Technical Reports of the Ins�tute of Cetacean Research (2021)

pp. 7–15

Technical Report (not peer reviewed)

Results of the dedicated sigh�ng survey under the JapaneseAbundance and Stock structure Surveys in the Antarc�c (JASS-A) inthe western part of Area III in the 2020/21 austral summer season
Tatsuya Isoda*, Taiki Katsumata and Koji Matsuoka
Institute of Cetacean Research, 4–5 Toyomi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104–0055, Japan*Contact e-mail: isoda@cetacean.jp

ABSTRACTThe results of the sigh�ng survey of the Japanese Abundance and Stock structure Surveys in the Antarc�c(JASS-A) in the 2020/21 austral summer season are reported. A dedicated sigh�ng vessel was engaged in theline transect method survey in the eastern part of Antarc�c Area III West (015°E–035°E) for 28 days, from 10
January to 6 February 2021. The total searching distance in the research area was 1,744.3 n.miles (3,230.4 km).
Four baleen whale species and at least three toothed whale species were sighted in the research area. Other
research ac�vi�es such as biopsy sampling, photo-ID, satellite tagging and oceanographic observa�ons werealso conducted. The Antarc�c Area III West (000°–035°E) was covered during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 JASS-A
surveys.

INTRODUCTION
Long-term systema�c surveys on whales and the ecosystem in the Antarc�c such as the JARPA/JARPAII1,
NEWREP-A2, and IDCR/SOWER3 obtained important data
to study the abundance and abundance trends of large
whales as well the biology and role of whales in the Antarc�c ecosystem. All these research programs have been
terminated. The last NEWREP-A survey was carried out inthe 2018/19 austral summer season.
The Japanese Abundance and Stock structure Surveys
in the Antarc�c (JASS-A) commenced in the 2019/20 austral summer season because it was considered important
to con�nue with the whale and ecosystem surveys in the
Indo-Paciﬁc region of the Antarc�c through dedicatedsigh�ng surveys and other non-lethal research tech-1

Japanese Whale Research Programs under Special Permit in
the Antarc�c, Phases I and II
2
New Scien�ﬁc Whale Research Program in the Antarc�c Ocean
3
Interna�onal Decade for Cetacean Research/Southern Ocean
Whale and Ecosystem Research
4Interna�onal Whaling Commission-Scien�ﬁc Commi�ee
5Commission for the Conserva�on of Antarc�c Marine Living Resources-Working Group on Ecosystem Monitoring andManagement
6
North Atlan�c Marine Mammal Commission-Scien�ﬁcCommi�eeniques. JASS-A has two main research objec�ves, i) the
study of the abundance and abundance trends of large
whale species, and ii) the study of the distribu�on, movement and stock structure of large whale species. JASS-A
also has several secondary research objec�ves related tooceanography, marine debris, whale biology, and study
on the u�lity of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The
JASS-A program was presented to the 2019 mee�ng of
IWC SC4 (GOJ, 2019a), the 2019 mee�ng of CCAMLREMM5 (GOJ, 2019b), and the 2019 mee�ng of NAMMCO
SC6 (GOJ, 2019c).
The approach of JASS-A is systema�c vessel-basedsigh�ng surveys u�lizing the ʻline transect methodʼ. Surveys are designed and conducted following the protocols
included in the ʻRequirements and Guidelines for Conduc�ng Surveys and Analysing Data within the Revised
Management Schemeʼ (IWC, 2012). Sigh�ng protocols
are the same as those used in the former IDCR/SOWER
surveys (Matsuoka et al., 2003). The JASS-A surveys are
conducted alterna�vely in IWC Management Areas III, IV,
V and VI by one or two specialized vessels, during a tenta�ve period of eight austral summer seasons.
The ﬁrst JASS-A survey was carried out in the 2019/20
austral summer season and covered the sector 000°–
015°E of Area III. The second survey was carried out during the 2020/21 season and covered the sector 015°E–
035°E of this Area. This paper presents a summary of theresults of the 2020/21 JASS-A survey.
7

