Movements and Habitat Use of Pacific Arctic Seals and Whales via Satellite Telemetry and Ocean Sensing
Abstract
Arctic marine mammals in Alaska and Canada are important local food sources for northern people and important components of the Arctic marine ecosystem, which is warming rapidly due to climate change. Studies that involve multiple species, simultaneously, are rare but extremely valuable as they provide better information regarding the ecosystem as a whole than can studies of a single species. This study proposes to deploy satellite transmitters that track animal movements and provide basic oceanographic information on five species of marine mammals (ringed, Pusa hispida; bearded, Erignathus barbatus; and spotted seals, Phoca largha; bowhead, Balaena mysticetus; and beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas) in the same years. Satellite telemetry is a powerful tool that allows movements of individual seals and whales to be tracked year-round and provides data for comprehensive analyses of distribution, movement, migration, diving behavior, as well as, important feeding, summering, and wintering areas and the oceanographic conditions in those areas. Satellite transmitters used in this project will include those that transmit animal locations, dive depth, dive duration, water temperature, and salinity. Reductions in sea ice have increased interest in shipping and oil and gas activities (at least until the price of oil dropped), which increases the need to understand ice seal and whale movements and habitat use to plan shipping lanes, oil and gas lease sales, and to develop effective mitigation measures for their protection. A combination of satellite tag technology and the skills of Native subsistence hunters to deploy transmitters will greatly increase our knowledge of seal and whale movements and behavior in a relatively short period of time. All tagging will be conducted without interference to subsistence hunting activities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 26, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141613019
Entities
People
- Lori Quakenbush
Organizations
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy