Abel
Tasman
Logbook

As the crew neared the Northernmost tip of Alaska (Point Barrow), they were surrounded by thousands of scoter birds rafting and diving into the sea to catch fish. It was such a dense flock of birds that it was picked up on the Abel Tasman’s radar (causing initial confusion for the crew as to what it could be!). Video Credit: Ramon Gonçalves, MEDIA.etc

Keith spoke in a webinar hosted by Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), alongside Kat Bruce from NatureMetrics, Kimberly Mathisen from HUB Ocean, and employees from TNFD. The session explored how data is enhancing our understanding of marine ecosystems, and how innovative data collection methods and metrics are revolutionising the blue economy and informing corporate reporting in alignment with the TNFD framework. Keith spoke about the expedition, and explained how onboard, the crew are collecting eDNA samples using NatureMetrics kit, taking microplastic samples and recording ocean metrics with The Ocean Race, and capturing acoustic recordings. This data will help create a record of marine biodiversity in the Arctic, help scientists understand how this region is changing, and ultimately equip businesses with the data they need to make informed decisions. The ocean covers 70% of the planet’s surface, and supports the Blue Economy - which is worth US$1.5 trillion per year (the 7th largest economy in the world). It is expected to double by 2030, reaching US$3 trillion per year. Ocean data is crucial for decision-making around achieving sustainable use of the ocean, including understanding risk, undertaking mitigation, and addressing impacts on nature.

Whilst exploring the local area, the crew spotted a pod of walruses (with babies!) down by the rocks, and spent several hours watching them and taking photographs. Credit: Ramon Gonçalves, MEDIA.etc

Whilst exploring the glacier near Lake Inuutiq, the crew spotted a lone ringed seal, chilling in the surf. During their time around Pond Inlet, the crew have also seen some whales and a pod of narwhals! Credit: Cléo Campe, MEDIA.etc

Whilst navigating through the icebergs in Disko Bay, the crew spotted a humpback whale.

Just after crossing the Arctic Circle, the crew spotted a huge harem of seals that were heading out to hunt. They quickly pulled out the NatureMetrics eDNA kit to get a sample - which will hopefully pick up the seals!

The crew were graced with a huge pod of long-finned pilot whales as they neared Cape Farewell.

After an extended stay in Iceland to wait out some huge storms, the Abel Tasman set sail from Reykjavík, Iceland on Saturday 29 June towards the southern tip of Greenland - the infamous Cape Farewell.

Cléo practises her freediving skills to test her open-cell wetsuit and get acclimatised to the extremely cold water she'll be diving in when the crew reach the Arctic. Filmed by Sylvestre Campe, MEDIA.etc.br.

Sylvestre Campe checks his scuba equipment whilst the crew wait out a storm before their departure from Reykjavík. Filmed by Cléo Campe, MEDIA.etc.br.