About the extreme scientist Andy Lowther

Do non-breeding Adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins potentially use different habitats and feeding locations than those used by breeding penguins? That is something Dr. Andrew Lowther and his colleagues from Norwegian Polar Institute and British Antarctic Survey will explore during the summer at West Coronation Island, Signy Island and Powell Island.

He admits choosing to become a scientist due to his curiosity about his surroundings, always wanting to know 'why things are the way they are'. He also enjoys learning about the real world, so to him being a field biologist is the perfect combination of exercising the grey matter as well as enjoying a life outdoors.

Lowther et al. aim to address the knowledge gap on adult, non-breeding, and therefore more mobile, birds in a region where most of the krill fishing in the Southern Ocean takes place. During the 2015-2016 field season they will collect at-sea foraging data on non-breeding adults at several different sites in the same year.

When discussing why he decided to do research in the Antarctic in the first place, his reasoning was based on understanding the adaptive coping mechanisms of the species there. In his mind animals have three basic options. They can adapt and survive in order to reproduce, migrate the area for a more suitable environment, or three - lay down and die. Exploring the mechanisms in these species that made them stay in the harsh environment of the Antarctic continent is very interesting. He also adds that the southern ocean plays a critical role in global climatology, and that we can identify changes in this system through the behavior of animals, as well as using them as sensor platforms to collect environmental information in regions that humans cannot venture.  

In his research the data will be collected alongside similar data on breeding adult penguins from each species, providing additional comparative studies on breeding and non-breeding penguins and the effects of interspecific competition between birds that are breeding versus those that are not breeding. This will contribute to a better overall understanding of the habitat and prey needs of penguins.

Finally, we challenged him to tell us about his most interesting research, using only five sentences: 

"In terms of importance it would have to be the long-term monitoring programme at the worlds most remote island, Bouvetøya. The island hosts the second largest population of Antarctic fur seals in the world, and huge populations of penguins and flying seabirds. There are also hundreds of elephant seals that travel yearly to the Antarctic shelf, making this location literally a biological oasis in the middle of the South Atlantic. To see environmental change over time, it stands to reason there is a critical need for long-term datasets of how animals respond to their environment. By conducting dietary and tracking studies on all these species we are collecting such a time series both around Bouvetøya and, using elephant seals, the Antarctic continental shelf around Dronning Maud Land."

Portrait interview with AWR's Chairman of the Board

Claire Christian (34), Mark Epstein's successor, is Chair of The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund and Acting Executive Director of ASOC - The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition.

What does The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund (AWR) mean to you?

AWR is an important initiative because it is supporting critical scientific work in one of the most rapidly changing areas on the planet. It also represents a joint effort of industry, environmental organizations, and scientists, and it is a very positive development that all of these groups can work together even though we have different perspectives.

How is the AWR important for ASOC?

ASOC believes that increasing scientific understanding of Antarctic ecosystems is vital to their continued protection, and we are pleased to be able to work with AWR to accomplish this important goal. ASOC also believes that Antarctica is the world's last great wilderness, and we are encouraged that there is a growing commitment from industry to help keep it that way.

What do you find the most interesting about Antarctica?

Antarctica is interesting because despite its harsh conditions, it still supports a diverse abundance of life. There are very few places left on earth where you can see the kind of aggregations of wildlife that we see in the Antarctic. And it is also interesting because it is so mysterious. Even with decades of scientific research, there's so much we don't know.

Your favourite Antarctic animal?

It's probably not a common choice, but I'd say Labidiaster annulatus, an Antarctic starfish. These starfish are almost 2 feet across, with fifty arms, and they can catch live prey such as krill out of the water. Starfish aren't usually so intimidating!

If you were world leader for a day, what changes would you implement?

First I'd make the precautionary approach mandatory when making decisions that affect the environment. Too often we ask for proof that the environment is being harmed before limiting human activities, rather than requiring proof that it won't be harmed. We have experienced the negative consequences of that attitude for long enough. I find it absurd that we debate how much air pollution is acceptable when breathing is so fundamental for supporting life and so many children have respiratory problems, for example. We have to rethink our decisionmaking processes.

I'd also mandate equal rights for women and allocate funding to send every child in the world to school. It's appalling to me that so many women around the world cannot exercise their basic human rights. And all children deserve an education. The world will never prosper unless we provide equal opportunities and justice for all and protect the planet.

Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?

If time travel becomes a possibility, I would want to have dinner with Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to the U.S. Congress in 1968. She was also the first black person to run for president, and in her campaign she used the slogan "Unbought and Unbossed", which is possibly the best campaign slogan of all time. I think of her as a practical idealist, someone who could get results, but who never compromised her values. Her enormous courage and determination are inspirational.

