Status Review of the Ribbon Seal (Histriophoca Fasciata)
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NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-AFSC-255 Status Review of the Ribbon Seal (Histriophoca fasciata) by P. L. Boveng, J. L. Bengtson, M. F. Cameron, S. P. Dahle, E. A. Logerwell, J. M. London, J. E. Overland, J. T. Sterling, D. E. Stevenson, B. L. Taylor, and H. L. Ziel U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Fisheries Science Center June 2013 NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS The National Marine Fisheries Service's Alaska Fisheries Science Center uses the NOAA Technical Memorandum series to issue informal scientific and technical publications when complete formal review and editorial processing are not appropriate or feasible. Documents within this series reflect sound professional work and may be referenced in the formal scientific and technical literature. The NMFS-AFSC Technical Memorandum series of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center continues the NMFS-F/NWC series established in 1970 by the Northwest Fisheries Center. The NMFS-NWFSC series is currently used by the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. This document should be cited as follows: Boveng, P. L., J. L. Bengtson, M. F. Cameron, S. P. Dahle, E. A. Logerwell, J. M. London, J. E. Overland, J. T. Sterling, D. E. Stevenson, B. L. Taylor, and H. L. Ziel. 2013. Status review of the ribbon seal. U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS AFSC-255, 174 p. Reference in this document to trade names does not imply endorsement by the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-AFSC-255 Status Review of the Ribbon Seal (Histriophoca fasciata) by P. L. Boveng1, J. L. Bengtson1, M. F. Cameron1, S. P. Dahle1, E. A. Logerwell1, J. M. London1, J. E. Overland2, J. T. Sterling1, D. E. Stevenson1, B. L. Taylor3, and H. L. Ziel1 1 Alaska Fisheries Science Center 7600 Sand Point Way N.E. Seattle, WA 98115 2 Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115 3 Southwest Fisheries Science Center 3333 North Torrey Pines Court La Jolla, CA 92037 www.afsc.noaa.gov U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Cameron F. Kerry, Acting Secretary National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Kathryn D. Sullivan, Acting Under Secretary and Administrator National Marine Fisheries Service Samuel D. Rauch III, Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries June 2013 This document is available to the public through: National Technical Information Service U.S. Department of Commerce 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 www.ntis.gov STATUS REVIEW OF THE RIBBON SEAL (Histriophoca fasciata) Prepared and Edited by: The 2013 Ribbon Seal Biological Review Team Peter L. Boveng1 (Chair), John L. Bengtson1, Michael F. Cameron1, Shawn P. Dahle1, Elizabeth A. Logerwell1, Josh M. London1, James E. Overland2, Jeremy T. Sterling1, Duane E. Stevenson1, Barbara L. Taylor3, and Heather L. Ziel1 With Contributions by: Tamara L. Olson4, Adrienne J. Sutton2, and Muyin Wang2 1 Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 2 Pacific Marine Environmental Lab., Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 3 Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 3333 North Torrey Pines Court, La Jolla, CA 92037 4 Alaska Regional Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99513 June 2013 CONTENTS Contents ...................................................................................................................................................... vii Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... ix 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Species Background .............................................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Taxonomy and Phylogeny ................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Species Description ............................................................................................................................. 3 2.3 Ecological Adaptations ........................................................................................................................ 6 2.4 Behavior .............................................................................................................................................. 7 2.5 Distribution, Habitat Use, and Movements ........................................................................................ 7 2.5.1 Extralimital and Out-of-Habitat Occurrences ............................................................................ 13 2.6 Life History ........................................................................................................................................ 14 2.7 Vital Parameters ................................................................................................................................ 18 2.8 Feeding Habits................................................................................................................................... 19 2.9 Historic and Current Abundance and Trends .................................................................................... 24 3 Species Delineation ............................................................................................................................. 29 3.1 Consideration of Distinct Population Segments ............................................................................... 29 3.2 Evaluation of Discreteness ................................................................................................................ 30 3.3 Evaluation of Significance ................................................................................................................. 33 3.3.1 Persistence in an Unusual or Unique Ecological Setting? .......................................................... 33 3.3.2 Would Loss of a Segment Result in a Significant Gap in the Range? ......................................... 33 3.3.3 Population Segment is the Only Surviving Natural Occurrence? ............................................... 33 3.3.4 Segment Differs Markedly in Genetic Composition? ................................................................. 33 3.4 Determination of Distinct Population Segments .............................................................................. 34 4 Extinction Risk Assessment ................................................................................................................. 35 4.1 Time Frame: The Foreseeable Future ............................................................................................... 35 4.1.1 Factors in the Foreseeability of Threats to Ribbon Seals ........................................................... 35 4.1.2 Factors in the Foreseeability of Ribbon Seal Responses to Threats .......................................... 39 4.1.3 Lack of a Single Time Frame for the Foreseeable Future ........................................................... 39 4.2 Analysis of Factors Under Section 4(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act ....................................... 40 vii 4.2.1 Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment of the Species’ Habitat or Range .................................................................................................................................................. 40 4.2.2 Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or Educational Purposes .................. 79 4.2.3 Diseases, Parasites, and Predation ............................................................................................ 83 4.2.4 Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms ........................................................................ 92 4.2.5 Other Natural or Human Factors Affecting the Species’ Continued Existence ........................ 100 4.2.6 Threats Assessment ................................................................................................................. 117 4.3 Analysis of Demographic Risks ........................................................................................................ 125 4.3.1 Abundance ............................................................................................................................... 125 4.3.2 Productivity .............................................................................................................................. 126 4.3.3 Spatial Structure ....................................................................................................................... 127 4.3.4 Diversity ................................................................................................................................... 129 4.3.5 Relevant Modifying or Mitigating Factors ............................................................................... 129 4.3.6 Demographic Risks Assessment ............................................................................................... 130 4.4 Conclusions of the Extinction Risk Assessment .............................................................................. 132 5 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................