Welcome aboard TEMPO

Why do oceanographers send scientific instruments thousands of metres below the ocean surface?

Our researchers on board TEMPO sprang into action, when an unusually long and thick krill swarm appeared on the echogram.

The Predator Observer team has recorded 445 sightings of marine mammals.

The TEMPO team has successfully deployed all three KOMBIs.

‘The entire vessel is on a port list, because we’re being hit by a 40 knot wind that’s screaming down off Antarctica… it’s pretty spectacular!’

For decades scientists have wondered how the Antarctic krill population is distributed under the shield of Antarctic winter sea ice and the development of the KOMBI provides an opportunity to gain valuable clues at a time when humans cannot readily access this area.

For decades scientists have wondered how the Antarctic krill population is distributed under the shield of Antarctic winter sea ice and the development of the KOMBI provides an opportunity to gain valuable clues at a time when humans cannot readily access this area.

All the years of preparation to make this voyage a reality are now bearing fruit – or in this case krill.

Media Release: Australian Antarctic Program scientists will use a range of novel technologies to measure krill, during a ground-breaking voyage to the Southern Ocean that departs tomorrow.