Introduction

In this chapter the suggested objectives of research and the types of research programmes needed to meet these objectives are outlined. They relate both to improved understanding of the basic biology of seals and to meeting the needs of two international conventions within the Antarctic Treaty System – the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS) and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which deals with all the component species of the Antarctic marine ecosystems (Appendices 16.5, 16.6). Typical research programmes are broadly framed so as to indicate where methodology and techniques particularly need to be improved. They are not static and will no doubt be subject to periodic review. The views of the Group of Specialists on Seals, and invited collaborators, on the main areas where developments of methods and techniques are needed are likewise as currently perceived. The emphasis may well change as existing technical problems are solved and new opportunities are grasped. It can be expected that new techniques will be developed and existing ones improved, particularly as computing, electronics, information technology and satellite instrumentation rapidly develop, making smaller but more effective equipment available to the Antarctic field scientist.

Objectives

The following objectives have emerged in discussion. The first is very broad and encompasses a wide diversity of topics in seal research.