Administration of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 Annual Report

January 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999 and January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000

Administration of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 Annual Report January 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999 and January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000

U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Geological Survey/Biological Resources Division Washington, D.C. 20240

i ii Table of Contents

List of Acronyms ...... iv

Introduction...... 1 Authority...... 1 Species List...... 1

Summary of the Program for 1999 and 2000...... 2

Appropriations...... 2 Marine Mammal Protection Act Expenditures...... 2 Endangered Species Act Expenditures...... 2

Outer Continental Shelf Operations and Environmental Studies...... 3

Research and Development...... 4

Enforcement...... 18

Permits and Registrations...... 21 Permit Activities in 1999...... 21 Scientific Research Permits...... 21 Public Display Permits...... 21 Enhancement Permits...... 22 Registered Agent/Tannery Permits...... 22 Polar Bear Import Trophy Permits...... 22 Permit Activities in 2000...... 22 Scientific Research Permits...... 22 Public Display Permits...... 23 Registered Agent/Tannery Permits...... 23 Polar Bear Import Trophy Permits...... 23

International Activities...... 24 U.S.-Russia Environmental Agreement: Marine Mammal Project...... 24

Status Reports for 1999 and 2000...... 26 Stock Assessments...... 26 Pacific Walrus...... 26 Northern Sea Otter...... 29 Polar Bear...... 30 Incidental, Small Take During Oil and Gas Operations...... 33 Marking, Tagging, and Reporting Program...... 34 Sea Otter-Southern...... 42 Sea Otter-Northern (Washington State Population)...... 45 West Indian Manatee...... 46 Hawaiian Monk Seal and Other Marine Mammal Activitieson Pacific Islands..... 51

iii List of Acronyms

1973 Agreement - 1973 International FFWCC - Florida Fish and Wildlife NWHC - National Wildlife Health Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Conservation Commission Center Bears FLIR - forward-looking infrared NWR - National Wildlife Refuge ABSC - Alaska Biological Science Center, imagery USGS PBR - potential biological removal FMP - Florida Marine Patrol Act - Marine Mammal Protection Act of PCB - polychlorinated biphenyls 1972 FMRI - Florida Marine Research Institute PIT - passive integrated transponder ADFG - Alaska Department of Fish and Game FY - Fiscal Year(s) ppm - parts per million

ANC - Alaska Nanuuq Commission GDNR - Georgia Department of PRDNR - Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources Natural Resources ASOC - Alaska Sea Otter Commission GIS - Geographic Information System PTT - platform transmitter terminals BBNA - Briston Bay Native Association HCH - hexachlorocyclohexane QA/QC - quality assurance/quality BPXA - BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc. control IGC - Inuvialuit Game Council CDFG - California Department of Fish SAR - stock assessment report and Game IPCoMM - Indigenous Peoples Council on Marine Mammals Service - United States Fish and CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Wildlife Service K - carrying capacity CITES - Convention on International SFWMD - South Florida Water Trade in Endangered Species of Wild LOA - Letter of Authorization Management District Fauna and Flora MIPS - Manatee Individual SNI - San Nicolas Island Corps - United States Army Corps of Photoidentification System Engineers TASSC - The Alaska Sea Otter and MMC - Marine Mammal Commission Steller Sea Lion Commission CSC - California Science Center MML - Mote Marine Laboratory TDRs - time-depth recorders Department - Department of the Interior mtDNA - mitochondrial TTINWR - Ten Thousand Islands DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid Deoxyribonucleic acid National Wildlife Refuge

ESA - Endangered Species Act of 1973, MTRP - Marking, Tagging, and Report- UHF - ultra-high frequency as amended ing Program UMMH - Chukotka Union of Marine EVOS - Exxon Valdez Oil Spill NAVSTA ROOS RDS - United States Mammal Hunters Naval Station, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto EWC - Eskimo Walrus Commission Rico USCG - United States Coast Guard

FCSC - Florida Caribbean Science NMFS - National Marine Fisheries USGS/BRD - United States Geological Center, USGS Service Survey, Biological Resources Discipline

FDEP - Florida Department of NMML - National Marine Mammal VHF - very-high frequency Environmental Protection Laboratory WERC - Western Ecological Research FDNR - Florida Department of Natural NSB - North Slope Borough Center, USGS Resources NVPP - Nearshore Vertebrate Predator WHMP - Walrus Harvest Monitoring Project Project iv Introduction

AUTHORITY The Service administers requests for Presently, the USGS/BRD has been The passage of the Marine Mammal waiving the moratorium and for the charged with that responsibility; the Protection Act of 1972, hereafter transfer of management authority to Service closely coordinates with the referred to as the Act or MMPA, gave States, issues permits, enforces USGS/BRD on marine mammal the Department of the Interior provisions of the Act, and publishes rules research needs. (Department) responsibility for and regulations to manage marine manatees, polar bears, walruses, sea and mammals. The Service also During the two-year period of time marine otters, and dugong. Within the cooperates with the States, and covered by this report, there were no Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife participates in international activities significant changes to the listed status Service (Service) is the primary agency and agreements. In addition, the Service of any of the species of marine mammals responsible for managing these marine lists and delists species as endangered or whose management is the Service’s mammals and for enforcing the threatened and undertakes other responsibility. moratorium on taking and importing Endangered Species Act (ESA) related marine mammals and marine mammal responsibilities and maintains a close parts. During 1999 and 2000, the working relationship with the Marine Biological Resources Discipline Mammal Commission (MMC) and (formerly the Biological Resources its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Division) of the U.S. Geological Survey Prior to Fiscal Year 1994, the Service (USGS/BRD) was responsible for conducted the marine mammal research conducting marine mammal research. program.

SPECIES LIST Species List and Status of Marine Mammals Under Service Jurisdiction Under the Act and the ESA

Species Marine Mammal Endangered Common Name Scientific Name Protection Act Species Act Polar bear Ursus maritimus Yes No Sea otter-Alaska Enhydra lutris kenyoni Yes No Sea otter-southern Enhydra lutris nereis Yes Threatened Marine otter Lutra felina Yes Endangered Walrus Odobenus rosmarus Yes No Dugong Dugong dugon Yes Endangered* West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus Yes Endangered Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis Yes Endangered West African manatee Trichechus senegalensis Yes Threatened

* The dugong is listed as endangered throughout its entire historic range except when it occurs in the United States.

1 Summary of the Program for 1999 and 2000 Appropriations

The Act’s funding authorization for the Department occurs in Section 116(b). Authorized Expended Projected Spending occurs on a Fiscal Year (FY) basis. Calendar years 1999 and 2000 Fiscal Year 1999 $10,296 $3,633 -- covered by this report overlap FYs Fiscal Year 2000 $10,296 4,701 -- 1999, 2000, and 2001. Funds (in $000) authorized for these years, as well as Fiscal Year 2000 $10,296 -- $5,000 funds spent in FY 1999 and FY 2000, and projected to be spent in FY 2001, are presented.

Actual Actual Actual Marine Mammal Protection Act Expenditures FY 99 FY 00 FY 01 USGS/BRD Research and Development Alaska sea otter $ 325 $ 742 $ 749 Polar bear 335 414 533 Pacific walrus 50 80 250 Misc. marine mammals (including polar bear, walrus, and sea otter) 100 112 120 Total USGS/BRD Research and Development $ 810 $1, 348 $1, 652 Management Permit activities $ 195 $ 200 $ 205 Law enforcement activities 620 800 790 Other management activities 2, 008 2, 353 2, 353 Total Management $2, 823 $3, 353 $3, 348 MMPA Grand Total $3, 633 $4, 701 $5, 000 Endangered Species Act Expenditures Section 6 (Grants-to-States) California - sea otter $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 Florida - manatee 0 0 0 Georgia - manatee 26 26 26 Total Section 6 $ 26 $ 26 $ 26 Section 15 (USGS/BRD Research and Development) Endangered/threatened otters $ 233 $ 290 $ 691 Manatee 456 533 347 Total USGS/BRD Research and Development $ 810 $ 823 $1, 038 Section 15 (Management) Consultation1 $ 320 $ 320 $ 320 Recovery1 3522 5513 1, 0254 Hawaiian monk seal5 75 75 75 Total Management $ 747 $ 946 $1, 420 ESA Grand Total $1, 462 $1, 795 $2, 484

1 Funded under authority of the ESA. Includes funds for all endangered and threatended marine mammals for which the Service engages in consultation and recovery activities. 2 In Fiscal Year 1999, $152,000 in special project funds is included in the “Manatee” total above in Section 15 (USGS/BRD Research and Development) and is not included here. 3 In Fiscal Year 2000, funds shown include a $498,000 add-on for manatee protection zone enforcement and $53,000 for manatee special projects, whicle $62,500 in special project funds are included in the “Manatee” total above in Section 15 (USGS/BRD Research and Development) are not included here. 4 In Fiscal Year 2001, funds shown include a $1,000,000 add-on for manatee protection zone enforcement and $25,000 for manatee special projects, while $98,000 in special project funds are included in the “Manatee” total above in Section 15 (USGS/BRD Research and Development) and are not included here. 5 Although the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has primary responsibility for Hawaiian monk seals according to Section 3(12)(A)(i) of the Act, almost the entire world population of the seals breeds and forages in the Hawaiian islands, Midway Atoll, and Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuges. Funds reported are spent for monk seal activities on Refuge lands under aithority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee).

2 Outer Continental Shelf Operations and Environmental Studies

No activities were reported for either year covered by this report.

3 Research and Development

Part of DOI’s responsibility in 1. Polar bear High-resolution aerial photographs implementing the MMPA is to monitor (n=3000) were then searched for the the health of marine mammal A. Project Title and Summary: kinds of habitats recorded at actual populations and to manage them in a way Mapping of high probability maternal dens. We used characteristics of the ob- that ensures they are maintained at their denning habitats of polar bears. served dens and aerial photos to identify optimum sustainable population. In order 1782 km of bank habitats suitable for to accomplish this, we conduct studies to Polar bears give birth in dens of ice and denning. Bank habitats comprised 0.18 help us understand the potential impacts snow to protect their highly altricial percent of our study area between the to marine mammals of both natural young. Disruption of the denning cycle Colville River and the Tamyariak River events and anthropogenic activities. may result in mortality of their young. in northern Alaska. A final digital map, Information obtained in these studies In northern Alaska, terrestrial dens which identified 82 percent of bluff enables us to work with individuals and occur within the Prudhoe Bay oilfield denning habitat in this region, and the industries that are operating in areas and in other regions of the arctic coastal documentation of how the map was de- occupied by marine mammals and to plain under consideration for petroleum veloped will be published in the journal develop and implement effective exploration and extraction. Most ARCTIC. This product will help management strategies. For example, exploration and construction occurs minimize potential for disruptions of the oil and gas industry in Alaska has during the winter months when mater- maternal dens by winter petroleum regularly requested that we promulgate nal dens are occupied. Temporal and exploration activities. regulations under Section 101(a)(5)(A) spatial management of human activities to authorize the incidental, unintentional is necessary to avoid negative conse- In the summer of 2001, we continued to taking of polar bears and Pacific walrus in quences that may result from disturbing accrue data related to polar bear den the course of industry activities. maternal dens. While the chronology characteristics by visiting those addi- Incidental take regulations provide an of maternal dens is understood, habitat tional dens and incorporating their opportunity for DOI to interact with considerations are not well known. characteristics into our database. As industry to minimize potential effects on human activities in the Arctic expand, marine mammals. We conduct studies to 1999 and 2000 Activities/ these new data will help us update and support the regulations, which can only Accomplishments revise information on the distribution of be promulgated if the Secretary finds probable den habitat. that the incidental taking has no more Many new polar bear dens have been that a negligible impact on the species. discovered in northern Alaska since this FY 1999 $30,000 Findings from these studies provide a project began in 1995. During 1999, data FY 2000 $0 basis for improved future impact assess- were collected and used for digital map FY 2001 $20,000 ment and mitigation. These studies, adjustments and error checking. Final many of which are specifically requested ground truthing was completedin 1999. and supported by industry, are described Maps, documentation,and publications below. were prepared during the year. The USGS/BRD conducted research During 2000, we visited 25 den sites, under the Act during FYs 1999 and 2000 located previously by radiotelemetry, to at several Centers and Field Stations. characterize physiognomy of known The Alaska Biological Science Center denning locations. (ABSC) is responsible for polar bear, walrus, and northern (i.e., Alaska) sea otter research. The Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), formerly the California Science Center (CSC), is responsible for work on southern sea ot- ters. The Florida Caribbean Science Center (FCSC) is responsible for research on sirenians (manatees and dugongs). The Division of Cooperative Research administers additional research at cooperative units across the country funded by, and in support of, the needs of the Service, other USGS/BRD Research Centers, and other bureaus of the Department. For each project active during FY 1999 and 2000, the project title and summary, followed by highlights of accomplishments are given below by spe- USFWS cies. Previous results and Polar bear cubs accomplishments can be found in earlier publications.