What would you serve, and what would you talk about?

I always like to find out if my dinner guests have any preferences, so it's tough to say without knowing what she likes. I do make an excellent crème brûlée, however! But in terms of conversation, I would want to hear her stories about being in Congress and running for office, and her insights on today's politics. And lots of practical advice on how to advocate effectively for the issues you care about. Shirley Chisholm's memoir is decades old but still has many insights that resonate today. Her advice would be very valuable.

Ice floating in the Southern Ocean near Cierva Cove, south of Chavdar Peninsula along the west coast of Graham Land, Antarctica. Photo: Rodolfo Werner

Research filling critical knowledge gaps

The field season in Antarctica is getting closer, which means the start of the three research projects funded by the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund’s first-ever research grants.

The scientists in the field will get close to the spectacular wildlife of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Photo: Rodolfo Werner

At an AWR hosted lunch seminar at CCAMLR-XXXIV in Hobart this October, the winning grant recipients introduced their scientific research projects. You can see the presentations here, and read more about the projects here:

Foraging range and habitat preference of non-breeding brush tail penguins

Do non-breeding Adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins potentially use different habitats and feeding locations than those used by breeding penguins? That is something Dr. Andrew Lowther and his colleagues from Norwegian Polar Institute and British Antarctic Survey will explore during the summer at West Coronation Island, Signy Island and Powell Island. Lowther et al. aim to address the knowledge gap on adult, non-breeding, and therefore more mobile, birds in a region where most of the krill fishing in the Southern Ocean takes place. During the 2015-2016 field season they will collect at-sea foraging data on non-breeding adults at several different sites in the same year. These data will be collected with similar data on breeding adult penguins from each species, providing additional comparative studies on breeding and non-breeding penguins and the effects of interspecific competition between birds that are breeding versus those that are not breeding. This will contribute to a better overall understanding of the habitat and prey needs of penguins.

Andrew Lowther during the presentation of his research project on non-breeding penguins. Photo: Bob Zuur, WWF

Foraging behavior of humpback whales

Because of their enormous size, humpback whales have high energy demands that can only be met by foraging in areas where their prey are present in large numbers. As a result, humpback whales distribute themselves and move between areas of high prey abundance throughout the Antarctic feeding season. Dr. Ari Friedlander of Oregon State University and his colleague from Duke University will conduct a long-term ecological study on the foraging behavior of humpback whales around the Antarctic Peninsula. The goal is to determine how critical foraging areas relate to historic catches of krill in the region. By deploying satellite-linked time depth recording tags on whales throughout the Antarctic feeding season, the scientists aim to quantify if, when, where, and to what extent commercial fishing effort and humpback whale feeding co-occur. This information is important for managing fishing while also providing useful information on the biology and ecology of these top predators in a changing environment.

AWR's scientific advisor Rodolfo Werner presenting the project on behalf of Ari Friedlander. Photo: Bob Zuur, WWF

Ageing methodology for Antarctic krill

Unlike fish, krill lack hard parts from which age and growth can be measured, and they are too small and numerous to be tagged. To fill this gap for krill, Dr. Raouf Kilada and his colleagues from the US National Marine Fisheries Service and Australian Antarctic Division will explore a new direct ageing methodology for Antarctic krill based that looks for annual growth bands in the krill’s small and fragile eyestalk. Kilada et al. will conduct studies to validate this technique, which is based on existing technology, by comparing the eyestalk of krill to other crustaceans like shrimps and crabs. An understanding of the variability in population structure (growth, recruitment, and size at maturity) is necessary to manage the krill fishery appropriately. If shown to be robust, this technique would open up the possibility of making direct comparisons of the size at age of krill in different areas and in different time periods, increasing our knowledge of key characteristics of krill populations.

Werner handing over the AWR-penguin to Chris Reiss after his presentation on krill ageing methods. Photo: Monica Hägglund Langen

This beginning of these grant projects marks an important moment and the culmination of an enormous amount of effort by the AWR and the scientists involved. The Fund has also announced its second call for proposals which will allocate up to a total sum of USD $200,000 to fund Antarctic ecosystem research.

AWR uses a multi-step process to ensure that the best proposals are chosen, based on scientific advice from the independent Science Advisory Group, comprised of the world’s leading Antarctic scientists.

Maybe these two will be the first to welcome the AWR funded scientists to the field? Photo: Andrew Lowther

AWR announced second call for proposals

The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund (AWR) announced  its second call for proposals which will allocate up to a total sum of USD $200,000 to fund Antarctic ecosystem research. 

