My current research interests include: understanding predator-prey interactions in the Southern Ocean, focussing on penguins, seals, krill and fish; and marine debris and conservation including an assessment of marine mammal entanglements and the response of penguins to helicopter disturbance. I am interested in developing new methodologies for monitoring predator populations for example using remote sensing to assess penguin distribution and abundance, and using prey DNA to assess predator diets.

Much of my work involves the analysis of data collected as part of the biological sciences Long Term Monitoring and Survey programme (LTMS), which, since the early 1980s, has recorded annual data on breeding, foraging and diet parameters for bird and seal populations in the Scotia Sea, along with ship-based surveys of krill abundance. Using these data we can examine patterns and changes in the Southern Ocean ecosystem over the last three decades, and analyse spatial and temporal variability in food web dynamics.

My research contributes to the development of ecosystem based approaches to fisheries management in the Antarctic through the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

My previous projects include quantifying Squid from Space (using remotely sensed data on fishing lights to examine the distribution of fished populations in the South Atlantic and South Pacific oceans), and an investigation of the influence of local and large scale oceanography, including the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), on squid populations in the southern hemisphere.

Research interests

Predator-prey interactions in the Southern Ocean marine food web

Spatial and temporal variability in marine populations and their environment

The use of remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in marine ecology

Marine debris, microplastics and conservation

Squid fisheries biology, oceanography and remote sensing

Waluda C M, Pierce G J (1998) Temporal and spatial patterns in the distribution of squid Loligo spp. in United Kingdom waters. South African Journal of Marine Science, 20. 323-336.

Publications from NERC Open Research Archive

• Trathan, P., Waluda, C., Ratcliffe, N., & Bennison, A. (2026). Gentoo penguin nesting chronology at Bird Island, South Georgia, from 1988 to 2025 – VERSION 2.0 (Version 2.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/5d497e91-29a6-4760-a9b0-904c93052671

• Trathan, P., Waluda, C., Ratcliffe, N., & Bennison, A. (2026). Fledging weights of macaroni penguin chicks from a colony at Fairy Point, Bird Island, from 1989 to 2025 – VERSION 2.0 (Version 2.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/694d1d07-da51-42b7-94b0-4404e50bdf99

• Bennison, A., Trathan, P., Waluda, C., & Ratcliffe, N. (2026). Fledging weights of Gentoo penguin chicks from a colony at Johnson Cove, Bird Island, from 1989 to 2025 – VERSION 2.0 (Version 2.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/41c6b474-241a-494d-83a0-e4e6c4a846da

• Trathan, P., Waluda, C., Ratcliffe, N., & Bennison, A. (2026). Breeding success of macaroni penguins at Bird Island, South Georgia, from 1978 to 2025 – VERSION 2.0 (Version 2.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/8902f094-1d1f-4092-9aa5-180a2a8e57ec

• Ratcliffe, N., Trathan, P., Waluda, C., & Bennison, A. (2026). Breeding success of Gentoo penguins at Bird Island, South Georgia, from 1981 to 2025 – VERSION 2.0 (Version 2.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/8fedb5a0-b98c-4457-9d86-aae9c6d3ed8e

• Trathan, P., Waluda, C., Ratcliffe, N., & Bennison, A. (2026). Arrival weights of macaroni penguins at Bird Island, from 1988 to 2025 – VERSION 2.0 (Version 2.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/472713db-3724-442f-8a24-a1f8834123d9

• Forcada, J., Dunn, M., & Waluda, C. (2025). Seasonal sea ice concentration at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, 1982-2024 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/0283c3e4-2164-4dfb-a066-0c49b816d7b6

• Jones-Williams, K., Rowlands, E., Primpke, S., Galloway, T., Cole, M., Waluda, C., & Manno, C. (2025). Microplastic abundance in Antarctic Snow samples (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/ac6ade29-2815-4938-a93a-d84f0d322bd6

• Dunn, M., Waluda, C., Adlard, S., Lynnes, A., Fox, D., Briggs, D., & Morley, T. (2025). Annual population counts of multiple species of seal, Signy Island, 1974-2024 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/8e910ac8-6f52-4548-bbcb-78474b559294

• Waluda, C., & Dunn, M. (2023). Beached marine debris from Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, Antarctica, from 1991 to 2019. (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/ee9ce4f4-cad6-4c2e-bc06-4757dc87f7e4

• Dunn, M., Waluda, C., Adlard, S., Lynnes, A., Morley, T., & Fox, D. (2022). Annual samples and measurements of diet composition of gentoo penguins at Signy Island, from 1998 to 2010. (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/fb9bd975-e6fe-406c-84be-01e57d612b5e

• Dunn, M., Waluda, C., Adlard, S., Lynnes, A., Morley, T., & Fox, D. (2022). Annual samples and measurements of diet composition of chinstrap penguins at Signy Island, from 1997 to 2020. (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/95e38251-797c-495a-abc0-40a613599759

• Dunn, M., Waluda, C., Adlard, S., Lynnes, A., Morley, T., & Fox, D. (2022). Annual samples and measurements of diet composition of Adelie penguins at Signy Island, from 1997 to 2020. (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/eb421e6d-b93b-4174-904b-9a7b0b401403

