South Channel Ocean Productivity Experiment (SCOPEX): Spring Time Circulation in the Great South Channel

大南海峡地区有三种濒临灭绝的鲸鱼：露脊鲸、座头鲸和长须鲸，它们的数量异常丰富。南海峡海洋生产力实验（SCOPEX）将研究造成这些聚集的物理海洋学和生物/生态机制。通过空中和船只调查，将确定该地区露脊鲸的分布和数量。对这些动物的详细分布和行为观察，包括来自密集声纳和无线电标记研究的数据，将为关于这些聚集如何形成和维持的假设提供检验。在大南海峡地区进行的流通研究将为解释这一重要地区消费者和初级生产者的聚集机制提供必要的信息。

The Great South Channel region contains unusually abundant populations of three endangered whale species: right, humpback and fin whales. The South Channel Ocean Productivity Experiment (SCOPEX) will look at the physical oceanographic and biological/ecological mechanisms responsible for these aggregations. Using both aerial and ship-based surveys, the distribution and abundance of right whales in the region will be determined. Detailed distributional and behavioral observations of these animals, including data from intensive sonar and radio-tagging studies will provide tests of hypotheses on how the aggregations form and are maintained. The proposed research in the circulation in the Great South Channel region will provide information necessary to interpreting the mechanism of aggregation in the consumers and primary producers in this important area.