Technical Reports of the Ins�tute of Cetacean Research (2021)

SURVEY DESIGN
Research area
The research area of JASS-A is comprised by IWC Management Areas III, IV, V and VI, south of 60°S (Figure 1).
The research area in the 2020/21 season covered by thesurvey was the eastern part of Antarc�c Area III West(015°E–035°E), south of 60°S (Figure 1). The area wasdivided into northern and southern strata based on a line
45 n.miles from the ice-edge (Figure 2). In the northernand southern strata, the survey track lines consisted ofa zigzag course changing direc�on at 5°00ʹ and 2°30ʹ
longitudinal degree intervals in a 10 degrees longitudinalband, respec�vely (Figure 2). The star�ng point in thissurvey followed the last longitudinal point of the 2019/20
JASS-A survey (000°–015°E).

Research vessel
The dedicated sigh�ng vessel Yushin-Maru No. 2 (YS2) was
engaged in the survey. Its speciﬁca�ons are: gross tonnage 747GT, total length 69.6 m, top barrel pla�orm (TOP)19.5 m, Independent Observer Pla�orm (IOP) 13.5 m, andupper bridge pla�orm (UBP) 11.5 m (Figure 3). Three Japanese researchers par�cipa�ng in the survey had experience in conduc�ng line transect surveys, biopsy sampling,
photo-iden�ﬁca�on (photo-ID), satellite tagging, andoceanographic survey in the Antarc�c through the previous JARPA/JARPAII and NEWREP-A programs.
Sigh�ng procedures and mode
The sigh�ng survey was conducted using (1) Passing withabeam Closing mode (NSP) and (2) Passing with Independent Observer (IO) mode. For NSP mode, there were two
primary observers on the TOP. For IO mode, there were two
primary observers on the TOP and one primary observer on

Figure 2.
Figure 1.

Research area of JASS-A. The shaded area
(015°E–035°E) indicates the surveyed area in the2020/21 austral summer season.

Figure 3.
8

Research area (015°E–035°E) and searching eﬀorts
of the JASS-A survey in 2020/21. The research commenced at 60°00ʹS; 026°41ʹE and ended at 68°17ʹS;
015°00ʹE.

The dedicated sigh�ng vessel Yushin-Maru No. 2 and its equipped three pla�orms.

Results of the dedicated sigh�ng survey of JASS-A in the 2020/21 austral summer season

the IOP. There was no open communica�on between the
IOP and the TOP. Two primary observers were at the UBP,
regardless of the research mode. The observers conductedsearching for cetaceans by using angle board and binoculars with re�cles (7x), which include the distance es�mate
scales. Sigh�ng-informa�on by these TOP and IOP observers was reported to researchers and observers on the UBP
for data recording and tracking of cetaceans.
Sigh�ng ac�vi�es were classiﬁed into two principal
types: ʻOn-eﬀortʼ and ʻOﬀ-eﬀortʼ. On-eﬀort ac�vi�eswere �mes when full search eﬀort was being executedand condi�ons (such as weather and sea state) were
within acceptable condi�ons to conduct research. Oﬀeﬀort ac�vi�es were all ac�vi�es that were not On-eﬀort.
All sigh�ngs recorded while the vessel was On-eﬀort wereclassiﬁed as ʻPrimary sigh�ngsʼ, and all other sigh�ngs
were classiﬁed as ʻSecondary sigh�ngsʼ.
Guidelines for species iden�ﬁca�on and determining
group size were the same as those used during the IWCSOWER surveys (Anon, 2008).
For details of the procedures used for sigh�ng surveys
and other research ac�vi�es such as sigh�ng distance andangle experiment, photo-ID, biopsy sampling, satellite
tagging, oceanographic survey, marine debris observa�on, and survey using UAV see Isoda et al. (2021).