4 B. Project Title and Summary: Knowledge of population size and trend While numbers of humans and their Population ecology of polar bears in is necessary to manage anthropogenic activities have increased in northern western Alaska and adjacent portions of risks to polar bears. Despite capturing Alaska, numbers of denning females Russia. over 1,025 females between 1967 and present along the coast also have 1998, previously calculated estimates of increased. Satellite-monitored Polar bears are seasonal residents of the size of the southern Beaufort Sea platform transmitter terminals (PTTs) the Bering and Chukchi Seas during ice population have been unreliable. We will transmit daily through the bound months of November through improved estimates of numbers of polar predenning and denning period. May. However, knowledge of seasonal bears by modeling heterogeneity in Transmissions will convey location, use patterns and densities of polar capture probability with covariates. temperature, and activity level of the bears in the Bering and Chukchi Seas Important covariates referred to the bear, allowing us to ascertain the timing was largely unknown. Polar bears were year of the study, age of the bear, and location of den entry. The captured throughout the Bering and capture-effort, and geographic location. effectiveness of FLIR to detect denned Chukchi Seas adjacent to the Alaskan bears will be tested December- and Russian coastlines in the spring and Our best model suggested an increase February, by which time dens will be adult females were fitted with satellite from around 500 females early in the well established and covered by a thick telemetry collars that provided regular study to as many as 1,500 at the end snow layer. A series of overflights position locations using overflying of the study. Assuming the increase in will be recorded on videotape for each satellite technology. Data from these numbers of males was comparable to den located. Overflights will differ in satellite instrumented polar bears that recorded for females, this could altitude, speed, view angle, and ambient indicate that the Chukchi Sea suggest a total population size of over conditions. A panel of observers, then, population is shared with Russia. These 2,500 animals, many more than will test visibility of bears in dens, and data are being used to delineate the previously hypothesized. The mean we will record whether they successfully population bounds and define the coefficient of variation on estimates for see the dens. After den abandonment seasonal limits of polar bear the last decade of the study was 0.16, the in spring, we will return to each den to distributions in the Bering and Chukchi smallest yet derived. record habitat features that could Seas. influence detectability of the den by Despite the significant improvements in FLIR. This effort will also determine the estimates provided by this new degree of discreteness between the estimator, we recommend a conservative 1999 and 2000 Activities/ adjacent populations. Detailed approach to management of polar bears Accomplishments movement data currently available is in the southern Beaufort Sea. The limited to adult females as male polar estimated growth rate of the population In both years, final testing of the ability bears cannot be fitted with neck collars. of 1.035 is near the maximum that seems of FLIR to detect polar bears in their A pilot study of subcutaneous possible for a hunted polar bear dens was hampered by poor weather. implantation of satellite transmitters population and should be viewed We hypothesized that clear and cold with percutaneous antennae was cautiously. Likewise, simulation weather early in the winter when the conducted to determine the feasibility of studies suggested there might be a small snow pack is thin should be ideal for using this technology to test the positive bias in when the data set detection of the heat signature of a den. assumption that adult male polar bears contains significant heterogeneity. Unfortunately, these weather conditions have similar movement patterns as adult Cautious harvest management, were not available during the winter of females. therefore, still is advised. Collection of either year. a more intensive southern Beaufort Sea Polar bears have long life spans, delayed mark-recapture data set is necessary in During the winter of 1999-2000, we knew maturity, small litter sizes, and extended order to further refine our population the locations of seven maternal polar reproductive intervals. These population estimates. bears dens. Snow, sleet, fog, and even characteristics indicate that any rain were the predominant increases in direct mortality of polar FY 1999 $150,000 weather conditions we faced while bears may not be compensated by FY 2000 $319,000 testing the ability of FLIR to detect increased productivity of polar bears. We FY 2001 $300,000 dens under the snow. Moisture in the air are in the process of building new is one condition that we know simulation models that will help C. Program Title and Summary: prohibits transmission of infrared understand the degree to which Detection of denning polar bears with radiation, and hence, it was not industrial activities and other forward-looking infrared (FLIR) surprising that we detected only 3 of 7 anthropogenic influences may alter polar imagery. known dens. bear survival and recruitment patterns. Polar bears construct maternal dens of The winter of 2000-2001 carried forth 1999 and 2000 Activities/ ice and snow throughout their with the same kinds of weather Accomplishments circumpolar range. In the Beaufort Sea observed the previous year. We had region of northern Alaska, most dens concluded from previous testing that During the 2-year period, we finished a have been found on the flat coastal plain. FLIR flights should be conducted early new analysis of mark and recapture data Hydrocarbon extraction is now occurring in the winter, when snow depths are collected from polar bears over a 30+ or planned along 100 miles of the lower. Also, in early winter the sun is year period. Beaufort Sea coastline. If development always below the horizon, preventing occurs in the National Petroleum solar warming from adding competing This analysis provided us with the best Reserve in the future, the scope of hot targets to the otherwise cold yet estimates of population size and trend development could include up to 2/3 of landscape. Unfortunately, during of polar bears in Alaska. the northern coastal region of Alaska. 3 weeks of standby with a Bell 212 These human activities can disturb polar helicopter, the weather was neither good bears and are a potential threat to enough to fly, nor good enough to test denning polar bears. FLIR.

5 However, in January, although we still accurate estimate of the sampling and time-depth recorders. Data from had low clouds and fog on most days, fraction. Sampling fraction, the diving studies are under management, conditions generally were better, and proportion of the population observed manipulation, and analysis. there were a few days during which we (by radio telemetry) during the study, actually had clear, if not cold, air. Of is calculated as the number of observed 1999 and 2000 Activities/ 12 dens visited, we were able to detect animals divided by the population size. Accomplishments seven. We believe we may have detected Hence, accurate population estimates one other den; however, due to solar are needed to calculate relative Since 1995, the number of sea otters warming, there were many warm targets probability distributions. Therefore, a in Glacier Bay has increased from 5 to in the vicinity of the radio-collared bear, second product from this project was an more than 500 animals. Most of this and we cannot be sure that we assumed article submitted to the Canadian growth resulted from immigration of correctly the heat signature to be the Journal of Zoology describing the esti- individuals outside the Park. Sea otter heat signature of the den. mation procedure we used to distribution is limited to a few locations, determine population size. In addition, all in the lower portions of Glacier Bay, Final analyses of data collected is the projection model was prepared (as and large areas throughout the Bay scheduled to be performed at a future well as a manual for its use), and an do not contain persistent sea otter workshop, and recommendations for use article describing its development and populations. of the FLIR system will be made in a results was submitted to Arctic. final report prepared thereafter. But, In 1999, 14 of 21 time depth recorders even without detailed analyses three In 2000, we used 10,913 reobservations deployed were recovered. Also in conclusions are obvious: (1) FLIR of 289 satellite radio-collared females to 1999, studies began of the species surveys must be performed as early estimate the distribution of polar bears composition, abundance, and size class as possible in winter to minimize snow in the Beaufort Sea. We used 255 distribution of intertidal clams and depths over the dens; (2) clear and observations of 69 polar bears and 322 urchins in Glacier Bay and Icy Straits. preferably cold air conditions will always observations of 95 polar bears to provide superior viewing conditions with estimate the distribution of polar bears In 2000 studies on the species FLIR; (3) and even a small amount of in the Liberty study area in September composition, density, and size class solar exposure compromises the and October, respectively. We assumed distributions of intertidal clam detectability of dens with FLIR. that other members of the population populations in and near Glacier Bay moved similarly to females. were completed. A total of 85 intertidal FY 1999 $100,000 sites were sampled, including 12 sites FY 2000 $95,000 Oil spill footprints for October and where sea otters have been present for FY 2001 $160,000 September, the times during which we about 20 years, 14 sites where otters hypothesized effects of an oil-spill would have been present for about 10 years, D. Project Title and Summary: be worst, were estimated using real wind and 59 sites where otters are either Oil spill/polar bear interaction modeling. and current data from 1980-1996. We absent or in the process of re-colonizing. used ARC/Info software to calculate The polar bear is the apical predator of overlap (numbers of bears oiled) We found mean clam densities in lower the arctic, and may be among the most between oil-spill footprints and polar Glacier Bay of about 95/m2, and about important indicators of general bear grid-cell values. Numbers of bears 10/m2 in the two upper arms. Where ecosystem health. Polar bears are most potentially oiled by a 5,912 barrel spill sea otters have been present for one and common near the continental shelf, an ranged from 0 to 25 polar bears for open two decades, clam densities were about area also rich in extractable water conditions, and from 0 to 61 polar 10/m2 and 30/m2, respectively. Patterns hydrocarbons. The goal of this project bears in autumnal mixed ice. Oil-spill in estimates of clam biomass generally is to estimate the number of polar bears trajectories affected small numbers of followed density patterns, although that might be oiled by a hypothetical spill bears far more often than they affected clam species preferred by sea otters from the Liberty Oil Production Island larger numbers of bears. Median (Saxidomus and Protothaca) were and sub-sea-floor pipeline in the central numbers of bears oiled by the 5,912 generally larger in Glacier Bay Beaufort Sea. barrel spill in September and October compared to where sea otters have been were 1 and 3 bears, respectively. present for more than 20 years. 1999 and 2000 Activities/ Accomplishments FY 1999 $55,000 Sea otters are now well established in FY 2000 $0 limited areas of the lower portions of The relative probability distribution of FY 2001 $53,000 Glacier Bay. It is likely that distribution polar bears in Alaskan near-shore and and numbers of sea otters will continue offshore waters will be presented in a 2. Alaska sea otter to increase in Glacier Bay in the near report summarizing the distribution and future. Sea otter diet consists primarily its ramifications. Probability A. Project Title and Summary: of clams, mussels, urchins, and crabs, distributions will be depicted as grid cell Processes structuring coastal marine but varies on relatively small spatial densities and as a 2-dimensional surface communities in Alaska. scales. Glacier Bay supports large and overlaying the arctic ocean with contours diverse populations of intertidal clams of polar bear distribution. That surface Surveys of relative abundance and that presently are largely unexploited will be in the form of an ARC/Info GIS distribution in Glacier Bay and Icy by sea otters. It is predictable that coverage. An article for the refereed Straits are in progress. Field work on the density and sizes of intertidal clam journal Arctic was prepared describing a study of sea otter foraging behavior populations will decline in response the method and results. is underway and data management is in to otter predation. This will result in progress. Annual field reports to Glacier fewer opportunities for human harvest, Because we are interested in the relative Bay Park on sea otter distribution and and will also result in ecosystem level probability of seeing any polar bear, not food habits are available. Field work changes, as prey are modified for other just a radio-collared bear, we need an was initiated in 1996 on sea otter diving predators, such as octopus, sea stars, behavior using ultra-sonic transmitters fishes, birds, and mammals.