• Trathan, P., Waluda, C., & Ratcliffe, N. (2021). Gentoo penguin nesting chronology at Bird Island, South Georgia, from 1988 to 2019 – VERSION 1.0 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/f9993ee9-085f-42cf-b008-5373526b2bcf

• Trathan, P., Waluda, C., & Ratcliffe, N. (2021). Fledging weights of Macaroni penguin chicks from a colony at Fairy Point, Bird Island, from 1989 to 2020 – VERSION 1.0 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/85356871-55ee-4b92-a9e8-9b370c843936

• Trathan, P., Waluda, C., & Ratcliffe, N. (2021). Fledging weights of Gentoo penguin chicks from a colony at Johnson Cove, Bird Island, from 1989 to 2020 – VERSION 1.0 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/8d60d83b-d880-4042-b344-42d0551e65be

• Collins, M., Piatkowski, U., & Saunders, R. (2021). Distribution of mesopelagic fish in the Scotia Sea from RMT25 and pelagic trawls deployed from RRS James Clark Ross and RRS John Biscoe (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/f4dfc0ee-4f61-47c5-a5a8-238e02ff2fdd

• Trathan, P., Waluda, C., & Ratcliffe, N. (2021). Breeding success of Macaroni penguins at Bird Island, South Georgia, from 1982 to 2020 – VERSION 1.0 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/1a266e7b-ef8d-4db7-8e7c-155be21d17cd

• Trathan, P., Waluda, C., & Ratcliffe, N. (2021). Breeding success of Gentoo penguins at Bird Island, South Georgia, from 1982 to 2020 – VERSION 1.0 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/c8d5a7a4-e19b-497f-b7ae-56f9a2b15a56

• Trathan, P., Waluda, C., & Ratcliffe, N. (2021). Arrival weights of Macaroni penguins at Bird Island, from 1988 to 2020 – VERSION 1.0 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/a5174472-204d-45d4-862c-3befc32b52ca

• Staniland, I., Waluda, C., & Forcada, J. (2020). Platform Transmitting Terminal (PTT) tracking of Antarctic Fur Seals at Bird Island, South Georgia, from 1995 – 2010 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/224003cc-8f77-4980-8cac-5574e179e4f8

1. Conservation and leadership in Southern Ocean ecosystems

   CONSEC explores how climate change and human activity are transforming the Southern Ocean, guiding global science and conservation.

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2. Evaluating climate change risks to Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish

   This project assesses how climate change affects Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish populations in the South Atlantic. Led by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), it focuses on the UK Overseas Territory of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands.

   Read more of: Evaluating climate change risks to Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish

   

3. Higher Predators – Long-Term Science

   Higher Predators carries out long-term science to measure changes in Antarctic ecosystems. The aim is to understand the processes that drive these changes.

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4. Impact of Plastic in the Polar Regions

   This project investigated plastic pollution across Arctic and Antarctic environments. Scientists collected water, ice, and sediment samples to quantify macro and microplastic pollution, track its sources, and assess its impact on polar wildlife.

   Read more of: Impact of Plastic in the Polar Regions

   

5. Krill Hotspots

   The aim of this project is to understand the biological and physical factors that produce the very large swarms of krill, or “krill hotspots” that are found in the South Orkneys region.

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7. Long term monitoring of plastics

   This project monitors plastics and debris in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic ecosystems, tracking impacts on seabirds, marine mammals, and coastal environments.

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1. Bird Island Diary — December 2007

   December at Bird Island is a busy time, filled with new life. With pups and chicks as far as the eye can see, the sounds and smells are rich and […]

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2. Signy Island Diary — November 2006

   10 November – Base Relief After our initial arrival date of Saturday 4th November was confounded by sea ice that was thick enough to walk on but not thick enough […]

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1. Plastic Pollution reaching Antarctica

   Food wrapping, fishing gear and plastic waste continue to reach the Antarctic. Two new studies into how plastic debris is reaching sub-Antarctic islands are published in the journal Environment International. […]

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2. Plastic pollution in the Antarctic worse than expected

   The levels of microplastic particles accumulating in the Antarctic are much worse than expected, a team of experts has warned. The continent is considered to be a pristine wilderness compared […]

   Read more of: Plastic pollution in the Antarctic worse than expected

   

3. Penguin colony repeatedly decimated by volcanic eruptions

   One of Antarctica’s biggest gentoo penguin colonies was repeatedly decimated by eruptions of the Deception Island volcano in recent millennia.

   Read more of: Penguin colony repeatedly decimated by volcanic eruptions

   

4. New study reveals what penguins eat

   The longest and most comprehensive study to date of what penguins eat is published this month. The study, published in the journal Marine Biology, examines the diets of gentoo penguins […]

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5. Study shows mixed fortunes for Signy penguins

   A forty year study on a remote Antarctic island shows that while populations of two penguin species are declining, a third is increasing. Analysis of census data from Signy Island […]

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6. Nature’s ocean fertiliser

   Scientists have discovered that Antarctic krill – a tiny shrimp-like crustacean – plays a key role in fertilising the Southern Ocean with iron, which stimulates the growth of phytoplankton, the […]

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Bostanci A (2002) No more suprises from evanescent squid. Science 296:1000-1001