2021 - Antarctic voyage
RV Tangaroa undertook a 45-day voyage to the Southern Ocean and Ross Sea (10 January - 16 February, 2021)
Scientists carried out nine separate objectives to better understand the processes governing this region and the role of the Marine Protected Area (established in December 2017) in protecting this environment. These included surveys of fish species and seabed habitats, ecosystem studies of plankton, oceanographic and atmospheric measurements to improve understanding of climate-related processes, and making observations of whales.
Plankton in the Ross Sea
Plankton are the base of the oceans food web and are vital to our survival. But as our world changes will they be able to continue to play this essential role? Join us as we follow a group of NIWA scientists investigating various aspects of this question in the ocean around Antarctica.
Life under the Ross Sea ice
NIWA researchers are using remote underwater cameras to uncover the rich diversity of life under the Ross Sea and they are amazed at what they are finding in these chilly Antarctic waters.
Examining biodiversity and ocean dynamics
Science update 5 from Richard O’Driscoll
Voyage update 5 from Evan Solly, Ice Pilot
Powering diversity in the Ross Sea
Fisheries scientist Dr Pablo Escobar-Flores delves into Antarctic mesopelagic science with a look at the small animals and organisms that help power the amazing diversity of life in the Ross Sea.
Eavesdropping on sperm whales in Antarctica
Science update 4 from Richard O’Driscoll
Message in a bottle: Glen Walker
Voyage update 4 from Evan Solly, Ice Pilot
NIWA's Sarah Searson and Jennie Mowatt
Message in a bottle: Alexander Hayward
Marissa Judkins navigating the "ice bridge"
Message in a bottle: Dr Jenny Visser
RV Tangaroa's emergency food rations
Message in a bottle: Sarah Seabrook
Science update 3 from Richard O’Driscoll
Science update 2 from Richard O’Driscoll
Science update 1 from Richard O’Driscoll
Scientists on the trail of elusive sperm whales
Our research vessel
Message in a bottle: Stuart Mackay
Voyage update 3 from Evan Solly, Ice Pilot
Voyage update 2 from Evan Solly, Ice Pilot
Voyage update 1 from Evan Solly, Ice Pilot
NIWA heads to Antarctica for critical research
RV Tangaroa spots first iceberg
The marine protected area
Map of the course of RV Tangaroa taken during the TAN2101 voyage early Jan - 17 Feb 2021
Select anywhere on the red track to see position details and time as well as other vessel information. N.B. Dates and times are in UTC. New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is 12 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Click on the ship icons for points of interest during the voyage.