6 Sea otters will also modify benthic habitats through excavation of sediments required to extract burrowing fauna, such as clams. Effects of sediment disturbance by foraging sea otters are not understood. Glacier Bay also supports large populations of other preferred sea otter prey, such as king and Dungeness crabs, green sea urchins, and several clam species that are commercially, culturally, or ecologically important. As the recolonization of the Bay by sea otters continues, it is also likely that dramatic changes will occur in the species composition, abundance, and size class composition of many components of the near-shore marine ecosystem. Many of

the changes will occur as a direct result of David Menke/USFWS predation by sea otters. Other changes Sea otter will result from indirect or cascading effects of sea otter foraging, such as increasing kelp production and modified active study plan involves monitoring male sea otters made fewer dives than prey availability for other near-shore environmental contaminants in the females (5,004 males vs > 10,719 for predators. nearshore marine ecosystem in the females), but dove deeper, on average, central and western Aleutian Islands. than females FY 2000 $210,000 ( 33.6 m males vs 12.0 m for females). FY 2001 $180,000 1999 and 2000 Activities/ In terms of activity time budgets, both Accomplishments male and female sea otters spent about B. Project Title and Summary: 55 percent of their time resting and 12 Assessment of sea otter population status Work continued on methods to assess percent traveling. However, male sea in Alaska. sea otter population status, and on the otters spent only 24 percent of their time collection and archival of biological foraging, compared to 31 percent for With the exception of 13 small remnant specimens acquired in cooperation females. Male sea otters spent 8 percent populations, sea otters were extirpated with the Service and the Alaska Sea of their time in other activities (zero- from their historic range in the north Otter Commission (ASOC), now the bottom time dives) compared to only 2 Pacific Ocean during the 18th and 19th Alaska Sea Otter and Steller Sea Lion percent for females. centuries. Since the beginning of the 20th Commission) to be used in population century, through protection and assessment studies. In 1999 work In 2000, work was completed on reintroduction, sea otter populations have continued on estimating activity time applying molecular genetics (mtDNA) to increased in abundance and distribution budgets from time depth recorders discriminate sea otter populations such that most of their range in Alaska, (TDR’s) in southeast Alaska. We throughout the species range. Work on with the exception of southeast Alaska, were successful in recovering 14 of 21 evaluation of the effects of population is currently occupied. Although data instruments deployed in 1999 and data bottlenecks on sea otter genetics was are incomplete, there is evidence of analysis of the 16 TDR’s recovered to completed. Work was also completed increasing, stable, and declining sea date is under way. In 2000 we initiated a on a project to distinguish levels of otter populations in different areas of the cooperative program with the Monterey population structuring within the Alaska Pacific. Bay Aquarium to apply the TDR subspecies of sea otters. technology to the threatened California sea otter population. We also completed work in 2000 on The cause, magnitude, and geographic life history plasticity and population extent of the declining populations are Following is a brief, preliminary regulation in sea otters. We contrasted unknown. Additionally, harvest levels of body condition, and age-specific sea otters for subsistence have increased summary of the TDR results. over the past 10 years. Population level Theoretically, the proportion of time reproduction and mortality between effect of the harvest at current levels are an individual spends foraging is a growing population of sea otters at unknown. Because sea otter populations inversely related to food availability, Kodiak Island and a high-density, near- occur over vast and remote areas, thus providing a measure of population equilibrium population at Amchitka determining population status and trends status relative to food resources. For Island, Alaska. Sixty-two percent of through traditional survey methods is the 13 animals thus far analyzed, we the preweaning pup losses at Amchitka logistically difficult and fiscally expensive. have identified a total of 230,209 dives occurred within a month of Two active study plans describe the of three different types: zero-bottom parturition and 79 percent occurred research under this program. One time, traveling, and foraging. Each dive within two months. Postweaning research project includes estimating type has different attributes such as survival was also low at Amchitka as sea otter activity time budgets (i.e., the depth, duration, bottom time, and rate only 18 percent of instrumented pups proportion of time an individual or of ascent and descent. Mean dive depth were known to be alive one year after population allocates to foraging, resting, of >105,000 foraging dives were 19.6 mother-pup separation. Adult survival or other behaviors). The method m (se=3.5) and mean maximum dive rates appeared similar at Amchitka and employed consists of deploying time- depth was 60.5 m (se=6.3) among the Kodiak. Factors affecting survival early depth recorders (TDRs) on individual 13 individuals. The minimum maximum in life thus are a primary demographic otters. These devices record and store dive depth for an individual was 35.5 mechanisms of population regulation in depths at 2 second intervals. The second m and the maximum dive depth for an sea otters. By maintaining uniformly individual was 100 m. On average, high reproductive rates over time and

7 limiting investment in any particular Publication completed 10/1/2000: Mon- observed an apparent response among reproductive event, sea otters can son, D.H., D.F. Doak, B.E. Ballachey, several invertebrates to reduced sea take advantage of unpredictable A. Johnson, and J.L. Bodkin. 2000. otter densities. This finding represents environmental changes favorable to pup Long-term impacts of the Exxon Valdez a shift in the ecological processes survival. This strategy is consistent with oil spill on sea otters, assessed through structuring the nearshore community predictions of “bet-hedging” life history age-dependent mortality patterns. Pro- and provides a unique opportunity to models. ceedings National Academy of Sciences, test predictions related to sea otter USA.97(12):6562-6567. recovery and their prey. We also have Publication completed 12/25/1999: an opportunity to test the application of Scribner, K.M., J.L. Bodkin, B.E. FY 1999 $60,000 this novel approach as a tool for Ballachey, S.R. Fain, M.A. Cronin and FY 2000 $90,000 monitoring predators through prey M. Sanchez. 1997. Population genetic FY 2001 $120,000 that may have broader ecological studies of the sea otter (Enhydra lutris): applications. A review & interpretation of available C. Project Title and Summary: data. Proceedings: Marine Mammal Patterns and processes of population 1999 and 2000 Activities/ Genetics Symposium, La Jolla, CA. change in selected nearshore vertebrate Accomplishments Sept., 1994. predators. The otter population estimates for Publication completed 4/1/1998: Bodkin, The purpose of this study is to track the Western Prince William Sound were J.L., B.E. Ballachey, M.A. Cronin & K.T. recovery process of sea otters (Enhydra 2,475 (se=381) in 1999 and 2,852 Scribner. 1999. Population demographics lutris) in western Prince William (se=440) in 1998. A single survey of and genetic diversity in sea remnant Sound through annual aerial surveys of Western Prince William Sound and a and translocated sea otter populations. abundance and to monitor the abundance series of replicate aerial surveys were Conservation Biology 13(6) 1378-1385. and size distribution of a preferred completed at Knight and Montague sea otter prey, the green sea urchin Islands in July 2000. Surveys of sea Presentation completed 12/4/1999: (Stronglycentrotus droebachiensis). urchin populations at Knight and Monson, Daniel, H., J. Watt, T. Gelatt, Study History: This project began in Montague Island were completed in J.L. Bodkin, J.A. Estes and D.B. Siniff. April 1999 with the approval of a 5- August 2000. In July 2000, we estimated 1999. Estimating foraging time budgets year plan by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill the Western Prince William Sound sea for sea otters from characteristics of (EVOS) Trustee Council. The project otter population at 2,992 individuals foraging behavior. 13th Beinnial Marine is an extension of Restoration Project (se=480). We estimated population sizes Mammal Conference, Maui, Hawaii. 29 93043-2, designed to develop an aerial of 79 (se=6) at Northern Knight Island Nov.-3 Dec. 1999. survey method for sea otters in 1993, and 544 (se=95) at Montague Island in and the Nearshore Vertebrate Predator 2000. Presentation completed 12/1/1999: Project (NVPP), 95025 (SIS 5001228) Bodkin, James L., K.A. Kloecker designed to assess recovery of the The significant increases we have and A.M. Burdin. 1999. Fluctuating nearshore ecosystem affected by the detected since 1993 in and around the asymmetry and genetic diversity in sea Exxon Valdez oil spill. spill area continue to indicate progress otters. 13th Beinnial Marine Mammal toward recovery of the EVOS injured Conference, Maui, Hawaii. 29 Nov.-3 This project supports an annual survey sea otter population. However, the lack Dec. 1999. of sea otter abundance in Prince William of a Sound, population estimates from concurrent increase around Northern Publication completed 10/1/1999: intensive surveys in an oiled and unoiled Knight Island through 2000, where sea Bodkin, J. L. and M.S. Udevitz. 1999. area and estimates of the density and otter mortality was highest, indicate An aerial survey method to estimate sea sizes of green sea urchins from those that recovery may not be occurring otter abundance. in: Garner, G.W., S.C. same intensive study areas. where oil spill effects were greatest. Amstrup, J.L. Laake, B.F.J. Manly, L.L. McDonald, and D.G. Robertson, (eds.) Sea otters and harlequin ducks occupy Presentation completed 12/1/1999: Marine mammal survey and assessment an invertebrate-consuming trophic level Bodkin, James L., K.A. Kloecker and methods. Balkema Press, Netherlands in the nearshore and are conspicuous A.M. Burdin. 1999. pg. 13-26. components of the nearshore ecosystem. In 1995, the NVPP was initiated to FY 1999 $95,000 Publication completed 2/2/2000: Gorbics, examine the status of recovery of FY 2000 $95,000 C and J.L. Bodkin. Stock Identity of nearshore vertebrates (including sea FY 2001 $95,000 sea otters in Alaska. in press. Marine otters, harlequin ducks, river otters, Mammal Science. and pigeon guillemots), and to evaluate D. Project Title and Summary: possible causes for the apparent lack of Interactions between sea otters and Presentation completed 1/18/2000: recovery. Results of the NVPP clearly nearshore communities. Lowry, L., D. DeMaster and J.L. suggest that complete recovery has not Bodkin. 2000. Status of marine mammals occurred for sea otters and harlequin The sea otter provides one of the best populations in the Gulf of Alaska. 11th ducks. known examples of a keystone species. annual Exxon Valdez oil spill symposium This study has the following goals: (1) 18-19 January 2000, Anchorage, AK. This proposed work follows up on to determine the relative importance the critical elements revealed by of sea otter predation in kelp forest Dissertation completed 6/1/2000: the NVPP studies, in particular the ecosystems across the northeast Pacific Fukuyama, A.K. 2000. The ecology of relation between population status Ocean; (2) to understand the breadth of bivalve communities in Prince William and oil contamination, and evaluation indirect effects of sea otter predation Sound, Alaska: Influence of the Exxon of population status. In addition to in coastal ecosystems; and (3) to Valdez oil spill and predation by sea observations made directly on predator document the effects of environmental otters. Doctoral dissertation, University species, as part of the NVPP, we have contaminants on sea otters, their prey, of Washington, Seattle.

8 and other elements of the coastal By using the fragmented distribution of is currently declining from its most ecosystems in which they live and sea otter populations that resulted from recent peak in abundance in the 1980s. interact. over-hunting during the Pacific maritime Estimates of walrus population trends fur trade and subsequent protection are critical for effective management. This project began in 1977 when biennial of the species in the early 1900’s as a surveys began of translocated northern natural experiment, we have been able This study evaluates trends in the sea otters to Washington State. In to show that sea otters have a wide walrus population through the 1989, surveys started being conducted range of important effects on coastal establishment of new surveys, evaluation annually and with the cooperation of the ecosystems. These include enhancement of past data collected from monitoring Washington Department of Fish and of primary production, increased programs in the U.S. and Russia, and Wildlife. The objective is to monitor competition among kelp species, genetic studies to investigate potential the abundance and distribution of the enhancement of coastal fish populations, structuring in the walrus population. Washington sea otter population to and population or behavioral effects on provide data, which will allow a better a variety of other consumer species, 1999 and 2000 Activities/ assessment of population status, and to including gulls, sea ducks, and sea Accomplishments provide information on growth rates of stars. We have also provided evidence this population for comparison with suggesting that sea otter predation has Research planning and project populations in California and Alaska. shaped the evolution of marine plant/ development was conducted. Field herbivore interactions in North Pacific work to develop capture and attachment Studies related to investigating kelp forests. protocols for Pacific walrus were contaminants in mussels and fish conducted at Cape Peirce on Togiak include monitoring sea otter populations Results obtained during the past two National Wildlife Refuge. Several types and kelp forest communities in this years have documented the collapse of satellite transmitters were attached to Aleutian Islands effort. The rationale of kelp forest ecosystems following tusks and at-sea locations were obtained. for this focus are: (1) sea otters are a the reduction of sea otter populations Satellite telemetry data from walrus known keystone species in kelp forest by killer whale predation in western captured at Cape Peirce indicate a ecosystems and have high public Alaska. Our recent findings also suggest feeding concentration area southwest of visibility; (2) otter populations have localized contaminant inputs from sites the Cape. Russian remotely-sensed ice recently undergone a dramatic decline. of historic or current military activity in data are being collected and formatted western Alaska, although the evidence by Russian cooperators. Ice images Sea otters compete with humans for suggests that these inputs are not of the Bering and Chukchi Seas were shellfish resources. These interactions responsible for the population declines. processed. and conflicts are compounded by the Superimposed on these localized effects facts that shellfish stocks have declined is growing evidence for contaminant A workshop was held in Anchorage for reasons other than sea otter inputs to western Alaska from Asia, March 27 and 28, 2000, to discuss predation and coastal marine ecosystems mainly in the form of DDT and its potential approaches for conducting an are subject to a wide range of human various metabolites. While still not aerial survey of the Bering and Chukchi influences, in particular eutrophication conclusive, there is some recent evidence Seas for walrus. Proceedings were and contamination. that these materials may be transported published in a Service technical report. into western Alaska via migratory An analysis is scheduled to begin in FY The data will also provide comparative seabirds. DDE levels in bald eagles 2001 of past haulout count data collected baseline information, which will be that specialize on seabird prey in this by the Service from mid 1980 to the extremely valuable in the event of an region are sufficiently high to cause present from Bristol Bay. environmental catastrophe, such as a reproductive suppression. major oil spill in which a high level of Publication completed: Proceedings of mortality can be expected. FY 1999 $170,000 a workshop concerning walrus survey FY 2000 $347,000 methods, Anchorage, Alaska, March 1999 and 2000 Activities/ FY 2001 $354,000 27-28, 2000. USFWS Technical Report Accomplishments MMM00-2. 92 pp. 3. Pacific walrus Contaminant analyses have been FY 1999 $5,000 completed on fauna collected. Sea otters A. Project Title and Summary: FY 2000 $20,000 have been monitored surrounding Adak Population trends of Pacific walrus. FY 2001 $115,000 Island and other sites. Pacific walruses occur throughout the The findings from this research will be Chukchi and Bering Seas and are used for the following purposes: (1) to important to Native subsistence in provide a model system for wildlife Alaska and Russia where thousands managers and conservation biologists of animals are harvested each year. illustrating the interactions between Reliable abundance estimates for walrus species and ecosystems; (2) to help the are currently unavailable. Estimates of Service develop a working definition for the potential biological removal (PBR) optimum sustainable population; and (3) level for all marine mammal species are to assist various management agencies in required under a 1994 amendment to determining the source, distribution, and the Act. PBR level estimates require effects of environmental contaminants an estimate of population size with USFWS in coastal marine ecosystems of western estimable precision. The status of the Pacific walrus North America. walrus population is poorly known, but there are indications that the population

