Environmental drivers of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) 20 Hz acoustic presence in Eastern Antarctic waters
This study investigates environmental drivers of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) 20 Hz acoustic presence in Eastern Antarctic waters. Passive acoustic recordings were collected at four sites in Eastern Antarctic waters (Prydz, Southern Kerguelen Plateau, Casey, and Dumont d’Urville) from 2013 to 2019, outlining a seasonal distribution of the animals from late austral summer to early winter. Antarctic waters are highly unique marine ecosystems with dominant environmental factors such as seasonal sea-ice formation and seasonal primary productivity. We hypothesise that fin whale 20 Hz acoustic presence across sites in Eastern Antarctica are driven by environmental variables. Daily values of sea-ice proportion, chlorophyll-a concentration, sea-surface temperature, salinity and distance to sea-ice edge were compared with the number of hours in a day with fin whale 20 Hz acoustic presence using a generalised linear model. Identifying the environmental drivers of fin whale 20 Hz acoustic presence in regions of Eastern Antarctica is key to inform how this migratory species may be affected by environmental variability from climate change and help inform ongoing and future management of this vulnerable species.