DOCSLIB.ORG

Ftt:/L/:I T· ' Tj !/ 7- C;

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ftt:/L/:I T· ' Tj !/ 7- C; ftt:/L/:i t· ' tJ !/ 7- c; SEA OT'l:ER SURVEY, KODIAK .ARCHIPELAGO, ALASKA - 1985 Key Words: Sea otter Alaska Kodiak Archipelago Distribution · Abundance lMarine Mammal Management Project Wildlife Assistance U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lOll East Tudor Road Aochorag~, Alaska 99503 2 Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 825 Kodiak, Alaska 99615 i March 1986 INTRODUCTION Historical records indicate that sea otters (Enhydra lutris) were abundant prior to intensive commercial exploitation (1742- 1911). However, by the end of the 19th century sea otters were nearly extinct. By 1911, when sea otters were given complete protection by Federal statute, the populations had been reduced to a few animals at 13 known, but widely separated, sites in the eastern North Pacific (Kenyon 1969). Many of these remnant populations have steadily grown and expanded their ranges. (In some areas this came about through re-introductions.) For the past 30 years the pattern of repopulation of former habitat by sea otters has been monitored by the United States Fish and·Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) through a series of surveys (Lensink 1960; Kenyon 1969; Schneider 1976). Today, many subpopulations are probably at or above historic levels. Increases in subpopulations of sea otters, range expansion into areas also used by humans, and their ability to greatly reduce locally abundant shellfisheries (Ebert 1968; Estes et al. 1978) are causing a growing concern among recreational, commercial, and subsistence users of shellfish in some areas. The Kodiak Archipelago is one of these areas. As the sea otter popHlation increases, problems are expected to arise where human populations are utilizing shellfish resources which otters prey upon. Until recently, sea otters have been absent or at low densities in the vicinity of human populations in Alaska. This situation has now changed. Left unresolved, the problem of high numbers of sea otters (in some subpopulations) will intensify competition between sea otters and hu~an shellfish users. A heightened animosity toward sea otters will lead to increased illegal killing. The 1972 Marine Mammal-Protection Act (MMPA) placed the authority and management responsibility for sea otters under the USFWS. However, the Act presently restricts the Service from "active management" of sea otter populations without first undertaking complicated waiver proceedings. The provisions of the Act do not apply however to the non-wasteful taking of marine mammals by any coastal Alaska Native (for the purposes of subsistence or creating and selling authentic Native handicrafts and clothing). Conceivably, entire populations of sea otters in localized areas could disappear under this "no management" regime. A comprehensive and enforceable management plan is needed to ensure sustainable populations of sea otters over historic ranges. A need exists along the Kodiak Archipelago for increased knowledge of the ecology, distribution, and abundance of sea otters. Competition with commercial fisheries by sea otters has been a problem in the past, can be expected to continue, and will probably increase in the future whether or not human utilization of fish and shellfish resources increases. There has never been a complete survey of sea otter range in Alaska, even after the MMPA was passed in 1972. Limited information from studies in specific areas and casual observational data support the conclusion that sea otters are increasing in recently occupied areas, that there are some sea otters in all of the historic Alaskan range, and, except for southeast Alaska, populations are likely to be, within this decade if not already, at or near carrying capacity ·(Johnson 1982). 