9 B. Project Title and Summary: FY 1999 $40,000 and other elements in marine mammal Pacific walrus telemetry studies. FY 2000 $60,000 tissues. FY 2001 $135,000 The distribution of walruses is influenced FY 1999 $0 strongly by the seasonal distribution C. Project Title and Summary: FY 2000 $0 of pack ice. Herds of mixed sex and Heavy metal contaminants in Pacific age classes occur at sea ice haulouts in walrus. D. Project Title and Summary: winter, primarily in the Anadyr Gulf, Use of stable isotopes and heavy metals St. Lawrence Island, and Bristol Bay Anthropogenic pollutants such as heavy in studies of Pacific walrus movements regions of the Bering Sea where breed- metals are commonly found in Arctic and dietary habits. ing and calving occurs. In spring, female marine mammals. Subsistence hunting and young walruses migrate northward of these animals may compromise the Walrus foraging and nutritional ecology with the retreat of sea ice to summer in health of users. The Pacific walrus are poorly understood. Continued the Chukchi Sea. Adult males summer is a major Arctic subsistence species development of Arctic resources, primarily in the Bering Sea, using land with thousands harvested annually including offshore gas and oil leasing, haulouts on the coasts of Russia and throughout the Chukchi and Bering and the influence of human activities on Alaska. Seas. Despite heavy dependence upon the Arctic ecosystem have underscored walrus for subsistence, very little the need to increase our understanding Although these general patterns published information exists concerning of Arctic biology in order to provide are known, many aspects of their potential health risks from ingesting scientifically defensible distribution and movements are poorly walrus. In addition to their significance recommendations to resource managers. understood including their annual fidelity to Native subsistence, walrus are The measurement of naturally occurring to summering and wintering areas in ideal sentinel animals for monitoring stable isotopes of C, N, S, O, and H the Bering and Chukchi Seas, migration anthropogenic contamination in Arctic has emerged as an invaluable tool for routes, and within-season fidelity to local ecosystems. They are apical benthic the investigation of individual and haulouts sites. These studies investigate predators specializing on bivalves, thus community ecology, as well as ecosystem the seasonal migration patterns, haulout their tissue heavy metal concentrations function. use, and foraging behavior of walruses. are direct measures of benthic heavy metal loading throughout the Chukchi More recently, stable isotope research in This information will be used to identify and Bering Seas. Because of age and sex ecology has expanded to include studies potentially separate segments of the specific spatial segregation of the walrus of nutritional pathways and the tracking population for management purposes population for much of the year, tissues of migratory wildlife. Researchers can and to aid in designing population and from male walrus harvested in Bristol obtain a variety of time-integrated diet behavioral studies. Bay represent time-integrated sampling estimates from tissues because of their residence in the Bering Sea, tissue-specific metabolic rates and 1999 and 2000 Activities/ whereas tissues from female and young biochemical pathways cause them to Accomplishments walrus represent exposures during their accumulate isotopes at different rates. summer residence in the Chukchi Sea Tissues such as vibrissae or hair are Results from time-depth-recorder data and winter residence in the Bering Sea. unique because any segment of these are in press with Marine Mammal Sci- will have an isotopic ratio representative ence. Data were collected from four This project will use walrus tissue of the consumer’s diet just at the time adult animals in 1997 from Bristol Bay samples archived to: (1) make a that particular segment was formed. and were used to identify dive behaviors comparison between two analytical Thus, serial sections from these and activity of these animals. Analysis lab techniques in the measurement of tissues provide a continuous picture of walrus movement data from satellite metal levels in walrus tissues (National of consumer diet over time, and if the transmitters deployed over the past five Institute of Standards and Technology tissue’s growth rate is known, diet years are underway and are expected traceable standards will be used as may be related to seasonal events in to be complete by the end of FY 2001. the quality assurance/quality control the animal’s life. Similarly, measures Plans are being developed to deploy 12 (QA/QC) benchmarks for all laboratory of heavy metal concentrations along satellite-transmitters in Russian waters procedures), and (2) provide a data set the axis of growth in hard tissues in the Gulf of Anadyr in July 2001 to of metal levels in walrus tissues which such as teeth can provide a history of investigate the movement patters of will represent information gathered only environmental or dietary exposure of walruses from the hypothesized “Kresta” from samples collected and analyzed animals to metals such as Hg, Pb, Cu, group. under strict QA/QC guidelines. Zn, Sr, and Ca. Publication in progress as of 2/7/2000: 1999 and 2000 Activities/ Furthermore, if isotopic and metal Haulout fidelity and feeding areas of Accomplishments profiles are known for geographic male walruses in Bristol Bay, Alaska. regions of the animal’s environment, Samples will be acquired from the measures of these profiles in tissues Publication completed 4/13/2001: Jay, Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archival can provide information on the animal’s C.V., S.D. Farley, and G.W. Garner. in Project (AMMTAP) and analyzed at the residency within geographic areas. The press. Summer diving behavior of male USGS Geologic Division laboratory in purpose of this work is to explore the Pacific walrus in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Denver, Colorado. Analysis has been use of stable isotope techniques and Marine Mammal Science 17:000-000. delayed due to unforseen delays in tissue measures of heavy metals as a tool for acquisition from AMMTAP. studying large-scale movements and Publication in progress as of 4/13/2001; dietary habits of walrus. Jay, C.V., and G.W. Garner. submitted. Planned publications from this effort Frequency of location acquisitions from include: (1) Heavy metal contaminants The stable isotope ratios of N and C a GPS-Argos satellite unit deployed on in Pacific walruses, and (2) A comparison will be measured in vibrissae and blood Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus of two analytical techniques for samples of free-ranging male walrus divergens). Marine Mammal Science. determinations of specific heavy metals in Bristol Bay and of females and their calves in the northern Bering Sea.

10 1999 and 2000 Activities/ 1999 and 2000 Activities/ Recovery Plan. The database currently Accomplishments Accomplishments includes specific identity and feature description data, photographic images, About 30 tooth samples provided by the Presentation completed 1/21/1999: Geoff and over 22,000 sighting records and Service were sectioned and analyzed by York. 1999. Alaska Marine Mammal reproductive histories for nearly 1,500 Geological Survey of Canada for levels of Tissue Archival Project. Focus on the individual manatees. heavy metal isotopes. These preliminary Future-Alaska Environmental Studies, analyses indicate geographic segregation Seventh Alaska OCS Region, Minerals The data have been converted and among male and female animals and Management Service Information are now queried through an Access between collection sites (harvest Transfer Meeting. Anchorage, AK Database, which currently consists of 26 villages) within sexes. This suggests related tables. The MIPS program and that a study based on a larger sample During 2000, AMMTAP samples were structure has been shared with the collected over the entire Pacific walrus obtained and archived from ringed Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation range may provide information on walrus seal, bearded seal, harbour seal, sea Commission, Florida Marine Research group affiliation and the distribution of otter, polar bear, and bowhead whale. Institute (FMRI), and the Mote Marine potentially segregated segments of the Analysis of ringed seal and polar bear Laboratory to assist in maintaining the population. tissues from the Barrow area were also database on manatees frequenting the completed resulting in the submission of southwest coast of Florida. We are also FY 1999 $5,000 a publication this spring. planning to examine the reproductive FY 2000 $500 histories of individual manatees, if FY 2001 $0 FY 1999 $100,000 differences in age of first reproduction FY 2000 $112,000 have fitness consequences, and if there 4. Miscellaneous marine mammals FY 2001 $120,000 are regional differences in fitness.

A. Project Title and Summary: 5. Manatee and dugong FY 1999 $124,000 Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archival FY 2000 $124,000 Project. A. Project Title and Summary: FY 2001 $124,300 Reproduction traits and population The cryogenic archival of environmental dynamics of Florida manatees based on B. Project Title and Summary: specimens for retrospective analysis can photoidentification techniques. Use of strip-transect aerial surveys to be an important resource in assess manatee population trends. environmental monitoring programs Long-lived Florida manatees overwinter and for both present and future at natural and man-made warm water The Florida manatee is a large, research on population genetics, sites throughout Florida and in herbivorous marine mammal that pathology, systematics, animal health, southeastern Georgia. Manatee inhabits the coastal waters, estuaries, and toxicology. The AMMTAP is a aggregations reach hundreds of and freshwater rivers of the joint project conducted by three U.S. individuals at some of these sites, southeastern United States, primarily Government agencies to collect and affording non-intrusive opportunities in Florida. Rapid development and archive tissues from Alaska marine to record life history observations and increasing human activity in the mammals. The project emphasizes photographically document numerous coastal zone threatens the long-term the use of standardized sampling and individuals. Photographs and existence of this endangered species. archival protocols, procedures that accompanying observational histories The Sirenia Project initiated a long- minimize contamination of samples also are taken opportunistically at sites term radiotelemetry study of manatees during collection, and maintaining a frequented by manatees during the non- along the Atlantic coast of Florida and detailed record of sample history. Most winter months, and year-round in the Georgia in 1986 to gather information of the animals sampled are from Alaska course of radio tracking research. on the species’ ecology, behavior, and life Native subsistence harvests; therefore, Documentation of individual manatees history. the project requires cooperation through photoidentification, maintenance and collaboration with numerous of the existing long-term database (20+ 1999 and 2000 Activities/ Alaska Native organizations and local years), and determination of survival Accomplishments governmental agencies. Through rates and other population parameters AMMTAP, samples are collected for from the database are all highest The study has documented individual contaminant monitoring in the Marine priority actions in the implementation variation in seasonal movement Mammal Health and Stranding Response of the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan. patterns, migratory behavior in relation Program established by TITLE IV of Detailed knowledge of Florida manatee to water temperature, areas of high the Act. life history and population dynamics manatee use that vary seasonally, is necessary to develop adequate strong site fidelity to warm-season In addition, the project has provided population models. ranges across years, and diel movement samples and/or data for many research patterns. Manatee surveys have programs, both inside and outside the 1999 and 2000 Activities/ typically not been designed to sample United States, on a variety of subjects. Accomplishments quantified survey areas, or to produce These subjects include genetics research, estimates of abundance. In 2000, the circumpolar distribution of We continued documentation we collaborated with the Service, by chlorinated hydrocarbons in beluga of individual manatees through designing and analyzing results from whales, baseline levels of trace elements photoidentification, maintenance of the strip-transect aerial surveys of the Ten in tissues, the identification of arsenic long-term database (20+ years), and Thousand Islands National Wildlife and mercury species in marine mammal further development of the Manatee Refuge (TTINWR). Our objective is to tissues, biomarker research, nutritional Individual Photoidentification System determine if manatee density and studies, and studies on potential human (MIPS), all high priority actions in the distribution in the nearshore waters of health effects of Alaska Native implementation of the Florida Manatee the TTINWR and the Everglades subsistence foods.

