Bering Sea NWFC/NMFS

VOLUME 1. MARINE MAMMALS, MARINE BIRDS VOLUME 2, FISH, PLANKTON, BENTHOS, LITTORAL VOLUME 3, EFFECTS, CHEMISTRY AND MICROBIOLOGY, PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY VOLUME 4. GEOLOGY, ICE, DATA MANAGEMENT Environmental Assessment of the Alaskan Continental Shelf July - Sept 1976 quarterly reports from Principal Investigators participatingin a multi-year program of environmental assessment related to petroleum development on the Alaskan Continental Shelf. The program is directed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the sponsorship of the Bureau of Land Management. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORIES Boulder, Colorado November 1976 VOLUME 1 CONTENTS MARINE MAMMALS vii MARINE BIRDS 167 iii MARINE MAMMALS v MARINE MAMMALS Research Unit Proposer Title Page 34 G. Carleton Ray Analysis of Marine Mammal Remote 1 Douglas Wartzok Sensing Data Johns Hopkins U. 67 Clifford H. Fiscus Baseline Characterization of Marine 3 Howard W. Braham Mammals in the Bering Sea NWFC/NMFS 68 Clifford H. Fiscus Abundance and Seasonal Distribution 30 Howard W. Braham of Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Roger W. Mercer Alaska NWFC/NMFS 69 Clifford H. Fiscus Distribution and Abundance of Bowhead 33 Howard W. Braham and Belukha Whales in the Bering Sea NWFC/NMFS 70 Clifford H. Fiscus Distribution and Abundance of Bow- 36 Howard W. Braham et al head and Belukha Whales in the NWFC/NMFS Beaufort and Chukchi Seas 194 Francis H. Fay Morbidity and Mortality of Marine 43 IMS/U. of Alaska Mammals 229 Kenneth W. Pitcher Biology of the Harbor Seal, Phoca 48 Donald Calkins vitulina richardi, in the Gulf of ADF&G Alaska 230 John J. Burns The Natural History and Ecology of 55 Thomas J. Eley, Jr. the Bearded Seal, Erignathus barbatus ADF&G and the Ringed Seal, Phoca (Pusa) hispida 231 John J. Burns An Aerial Census of Spotted Seals, 125 Samuel J. Harbo, Jr. Phoca vitulina largha U. of Alaska 232 John J. Burns Trophic Relationships Among Ice 127 Lloyd F. Lowry Inhabiting Phocid Seals ADF&G vii MARINE MAMMALS Research Unit Proposer Title Page 240 Karl Schneider Assessment of the Distribution and 145 ADF&G Abundance of Sea Otters Along Kenai Peninsula, Kamishak Bay and the Kodiak Archipelago 241 Karl Schneider Distribution and Abundance of Sea 147 ADF&G Otters in Southwestern Bristol Bay 243 Donald Calkins Population Assessment, Ecology, and 149 Kenneth Pitcher Trophic Relationships of Steller Sea ADF&G Lions in the Gulf of Alaska 248/ John J. Burns The Relationships of Marine Mammal 161 249 ADF&G Distributions, Densities, and Francis H. Fay Activities to Sea Ice Conditions IMS/U. of Alaska Lewis H. Shapiro Geophys. Inst. viii RU# 34 NO REPORT WAS RECEIVED A final report is expected next quarter Fifth Quarterly Report Contract no. R7120804 Research Unit 67 Period: 1 July 1976 to 30 Sept 1976 Number of pages: 26 Baseline Characterization of Marine Mammals in the Bering Sea Principal Investigators Mr. Clifford H. Fiscus Dr. Howard W. Braham Research Assistant Mr. Robert D. Everitt U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service Marine Mammal Division 7600 Sand Point Way, N.E. Seattle, Washington 98115 27 September 1976 3 Research Unit 67 FIFTH QUARTERLY REPORT July 1 - Sept 30 1976 I. Task Objectives. The objectives of Research Unit 67 are to obtain infor- mation on the general life history, ecology, and seasonal distribution and abundance of marine mammals in the eastern Bering Sea. During the fifth quarter (July through Septemebr, 1976) our specific objectives were to finalize data formatting and to begin data reduction of aerial and shipboard survey data collected from June 1975 through August 1976. Also, our plans during the fifth quarter were to begin quantifying pinniped and cetacean distribution and abundance as they relate to ice condition, breeding location, and annual migration. These objectives were in part accomplished through a continuation of a review of the literature, and preparation of the data for computer analysis. II. Field or Laboratory Activities. A. Field Trip Schedule. Species of Dates, 1976 Survey Location Interest Aircraft 19-21 August Alaska Peninsula sea lions, Widgeon Fox Islands. harbor seals Gray whales 22-27 August So. Chukchi Sea; all marine Goose E. Bering Sea. mammals B. Scientific Party 1. 19-21 August 1976, Alaska Peninsula survey. Dr. Howard Braham, P.I. Mr. Robert D. Everitt, Asst. Marine Mammal Division Northwest Fisheries Center National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Seattle, Washington 98115 Mr. Orin Seybert, Pilot President of Peninsula Airways King Salmon, Alaska 2. 22-27 August 1976, No. Bering-Chukchi Sea survey. (United States Fish and Wildlife Service marine bird survey; Marine Mammal Division observer ac- companied the flight at the invitation of the USF&WS) 4 2 Mr. Kenneth J. Raedeke, Asst. Marine Mammal Division Northwest Fisheries Center National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Seattle, Washington 98115 Mr. Craig Harrison Mr. Art Sowls Ms. Colleen Handel U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Suite - 110, 800 "A" Street Anchorage, Alaska 99501 C. Methods 1. 