1 The objectives of this survey were to obtain current information on the. distribution and relative abundance of the Kodiak Archipelago population, and to identify changes that have occurred since the 1984 survey (Simon-Jackson et al. 1985). This information can be used for predicting future changes likely to cause increasing conflicts with management of important fisheries resources. It will also be used to assist the Service in recommending a management program for sea otters. METHODS The survey was conducted along the coastline, islands, and offshore rocks of Shuyak, Afognak, and the northern coast of Kodiak Island in the Kodiak Arehipelago. The southern end of Kodiak Island was not surveyed du~ to time constraints and the fact that few observations of sea otters have been reported in the area. Surveys were conducted on 12 and 17 September 1985 (T. Simon-Jackson: observer, M. Vivian: pilot) along Raspberry and Afognak Islands; on 23 September 1985 (D. Zwiefelhofer: observer, M. Vivian: pilot) along Kupreanof Strait and the north side of Kodiak Island from Viekoda Bay to Kodiak; and on 25 September 1985 (D. Zwiefelhofer: observer, M. Vivian: pilot) around Shuyak Island, Latax Rocks, and Sea Otter Island. The surveys were flown using a float-equipped single engine, fixed-winged Piper Super Cub aircraft. The surveys were flown at an altitude of 500 feet (152 m) and an airspeed of 85 mph (74 knots), The plane was flown parallel to the shoreline far enough from shore.to provide a good viewing area on both sides of the aircraft, but close enough to readily distinguish otters nearshore. In areas where sea otters scatter over large shallow offshore areas, the plane was flown in a zig-zag pattern over the potential sea otter habitat. Observations were made by both the observer and the pilot. The number and location of otters were recorded by the observer on a map •. All pods of otters greater than 30 were photographed using a 35mm camera, 85-205mm zoom lens, and ASA 400 Ektachrome color slide film for later verification of accuracy of ocular counts. The surveys were only flown when the weather was considered suitable (i.e·. sunny or high overcast, calm waters, and little or no wind). Waters were calm in bays and passages except for slight ripples to light chop on exposed points and shorelines. Gusts and swells were encountered along Seal Islands, Vantage Rock, and Tolstoi Point on Afognak Island. Overall, the weather and visibility were good while surveying. The aerial survey was particularly difficult to complete. In addition to storms, periods of high winds and low ceilings prevented flying. Marine weather patterns for the Kodiak Archipelago during the survey period are given in Table 1. The survey was an attempt to duplicate the survey flown in 1984 I (Simon-Jackson et al. 1985) at approximately the same time of year, but was not completed because of adverse weather conditions (Figure 1, Table 2). We were unable to survey the coastlines of Afognak Island (from Tonk! Bay to Kazakof Bay) and Marmot Island ,due to poor surveying weather. The effect of weather conditions on sea otter distribution and abundance in the Kodiak area is largely speculative at this time. 2 '. Table 1. Local climatological data for Kodiak, Alaska for the month of September, 1985 (U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, WS Form F-6). Day Tem;eerature Precipitation Wind Maximum Minimum (inches) Speed (mph) Peak Gust (mph) Dir. 1 60 48 0 20 25 NW 2 58 42 0 14 22 w 3 53 47 0 12 14 E 4 65 48 0 16 23 NW 5 70 47 0 16 20 NW 6 68 45 0 16 23 lv 7 67 44 0 18 28 sw 8 60 49 0 13 21 NW 9 59 41 0 15 22 NW 10 58 44 0 24 39 NW 11 58 39 0 13 22 NW 12* 54 39 0 12 20 s 13 63 50 0 21 28 sw 14 73 56 0 23 37 sw 15 61 48 0 30 46 w 16 56 45 0 37 51 NW 17* 55 39 0 18 23 w 18 56 45 0 22 31 s 19 56 43 0 31 47 NW 20 55 38 0 26 35 NW 21 50 38 0 30 39 E 22 58 44 0 28 44 E 23* 60 40 0 16 24 sw 24 57 39 0 17 31 NW 25* 52 32 0 13 17 SE 26 56. 47 0 30 40 SE 27 58 43 0 30 36 SE 28 53 38 0 38 46 SE 29 57 43 0 31 52 SE 30 55 41 0 12 18 NW * Date of aerial survey ' 3 Figure 1. Comparison of the distribution and relative abundance of sea otters along the Kodiak Archipelago, 1975-76/1984/1985. #/#/# = numbers observed 1975/numbers observed 1984/numbers observed 1985 -/#/- = area not surveyed in 1975 or 1985 AL:.SKA ' ' ... \. / ···-~. ~~'i<OD I AK -I~- .· . .. , . 4 Table 2. Distribution, relative abundance, and group size of sea otters along the Kodiak Archipelago, 1985. Survey Area No. Seen Group Size Uyak Bay Harvester Island Spiridon Bay Chi~f Pt. to Twocone Pt. Miners Pt. Uganik Passage Viekoda Bay 68 13,14,14,17 Kupreanof Strait 322 3,3,3,4,4,4,4,5,5,6,6,6,6,7,10,12,12, 12,15,26,55,56 Whale Passage 32 30 Afognak Strait 228 3,3,4,4,5,6,9,15,19,50,80 Whale Island 106 5,10,31,49 Kizhuyak Bay 3 Triplets Island 14 5,9 Wooded Island 94 20,34,38 Spruce Island 10 3 Hog Island 103 10,92 Afognak Bay 160 3,3,4,4,8,8,26,41 Kazakof Bay Duck· Bay Cape Izhut to Peril Cape Izhut Bay King Cove Pillar Cape toward Tonki Cape Marmot Island Tonki Cape Tonki Bay Seal Bay 327 3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,4,4,6,6,7,8,12,16,17, 20,20,26,40,60 Perenosa Bay 194 3,3,3,3,3,4,4,5,6,6,8,8,40 Shuyak (east) 77 3,3,5,6,32 Sea Otter Island 49 3,4,10,12,14 Point Bay 4 Shuyak (north) 103 3,3,3,3,4,5,5,13,18,22 Latax Rocks 66 4,6,51 Shuyak (west) 221 3,3,3,3,3,4,4,4,4,5,6,6,6,9,10,16,80 Shuyak Strait 31 4 Bluefo:x: Bay 303 3,3,5,5,6,7,8,10,18,30,30,45,87 Foul Bay 60 3,3,3,4,4,5,5 Paramanof Bay 104 3,3,3,4,5,5,5,5,6,8,8,9 I Malina Bay 36 3,6 Raspberry Strait 93 3,5,6,6,7,9,10,15 Raspberry Cape 3 3 Total Otters Seen 2811 5 The activity of animals can have a pronounced effect on the numbers seen.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Andrew A. Schaffner; Stephen B. Mathewsf Judith E