11 National Park change in response manatees and the future of industrial and one in June 1997. Only one radio to restoration of natural hydrologic warm-water sources. tagged manatee has stayed in Brevard patterns in southwestern Florida. We County, using the thermal effluents of want to statistically compare pre- and FY 1999 $60,000 two power plants in the upper Indian post-restoration indices of manatee FY 2000 $60,000 River. Although the sample size is abundance using strip-transect surveys small and the study is still ongoing, it in the TTINWR. We established 30 D. Project Title and Summary: is clear that manatees have a strong parallel transects, 1 km apart, with a Manatee response to elimination of a affinity for traditional warm water survey strip width of approximately 250 thermal refuge north of the species’ refuges and do not necessarily respond m. The estimates of number of manatees natural winter range. to the absence of a former refuge in the study area ranged from 39 to 164, by returning to more distant sites or 0.28 to 1.16 per km5. The estimates Man-made warm water discharges further south, where warmer water is for survey dates with conditions ranked from industries such as power, paper, assured. Some manatees may have as good to very good were 86 to 164. We and chemical-producing plants have been born in the study region and recommend that at least 6-8 surveys enabled manatees to extend their winter may not have developed the typical be conducted within a 2-month period, range much further north than would be manatee migratory pattern. Ongoing with good to excellent survey conditions expected for these endangered marine development of population genetics to minimize variation among surveys. mammals. The natural northern limit techniques may help to resolve this Surveys should be repeated every year of the manatee’s range in Florida is question. It is also clear that secondary for a minimum of 4-5 years. thought to be the Sebastian River on warm water sites are more numerous the Atlantic Coast, and the Crystal than was previously known, and should FY 1999 $80,000 River on the Gulf Coast. Manatees use not be underestimated in attempts to FY 2000 $80,000 man-made sources of warm water, as evaluate the impact of thermal effluent FY 2001 $80,000 well as natural, warm water springs, to elimination. maintain their body temperature during C. Project Title and Summary: the fall and winter, when ambient water FY 1999 $30,000 Movement, spatial use patterns, and temperatures decline. FY 2000 $65,000 habitat utilization of radiotagged West Indian manatees along the Atlantic coast An interagency research team is E. Project Title and Summary: of Florida and Georgia. Information on studying the Florida manatee’s response Characterizing benthic habitat and movement patterns and habitat to the loss of a significant warm water manatee grazing activity in Puerto Rico. requirements of Florida manatees discharge in northeastern Florida. are needed by managers responsible The Jefferson Smurfit Corp., a paper- Our objective is to assess the long- for protecting and recovering this products manufacturer in Fernandina term ecological status of seagrass endangered marine mammal. The Beach, Florida, recently modified resources in important manatee feeding Sirenia Project initiated a long-term its discharge system on the Amelia areas. Unlike the Florida manatee, radiotelemetry study of manatees along River. As a result, heated water will no which utilizes primarily estuarine and the Atlantic coast of Florida and Georgia longer be available to manatees in this freshwater habitats and feeds on a wide in 1986 and the field work has been region, as it has been in past winters. variety of submerged, floating, and completed. The principal goals of this The new system complies with water emergent plants, Antillean manatees Research Work Order are: (1) to describe quality standards regulated by the in Puerto Rico are found in marine within-season movements and spatial Florida Department of Environmental habitats and depend upon seagrasses for use patterns of radiotagged manatees, Protection (FDEP). Elimination of food. including home range, core activity artificial warm water sources north of areas, travel rates and diel movement the manatee’s natural winter range is The study utilizes radio tracking to patterns; (2) to analyze manatee habitat generally viewed by resource managers reveal manatee movements and habitat utilization and preference in two as a positive action. Manatees that use patterns in eastern Puerto Rico, and geographic areas of importance to stay in colder regions because of the links them to detailed maps of benthic manatees along Florida’s east coast; availability of industrial effluents are habitat near the U.S. Naval Station (3) to examine the effects of season, exposed to greater risk of hypothermia Roosevelt Roads and Vieques Island. geographic area, age class, sex, and during cold winter periods. It is female reproductive status on movement also possible that chronic exposure 1999 and 2000 Activities/ parameters and habitat use; and (4) to cold affects manatee metabolism, Accomplishments to determine the accuracy of locations reproductive success, and general generated from satellite-monitored radio health. The results of this study will Field personnel monitoring the newly tags, based on field experiments. assist resource managers in evaluating tagged individuals have been trained the consequences of eliminating specific in VHF tracking techniques. Habitat 1999 Activities/Accomplishments warm water effluents. maps for U.S. Naval Station, Roosevelt Roads (NAVSTA ROOS RDS), Puerto A total of 83 manatees have been tracked 1999 Activities/Accomplishments Rico, and draft maps for Vieques Island over this ten-year period using have been produced. Final reports for conventional field-monitored VHF Eight manatees were captured and the mapping effort are in preparation. radiotransmitters and Argos satellite- fitted with satellite-monitored radio Copies will be provided to the Navy, monitored PTTs, resulting in over 60,000 transmitter assemblies in March 1997, at Puerto Rico Department of Natural locations between the Florida Keys either the Jefferson Smurfit Corporation Resources (PRDNR), and other and southeast Georgia. A preliminary effluent basin, or the Georgia Pacific interested cooperators. Annual reports analysis of manatee winter use of pulp plant in Brunswick, Georgia. to the PRDNR and the U.S. Navy thermal refugia along the Atlantic coast Two additional manatees, which describe the field methods, databases, was carried out in the third quarter of had originally been radio tagged at and preliminary results on movements 1999 for presentation at a workshop on Jefferson-Smurfit in 1996, were retagged and spatial use patterns. The study has without capture, one in February 1997 documented individual variation in

12 movement patterns and areas of high released with satellite-monitored radio G. Project Title and Summary: manatee use. Six study sites, four at tags at eight different locations in Manatee population genetics. Roosevelt Roads Naval Station and two Florida. The study has documented on the west coast of Puerto Rico, near individual variation in survivability The West Indian manatee includes two Guanajibo, were assessed in April and through winters, seasonal movement recognized subspecies, the Florida and December 2000 to determine seagrass patterns, areas of high manatee use, the Antillean manatee. The Florida distribution, abundance, standing crop, strong site fidelity to warm-season manatee is believed to occur almost and leaf productivity in manatee feeding ranges across years , and diel movement exclusively in Florida and neighboring areas. patterns. Data on blood chemistry, states in the southeastern United hematology, and body condition have States. The Antillean manatee is much Publication completed: Lefebvre, L.W., been collected both prerelease and more widely distributed, in the Greater J.P. Reid, W.J. Kenworthy, and J.A. postrelease for most of the manatees Antilles, Mexico, the Caribbean coasts Powell. 2000. Characterizing manatee studied. of Central and South America, and habitat use and seagrass grazing in the Atlantic coast of Brazil to the state Florida and Puerto Rico: implications for 1999 and 2000 Activities/ of Bahía. Intensive research efforts conservation and management. Pacific Accomplishments over the last 30 years have illuminated Conservation Biology 5(4):289-298. aspects of manatee ecology, ethology, Four captive-reared and one and population dynamics. FY 1999 $35,200 rehabilitated manatee were released FY 2000 $35,200 in the spring run last winter and radio Research on manatee genetics is FY 2001 $35,200 tracked during 2000. The manatees were mandated by the Service’s Florida fitted with satellite-monitored, floating Manatee Recovery Plan. Such F. Project Title and Summary: tag assemblies and belt-mounted VHF information could improve Postrelease monitoring of captive-reared radio transmitters. Three manatees had understanding of the structure and manatees. gained weight since their release and social interactions of populations one was approximately the same weight. and thereby influence management The primary objective of the manatee All were determined to be healthy, with objectives for different groups of reintroduction program is to develop blubber indices within the range of manatees. Ongoing habitat loss and protocols and guidelines for releasing healthy wild manatees. high mortality rates are factors which long-term captive manatees (captive born threaten the future of the Florida and captive reared) into their natural Publication completed: Deutsch, C.J. manatee. Low intrinsic reproductive rate environment. The Sirenia Project 2000. Winter movements and use of and low natural population density make represents USGS/BRD in the warm-water refugia by radio tagged this species particularly vulnerable to Interagency/Oceanaria Manatee Working West Indian manatees along the Atlantic human perturbations. One consequence Group (I/O Group), which advises the Coast of the United States. Final of population reduction is loss of genetic Service on issues related to captive Report prepared for Florida Power and diversity. It is generally recognized that manatees. The I/O Group recommended Light Company and U.S. Geological genetic variability is necessary for both the use of a prerelease enclosure as Survey. 74pp. + append. adaptation to changing environments a means of conditioning long-term and long-term survival of the species. captives before releasing them in the Publication completed: Deutsch, C.J., Strategies to preserve genetic diversity wild. The Sirenia Project assisted FWS J.P. Reid, R.K. Bonde, D.E. Easton, require knowledge of the distribution of in designing the enclosure; by developing H.I. Kochman, and T.J. O’Shea. 2000. variation in the populations and species. protocols to record observations of Seasonal movements, migratory Several generations of severe inbreeding manatees; and to assess changes in the behavior, and site fidelity of West Indian in a small population or repeated crashes aquatic vegetation within the enclosure, manatees along the Atlantic Coast of to a few individuals can deplete most of radio tracking manatees released the United States as determined by the genetic variation from an initially from the enclosure, and assisting with radiotelemetry. Final Report. Research larger population. postrelease captures and biomedical Work Order 163. Florida Cooperative assessments of reintroduced manatees. Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. 1999 and 2000 Activities/ Geological Survey and University of Accomplishments Additionally, the Sirenia Project Florida. 254pp. + xii. conducted concurrent satellite A 403 base-pair fragment was examined transmitter accuracy tests while Publication completed: Carr, T. and R.K. in 87 individuals from Florida, Puerto radio tagged manatees were held in Bonde. 2000. Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the enclosure. Since 1995, a number occurs in Nicaragua, 800 km north of Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and of manatee releases have been done its previously known range. Marine Brazil, and fifteen haplotypes were directly, in south Florida at Everglades Mammal Science 16(2):447-452. identified. Three distinctive mtDNA National Park and Biscayne Bay, without lineages were observed in T. manatus, prerelease conditioning. Prior to release, Publication completed: Eros, C., corresponding approximately to Florida each manatee is fitted with a floating, R.K. Bonde, T.J. O’Shea, C. Beck, H. and the West Indies, the Caribbean tethered radio tag that is attached to a Marsh, C. Recchia, and K. Dobbs. coast and rivers of South America, belt harness around the peduncle. The 2000. Procedures for the Salvage and and the Atlantic coast and rivers of satellite-monitored PTTs also incorporate Necropsy of the Dugong (Dugong South America. The three T. manatus a VHF and sonic transmitter to permit dugon). GBRMPA Technical Report, lineages may represent relatively old tracking in the field. PTT locations Great Barrier Reef Marine Park biogeographic partitions, based on the are provided by Service Argos, which Authority. Research Publication No. 64. manatees strong affinity for extensive operates a data collection and location 74 pp. freshwater habitats in South America, system. and periodic extinctions of the Florida FY 1999 $65,000 manatee at the northern end of the Since April 1993, 17 captive reared and FY 2000 $65,000 species’ range during the Pleistocene. captive born manatees have been FY 2110 $64,600

