For several years, Bob Pitman, a marine ecologist at NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center, has been conducting research with NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service and other colleagues with the aim of discovering whether there may be a new species of killer whale in the waters of Antarctica. Genetics, aerial photogrammetry, and satellite telemetry are being used to explore the possibility. In addition to NOAA, work is supported by a number of agencies, including the National Science Foundation, Marine Mammal Commission, and National Geographic Society.

The research is part of the broader NOAA Fisheries' mandate to monitor the status of protected species and identify populations requiring management attention.