    Andrew A. Schaffner; Stephen B. Mathewsf Judith E. Zeh* April 21, 1994 Abstract From June 1985 through June 1992 regular aerial surveys over Southeast Alaska, the Gulf of Alaska, and Aleutian Islands were conducted to monitor the distribution and abundance of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Furthermore, during 1992 the use of repetitive aerial surveys was introduced to study survey variability. The purposes of our present study were two-fold: (1) To investigate alternative statistical procedures for estimating population trend rates from aerial survey counts, and (2) to apply these procedures to the 1989-92 counts. We focused on 1989-92 because of the more abundant data for that period and to determine the most recent direction of population abundance relative to the well-documented steep decline prior to 1989. We concluded that parametric bootstrapping was the most appropriate interval estimation procedure. For this procedure the 90% confidence interval for the rate of change between the 1989 and 1992 Kenai-Kiska Recovery Plan trend site counts was (-10.19%, 2.62%). For +lJrookery and haul-out sites within the Kenai-Kiska region for which counts were made for both 1989 and 1992, the 90% confidence interval was (-6.20%, 6.81%). For sites outside the Kenai-Kiska region, the 90% confidence interval for the rate of change between 1989 and 1992 was (-37.92%, -6.93%). The parametric bootstrap procedure had the weakness of including data from only pairs of years; thus, 1990-91 information was excluded from the above interval estimates. Consequently, we investigated the use of both generalized linear modeling (GLM) and generalized estimating equations (GEE) as tools for analyzing all four years' data together.
    [Show full text]
  • A Preliminary Baseline Study of Subsistence Resource Utilization in the Pribilof Islands
    A PRELIMINARY BASELINE STUDY OF SUBSISTENCE RESOURCE UTILIZATION IN THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS Douglas W. Veltre Ph.D Mary J. Veltre, B.A. Technical Paper Number 57 Prepared for Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Subsistence Contract 81-119 October 15, 1981 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . The authors would like to thank those numerous mem- bers of St. George and St. Paul who gave generously of their time and knowledge to help with this project. The Tanaq Corporation of St. George and the Tanadgusix Corporation of St. Paul, as well as the village councils of both communities, also deserve thanks for their cooperation. In addition, per- sonnel of the National Marine Fisheries Service in the Pribi- lofs provided insight into the fur seal operations. Finally, Linda Ellanna and Alice Stickney of the Department of Fish and Game gave valuable assistance and guidance, especially through their participation in field research. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . ii Chapter I INTRODUCTION . 1 Purpose . 1 Research objectives . : . 4 Research methods . 6 Discussion of research methodology . 8 Organization of the report . 11 II BACKGROUND ON ALEUT SUBSISTENCE . 13 Introduction . 13 Precontact subsistence patterns . 15 The early postcontact period . 22 Conclusions . 23 III HISTORICAL BACXGROUND . 27 Introduction . 27 Russian period . 27 American period ........... 35 History of Pribilof Island settlements ... 37 St. George community profile ........ 39 St. Paul community profile ......... 45 Conclusions ......... ; ........ 48 IV THE NATURAL SETTING .............. 50 Introduction ................ 50 Location, geography, and geology ...... 50 Climate ................... 55 Fauna and flora ............... 61 Aleutian-Pribilof Islands comparison .... 72 V SUBSISTENCE RESOURCES AND UTILIZATION IN THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS ............ 74 Introduction ................ 74 Inventory of subsistence resources .