13 Angela Garcia completed her release, each manatee is fitted with Determination of the manatee diet is a dissertation, “Genetic Studies of the a floating, tethered radio tag that is primary responsibility under the Florida West Indian Manatee,” in April 2000. attached to a belt harness around the Manatee Recovery Plan. Analysis of Eight polymorphic DNA microsatellite peduncle. The satellite-monitored diet can supplement field observations loci were identified for use in population PTTs also incorporate a VHF and sonic that help to identify important areas analysis. Tissue samples from 223 transmitter to permit tracking in the of habitat requiring protection and the manatees were analyzed, approximately field. PTT locations are provided by relative importance and extent to which 45 from each of 5 regions of Florida. Service Argos, which operates a data manatees utilize available resources. collection and location system. Visual There is significant genetic observations of manatee activity, The objectives of this research project differentiation between manatees on particularly feeding and socializing, are: (1) to identify and quantify the the east and west coasts; however, no provide information on the individual’s relative amount of plant material significant differentiation was detected transition to natural habitats. (seagrasses, algae, freshwater aquatics) between groups within coasts. The low by species, and rhizome content, level of alleles detected for the 8 loci (23 1999 and 2000 Activities/ consumed by manatees, through total) indicates a possible bottleneck Accomplishments analyses of stomach content samples or founder effect, followed by breeding from salvaged carcasses; and (2) to among related individuals. The Florida The 1996 Florida Manatee Recovery determine if dietary differences exist manatee population can be considered a Plan mandates the development of among sexes, size classes (relative single evolutionary unit, which consists protocols and guidelines for captive age), seasons, or specific locations with of two well-defined management units on manatee reintroduction, and for a general estuarine or freshwater the east and west coasts. evaluation of reintroduction success. habitat. Techniques for quantifying This study provides information critical diet from gastrointestinal tract Dissertation completed in 2000: Garcia- to the development of sound protocols. contents were developed for terrestrial Rodriguez, A.I. 2000. Genetic studies of Data on manatee survival, movement food plants. A hybrid technique was the West Indian manatee (Trichechus patterns, food habits, loss of human- developed for manatee dietary analysis manatus). Ph.D. thesis. University of friendly behavior, habitat requirements, that incorporated components of a Florida, Gainesville, FL. 115 pp. blood chemistry, and fat metabolism microhistological technique and a will allow development of protocols and microscope point technique. This FY 1999 $15,000 guidelines that can be used by Federal hybrid technique and a protocol for FY 2000 $15,000 and State managers and veterinarians ingesta identification will be utilized FY 2001 $43,000 to establish policies for future manatee in this study, along with a catalog of releases. photomicrographs and a diagnostic key H. Project Title and Summary: to histological features discernable in Evaluation of releases of captive-born These guidelines and protocols will also masticated material. and captive-reared manatees. be generally useful to periodically assess the condition of wild manatees in other 1999 and 2000 Activities/ The primary objective of the manatee studies, e.g., before and after habitat Accomplishments reintroduction program is to develop changes have been imposed. protocols and guidelines for releasing Information on habitat requirements long-term captive manatees (captive- of Florida manatees is needed by born and captive-reared) into their Federal and State managers responsible natural environment. The Sirenia for protecting and recovering this Project represents USGS/BRD in the endangered marine mammal. The Interagency/Oceanaria Manatee Florida Manatee Recovery Plan Working Group (I/O Group), which (USFWS 1996) identifies food habits advises the Service on issues related studies as necessary for full recovery to captive manatees. The I/O Group of the species. Data obtained will be recommended the use of a prerelease available to all clients to assist with enclosure as a means of conditioning manatee habitat assessment and long-term captives before releasing them utilization. The procedures and results in the wild. The Sirenia Project assisted also may be useful to researchers the Service in designing the enclosure, involved in diet studies of manatees in and by developing protocols to record other parts of their range. observations of manatees and to assess Some of the laboratory work for this changes in the aquatic vegetation within Reid/USFWS P. Jim ongoing study has been completed. the enclosure, radio tracking manatees Manatees rooting in sand Analyses have been completed on 40 released from the enclosure, and stomach samples from Lee County, 104 assisting with postrelease captures and from Brevard County, 25 from biomedical assessments of reintroduced I. Project Title and Summary: northeastern Florida and Georgia, and manatees. Determination and quantification of the 8 from Puerto Rico. In addition, 50 diet of Florida manatees in high-use samples from southwest Florida have Additionally, the Sirenia Project habitats. been preliminarily analyzed. Hundreds conducted concurrent satellite of additional samples from salvaged transmitter accuracy tests while The Florida manatee is a herbivorous carcasses are available and will be radiotagged manatees were held in marine mammal that feeds on a wide prioritized for analysis by site and the enclosure. Since 1995, a number variety of marine and freshwater interest from clients. Fecal samples of manatee releases have been done plantsand algae. Manatees occupy a collected from radio tagged manatees directly, without prerelease conditioning, wide variety of estuarine and freshwater are examined on a regular, ongoing basis in south Florida (Everglades National habitats in Florida and Georgia. to assess the food habits of specific, Park and Biscayne Bay). Prior to known individuals.

14 FY 1999 $17,000 management with respect to such important factors influencing manatee FY 2000 $17,000 management actions as boat speed movement patterns along the southwest restrictions and power plant closing coast. J. Project Title and Summary: sequences. Seagrass ecology in selected manatee Mignucci-Giannoni, A.A., R.A. feeding areas Adaptive management seems to be an Montoya-Ospina, N.M. Jiménez- excellent tool for assessing and reducing Marrero, M.A. Rodríguez-López, E.H. The West Indian manatee is one of few the influence of industrial warm-water Williams, Jr., and R.K. Bonde. 2000. species that graze on living seagrasses, effluents, particularly power-generating Manatee Mortality in Puerto Rico. which are an important part of the plants, on manatee population dynamics. Environmental Management 25(2):189- Florida manatee’s diet. Manatees and We are collaborating to develop 198. seagrass have undoubtedly coevolved. several alternative models of manatee We must understand the relationship response to changes in power plant Reid, J. P. 2000. Florida manatee now between seagrass ecology and manatee operations, based primarily on manatee resident in the Bahamas. pp.7-8 in behavior in order to assure the survival photo identification and radio tracking Sirenews. of both resources, which have been and studies conducted by our research continue to be adversely impacted by team. Removal of thermal effluents FY 2000 $35,200 humans. can be viewed as a restoration action, but the short and long-term impacts 6. Southern sea otter Critically important feeding sites must on manatees are uncertain. We plan to be characterized to assure that manatee work with plant industry personnel to A. Project Title and Summary: carrying capacity does not decline as a design and test management strategies Population biology and behavior of sea result of changes in manatee population in an iterative process that, over time, otters. size or distribution, human impacts, or optimizes the biological information natural phenomena such as sea level rise. obtained and improves management The California sea otter population is Seasonal fluctuations in seagrass species, actions. presently listed as a threatened biomass, leaf rhizome ratio, and nutrients population under the ESA and depleted may have important consequences for 2000 Activities/Accomplishments under the Act. While many northern the nutritional status and life history of populations have recovered to high the manatee, as has been suggested for A basic model has been developed and levels or currently are growing rapidly, dugongs and sea turtles. estimation methodology for reproductive the California sea otter population parameters has been developed. We are has managed only a modest growth 1999 Activities/Accomplishments awaiting data to estimate parameters rate throughout most of this century and will then implement modeling. and at present appears to be stable The results of this research, which or declining. Furthermore, sea otter concluded in 1999, will help biologists to FY 2000 $0 populations in western Alaska are in assess impacts and estimate manatee catastrophic decline, having reached carrying capacity of repeatedly grazed L. Project Title and Summary: densities of about one-tenth what they seagrass beds in areas of special Impacts of Hydrological Restoration were in the early 1990s. The cause of significance to manatee conservation. on Three Estuarine Communities of the California sea otter’s continued It will also help to document and the Southwest Florida Coasts and sluggish growth rate and more recent elucidate the role of manatee grazing in Associated Animal Inhabitants. stasis are uncertain. The rapid decline maintaining seagrass species diversity. rate of western Alaska populations Increased awareness of the importance This 5-year study was initiated in appears to be a consequence of recent of seagrasses to the future survival of FY 2000, as part of an integrated predation by killer whales. the manatee should also increase public Center project to assess the impacts of appreciation of the greatly hydrological restoration on estuarine A new study plan has been developed to underestimated value of seagrasses in communities of Southwest Florida. focus more science relative to the marine and estuarine ecosystems. Given the manatee’s reliance on demography of California sea otters freshwater and aquatic vegetation, due to recent population declines. The We postulate that, in the absence of we hypothesize that altered water proposed work has two interrelated manatee grazing, H. wrightii is shaded management regimes will affect main objectives: (1) to monitor trends out by the taller, more robust S. filiforme. manatee distribution, relative in the distribution and abundance Manatee grazing may help to maintain abundance, habitat use, and movement of California sea otters; and (2) to mixed-species seagrass beds. patterns. We are also studying the determine the cause or causes for the distribution and relative abundance current decline in population abundance. FY 1999 $30,000 of manatees through the use of aerial FY 2000 $37,000 strip-transect surveys, and the status of This study has three broad goals: (1) to submerged aquatic vegetation in the Ten track sea otter population trends; (2) to K. Project Title and Summary: Thousand Islands region. determine the causes (demographically Development of an adaptive management and environmentally) of trend changes; model to address the problem of manatee 2000 Activities/Accomplishments and (3) to develop standards reliance on industrial warm water (physiological, behavioral, and discharges. In June 2000, we initiated research demographic) for assessing the status of on manatee movements through the populations. The purpose of the study is Project is to develop population model(s), use of radio telemetry and a data- to document a broad suite of behavioral estimate parameters for model(s), and logging Global Positioning System tag. and life history characteristics in a use model(s) in an adaptive management Temperature, availability of fresh water, population known to be below carrying approach to manage manatees. Research and spatial distribution of submerged capacity and currently growing at near results will be used to make aquatic vegetation, particularly the species’ maximum rate. These recommendations about manatee seagrasses, are probably the most studies are needed to understand how

15 behavior and life history varies with B. Project Title and Summary: We determined from a review of the population status, and to help evaluate Causes of southern sea otter mortality. literature and examination of archived the status of other populations, tissues, as well as necropsy and particularly the threatened southern The southern sea otter received parasitologic examination of recent sea otter population in California. The protection as a threatened species carcasses, that gastrointestinal maximum rate of increase of sea otter under the ESA in 1977. After its near infections by the deleterious populations is 17-20 percent yr-1. The extirpation in the late 19th century, the acanthocephalan parasite, Polymorphus sea otter population in Washington State southern sea otter slowly expanded sp., have increased in prevalence and has increased near this rate. In contrast, in numbers and range from a nucleus severity over the past 20 years. From the sea otter population in central of animals at Big Sur, California, to examination of two invertebrate California has increased at an overall currently range along approximately species that are sea otter prey, we rate of about 4-5 percent yr-1. 200 miles of the central California determined that both Emerita analoga coast. However, the growth rate of and Blepharipoda occidentalis harbor 1999 and 2000 Activities/ the southern sea otter population has intermediate forms of the parasite, Accomplishments been consistently lower (at 5 percent) Polymorphus sp., but the parasite was than expanding northern sea otter more prevalent and more numerous in 1. The study plan has been approved populations (at 17-20 percent). In Emerita. We had toxicologic analyses after extensive peer, relevance, and 1994, the growth rate in California was done on tissues from a small number of animal care and use review. reduced to 0 percent and by 1998 a the dead adult otters to investigate the 2. Continuing sea otter abundance serious decline in population count was otters’ exposure to two classes of aquatic and distribution surveys have been occurring, raising biologists’ concerns contaminants with immunosuppressive completed. that the population’s recovery was in properties, butylins, and organochlorine 3. Sea otter captures for implanting serious jeopardy. compounds, and found fairly high radio tracking devices and time-depth concentrations of butylins and PCBs in recorders will begin soon. A major factor limiting the population’s southern sea otter tissues in comparison growth appears to be an unusually with other marine species. Our This research project will provide high rate of mortality affecting both toxicologic results indicate that southern new and significant information on preweaning juveniles and adults. Prior sea otters are being exposed to some the natural history, behavior, and to 1992, beach-cast carcasses were classes of immunosuppressive marine demography of sea otters. This systematically collected and recorded contaminants; however, the sample sizes information will be useful in developing but the causes were unknown for more analyzed to date are small and statistical conservation and management plans for than 50 percent of these deaths. The correlations with the causes of mortality the species throughout its range. specific objective of this project is to are inconclusive. document the causes of death in all Research in California has shown southern sea otters found freshly dead Article completed 4/28/1999: Thomas, that the growth rate of the sea otter along the California coast for a 5-year N.J., L.H. Creekmore, R.A. Cole, and population in central California recently period, and thereafter to provide a C.U. Meteyer. 1998. Emerging diseases has leveled off or begun to decline. The continued lower level of monitoring in southern sea otters. p. 613 In: M.J. overall sluggish rate of growth and this for trends in the causes of death. The Mac, P.A. Opler, C.E. Puckett Haecker, more recent change are the result of purpose of this project is to identify P.D. Doran, editors. Status and Trends changes in mortality, not reproduction or both overt and underlying factors of the Nation’s Biological Resources. 2 redistribution. Consistent with elevated detrimental to southern sea otter health; vols. U.S. Department of the Interior, mortality, the number of beach-cast this information will be used as guidance U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA. 964 carcasses has increased somewhat for management strategies to reduce pp. in recent years. Infectious disease mortality, enhance the population’s and trauma appear to be the main status, and facilitate recovery. Presentation completed 4/9/1999: contributors to this elevated mortality Thomas, N.J. 1999. Oral Progress rate although there is no evidence that 1999 and 2000 Activities/ Report to the Southern Sea Otter the incidence of infectious disease- Accomplishments Recovery Team on Southern Sea Otter related mortality has increased with the Necropsy Results and Environmental most recent population changes. Five-year documentation of the causes of Contaminant Residues in the Tissues of mortality in all freshly dead southern sea Necropsied Otters, 1992-98. Southern Studies in western Alaska have shown otters was completed in 1996. We found Sea Otter Recovery Team Meeting, that the precipitous population declines that California sea otters had an Monterey, CA, 8-10 April 1999. are continuing unabated, are widespread unexpectedly high rate of mortality from over thousands of kilometers of infectious diseases, and died from an Article completed 10/1/1999: Thomas, shoreline, and are not due to infectious unusually wide variety of infectious N.J., and L.H. Creekmore. 1999. disease, toxicity, or starvation. Predation diseases. Forty percent of the otters we Southern Sea Otter Health and by killer whales has been found to be examined died from infectious diseases, Mortality: the likely cause of the declines. In 13 percent had miscellaneous conditions Questions Surrounding the Population Washington State, 79 sea otters have such as neoplasia or gastrointestinal Decline. The Otter Raft, Friends of the been captured so far during the study, obstructions, and in 19 percent, no cause Sea Otter, Fall/Winter 1999 62:5-7. 44 independent females, 16 independent of death could be determined. From males and 19 pups. Of these, 32 1997 through 1999, we continued to Presentation completed 10/19/1999: independent females, 15 independent monitor causes of mortality at a reduced Thomas, N.J. 1999. Southern Sea Otter males, and 9 pups were implanted with rate (every 4th freshly dead otter), and Population Status/Possible Causes of the radio transmitters. found that the proportionate causes of Ongoing Decline: Disease and mortality had not changed substantially Contaminants. Marine Mammal FY 1999 $150,000 from observations in 1996. Commission Annual Meeting, Seaside, FY 2000 $198,000 CA, 19-21 October 1999. FY 2001 $609,000

