Patrick Robinson at the Eastern Weddell Sea, Antarctica-- The Weddell seal tagging is off to a great start.  We have been quite busy over the past 2 days and have already deployed 6 of the 10 tags!   This is how we do it: After we have located a seal from the bridge of the ship, we assemble a team of people to go out onto the ice.  We don our cold-weather gear and bring our tagging supplies to the main deck of the ship.  To get to the ice, we have to be lowered by a crane (I will admit, this part is actually quite fun!). 

 A Sea Mammal Research Unit satellite relay data logger / CTD tag. Photo: Patrick Robinson

Transportation to the ice floe by crane. Photo: Patrick Robinson

Once we have landed, we inspect the ice for proper thickness and for cracks hidden below the snow.  We then walk carefully with all of our gear to the seal, which may be more than a kilometer away!  Walking over an ice floe can actually be dangerous, so we always wear our life-vests and carry safety lines. 

The tagging team hikes across the ice floe to the seal. Photo: Cedric Chavanne

As we approach the seal, we take a careful look to be sure it is healthy and a suitable candidate for our study.   A mild sedative allows us to get close enough to attach the tag to the seal and collect a few measurements.  We use epoxy to attach the tag to the fur of the seal (no need to worry… the tag and epoxy will fall off naturally in one year when the seal molts).  Working in the cold environment provides some challenges.  For example, we have to use heat-packs to keep the epoxy warm while it hardens.  With a team of 5 people we work efficiently and the entire procedure usually takes less than 45 minutes.  Then, we head back to the ship to begin searching for the next seal.  If the tag works properly, we should start receiving data via satellite within a couple of days.

 A closer look at our first Weddell seal.  Photo:  Keith Makinson

Hiking back across the ice floe to the ship. Photo: Patrick Robinson.