 
“I am very pleased and excited to see bold new partnerships such as AWR, where scientists, the private sector and nongovernmental organizations are stepping into the void of much needed new research and monitoring in the Southern Ocean. AWR reflects the very best of CCAMLR’s original conservation intent – putting money into understanding what is needed to ensure that human activity is in harmony with the wildlife throughout the Southern Ocean ecosystem” said Mark Epstein, Chair of the AWR board and Executive Director of ASOC (The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition).

Epstein announced that the second round of funding during an AWR hosted lunch seminar at CCAMLR-XXXIV in Hobart Wednesday 28 October.  The call for proposals will be issued in mid-March of 2016 and all proposals must be received by mid-June of 2016. Also at the seminar, the winning grant recipients of the first round of funding introduced their scientific research projects:

• Dr. Christian Reiss on the development of a new direct ageing methodology for Antarctic krill.
  
• Dr. Andrew Lowther on how brush tail penguins (Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo), key consumers of krill, rely on predictable aggregations of the small crustacean in order to successfully raise and fledge chicks during their austral-summer breeding seasons.
  
• Dr. Ari Friedlander on the long-term ecological study on the foraging behavior of humpback whales around the Antarctic Peninsula, focusing on how critical foraging areas relate to historic catches of krill in the region.
  

The Science Advisory Group (SAG) of the AWR, will evaluate and prioritize scientific research proposals received by the fund to ensure they are in line with the scientific research plan, established by the SAG and that they fulfill the goal of AWR.

•  The AWR call for proposals opens in March and closes in June 2016.

• The call is made for projects in the order of USD $25,000 to USD $100,000.

• AWR’s second Call for proposals will allocate up to a total sum of USD $200,000.

Launched in February 2015, AWR is a first-of-its-kind partnership between industry, academia and non-government organizations (NGOs), to facilitate and promote research on the Antarctic ecosystem.

AWR believes that only through better understanding of the role of Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean will it be possible to comprehensively protect the animals that depend on it for survival and ensure precautionary management of the fishery.
AWR’s founding partners include representatives of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), WWF-Norway and Aker BioMarine.For more information, including application forms, date and criteria for AWR's next call for proposals, please see http://www.antarcticfund.org/

For more information:
Sustainability Director at Aker BioMarine, Marte Haabeth Grindaker serves as Secretary and press contact to the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund. She can be reached at info@antarcticfund.org  +47 92 02 07 52

Rodolfo Werner: Scientific Advisor to AWR: science@antarcticfund.org +54 294 4441 277

Mark Epstein, Chair of the AWR board and Executive Director of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition: mark.epstein@asoc.org +1 202 550 4258

Presentation of inaugural grant recipients at CCAMLR

The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund (AWR) is happy to announce that the three projects named as the Fund’s inaugural grant recipients will present their projects at CCAMLR-XXXIV in Hobart the last week of October.

Photo taken by Dr. Friedlander, who will conduct a long-term ecological study on the foraging behavior of humpback whales around the Antarctic Peninsula.

– We are very glad with the quality of the proposals.  The selected projects will contribute substantially to our understanding of the Antarctic marine ecosystem, helping us to improve our knowledge on the interactions between krill and its predators.  Only through better understanding of the role of Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean can we comprehensively protect the animals that depend on it for survival and ensure precautionary management of the fishery, said Dr. Rodolfo Werner, Scientific Advisor to the AWR.

Scientists from five different countries will study whales, penguins and krill thanks to grants awarded to three groups of researchers by the AWR:

Dr. Christian Reiss (US National Marine Fisheries Service), Dr. Raouf Kilada (University of New Brunswick) and Dr. So Kawaguchi (Australian Antarctic Division) will develop a new direct ageing methodology for Antarctic krill.

Dr Andrew Lowther, Dr Christian Lydersen and Professor Kit Kovacs (Norwegian Polar Institute), Dr Phil Trathan and Dr Norman Ratcliffe (British Antarctic Survey) will explore how brush tail penguins (Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo), key consumers of krill, rely on predictable aggregations of the small crustacean in order to successfully raise and fledge chicks during their austral-summer breeding seasons.

Dr. Ari Friedlander (Oregon State University) and David W. Johnston (Duke University) are conducting a long-term ecological study on the foraging behavior of humpback whales around the Antarctic Peninsula, focusing on how critical foraging areas relate to historic catches of krill in the region.

AWR invites CCAMLR-XXXIV delegates and secretariat staff to a lunch seminar introducing the scientific research projects funded by AWR in its first call for proposals Wednesday 28 October in the CCAMLR meeting room.

