Written by Belén García Ovide, PhD Candidate at the University of Iceland (2025)
Rationale
Although no sampling was initially planned for 2025, a small targeted campaign was carried out to investigate potential causes of the low detection rates observed in 2024, with a specific focus on ruling out shipping-related degradation as a contributing factor.
Sampling effort
20 samples were collected from humpback whale flukeprints during August and September using Smith-Root filters.
Filtration and replication
For each sample, two replicates were taken, filtering 10 L of seawater per replicate.
Results
By the end of the four-day cruise (5–9 August 2025), a total of 26 filters (17 Sylphium and 9 Waterra) had been collected from 8 fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and 1 sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).
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