    [Show full text]
  • SEX and AGE SEGREGATION of SEA OTTERS by Karl B
    ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME JUNEAU, ALASKA SEX AND AGE SEGREGATION OF SEA OTTERS By Karl B. Schneider STATE OF ALASKA Jay S. Hammond, Governor DIVISION OF GAME Robert A. Rausch, Director Donald E. McKnight, Research Chief DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Ronald 0. Skoog, Commissioner Final Report Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Projects W-17-4 through W-17-8 Job 8.9R (Printed April 1978) FINAL REPORT (RESEARCH) State: Alaska Cooperator: Karl B. Schneider Project Title: Marine Mammal Investigations Project Nos.: W-17-4 thru W-17-8 Job No. : Job Title: Sex and Age Segregation of Sea Otters Period Covered: July 1, 1971 to June 30, 1976 SUMMARY Knowledge of patterns of geographical segregation of sea otters by sex and age is essential to any active conservation and management program on that species. The sexes and ages of sea otters harvested or captured from several Alaskan populations were examined by specific location and season to determine patterns of segregation. All populations contained large female areas where most adult females and dependent pups in the population were found. The number of sexually mature males over 5 years old in female areas fluctuated seasonally and was positively correlated with the number of estrous females. Sexually immature males between the ages of 1 and 6 years appeared to be actively excluded from female areas. Where high densities of sea otters were continuous and range expansion had ceased, many adult males and most immature males concentrated in geographically discrete male areas. Permanently established male areas did not exist in some populations where areas of high sea otter density were separated by areas of low density or where the population was expanding into vacant habitats.
    [Show full text]
  • The Northern Fur Seal ~/
    Wflal~erv:-c;rrc. The Northern Fur Seal ~/ / U IS, S, R, / / Breeding grounds of the northern fur seals: Robben Island (Kaihyoto or Tyuleniy Island) off Sakhalin; the Commandel Islands (Bering Island and Medny or Copper Island) at the Soviet end of the Aleutian chain; and the Pribilof Islands - St. Paul Island, St. George Island, Otter Island, Walrus Island, and Sea Lion Rock. Cover - The Pribilof Islands in Bering Sea are the homeland of the largest fur eal herd in the world. Here the fur seals come ashore to bear their young on the rocks and sands above tidewater. The story behind the restoration and de­ velopment of the Ala ka fur cal herd is one of adventure and international diplomac}. It i a heartening account of cooperation among nations - an out- tanding example of wildlife conservation. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Walter J. Hickel, Secretary Leslie L. Glasgow, Assistant Secretary f01' Fish and Wildlife, PaTks, and Marine Resources Charles H , Meacham, Commissioner, U,S, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Philip M, Roedel, Di1'ecto1', BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES The Northern Fur Seal By RALPH C. BAKER, FORD WILKE, and C. HOWARD BALTZ02 Circular 336 Washington, D.C. April 1970 As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has basic responsibilities for water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, park, and recreational resources. Indian and Territorial affairs are other major concerns of America's " Department of Natural Resources." The Department works to assure the wisest choice in managing all our resources so each will make its full contribution to a better United States - now and in the future.