Mark Epstein, Chair of the AWR board and Executive Director of ASOC (The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition), Dr. Werner, Dr Lowther, Dr Reiss and some of the AWR board members and scientists in AWR’s Science Advisory Group (SAG) will be present at the luncheon and introduction.

For more information:

Monica Hägglund Langen works part time as information advisor to the AWR. She will be attending CCAMLR-XXXIV and can be reached at info@antarcticfund.org or +47 90 85 51 40

Sustainability Director at Aker BioMarine, Marte Haabeth Grindaker serves as Secretary and press contact to the AWR. She can be reached at info@antarcticfund.org or +47 92 02 07 52

ANTARCTIC WILDLIFE RESEARCH FUND ANNOUNCES FIRST GRANT RECIPIENTS

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The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund (AWR) is pleased to announce the first three recipients of AWR’s first-ever research grants. 

Most Southern Ocean marine species, such as whales, seals and penguins are dependent on Antarctic krill—a small shrimp-like organism that forms the base of Antarctic food web. AWR’s mission is to fill critical gaps in research and monitoring to improve the management of the Antarctic krill fishery.

The first three research projects to be funded by the AWR are:

• A project to gather data and analyze the summer and winter foraging behavior patterns of humpback whales around the Antarctic Peninsula. Dr. Ari Friedlander (Oregon State University) will lead the project, along with his colleague from Duke University.
   
• A study on the foraging range and habitat preference of non-breeding brush tail penguins: Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo.  The project will be led by Dr. Andrew Lowther, in cooperation with other scientists from the British Antarctic Survey and the Norwegian Polar Institute.
   
• A project to develop a new direct ageing methodology for Antarctic krill, by Dr. Christian Reiss, of the US National Marine Fisheries Service, along with colleagues from the University of New Brunswick and the Australian Antarctic Division

“These three research proposal each address a critical knowledge gap regarding krill and its dependent predators,” said Mark Epstein, chair of the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund. “We are thrilled to be able to fund world class Antarctic research and are certain that these proposals will help us understand, and ultimately, make better management decisions for the Antarctic krill fishery.”

“The ecology of non-breeding penguins is largely undocumented, and so this project has the potential to yield novel insights into how their behavior differs from that of breeding birds and what implications such differences may have for the management of Antarctic krill fisheries. We are all very pleased that this project will proceed with AWR support and look forward to sharing its findings with the panel in due course”, said Dr. Norman Ratcliffe at the British Antarctic Survey.

The AWR issued its first call for proposals on March 16, 2015, working with both commercial supporters and individuals to raise donations and inviting applications from scientific researchers whose research can aid in determining the impact of the krill fishing industry on the Antarctic marine ecosystem.  

Over the past three months, AWR’s Science Advisory Group (SAG) evaluated 10 scientific research proposals. The SAG based their evaluation of each proposal on criteria previously published on the AWR website, including: excellence, fit to scheme, cost effectiveness, and track record. 

Read more in the press release on the inaugural grants. 

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Board meeting, deciding on research proposals

The board of the AWR met for a board meeting in Oslo, Norway in August. One of the main points on the agenda for the board and scientific advisor Dr. Rodolfo Werner, was the decision on the proposals submitted by researchers from all over the world.

AWR's Scientific Advisory Group already evaluated and prioritized the scientific research proposals submitted, based upon a number of criteria. The announcement of which proposal(s) that will get funding, will be published shortly.

Scientific Advisor Dr. Rodolfo Werner, Board members Karoline Andaur, Sigve Nordrum, Andrea Kavanagh and Matts Johansen, Chair Mark Epstein and Secretary to the AWR Marte Haabeth Grindaker together at the pier Aker Brygge in Oslo a sunny day.

Video presenting the AWR

Have a look at this short video presenting the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund!

Ridley Corporation supports Antarctic Research

Ridley Corporation has donated funds to The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund to support its research into the Antarctic ecosystem and wildlife. (Photo: K. R. Venaas)

As part of Ridley’s commitment to building environmentally sustainable aqua‐feed products and business practices, which in turn supports the mutual interests of Ridley’s customers, they support the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund (AWR) and the important work it is doing in one of the critical aquatic ecosystems in the world.

“Partnering with an initiative like the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund, who shares our vision in preserving the Antarctic ecosystem and in particular the sustainable management of Antarctic krill, allows Ridley to take this commitment beyond our doors and out into the wider world”

- CEO Tim Hart.

Launched in February 2015, AWR is a first‐of‐its‐kind partnership between industry, academia and non‐government organizations (NGOs), to facilitate and promote research on the Antarctic ecosystem. AWR believes that only through better understanding of the role of Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean will it be possible to comprehensively protect the animals that depend on it for survival and ensure precautionary management of the fishery.

