Using whales to study Antarctica’s changing environment

Humpback whales across the southern hemisphere are being used as indicators of environmental and climatic change in Antarctica through Griffith University-led research.

Associate Professor Susan Bengtson Nash, Centre of Planetary Health and Food Security

The Humpback Whale Sentinel Program, headed by Associate Professor Susan Bengtson Nash from the Centre of Planetary Health and Food Security, uses whale health data, collected annually for the past 13 years from migrating whale populations across the southern hemisphere, to provide important clues about the status of the Antarctic sea-ice ecosystem.

“Conducting research in Antarctica is extremely challenging due to the travel logistics, the expense, and now with the number of expeditioners kept to an absolute minimum due to COVID-19,” says Associate Professor Bengtson Nash.

“The Humpback Whale Sentinel Program, however, avoids all of these problems by

LIVING THE DREAM: NEW STATION LEADER FOR MACQUARIE ISLAND

This season’s Station Leader for Macquarie Island research station is Derek Stevens.

The sub-Antarctic posting is the first for Derek with the Australian Antarctic Division.

He started his career as an officer in the Australian Army followed by a career in engineering and construction in Australia, New Zealand and throughout the Asia Pacific.

Derek Stevens is bound for Macquarie Island

Derek said his background had also provided a good grounding in leading, motivating and coaching teams.

“The biggest thing to keep the community

MUSIC AND ART HEAD SOUTH FOR THE AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC ARTS FELLOWSHIP

The 2021 Antarctic Arts Fellowship has been awarded to David Bridie and Keith Deverell.

Multi-award winning Australian musician and composer David Bridie Photo: Mark Boskell

Multi-award winning Australian musician and composer David Bridie and renowned visual artist and photographer Keith Deverell have been awarded the 2021 Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship.

Together, Bridie and Deverell will record and film the continent’s natural soundscapes and stories to create an immersive audio-visual art installation and accompanying music album that captures and embodies Antarctica.

The installation will involve multi-screen floor