    [Show full text]
  • Estimated Catches of Walleye Pollock, Atka Mackerel, and Pacific
    National Marine Fisheries Service U.S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AFSC PROCESSED REPORT 93.13 Estimated Catches of Walleye Pollock, Atka Mackerel and Pacific Cod Within Critical Habitat of the Steller Sea Lion in the Bering Sea, Aleutian lslands and Gulf of Alaska From 1977-92 @ober 1993 TlÈ report do6 not constiüJb a pt¡Uicat¡on and b bl lnbmatifi mly. All daia heteln ae b be consklered protblonal. ERRATA NOTICE This document is being made available in .PDF format for the convenience of users; however, the accuracy and correctness of the document can only be certified as was presented in the original hard copy format. Inaccuracies in the OCR scanning process may influence text searches of the .PDF file. Light or faded ink in the original document may also affect the quality of the scanned document. ESTTMATED CATCHES OF WALLEYE POLLOCK, ÀTKÀ I,ÍÀCKEREL AT.TD PACTFIC COD ÌTTHIN CRTTTCÀL HABITAT OF THE STELLER SEA LION IN TIIE BERING sEA, ALEIII'IÀI{ TSLANDS AND cttlF oF ALASKA FROM L977-92 Compiled by Lowell W. Fritz National Marine Fisheries .Service Alaska Fisheries Science Center 7 600 Sand point lùay NE BrN C15700; Bldg. 4 Seattle, WÀ 98115 October L993 CONTENTS Page Figures iv Tables x t Introduction 2 Methods 4 Results and Discussion 5 Literature Cited L2 LLr List of Figures Page Figure 1. Àquatic foraging area designated as critical habitat for the Steller sea lion in the eastern Bering Sea (in the vicinity of Bogoslof Island) 13 Fígrure- 2. Aquatic foraging area designated as criticaL habitat for the Steller sea lion in Seguam Pass in the Aleutian Isl-ands L4 Figure 3.
    [Show full text]
  • An Ethnography of Old Harbor and Ouzinkie, Alaska
    BLACK DUCKS AND SALMON BELLIES An Ethnography of Old Harbor and Ouzinkie, Alaska by Craig Mishler Technical Memorandum No. 7 A Report Produced for the U.S. Minerals Management Service Cooperative Agreement 14-35-0001-30788 March 2001 Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Subsistence 333 Raspberry Road Anchorage, Alaska 99518 This report has been reviewed by the Minerals Management Service and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Service, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. ADA PUBLICATIONS STATEMENT The Alaska Department of Fish and Game operates all of its public programs and activities free from discrimination on the basis of sex, color, race, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, or disability. For information on alternative formats available for this and other department publications, please contact the department ADA Coordinator at (voice) 907- 465-4120, (TDD) 1-800-478-3548 or (fax) 907-586-6595. Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against should write to: Alaska Department of Fish and Game PO Box 25526 Juneau, AK 99802-5526 or O.E.O. U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ...............................................................................................................................iii List of Figures ...............................................................................................................................iii
    [Show full text]
  • 17 R.-..Ry 19" OCS Study MMS 88-0092
    OCISt.., "'1~2 Ecologic.1 Allociue. SYII'tUsIS 0' ~c. (I( 1'B IPnCfS OP MOISE AlII) DIsmuA1K2 a, IIUc. IIADLOft m.::IIIDA1'IONS or lUIS SIA PI.-IPms fr •• LGL Muke ••••• rda Aaeoc:iat_, Inc •• 505 "-t IIortbera Lllbta .1••••,"Sait. 201 ABdaonp, AlMke 99503 for u.s. tIl_rala •••••••••• Seni.ce Al_1taa o.t.r CoIItlM11tal Shelf legion U.S. u.,c. of Iat.dor ••• 603, ,., EMt 36tla A.-... A8eb0ra•• , Aluke 99501 Coatraet _. 14-12-00CU-30361 LGL •••••• 'U 821 17 r.-..ry 19" OCS Study MMS 88-0092 StAllUIS OWIUOlMUc. 011'DB &IIBCfI ,. 11010 AlII) DIS'ftJU8CB 011llAJoa IWJLOU'r COIICIII'DArIa. OW101. SB&PIDU&DI by S.R. Johnson J.J. Burnsl C.I. Malme2 R.A. Davis LGL Alaska Research Associatel, Inc. 505 West Northern Lights Blv~., Suite 201 Anchorage, Alaska 99503 for u.S. Minerals Management Service Alaskan Outer Continental Shelf Region U.S. Dept. of Interior Room 603, 949 East 36th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99508 Contract no. 14-12-0001-30361 LGL Rep. No. TA 828 17 February 1989 The opinionl, findings, conclusions, or recolmBendations expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the Federal Government. 1 Living Resources Inc., Fairbanks, AK 2 BBN Systems and Technologies Corporation, Cambridge, MA Table of Contents ii 'UIU or cc»mll UBLBor cowmll ii AIS'lIAC'f • · . vi Inter-site Population Sensitivity Index (IPSI) vi Norton Basin Planning Area • • vii St.