“It is encouraging to see companies such as Ridley understand the importance of contributing to research within the Earth’s last wilderness. Furthering our knowledge of Antarctica and its wildlife is of crucial intrinsic value to our planet’s future, and will enable the international community to ensure protection of the marine ecosystem, while at the same time improving its management basis based on solid science”

- Mark Epstein, Chair of the AWR.

The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund issued its first call for proposals in March 2015, inviting applications from scientific researchers according to the Fund´s long term scientific research plan. The closing date for proposals was June 16, 2015. Funding is available for research projects up to a total sum of USD $250,000.

Background:

Ridley Corporation (Ridley) is Australia’s leading provider of high performance animal nutrition solutions and has been an integral part of Australian agriculture for over 75 years. Ridley is Australia’s largest commercial provider of high quality, high performance animal nutrition solutions and an integrated supplier of innovative, high yielding and sustainable aquafeeds to the fast growing aquaculture sector.

The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund promotes research on the Antarctic ecosystem and wildlife. Its founding partners include representatives of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), WWF‐Norway and Aker BioMarine. The Fund works with both commercial supporters and individuals to raise donations for funding research on Antarctic ecosystem and wildlife.

The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund is supported by: BioMar Group, Blackmores, Dr.Mercola, Ridley and Swisse.

APPLICANTS WORLDWIDE LOOKING FOR SUPPORT FOR THEIR ANTARCTIC RESEARCH

The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund (AWR) has invited applications from scientific researchers who can aid in determining the impact of the krill fishing industry on the Antarctic marine ecosystem. Scientists worldwide submitted their proposals by the deadline June 16.

– ­It is amazing to see that we can actually start funding research. The proposals we have received show that there is both interest and a great need for more knowledge on the unique nature and wildlife in the Antarctic, says Karoline Andaur, member of the AWR board and Conservation Director Policy at WWF-Norway.

– This first round of grants marks an important moment and the culmination of an enormous amount of effort by scientists, by industry and by NGOs to create a new funding stream for scientific endeavors in the Antarctic. Only by working together will we be able to ensure that the Antarctic marine ecosystem receives the necessary protection which so many people feel is so vitally important, adds Phil Trathan, Chair of the AWR Science Advisory Group.

Research key to understanding ecosystem
The fund has received applications from renown institutions from different continents, on different species and their dependency on a changing eco-system. The research will serve to ensure ecosystem protection, while improving the management basis for the fishery.

 – It is important that the research that AWR contributes to, is made available and used in the management of the natural resources found in the Antarctic. The more research we have, the better our foundation to understand, for example, how much krill and fish can be fished, Andaur continues.

Science Advisory Group to evaluate applications
Now, the Fund’s Science Advisory Group will evaluate and prioritize scientific research proposals submitted to the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund. The Science Advisory Group will base its evaluation upon a number of criteria when selecting and prioritizing proposals for funding.

– The Science Advisory Group of AWR will assess each proposal based on its scientific excellence, how it matches with the specific criteria outlined in this current call, its effectiveness in terms of financial cost and the track record of the investigators proposing the research. Using these key criteria, we will be able to ensure that the funds available are used in the most effective manner, comments Dr. Andrew Lowther, member of the Science Advisory Group and scientist at the Norwegian Polar Institute. 

About the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund
Launched in February 2015, AWR is a first-of-its-kind partnership between industry, academia and non-government organizations (NGOs), to facilitate and promote research on the Antarctic ecosystem. BioMar Group, Blackmores, Mercola, Ridley Corporation and Swisse are supporting the fund financially.

AWR believes that only through better understanding of the role of Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean will it be possible to comprehensively protect the animals that depend on it for survival and ensure precautionary management of the fishery. 

AWR’s founding partners include representatives of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), WWF-Norway and Aker BioMarine.

Please see press release for more info and contact details.

AWR presented in Europe

On May 5th, AWR was successfully presented at VItafoods, Geneva. With its first call for proposals out, the Fund is looking to get more European companies on board.

- We spoke to several potential supporters after the presentation, and I am confident that we will be able to go public with European Supporters early this fall, said Marte Grindaker, Secretary to the Board of the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund.

Marte Grindaker and the AWR Penguin presenting the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund.

WORLD PENGUIN DAY

On April 24th, we celebrate the World Penguin Day!

Did you know that the logo of the Antarctic Wildlife Research fund is made based on an Adelie Penguin? This photo of Adelie Penguins was taken by Bob Zuur, WWF.

More penguin pictures? Get ready for World Penguin Day 24/4 with BBC's Incredible penguin encounters.