16 FY 1999 $0 Research projects in Alaska and much of the current range. Seven adult FY 2000 $0 California have been completed or are sea otters have been recaptured once ongoing under separate permits. In each during this study, one male, and C. Project Title and Summary: addition to the demographic study, six females. No significant changes in Population biology of the reintroduced the project also includes monitoring of weight were found between the first Washington sea otter population. population growth. This population is and second capture. Over 762 hours the result of translocations of sea otters of activity data have been collected on The purpose of the study is to document a from Alaska in 1969 and 1970 when a instrumented animals. broad suite of behavioral and life history total of 59 sea otters were released on characteristics in a population known to the outer coast of Washington State. We now have reproductive data for 23 be below carrying capacity and currently Distribution and abundance of this females captured through 1997, which growing at or near the species’ population has been monitored by have produced 48 pups through 1998. maximum rate. These studies are needed project biologists since 1977. The natality rate for adult females in to understand how behavior and life Washington is 0.96-0.98, depending history varies with population status, 1999 and 2000 Activities/ on method of calculation. These rates and to help evaluate the status of other Accomplishments agree well with those from previously populations, particularly the threatened published studies in California. The southern sea otter population in Results of this research will be used for 1999 population survey resulted in California. comparison with results obtained from a total count of 605 sea otters. The other demographic studies of sea otter population has continued to grow at an Efforts on sea otters along the populations from throughout the species’ annual rate of about 11 percent since Washington coast have paralleled efforts range. Results of population surveys 1989. in California, providing a comparison in are provided to stakeholders and will the recovery of two separate and distinct provide insight into the dynamics of FY 1999 $83,200 populations. The comparative study of population growth and range expansion FY 2000 $92,000 demography of the Washington sea otter for populations reoccupying historic FY 2001 $82,000 population is designed to identify critical habit from which they have been demographic processes that may account extirpated. for low population growth in California. Monitoring and survey of Washington sea Weights of sea otters in Washington otters has strong partnership support by continue to be similar to those of otters the Service and Washington Department captured in recently reoccupied areas of Fish and Wildlife. in Alaska. Seven adult sea otters have been recaptured once each during this The maximum rate of increase of sea study, one male and six females. No otter populations is 17-20 percent per significant changes in weight were found year, and the sea otter population in between the first and second capture. Washington State has increased at near The 1999 this rate. In contrast, the sea otter population survey resulted in a total population in central California has count of 605 sea otters. The population increased at an overall rate of about 4-5 has continued to grow at an annual rate percent per year through 1994 but has of about 11 percent since 1989. declined in recent years. 1. Annual Washington sea otter The comparative study of demography population survey and reporting. of the Washington sea otter population is 2. Development of Study Plan for designed to identify critical demographic “Environmental Contaminant Analysis processes that may account for low of Sea Otters and Prey from Coastal population growth in California. Washington and the Washington Maritime NWR Complex.” A variety of hypotheses concerning how population status influences diet, activity Eleven sea otters were captured in 1998, patterns, time budgets, distribution, 7 adult females, one adult male, and one movements, sexual segregation, agonistic pup. Nine were implanted with radio interactions, survival and reproduction, transmitters. The average adult female and how these parameters vary among in 1998 weighed 24.3 kg (SE 0.90), not individuals of different age and sex are significantly different from the 1994, being examined. Radiotelemetry is used 1995, 1996, and 1997 averages of 24.9 to compare foraging, social behavior, and (SE = 0.65), 22.9 (SE = 0.52),23.9 kg demographic parameters among (SE = 1.00), and 24.7 kg (SE = 1.17), Washington, California, and Amchitka respectively. The average weight of all Island, Alaska, sea otter populations. The adult females captured in Washington Washington population is considered to be is 24.0 kg (SE = 0.35). Weights of sea well below its carrying capacity (K), the otters in Washington continue to be Amchitka Island Population is thought similar to those of otters captured in to have been at K for many years, and recently reoccupied areas in Alaska. the status of the California population is A result not unexpected since the uncertain. Radio transmitters, surgically translocation to Washington occurred implanted, are being used to locate the only 30 years ago, the population animals and measure the above listed remained at low levels for at least half parameters among these populations. that time, and only recently reoccupied

17 Enforcement

The Service’s Division of Law the California Department of Fish and determine if NMFS requirements Enforcement investigates known, Game (CDFG) in conducting offshore had been met. The trainer, who alleged, or potential violations of the patrols to monitor the “live trap” fishery. was traveling with the animals, Act involving illegal take, importation, Several State violations were identified confirmed they were circus animals or exportation of marine mammals or during these patrols, resulting in the valued at approximately $40,000. The their products for which the Service seizure of more than 70 illegal traps. investigation revealed that the animals has statutory responsibility. In addition, Tentative findings from two Service- were shipped from Uruguay to Chile, the Division assists the NMFS by funded sea otter studies indicate otters and finally to Los Angeles. The shipping making apprehensions and conducting can become caught in these traps. containers, as well as the temperature investigations in cases involving Unfortunately, a limited number of in the hold of the airplane, did not meet marine mammals and endangered and enforcement officers and the lack of the standards established by 50 CFR threatened species under that agency’s suitable vessels preclude Part 14 for humane shipping. The dead jurisdiction. Results of these efforts meaningful monitoring of the commercial animals were necropsied by the Los are referred to the NMFS for its fisheries located in the sea otter range. Angeles County Museum, which found consideration and appropriate action. the cause of death to be excessive heat However, under an NMFS/Service The NMFS is conducting an observer and dehydration. The three surviving Memorandum of Understanding, the program for incidental “take” of animals were temporarily held at the Service retains authority over those porpoise in a northern Monterey Bay Marine Mammal Care Center and were investigations that involve endangered or gill net fishery. Observers for the study later authorized reexportation (by the threatened species under the jurisdiction documented the drowning of a sea otter NMFS) to the shipper in Uruguay. A of the Department. Violations are in their gill nets this year. Violation Notice for inhumane shipping referred to the Department’s Office was issued to Lan Chile Airlines. of the Solicitor for civil action or the Two other sea otter deaths in Monterey Department of Justice for criminal Bay were attributed to collisions with Wildlife inspectors at the port of San enforcement action. boat propellers. The area where the Francisco “tagged” 19 sport hunted dead sea otters were found was Elk polar bear trophies imported from Enforcement Activities in 1999 Horn Slough near Moss Landing, Canada. Wildlife inspectors affix a California. This is an area where many locking tag with a unique serial number In the Service’s Region 1, consisting of sea otters have been observed in the to the hide and permanently mark any the west coast, Hawaii, and Pacific trust narrow slough. Boat activity in the bear skulls included in the shipment. territories, Service wildlife inspectors slough in excess of the 5-mph speed The importation of sport hunted polar are stationed at five designated ports limit has been documented. Increased bear trophies is legal, provided the and six border ports to closely monitor enforcement of the boat speed limit and importation is authorized by a Canadian wildlife entering the country to detect intermittent presence of Service agents CITES export permit and an import the illegal importation of marine should help prevent otter deaths in this permit from the Service’s Division of mammals and marine mammal products. area. Management Authority. Emphasis is placed on the designated wildlife ports of Seattle, Portland, San Two sea otters were found to have died Investigation of a subject offering a Francisco, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. of gunshot wounds in California during polar bear skin for sale in Washington Special border ports on the Washington/ 1999. One of the otters was found near State led to the abandonment of the Idaho-Canada border, the California- Half Moon Bay, and the other otter was hide, with no penalty assessed. Mexico border, and at Agana, Guam, found at Pescadero State Beach, south of continued to receive special attention. Half Moon Bay. No suspects have been In the Service’s southeastern Region, In 1999, Region 1 wildlife inspectors identified. Region 4, which includes the State of reported 32 incidents involving the illegal Florida, protecting the endangered importation of marine mammals. The Service agents participated in a manatee population was a major focus of seizures involved products manufactured multiagency law enforcement task force enforcement efforts during 1999. Death from seal, dolphin, whale, and walrus. along the central coast of California by boat strike has historically been a Seventeen of the seizures involved Asian aimed at reducing human harassment significant cause of manatee mortality, medicinals labeled to contain seal. of elephant seals. Major haul-out and boating is “big business” in areas for these seals are becoming Florida. In 1996, there were 714,000 Protection of southern sea otters along tourist attractions. Harassment of the registered boats in Florida, and 60 out the California coast remained a priority seals and related State violations were of 416 manatee deaths (14 percent) for Service special agents. During 1999, documented. were attributed to boat strikes. In approximately 150 sea otters migrated 1997, the percentage of boat-related south of Point Conception, Santa One noteworthy case investigated by mortality rose to 22 percent (54 out of Barbara County, and remained in the Service agents involved Lan Chile 246 deaths), while in 1998, boat-related near-shore waters of the Santa Barbara Airlines, which transported eight live sea mortality increased to 27 percent (66 Channel from spring to early fall. The lions from Uruguay to the United States. out of 243 deaths). The State of Florida presence of this large number of otters Upon arrival at Los Angeles, Service currently estimates that there are over in waters heavily used by the shell wildlife inspectors determined that five 800,000 registered boats in the State; fishing industry has increased conflicts. of the sea lions were dead and three when these vessels are combined with were severely dehydrated. The Service transient craft, the total reaches a Agents continued to work closely with coordinated with the NMFS to million boats a year utilizing Florida

