NHNZ on Antarctic Whale Expedition

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:
Media release - NHNZ - Amazing Antarctic Whale Expedition
Date:
Thu, 4 Feb 2010 09:24:07 +1000
From:
Norma Odendaal
To:
undisclosed-recipients:;

Media Release

NHNZ

Thursday February 4th, 2010

NHNZ on Antarctic Whale Expedition

A group of scientists doing groundbreaking research on whales in Antarctica aimed at proving Japan does not need lethal whale “research”, is the subject of a new documentary by New Zealand based production company NHNZ.

Veteran NHNZ film maker Max Quinn has joined an Australian research expedition on board the NIWA research vessel, the RV Tangaroa from where, through non lethal-research techniques, they will collect new information on whale migration, family groupings and feeding behaviour in Antarctic waters. Using satellite tags carefully placed on the whales’ backs, the team will track them in almost real time to better understand their migration patterns. 

 “Despite humans having hunted whales to near extinction, there is still much we don’t know about their family life, population, breeding and migrations. So, for the first time they will attempt to attach up to 130 satellite tags on Minke, Humpback and even the mighty Blue whale – the largest creature to have lived on our planet,” says Max.

The film will set out to show a committed and passionate team of whale researchers trying to protect the interests of these great leviathans. The footage in this icy environment will be spectacular. When these scientists are not riding out some of the planets most horrendous seas, they will be using techniques that will require the utmost precision and skill in freezing and unforgiving conditions.

The journey is expected to take 44 days. The team left New Zealand on Monday (February 1st).  They plan to operate along the Antarctic ice edge for more than 30 days, from the Eastern Ross Sea to the coastline of the Australian Antarctic Territory and to the little known Balleny Islands - ironically named after an English whaling captain. They plan to be back in New Zealand towards the 15th of March. “But with the Antarctic winter approaching, chances are nothing about this journey will be predictable,” says Max.

Max will be shooting in High Definition and using the latest underwater pole camera systems to gain an unprecedented view of this unique and exciting world of whale research. This will be Max’s eighth expedition to the Antarctic as a film maker.

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