
2014

-

2/
13/
20/

Jan./
Mar./
Mar./

2014
2014
2014

Table 3. Summary of low and middle latitudinal whale sightings during transit to and from the research area.
Transit toresearch area
sch.
ind.
1
1
2
3

Species
Sei whale
Sperm whale

Transit fromresearch area
sch.
Ind.
0
0
0
0

Total
sch.
1
2

ind.
1
3

Table 4. Summary of the searching distances (n. miles) of the 2013/14 JARPAII survey, research stratum. ASP mode
represents sighting survey and NSC mode represents sighting and sampling survey.
Area

Stratum
North
East
Ross Sea
North
West
South
Total

V
VI

ASP
----2.5
--2.5

NSC
132.6
990.3
675.2
1,381.5
3,179.5

Total
132.6
990.3
677.7
1,381.5
3,182.0

Table 5. Summary of sightings by species and research stratum in the 2013/14 JARPAII survey.
Area

V

VI
Total

Stratum

East-South (Ross Sea)
Primary

Species

sch.

ind.

Secondary
sch.

ind.

East-North
Primarysch.

ind.

West-South

Secondary
sch.

ind.

Primary
sch.

8

ind.

West-North

Secondary
sch.

ind.

Primarysch.

ind.

Secondary
sch.

ind.

Primarysch.

ind.

Secondary
sch.

ind.

Blue whale

1

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

6

6

1

2

4

4

3

6

11

12

4

8

Fin whale

12

33

4

8

0

0

1

1

13

32

0

0

9

14

6

11

34

79

11

20

Sei whale

0

0

0

0

3

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

3

0

0

Antarctic minke
whale

89

170

21

66

4

7

0

0

120

178

1

1

46

61

32

48

259

416

54

115

Like minke whale

4

4

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

2

0

0

0

0

1

1

6

6

1

1

Humpback whale

35

57

6

11

2

2

0

0

13

23

0

0

15

18

11

22

65

100

17

33

Sperm whale

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

1

3

3

0

0

2

2

0

0

6

6

1

1

Southernbottlenose whale

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

1

4

1

1

1

4

Table 6a. Details of the photo-ID during the 2013/14 JARPAII survey. LD: Left dorsal; LL: Left lateral; RD: Rightdorsal; RL: Right lateral; HD: Head; OT: Other.
VesselDate

Sighting
No.

Species

Schoolsize

Number of individuals
photographed

Photo-ID
resultYS2

20140220004

Killer

16

13

LD

YS2

20140226

004

Killer

13

7

LD, LL

NM

20140305

-

Blue

4

2

RD, OT

Table 6b. Summary of photo-ID photos collected between 2011/12 and 2013/14 JARPAII surveys after JARPAII
review meeting.
Season2011/122012/132013/14
Total

Blue
5
3
2
10

S. right
4
1
0
5

Humpback
6
7
013

Table 6c. Summary of biopsy samples collected between 2011/12 and 2013/14 JARPAII surveys.
Season2011/122012/132013/14
Total

Blue
0
0
0
0

S. right
40
0
4

Humpback2
3
0
5

Table 6d. Summary of vomiting, fecal, XCTD, marine debris observations between 2011/12 and 2013/14 JARPAII
surveys.
Season2011/122012/132013/14
Total*Fin whale

Vomiting
observationFecal
observation

XCTD

Marine debris
recording in the
research area.

0
0
0
0

1*
0
0
1

9
55
43
107

0
0
3
3

9

Marine debris
found in thestomach ofwhales0000Table 7. Summary of biological data and samples collected from Antarctic minke whales and fin whales in the 2013/14
JARPAII survey.
Antarctic minke whale

Samples and data

Male
125
125
125
125
125
125
125
125
125
125
125
125
125
123
1
107
125
125
125
20
3
4
21
14
125
125
38
87
0
3

Photographic record of external character
Diatom film observation
Record of external parasites
Body length and sex identification
Measurement of external body proportion
Body weightStandard measurement of blubber thickness (two points)
Lactation status
Measurement of mammary gland
Record of ovary
Photographic record of fetus
Fetal length and weight
Testis weight
Record of stomach contents
Weight of stomach content
Record of marine debris
Record of internal parasites
Macro pathological observation (thyroid, lung and liver)
Skull measurement (length and breadth)
Body weight by total weight of parts
Blood plasma for physiological study
Ovary sample
Fetal skin for genetic study
Small fetus sample
Histological sample of testis
Skin for genetic study
Blubber, muscle and liver tissues for environmental monitoring
Lung and liver tissue for air monitoring
Muscle and blubber tissues for various analysis
Tissues for histopathological study
Stomach contents for feeding study
Stomach contents for environmental monitoring
Earplug for age determination
Ocular lens for age determination
Largest baleen plate for various analysis
Vertebral epiphyses sample
External parasites sample
Tissues for functional food study

Female
125
125
125
125
125
125
125
124
124
125
53
50
125
125
125
125
125
120
1
100
125
53
3
125
125
3
1
18
21
125
125
48
77
0
3

Total
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
124
124
125
53
50
125
250
250
250
250
250
243
2
207
125
53
3*
125
250
250
20
6
5
39
35
250
250
86
164
0
6

Table 8. Reproductive status of Antarctic minke whales sampled in the 2013/14 JARPAII survey. Maturity of males wastentatively defined by testis weight according to Kato (1986). "Resting" represents non-pregnant mature female
without corpus luteum.
Male
Area

Stratum

Immature Mature
Total
3
0
3
East-North
50.0%
0.0%
50.0%
V
16
30
46
East-South(Ross sea)
18.6%
34.9%
53.5%
14
16
30
West-North
32.6%
37.2%
69.8%
VI
17
29
46
West-South
14.8%
25.2%
40.0%
50
75
125
Total
20.0%
30.0%
50.0%
*including one female of reproductive status unknown.

FemaleImmature
3
50.0%
23
26.7%
11
25.6%
29
25.2%
66
26.4%

10

MatureMaturing
0
0.0%
1
1.2%
1
2.3%
1
0.9%
3
1.2%

Resting
0
0.0%
1
1.2%
0
0.0%
1
0.9%
2
0.8%

All
Pregnant
0
0.0%
15
17.4%
1
2.3%
37
32.2%
53
21.2%

Total
3
50.0%
40
46.5%
13
30.2%
69*
60.0%
125*
50.0%

combined6
100.0%
86
100.0%
43
100.0%
115
100.0%
250
100.0%

Table 9. Main prey species found in the stomach of Antarctic minke whales sampled in the 2013/14 JARPAII survey.
Area

Stratum

Euphausia superba

Thysanoessa spp.

Empty

4
80.0%
56
73.7%
19
45.2%
64
59.8%
143
62.2%

0
0.0%
0
0.0%
6
14.3%
8
7.5%
14
6.1%

1
20.0%
20
26.3%
17
40.5%
35
32.7%
73
31.7%

East-North
V

East-South(Ross sea)
West-NorthVI
West-South
Total

Table 10a. Summary of the number of Antarctic minke whales, fin and humpback whales sampled between 2011/12 and2013/14 surveys.
Antarctic minke
Fin
Male
FemaleTotal
Male
FemaleTotal
2011/12
99
167
266
0
1
1
2012/13
50
53
103
0
0
0
2013/14*
125
125
251
0
0
0
Total
274
345
620
0
1
1
*: One sample lost in the delivery from sampling vessel to research base vessel.
SeasonMale-

Humpback
Female-

Total-

Table 10b. Summary of the number of Antarctic minke whales sampled between 2011/12 and 2013/14 surveys.
IIIE

IV

V

VIW

35E-70E

70E-130E

130E-170W

170W-145W

3

99

136

130

266

2012/132013/14

-

-

92

159

103

Total

3

99

229

289

620

Areas
2011/12

1

11

Total

251

V-West-North
V-West-South

Ice-edge

V-East-North

VI-West-North
Ice-edge

VI-WestSouth

V-East-South(Ross Sea)

Ice-edge

Antarctica

Figure 1. Research area and each stratum of the 2013/14 JARPAII survey.

Figure 2. Distribution of sightings of Antarctic minke whales in the 2013/14 JARPAII survey.
●: Primary sightings, ○: Secondary sightings, Gray line: Searching effort.

12Figure 3. Distribution of sightings of blue, fin, sei and humpback whales in 2013/14 JARPAII.
●: Blue whale, ○: Fin whale, □: Sei whale, △: Humpback whale, Gray line: Searching effort.

130E

150E

170E

170W

150W

69S

79S
130E

69S

79S
150E

170E

170W

150W

Figure 4. Distribution of sightings of sperm, southern bottlenosed and killer whales in the 2013/14 JARPAII survey.
△: Sperm whale, ○: Southern bottlenose whale, Gray line: Searching effort.

13

Figure 5. Distribution of immature Antarctic minke whale sampled in the 2013/14 JARPAII survey, by sex and maturity.
○: immature male, ●: mature male, △: immature female, ▲: mature female, Gray line: Searching effort.

20

20
Immature

Male

MatureMature15

Number

15

NumberImmature

Female

10

10

5

5

0

0
4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

4.0

10.0

Body length(m)

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

Body length(m)Figure 6. Body length distribution of Antarctic minke whales sampled during the 2013/14 JARPAII survey, by sex.

14