RESULTS OF THE SURVEY
Narra�ve of the survey
Table 1 shows the i�nerary of the survey. The dura�onof this cruise was 109 days. The YS2 departed Shiogama,
Japan on 4 December 2020 arriving in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique on 2 January 2021. The YS2 started
the sigh�ng survey in Antarc�c Area III West at 60°00ʹS;
026°41ʹE on 10 January. The survey was completed at
68°17ʹS; 015°00ʹE on 6 February. The YS2 arrived back in

Maputo on 20 February and Japan on 22 March.
Research eﬀort in the research area
Table 2 shows a summary of the eﬀort spent during thesurvey. The YS2 was engaged in the research for 28 days,
from 10 January to 6 February 2021. The total searchingeﬀort was 1,744.3 n.miles (3,230.4 km); 887.3 n.miles in
NSP mode for 84 hours 59 minutes and 857.0 n.miles in
IO mode for 83 hours 27 minutes. In the northern stratum, the total searching eﬀort was 1,097.7 n.miles (NSP:
528.3 n.miles; IO: 569.4 n.miles), and the searching eﬀort
coverage was 68%. In the southern stratum, the total
searching eﬀort was 646.6 n.miles (NSP: 359.0 n.miles;
IO: 287.6 n.miles), and the searching eﬀort coverage was90%. Therefore, a good distribu�on of eﬀort within both
strata and survey mode was achieved. The total experimental �me for photo-ID, biopsy sampling, tagging anddistance and angle experiment was 31 hours 41 minutes.
Whale sigh�ngs in the research area
Four baleen whale species and at least three toothed
whale species were sighted in the research area. The
dominant whale species in the research area was the
humpback whale (359 schools/697 individuals) followedby the ﬁn whale (136/228). Sigh�ngs of other species
were as follows; Antarc�c minke whale (51/120), Antarc�c blue whale (24/29), sperm whale (6/6), killer whale(4/13), southern bo�lenose whale (6/16), and Ziphiidae(10/16) (Table 3).
Antarctic blue whales
Blue whales were found more frequently in the southern
stratum (Figure 4) as found in previous surveys (Ensor
et al., 2005; Isoda et al., 2020). Nine schools (13 individuals) were sighted in the vicinity of 67°10ʹS; 030°10ʹE.

Table 1
Narra�ve of the 2020/21 JASS-A dedicated sigh�ng survey.
Date (y/m/d)

Event2020/11/20
2020/12/03
2020/12/04
2020/12/20
2021/01/02
2021/01/10
2021/02/06
2021/02/20
2021/03/04
2021/03/22

Planning mee�ng at Tokyo, Japan
Pre-cruise mee�ng at Shiogama, JapanYS2 departed Shiogama, Japan
Transit survey started at 10°11ʹS; 089°26ʹE
YS2 arrive in Maputo, Mozambique
Transit survey ﬁnished and survey started in the research area at 60°00ʹS; 026°41ʹE
Survey completed in the research area (28 days) and transit survey start at 68°17ʹS; 015°00ʹE
YS2 arrive in Maputo, Mozambique
Transit survey completed at 10°30ʹS; 085°20ʹE
YS2 arrived in Japan and post cruise mee�ng carried out in Shiogama, Japan
9

Technical Reports of the Ins�tute of Cetacean Research (2021)
Table 2
Summary of searching eﬀort (�me and distance) and �me (hours) spent during the 2020/21 JASS-A survey.
Searching eﬀort (distance [n.miles]and �me [hours:minutes])

Date and �me
Survey Sec�ons

NSP

Experiments �me
Es�mated angle andPhoto-ID, Biopsy,
distance training/tagging experimentexperiment

Start

End

IO

Transit survey(10°S-Entering MZ EEZ)

2020/12/20
06:10

2020/12/31
17:20

519.7

45:03

—

—

00:29

—

Transit survey(Leaving SA EEZ-60°S)

2021/01/04
12:00

2021/01/10
08:30

283.0

24:17

—

—

00:33

—

Research area
(Area IIIW 015°E-035°E)