    [Show full text]
  • Circular 169. the Northern Fur Seal
    THE NORTHERN FUR SEAL .'4^'' f ^ FISH A>jm WILDLIFE SERVICE- >k" • BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL flSHfeRlES ^m Circular 169 « ! prifig^Ssl^s yjy^pven ystanS Breeding grounds of the northern fur seals: Robben Island (Kaihyoto or Tyuleniy Island) off Sakhalin; the Commander Islands (Bering Island and Medny or Copper Island) at the Soviet end of the Aleutian chain; and the Pribilof Islands — St. Paul Island, St. George Island, Otter Island, Walrus Island, and Sea Lion Rock. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Stewart L. Udall, Secretary James K, Carr, Under Secretary Frank P. Briggs, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE. Clarence F. Pautzke, Commissioner Bureau of commercial Fisheries, Donald L. McKernan, Director THE NORTHERN FUR SEAL by Ralph C. Baker, Ford Wilke and C. Howard Baltzo Circular 169 Washington, D. C. September 1963 Created in 1849, the Department of the Interior — America's Department of Natural Resources — is concerned with the management, conservation, and development of the Nation's water, fish, wildHfe, mineral, forest, and park and recreational resources. It also has major responsibilities for Indian and Territorial affairs. As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department works to assure that nonrenewable resources are developed and used wisely, that park and recreational resources are conserved for the future, and that renewable resources make their full contribution to the progress, pros- perity, and security of the United States — now and in the future. CONTENTS Page Early history of fur sealing 1-3 Distribution and movement of seals 3-7 Food 8 Physical characteristics 8-9 Reproduction 10-11 Mortality and disease 11-12 Population 13 Management 13-16 Research 17 Sealing activity on the Pribilof Islands 17-18 Processing and sale of fur seal skins 18-19 THE NORTHERN FUR SEAL by Ralph C.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of the Distribution and Abundance of Sea
    ASSESSMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF SEA OTTERS ALONG THE KENAI PENINSULA, KAMISHAK BAY AND THE KODIAK ARCHIPELAGO by Karl B. Schneider Alaska Department of Fish and Game Final Report Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program Research Unit 240 January 1977 527 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section m LIST OF TABLES. .531 LIST OF FIGURE S.... .. 533 I. ABSTRACT. .535 II. INTRODUCTION. ● . ● ● . ● . .537 III. CURRENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE . 540 A. Kenai Peninsula . .540 B. Kamishak Bay . .541 c. Kodiak Archipelago . 543 IV. STUDY AREA. .545 v. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION . 546 A. Code . ..549 VI. RESULTS . .550 VII. DISCUSSION. .561 A. Kenai Peninsula . 592 1. History . .“. .594 2. Present Status . .594 3. Future. .596 4. Critical Areas . .598 B. Kamishak Bay . .599 1. History . .599 2. Present Status . .600 3. Future. .603 4. Critical Areas. .603 c. Kodiak Archipelago . 603 1. Barren Islands . .604 a. History. .604 b. Present Status . 604 c. Future . ● .**. ...* .* 606 d. Critical”A~eas . 606 2. Shuyak-Afognak . .607 a. History . 607 b. Present Status.. 610 c. Future . .< . .612 d. Critical Areas . 613 3. Trinity Islands-Chirikof Island . 613 a. History. .613 b. Present Status . 614 c. Future . .615 d. Critical*Areas . 616 VIII. CONCLUSIONS . 616 IX. NEEDS FOR FURTHER STUDY . 617 x. LITERATURE CITED . .625 529 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Sea otters counted on aerial surveys of Kenai Peninsula, June, 1970 - January, 1971. Table 2. Results of helicopter sea otter survey of portions of the Kenai Peninsula and the Kodiak Archipelago, 1-7 October 1975. Table 3. Results of boat sea otter survey of portions of the Kodiak Archipelago, 3-11 February 1976.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Mammals
