Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower
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Transcript of Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower
Broad-Scale Aerial Surveys of Marine Mammals in the Western
Beaufort and Northeastern Chukchi Seas, 2011-2012
Results from the ASAMM Project
Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower
BWASP, 1979-2012COMIDA, 1979-1991, 2008-2012
Collect data on spatial and temporal distribution and behavior of all marine
mammal species, and provide information near real-time to stakeholders.
Overview
Line transect aerial surveys Twin turbine aircraft with bubble windows Two dedicated observers plus data recorder Altitude 1000’-1500’ Bowhead whales, gray whales, belugas
Methods
Over 540,000 on-effort kilometers flown since 1982, mainly in September and October
2011-2012 Effort
Year Total Hours
Transect Hours
Total Kilometers
Transect Kilometers
2009 333 146 72,275 30,326
2010 276 133 64,458 27,255
2011 394 189 100,180 40,006
2012* 550 269 135,187 54,929* preliminary totals
Similarities of 2011-2012 with Historical Data 1982-2010
Differences between 2011-2012
and Historical Data 1982-2010
Gray whales: Hanna Shoal Farther offshore between Wainwright and Icy Cape
Sub-Arctic Cetaceans: 1982-2010: 1 fin whale, 1 humpback whale, 1 harbor porpoise2011-2012: 5 fin whales, 29 humpback whales, 13 minke whales, 18 killer whales
Similarities between 2011 and 2012
Gray whale calves – 67 (2012) vs. 18 (2011) Walruses – no land haulouts (2012) vs.
earliest documented haulout (mid-August 2011)
Bowhead whales frequently observed feeding east/southeast of Pt. Barrow (2012) vs. none (2011)
Bowhead whales in Chukchi Sea in September and October (2012) vs. few (2011)
Differences between 2011 and 2012
Large survey area ◦ Encompasses areas both near and far from those of
current interest to oil and gas industry. Long-term study
◦ Enables analysis of marine mammal distribution, occurrence and habitat preference over several years; but also allows distinctions between individual years that would not be evident if surveys were sporadic or inconsistent.
Collaborations with researchers from other agencies, (field work and year round).
Provides near real-time information to interested stakeholders.
Usefulness and Applicability of ASAMM Project
http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/cetacean/bwasp/index.php
BOEM - Jeff Denton and Chuck Monnett NMML - Phil Clapham, Robyn Angliss, Stefan Ball,
and numerous ASAMM observers Clearwater Air - Andy Harcombe
Acknowledgments