19-21 August, Alaska Peninsula survey. Sightings of marine mammals were made from a Widgeon aircraft flying at altitudes between 200 and 500 feet. Visual estimates were made of the numbers of individuals observed in each group. Photographs were taken to verify species identifica- tion, and for large pods, numbers of animals seen. Northern sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus)and harbor seal (Phoca vitulina spp.) island rookeries and hauling grounds were flown at varying altitudes to lessen the disturbance to the pinnipeds and to nesting birds. Altitudes of 1,000 to 1,500 feet were flown for overview photographs of harbor seals at Port Moller and Port Heiden in or- der to determine exact pod location within each harbor. Two observers were used during the surveys; one acted as a recorder and back up photographer, the other as primary observer-photographer. The pilot also contributed significantly to the observation effort. Communication between observer, recorder, and pilot was maintained using battery operated aircraft-type headphones and intercom system (Miniamp Intercom 2D, 9V battery powered, Genie Electronic Eng., Inc., Red Lion, PA.). Systematic transects were flown along the coast of the Alaska Peninsula and around each island in the Fox Island group, eastern Aleutian Islands. An attempt was made to record all animals seen within ½ miles on either side of the aircraft. Animals directly below the aircraft could not be seen. This allows one to obtain duplicate samples from either side of the aircract during pelagic habitat surveys, should both sides of the aircraft be used. When surveying rookeries or hauling grounds, all observations were made from only one side of the aircraft. 2. 22-27 August, 1976, No. Bering-Chukchi Sea survey. A marine mammal aerial survey was conducted concurrently with a USFWS-OCS bird survey from 22-27 August, 1976. Sightings of marine mammals were made :from a turbb-powered Grumman Goose (N780, Office of Aircraft Services, Anchorage, Ak.) specifically modified for long range surveys. The plane was flown at 100-150 feet, at 120 knots. Visual numeric estimates were made of all 5 3 observed. Photographs individual marine mammals in each group verify the estimated numbers present. were taken to used throughout One Marine Mammal Division observer was data and taking the survey, making observations, recording and the bird observers contributed photographs. The pilots An to the marine mammal observational effort. significantly seen within a ½ mile strip attempt was made to record all animals directly below the aircraft on one side of the aircraft. Animals seen. could not be by the bird ob- transects flown were pre-determiend The conditions would Deviations were made only when weather servers. the chosen trackline. not permit adequate observation along flown D. Aerial survey locations and tracklines (Figures 1-9). 1). 1. 19 August; Alaska Peninsula (Figure - Alaska 2. 20-21 August; eastern Aleutian Islands Peninsula (Figures 2-3). Sound 3. 22-23 August; Chukchi Sea - Kotzebue (Figures 4-5). Sound (Figure 6). 4. 24 August; Bering Strait - Norton 7). 5. 25 August; northern Bering Sea (Figure 6. 26 August; Norton Sound (Figure 8). 7. 27 August; Bering Sea (Figure 9). E. Data collected or analyzed. *Data Recording **Trackline mi. 1,350 1. 19-21 August 1976 510 4,190 2. 22-27 August 1976 442 5,540 Approximate totals 952 at a spe- A "data recording" is a single logged entry * or more time and location, and represents one cific data. All values animal(s) sighted; or environmental are approximate at this time. stat. mi.). ** In nautical miles (1nm = 0.87 6 Figure 1. Aerial Survey Trackline RU67A8 19 August-1976 Alaska Peninsula Survey. Figure 1 (con't.) Aerial Survey Trackline RU67A8 19 August 1976 Alaska Peninsula Survey. Cape Seniovin Moffet Aerial Survey Trackline RU67A8 - 20 August 1976 Alaska Peninsula Survey, Figure 2 (con't). Aerial Survey Trackline RU67A8 20 August 1976 Alaska Peninsula Survey. Figure 3. Aerial Survey Trackline RU67A8 21 August 1976 Alaska Peninsula Survey. Figure 3 (con't). Aerial Survey Trackline RU67A8 21 August 1976 Alaska Peninsula Survey. Figure 3 (con't). Aerial Survey Trackline RU67A8 21 August 1976 Alaska Peninsula Survey, Figure 4. Aerial Survey Trackline RU67A9 22 August 1976 Chukchi Sea. Figure 5. Aerial Survey Trackline a RU67A9 23 August 1976 Chukchi Sea, Kotzebue Soun Figure 6. Aerial Survey.Trackline Ru67'A9 24 August 1976 Bering Straits. Figure 7. Aerial Survey Trackline RU67A9 25 August 1976 Bering Sea. Figure 8. Aerial Survey Trackline RU67A9 26 August 1976 Norton Sound. Figure 9. Aerial Survey Trackline RU67A9 27 August 1976 Bering Sea. 17 III. Results and Discussion. A. Alaska Peninsula Survey, 19-21 August, 1976. The number of marine mammals observed along the north coast of the Alaska Peninsula and throughout the eastern Aleutian Islands is summarized in Table 1.

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