    Sea Mammals: Carl E. Abegglen* U. S. Fish and It'ildlife Service, Division of Resources and I\'ildlife Research, Anchorage, Alaska Population The nanrine mammal resources nenr Amchitkn Island consist from near extinction at the start of the twentieth century. of sea otters, harbor seals, and Steller sea 1io11s as Conservation measures, national nnd i~ttemationnl, haue perntnnent residents, northern fur seals that migrate been many, some even hauh~gbeen started in Russian times. througla Aleutian passes, and wholes nnd porpoises in the The crucial and finally strccessftrl ones are the Fur Seal surrouttdiftg seas. Archaeological and historic data on Treaty of 1911 and tlte Exectrtiue Order of 1913, which nni~nnl populations indicate that the species present tlten estnblislted what is now known as the Aleutian Islands were the same as those present today nnd dentoxstrate tlre National Il'ildlfe Refuge. The marine m?nnral populations contii~uedimportawe that sea mammals haue played in tlre (whales excluded) around Amchitka and in the western island's history. Sen otter observations nnd surueys made Aleutian Islands are h good condition. front 1935 to 1974 document the recovery of this species ARCHAEOLOGICAL INDICATIONS OF suggest that these grooved teeth were used for SEA MARIMALS personal decoration-as pendants for nose orna- nlents. The prehistoric people of Amchitka, in collimon Desautels et al. iuiearthed fireplaces associated wit11 the historic Aleuts, had a maritime economy with large cut wvl~alcbones. The close association and were dependent on the sea for the bulk of suggested to them that these may have been used their existence.
    [Show full text]
  • Geopolitics and Environment in the Sea Otter Trade
    UC Merced UC Merced Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Soft gold and the Pacific frontier: geopolitics and environment in the sea otter trade Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/03g4f31t Author Ravalli, Richard John Publication Date 2009 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California 1 Introduction Covering over one-third of the earth‘s surface, the Pacific Basin is one of the richest natural settings known to man. As the globe‘s largest and deepest body of water, it stretches roughly ten thousand miles north to south from the Bering Straight to the Antarctic Circle. Much of its continental rim from Asia to the Americas is marked by coastal mountains and active volcanoes. The Pacific Basin is home to over twenty-five thousand islands, various oceanic temperatures, and a rich assortment of plants and animals. Its human environment over time has produced an influential civilizations stretching from Southeast Asia to the Pre-Columbian Americas.1 An international agreement currently divides the Pacific at the Diomede Islands in the Bering Strait between Russia to the west and the United States to the east. This territorial demarcation symbolizes a broad array of contests and resolutions that have marked the region‘s modern history. Scholars of Pacific history often emphasize the lure of natural bounty for many of the first non-natives who ventured to Pacific waters. In particular, hunting and trading for fur bearing mammals receives a significant amount of attention, perhaps no species receiving more than the sea otter—originally distributed along the coast from northern Japan, the Kuril Islands and the Kamchatka peninsula, east toward the Aleutian Islands and the Alaskan coastline, and south to Baja California.
    [Show full text]
  • PORT LIONS AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT Wildlife Assessment
    PORT LIONS AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT Wildlife Assessment Project Z527960000 09 July 2018 Larry Van Daele, PhD Kodiak Wildlife Services 3401 Antone Way Kodiak, Alaska 99615 [email protected] (907) 654-8822 Port Lions Airport Improvement Wildlife Assessment Final - 09 July 2018 Page 1 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 3 LOCATION ..................................................................................................................... 3 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................ 3 CLIMATE ........................................................................................................................ 4 VEGETATION ................................................................................................................. 4 MAMMALS ..................................................................................................................... 5 Brown Bear ................................................................................................................................. 6 Sitka Black-tailed Deer ............................................................................................................... 7 Red Fox ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Other Terrestrial Mammals (elk, squirrel, hare, vole, bat, otter, beaver,
    [Show full text]