Associate Professor Hiroto Murase (Cetology Laboratory, Marine Environmental Science Division, Graduate School of Science)2024YearsIWC(International Whaling Commission)/Japan-Japan Joint North Pacific Whale Sighting SurveyIWCThis survey is commonly known as theIWC-POWER (International Whaling Commission-Pacific Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research)So, the Japanese governmentIWC 2010The joint research has been carried out since . Associate Professor Hiroto Murase2010I have been involved in planning and conducting this survey since .

　This year,15The survey was conducted by the Yushin Maru No. 2 (belonging to Kyodo Senpaku) in the southern Chukchi Sea and the eastern Bering Sea, which are part of the Arctic Ocean within the exclusive economic zone of the United States.2024Years8Month2from the day10Month10Until the day70The survey was conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service Alaska and Northeast Fisheries Science Center.2Famous scientists also participated.

　In the survey area, information on the discovery of whales such as gray whales and fin whales, which is necessary for individual identification, was collected, and individual identification photographs were taken.DNA Biopsy samples (epidermal specimens) were taken for analysis. Details of the survey results are as follows: IWC/SC These will be reported at annual conferences and other international meetings.

Figure. Survey area (green) and survey route (blue line) for 2024. ? Institute of Cetacean Research, Japan

Figure: A humpback whale slapping the water surface with its tail fin　?一Institute of Cetacean Research, Japan

Figure: A group of killer whales　?一Institute of Cetacean Research, Japan

　<Related links>

• Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Cetaceanology Laboratory
• Institute of Cetacean Research, "End of the 2024 IWC/Japan Joint North Pacific Whale Sighting Survey - IWC/POWER Research Cruise: Arrival of Research Vessel"
• International Whaling Commission “IWC-POWER program conducts first survey in Arctic Ocean”
• Sendai Broadcasting "Whale research vessel returns to Shiogama Port to conduct research in the Arctic Ocean: "Populations are recovering smoothly" <Miyagi>"
• Tohoku Broadcasting System: "Whale population on the mend: Research vessel returns to Shiogama Port, Miyagi Prefecture, reports"