Soaring and Declining Albatrosses

In addition to animals that live in the ocean, WHOI scientists also study animals that rely on the marine envionment in many ways, including seabirds such as black-browed albatrosses. A recent study by WHOI biologist Stephanie Jenouvrier examined how extreme climate events might affect black-browed albatross populations, which are also threatened by being caught on longline fishing hooks. WHOI physical oceanographer Phil Richardson also investigated the mysteries of albatross flight, with an eye toward developing an unmanned aerial vehicle that could mimic their aerodynamic abilities. (Photo by Peter Kimball, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)