2021/01/10
08:47

2021/02/06
14:30

887.3

84:59

857.0

83:27

25:08

06:33

Transit survey(015°E-Entering SA EEZ)

2021/02/06
14:30

2021/02/17
11:51

474.8

41:38

—

—

04:17

—

Transit survey(Leaving MZ EEZ-10°S)

2021/02/22
11:32

2021/03/04
16:35

593.4

50:02

—

—

—

—

Total

2020/12/20
06:10

2021/03/04 2,758.2 245:59
16:35

857.0

83:27

30:27

06:33

Table 3
Number of sigh�ngs in the research area, by stratum and species.
Eastern part of Area IIIW (015°E–035°E)
Species

Antarc�c blue whale
Fin whale
Like ﬁnAntarc�c minke whale
Like minke
Humpback whale
Like humpback
Baleen whales
Sperm whale
Killer whale (Undetermined ecotypes)
Southern bo�lenose whale
Ziphiidae
Uniden�ﬁed whales

Northern stratum

Primary

SecondaryPrimary

SecondaryPrimary

Secondary

Sch.

Ind.

Sch.

Ind.

Sch.

Ind.

Sch.

Ind.

Sch.

Ind.

Sch.

Ind.

Sch.

Ind.

21
14
0
23
0
96
0
4
1
2
0
2
2

25
17
0
42
0
128
0
4
1
7
0
2
2

1
0
0
12
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
1

1
0
0
57
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
1

2
117
2
13
1
256
1
4
5
2
6
8
4

3
201
2
18
1
559
1
4
5
6
16
14
4

0
5
0
3
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
10
0
3
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

23
131
2
36
1
352
1
8
6
4
6
10
6

28
218
2
60
1
687
1
8
6
13
16
16
6

1
5
0
15
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
1

1
10
0
60
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
1

24
136
2
51
1
359
1
8
6
4
6
10
7

29
228
2
120
1
697
1
8
6
13
16
16
7

Fin whales
Fin whales were mainly distributed in the northern
stratum (Figure 4). In a previous survey, this species was
hardly observed in this area (Ensor et al., 2005). This difference could be due to an increase in the abundanceof this species, as suggested previously (Matsuoka andHakamada, 2014).
10

Sub-total

Southern stratum

Total

Antarctic minke whales
Antarc�c minke whales were mainly sighted in the western part of the research area, in the southern stratum(near the ice-edge). They were infrequently sighted in
the southern stratum in the eastern part of the researcharea and in the northern stratum (Figure 4). In previous
surveys, this species was more frequently sighted in theResults of the dedicated sigh�ng survey of JASS-A in the 2020/21 austral summer season

Figure 4.

Posi�on of primary sigh�ngs of Antarc�c blue, ﬁn, Antarc�c minke, and humpback whales.

southern stratum in the western side of Area IIIW (Ensor
et al., 2005; Bando et al., 2019).

Other research ac�vi�es
Table 4 shows a summary of diﬀerent research ac�vi�es.

Humpback whales
Humpback whales were sighted frequently across theen�re research area (Figure 4) which is a diﬀerent pa�ern
from previous surveys (Ensor et al., 2005). This observa�on could be due to an increase in abundance and distribu�on of this species in the research area as suggested
previously (Hakamada and Matsuoka, 2014).

Sighting distance and angle experiment
The sigh�ng distance and angle experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the accuracy of sigh�ng distanceand angle provided by primary observers. The results ofthis experiment will be used for the calcula�on of abundance es�mates. A training for this experiment was conducted on 13 January. The actual experiments comprising
128 trials were successfully completed on 1 February.

Duplicate sightings
Duplicates sigh�ngs were those sigh�ngs made by boththe IOP and TOP barrel observers during the IO mode
survey. These data will be used to es�mate g(0), which inturn is used to adjust es�mates of abundance. Duplicateswere recorded for a total of 127 sigh�ngs (involving several whale species) in this survey.

