The Great South Channel region contains unusually abundant populations of three endangered whale species: right, humpback and fin whales. The South Channel Ocean Productivity Experiment (SCOPEX) will look at the physical oceanographic and biological/ecological mechanisms responsible for these aggregations. Using both aerial and ship-based surveys, the distribution and abundance of right whales in the region will be determined. Detailed distributional and behavioral observations of these animals, including data from intensive sonar and radio-tagging studies will provide tests of hypotheses on how the aggregations form and are maintained. The proposed research in the circulation in the Great South Channel region will provide information necessary to interpreting the mechanism of aggregation in the consumers and primary producers in this important area.
