The project looks at the relationship between oceanographic variability and the ecology of Antarctic fur seals in the Kerguelen region. Antarctic fur seals are myctophid predators foraging in the highly dynamic waters of the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone. At-sea location, diving activity, prey preferences and pup growth parameters were assessed in 1998-2000.

We aim to document a pre-breeding weight gain across the colony, and observe if food is a trigger for breeding. To observe the effect of body condition on the provisioning strategy of Little Penguins.

This study is investigating the links between the foraging performance of southern elephant seals and a range of oceanographic parameters. These data are a crucial component in understanding how Antarctic predators will respond to changes in the distribution of marine resources as a result of global climate change or commercial fisheries activity.

This PhD project is focussed primarily on the Antarctic (Arctocephalus gazella) and subantarctic (A. tropicalis) fur seals, with the aim to establishing the level of hybridisation occurring at Macquarie Island. I am using species-specific markers in mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA to verify field observations and quantify levels of hybridisation.

Supervisors: Dr Mark Hindell (UTas) and Dr Corey Bradshaw (NTU) Read More....