Photo-ID
Photo-ID data is used for matching exercise to inves�gate
distribu�on and movement of those large whales (Figure 5). A total of 20 Antarc�c blue, 41 humpback and 1
killer whales were successfully photo-iden�ﬁed during
the en�re survey. These data will be registered with theIns�tute of Cetacean Research (ICR) catalogue and submission of photographs be made to relevant interna�onal
11

Technical Reports of the Ins�tute of Cetacean Research (2021)
Table 4
Summary of experiments during the 2020/21 JASS-A survey.
Experiments
Sigh�ng distance and angle experiment
Photo-ID
Biopsy sampling
Satellite tagging
Data logger tagging
Oceanographic survey
Marine debris observa�on
UAV

Results and descrip�ons
128 trials completed by 1 February
Obtained from 20 Antarc�c blue, 41 humpback and 1 killer whales
Collected from 8 Antarc�c blue, 15 ﬁn, 14 Antarc�c minke, 16 humpbackand 1 Brydeʼs whales
Deployed on 7 ﬁn and 10 Antarc�c minke whales
Deployed on 2 humpback whales
99 XCTD casts
No debris was observed in the research area
Aerial images collected from 10 Antarc�c blue, 7 ﬁn and 2 humpback whales

Figure 5.

Examples of photo-ID of humpback whales during the 2020/21 JASS-A survey, ventral side of the ﬂukes(le�) and le� side of dorsal ﬁn (right).

Figure 6.

Biopsy sampling of blue whale using a Larsen system during the 2020/21 JASS-A survey (le� and middle);skin/blubber samples of a blue whale obtained by biopsy sampling (right).

catalogues (e.g. Matsuoka and Pastene, 2014).
Biopsy sampling for large whales
Biopsy samples are used for studies on stock structureof large whale based on gene�c analyses and for otherfeasibility studies included among the speciﬁc objec�vesof the JASS-A. A total of 54 biopsy samples were collectedfrom eight Antarc�c blue, 15 ﬁn, 14 Antarc�c minke, 16
humpback and 1 Bryde's whales, using the Larsen system(Larsen, 1998) for the en�re survey (Figure 6). Biopsy
samples were stored at −20°C.

12Satellite tagging
Satellite tagging is used for the study of movement,
distribu�on and stock structure of whales. The satellitemonitored tags (SPOT6, Wildlife Computers, Redmond,
Washington, USA) were deployed with the Air Rocket
Transmi�er System (ARTS) (LK-ARTS, Skutvik, Norway). The
detail of deployment system and protocols, and research
results to date were described in Konishi et al. (2020). In
the research area, seven and ten satellite tags were deployed on ﬁn and Antarc�c minke whales respec�vely.

Results of the dedicated sigh�ng survey of JASS-A in the 2020/21 austral summer season

Figure 7. Oceanographic observa�on sta�ons (XCTD cas�ng points); Red circle: research area; black circle: transit (le�).
Oceanographic observa�on using XCTD (upper-right); XCTD launcher with the probe launched (lower-right).

Feasibility study on data logger (TDR) tagging
The feasibility study of data logger tagging was conductedin order to obtain informa�on on dive-�me of large
whales using the satellite-linked Time-Depth Recorder(TDR) tags (SPLASH 10-F, Wildlife Computers, Redmond,
Washington, USA). The tags were successfully deployedon two humpback whales and the data (posi�on, �meand depth) were collected in both cases. This experimentwill be further reﬁned in the next ﬁeld surveys to obtaindata of mean dive-�me and diving behaviour of the animal, which are key parameters for abundance es�ma�onconsidering availability bias.
Oceanographic survey
Oceanographic observa�ons are important to understandthe rela�onship of whales and the physical environment.
The ver�cal distribu�on of water temperature and salinity were recorded from sea surface to 1,850 m water
depth using XCTD system (eXpendable Conduc�vity,
Temperature and Depth, Tsurumi-Seiki Co., Ltd., Yokohama, Japan) at 99 sta�ons along the survey track lines(Figure 7). Oceanographic data will be analysed to study
the oceanographic structure of the research area and therela�onship with whale distribu�on.
Marine debris observation
Studies on marine debris in the Antarc�c are very scarce.
However, it is important to con�nue with this kind of survey to monitor future trends in the occurrence of marine
debris. No marine debris objects were observed in the
research area during the survey.

Feasibility study on the utility of UAVThis technique will be used to determine the number ofindividuals in the schools, informa�on highly relevant forabundance es�ma�on. It will be used also in photogrammetry studies. Aerial images were collected in a total often Antarc�c blue, seven ﬁn and two humpback whales
using small UAV, DJI phantom 4 Pro, (Figures 8 and 9)(video clips can be accessed at h�ps://www.youtube.
com/channel/UCz3c9IIMiQPVeryAogmJIig). These data
will be registered with the photo-ID catalogue of ICR.
Sigh�ng survey in the transit areas
Sigh�ng survey was conducted between south of 10°S
and the research area, excluding areas of the foreigncountries EEZs. The searching eﬀort was 802.7 n.miles
and total sigh�ngs included ﬁn (8/13), Bryde's (1/1), Antarc�c minke (1/1), and humpback (3/6) whales. Biopsy
samples were collected from Bryde's (sighted posi�on
27°17ʹS; 039°29ʹE) and Antarc�c minke (sighted posi�on
29°01S; 050°09ʹE) whales (Figure 10). During the transit
survey from the Antarc�c research area to 10°S, thesearching eﬀort was 1068.2 n.miles and the total sightings included ﬁn (9/16), Antarc�c minke (1/1), humpback(22/36), and sperm (3/3) whales. During the transit in the
research area, biopsy samples were collected from threeﬁn and ﬁve humpback whales and satellite tags were attached on two ﬁn whales. Further biopsy samples werecollected from two ﬁn whales (a school comprising ﬁve
whales) at 43°49ʹS; 19°12ʹE and one humpback whale at
38°58ʹS; 26°55ʹE.

13

Technical Reports of the Ins�tute of Cetacean Research (2021)

Figure 8.

UAV in ﬂight obtaining overhead images of Antarc�c blue (le�) and humpback (right) whales during the2020/21 JASS-A survey.

Figure 9.

Examples of aerial image of Antarc�c blue whales captured by UAV during the 2020/21 JASS-A survey.

Figure 10.

Brydeʼs whale sighted at 27°17ʹS; 039°29ʹE on 31 December 2020 (le�) and Antarc�c minke whale sighted
at 29°01ʹS; 050°09ʹE on 29 December 2020 (right) on sigh�ng survey in the transit area.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SURVEY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The 2019/20 and 2020/21 JASS-A surveys covered thefull Antarc�c Area III West (000°–035°E) and succeededin collec�ng sigh�ng data necessary for es�ma�on of cetacean abundance in this Area. In addi�on, several otherdata necessary for understanding stock structure, movement and the environment of whales were collected during the survey. The data collected through the JASS-A will
be analysed in conjunc�on with the data collected by theprevious JARPA/JARPA, NEWREP-A and IDCR/SOWER surveys in the same region so that the analyses can be basedon a long and consistent data set.

We thank the captain, crew members and researchers
who par�cipated in the 2020/21 JASS-A survey for theireﬀort in the collec�on of data and samples. Thanks also
to the Fisheries Agency of Japan for the funding and logis�c support for the JASS-A program including fuel supply,
ICR colleagues for logis�c support and useful sugges�ons
for the ﬁeldwork, the steering group of JASS-A for theirguidance in the design and implementa�on of the research, and Kenji Konishi (ICR) for planning and assis�ng
the satellite tagging. We are grateful to Luis A. Pastene(ICR) for assistance in preparing this report. Finally, we
acknowledge all of those who helped in the course of

14

Results of the dedicated sigh�ng survey of JASS-A in the 2020/21 austral summer season

conduc�ng the survey in a very diﬃcult situa�on complicated by COVID-19.

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