18 waters. In an effort to reduce manatee Act. Thus far, agents have been able to Clark R. Bavin National Fish and mortality, the Service and the State of determine that the hide was obtained as Wildlife Forensics Laboratory Florida have established boating speed part of a drug transaction; this (Forensics Lab) for ballistics zones in areas used by manatees where investigation continues. examination. Several leads were boat strike deaths are frequent. To investigated by Service special agents secure compliance with the speed zones, In Anchorage, Service special agents and CDFG officers, but no suspects have Service special agents organized and received a complaint that raw walrus been identified. The second sea otter coordinated manatee protection task ivory was being offered for sale during a shooting occurred in Monterey Bay, forces with the assistance of officers from street fair. A special agent made covert Monterey County, on September 20 with the USCG, Florida Marine Patrol (FMP), contact with two individuals selling the animal found dead on the beach. The National Wildlife Refuge System, and handicrafts to tourists. When the otter was X-rayed and necropsied, and Sheriffs’ Departments. In 1999, these individuals offered to sell the agent the bullet fragments were also sent to task forces apprehended 799 boaters for three raw walrus head mounts, the agent the Forensics Lab. A reward has been speeding in manatee protection zones. identified himself, seized necessary offered for the arrest and conviction of (Note: As of March 2000, 551 of these evidence, and presented the case to the subjects who did the shooting. Thus cases have been adjudicated, collecting the U.S. Attorney for prosecution. far, no leads have developed. fines totaling $55,220.) Additionally, Subsequently, one of the individuals, special agents processed 697 manatee who was the owner of the head mounts, The conflicts between sea otters and the speed zone violation cases in Federal pleaded guilty, was fined $500, and shell-fish fishery in the Santa Barbara court that were referred to the Service forfeited a head mount. The man’s adult Channel area, and the live trap and gill for prosecution by the USCG. son was successfully prosecuted the year net fisheries along California’s central before for selling a polar bear hide to a coast continue. Service special agents In the Service’s Region 7, comprised Service undercover agent. participated in joint enforcement entirely of the State of Alaska, special patrols with the CDFG in these areas. agents continued their aggressive, A Ketchikan gift shop owner was Particular emphasis was placed on proactive efforts to find a balance investigated for selling polar bear fur to monitoring sea otters in the near-shore between effective law enforcement tourists. He subsequently paid a $500 waters south of Point Conception, and the very real needs of subsistence fine. where the animals continued a seasonal hunters in remote Alaskan villages. migration south from their main range. Agents participated in meetings of Enforcement Activities in 2000 This pattern of behavior places the Native organizations, such as the Eskimo otters in direct conflict with the sea Walrus Commission (EWC), and in During 2000, wildlife inspectors in urchin harvest and has been the subject meetings in rural villages standing Region 1 identified and seized 37 of a growing controversy between the shoulder to shoulder with local leaders shipments of marine mammal products Service and commercial fishing interests and subsistence hunters. These efforts at the designated ports of entry, special in southern California. The CDFG amount to a substantial and important border ports, and Guam. The items closed the gill net fishery in the near- law enforcement effort that is not readily seized included whale bones collected shore waService special agents stationed measurable in cases made or arrest by tourists along the beaches of Mexico, in statistics. Asian medicinals containing walrus and Washington State closed two seal parts, whale meat and teeth, and investigations that had been opened in While encouraging compliance with walrus carvings imported through the 1999. One case involved the seizure and existing laws, agents are often faced international airports. A total of 18 abandonment of a polar bear rug valued with the reality that existing regulations polar bear trophies from Canada were at $1,200, and the other case involved the do not adequately address situations imported and cleared by Service wildlife abandonment of one walrus oosik (i.e., unique to Alaska. The Service in Alaska inspectors in Region 1 last year. The penis bone). continues to face challenges in enforcing absence of violations associated with provisions of the Native exemption polar bear trophies may be, in part, Agents in that State also completed under the Act in a number of areas, the result of Service outreach efforts two additional investigations. In the such as Native handicrafts and tagging at the Safari Club International annual first case special agents acted on a tip requirements. convention, held each year in Nevada. received from a major airline after a Service special agents and wildlife routine X-ray of passenger luggage A task force operation in Alaska looked inspectors, as well as personnel from revealed a walrus skull and tusks. at reported violations by marine mammal the Service’s Division of Management The subject of the investigation had registered agents and tanneries. Service Authority (the Office responsible for purchased the walrus “head mount” ters special agents inspected all 19 facilities issuing trophy import permits), staff between Point Sal and Point Conception located in Alaska, finding violations at a booth at the convention and answer in an effort to protect otters and marine nearly every location ranging from failure numerous questions concerning the birds, which were drowning in the nets. to keep required records to illegal sale requirements for importation of hunting Service special agents have assisted in of marine mammals. Several permittees trophies, a significant number of which several joint patrols in the closed area. were cited with violation notices ranging are specific to polar bears. from $250 to $500, and agents are Service special agents also continued following up on leads that were In southern California, two sea otter to provide assistance to the NMFS developed. Additional charges are deaths from shooting were investigated and the California Highway Patrol in expected. during 2000. The first sea otter shooting Monterey County by monitoring and occurred on April 15 just south of Morro controlling large numbers of people who In another case, Barrow police officers Bay, San Luis Obispo County, where visit a small stretch of beach to view a discovered a raw polar bear hide at a the animal was found freshly killed major elephant seal “haul out” area. In residence while serving a drug search (within 10 hours of death). Necropsy addition to harassment of the elephant warrant. Service agents were called in to was performed and the bullet fragments seals, the crowds create a major hazard investigate this possible violation of the were removed and sent to the to traffic along a narrow section of the coast highway.

19 Service special agents stationed in by the Coast Guard. As of March 2001, Washington State closed two investiga- the court has adjudicated 167 of these tions that had been opened in 1999. One cases, collecting $16,700 in fines). case involved the seizure and aban- donment of a polar bear rug valued at In Alaska in 2000, special agents $1,200, and the other case involved the continued their enforcement efforts abandonment of one walrus oosik (i.e., while considering the needs of penis bone). subsistence hunters in remote Alaskan villages. Agents, in conjunction with Agents in that State also completed representatives of the EWC and Service two additional investigations. In the biologists, met on numerous occasions first case special agents acted on a tip with village leaders and subsistence received from a major airline after a hunters to encourage compliance with routine X-ray of passenger luggage the regulations, especially wasteful take revealed a walrus skull and tusks. provisions. The subject of the investigation had purchased the walrus “head mount” Agents in Alaska investigated a Kodiak from an Alaska Native living in Dutch charter boat operator who, under the Harbor, Alaska. The subject was offered guise of a marine mammal registered the opportunity to abandon the walrus agent permit, was killing sea otters head mount to the Government, which and seals from his 60-foot boat and he subsequently did, and the case was marketing them. This investigation closed. In another case, a polar bear documented the unlawful take of over hide was pawned at a pawn shop. An 100 animals between November 1999 investigation determined that the person and March 2000. A Federal grand jury who pawned the hide received it from investigation is ongoing. a homeless person who exchanged the hide for a place to stay. The hide Wildlife inspectors for Alaska were was subsequently abandoned to the involved in ten cases at Anchorage’s Government and has been donated to the Import/Export Office during 2000. The Idaho Fish and Game Department for cases resulted in the seizure of walrus use in public outreach efforts. ivory, seal pelts, and sperm whale teeth. Region 1 wildlife inspectors continue to participate in a multiagency task force designed to interdict the importation of illegal drugs and other controlled substances, which often include products containing, or labeled to contain, parts of marine mammals. Numerous Federal, State, and local agencies with various regulatory responsibilities plan and conduct operations such as “walk through” inspections of shops and warehouses known to traffic in these products, increased baggage inspection of airlines flights with a history of violations, and increased examination of international mail, including the use of a wildlife scent detection dog. Protecting the endangered manatee population continued to be a major focus of law enforcement efforts during 2000 as boat strike manatee mortalities showed no tendency to decline. Coordinated efforts involving manatee protection task forces continued to enforce established boating speed zones as a means to reduce manatee deaths. During 2000, these task forces issued 1,538 Violation Notices (i.e., tickets) to boaters for speeding in manatee protection zones. (Note: As of March 2001, more than 1,100 of these cases had been adjudicated, collecting fines totaling $91,195. Additionally, special agents processed 687 manatee speed zone violation cases in Federal court that were referred to the Service for prosecution

20 Permits and Registrations

The Act prohibits the take or import of Permit Activities in 1999 permit was amended to correct the marine mammals and marine mammal number of biological specimens products. Exceptions may be made During 1999, the Service finalized authorized for import from dead, under permits for scientific research, regulations proposed in 1998, approving stranded individuals or collected from public display, import of sport-hunted two additional polar bear populations, aboriginal hunts in Australia. trophies of polar bears taken in that allowed for the issuance of permits Canada, photography for educational under section 104(c)(5)(A) of the Act 5. Permit 717015, amended jointly with or commercial purposes, or to enhance to import personal sport-hunted polar the NMFS January 12, 1999, through the survival or recovery of a species or bear trophies taken in Canada. Also January 6, 2003, to the Natural History stock. Another exception streamlines during the year, four new permits for Museum of Los Angeles County to the permitting process for conducting scientific research were issued and four import, reimport, export, and reexport scientific research by allowing a General were amended. In addition, 3 permits salvaged material from dead Cetacea, Authorization for activities that may were issued for public display, 1 permit Pinnipedia, Sirenia, polar bear, sea otter, result in the take of marine mammals by was issued for enhancement, 16 parties and marine otter for the purposes of Level B harassment in the course of bona either registered or renewed their scientific research and public display. fide scientific research. registration as agents and/or tanneries, The permit was amended to include and 143 permits were issued for the endangered species authorization The Act provides an exemption to the import of sport-hunted polar bear inadvertently omitted at the time of last take prohibitions for Alaska Natives for trophies from Canada. renewal. subsistence purposes and to create and sell Native handicrafts. In order Scientific Research Permits 6. Permit 766818, amended April 19, to enable marine mammal hides to be 1. Permit 009526, issued December 16, 1999, through February 7, 2002, to the tanned and to facilitate trade of products 1999, through December 18, 2004, to USGS/BRD, for scientific research of among Alaska Natives, registered agent/ the NMFS, Marine Mammal Health and Alaska sea otters and southern sea tannery permits may be issued to non- Stranding Response Program; amended otters. The permit was amended to add Alaska Natives (i.e., persons other than NMFS Permit 932-1489 to include take authorized personnel. Alaskan Indians, Eskimos, or Aleuts). of all species of the Order Sirenia, and Registered agents may purchase and walrus, polar bear, sea otter, and marine 7. Permit 791721, amended December sell raw parts and tanned skins from and otter for the purposes of scientific 15, 1999, through December 31, 2004, to Alaska Natives or other registered research and enhancement. The to the U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia agents, provided that only authentic activities include: (1) collection, trans Project, to take West Indian manatees Alaska Native handicrafts or clothing are port, import, and export of cadavers or for scientific research. The permit purchased or sold in interstate commerce. tissue and fluid samples for analysis; (2) was amended to increase the allowable Raw parts may be transferred (not take of stranded or distressed animals; number of implants of passive integrated sold) to registered tanners for further and (3) salvage of specimens from dead transponder (PIT) tags and number of processing. Registered tanners may animals. animals for tail notching. transfer (not sell) parts received for processing to Alaska Natives or 2. Permit 010249, issued June 28, 1999, Public Display Permits registered agents only. through June 25, 2004, to the Hubbs- 1. Permit 012337, issued September 10, Sea World Research Institute to take 1999, through September 7, 2004, to the Section 104 of the Act authorizes the (harass) captive West Indian manatees Aquarium of the Americas to use sea Director of the Service, acting on behalf that are undergoing rehabilitation, for otter pelts (Enhydra lutris kenyoni), as of the Secretary of the Interior, to issue scientific research to determine the provided by the Service, in an education/ permits for the activities identified above. method of manatee entanglement in conservation program for public display. Applicable provisions are found in Title (simulated) fishing gear and to devise 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations— appropriate mitigation. 2. Permit 838026, issued August 16, 50 CFR 18.23(d) for registered agent/ 1999, through August 15, 2000, to Ferris tannery permits, 50 CFR 18.30 for sport- 3. Permit 011638, issued September 3, State University to import a polar bear hunted polar bear imports, and 50 CFR 1999, through December 31, 2002, to from the Northwest Territories, Canada, 18.31 for scientific research or public the USGS/BRD, amended the NMFS donated to the University for public display permits. Regulations will be Permit 930-1486 to include take of display. developed for a General Authorization for southern sea otters during aerial activities that may result in the take of surveys for the purpose of scientific 3. Permit 844696, issued April 9, 1999, marine mammals by Level B harassment research. through April 6, 2004, to the Alaska in the course of bona fide scientific Zoo, Anchorage, Alaska, to take one research and for issuance of permits for 4. Permit 017419, newly issued October female polar bear that was recovered enhancement of the survival or recovery 21, 1999, and amended November as an orphaned cub in Alaska for public of a species or stock, photography for 10, 1999, through November 9, 2000, display. educational or commercial purposes, and to Darlene Ketten, Woods Hole beached or stranded marine mammals Oceanographic Institution, that are designated as non-releasable for scientific research of dugongs as part under the Act. of a study on how the structural ele ments of marine mammal ears contribute to underwater hearing. The

21 Enhancement Permits 14. Permit 799658, renewed the Scientific Research Permits 1. Permit 001425, issued November 10, registration of Prince of Wales 1. Permit 001145, renewed July 25, 1999, through November 10, 2000, to the Taxidermy and Fur, Craig, Alaska, as an 2000, through July 25, 2002, to the Dallas World Aquarium to import two agent on July 16, 1999. Mote Marine Laboratory for scientific orphaned/abandoned manatee calves research of captive-held West Indian (Trichechus manatus) from Venezuela 15. Permit 827696, renewed the manatees to determine the cause(s) of for enhancement of the survival of the registration of Tall Tale Taxidermy and elevated creatinine levels that occur species. Furs, Ward Cove, Alaska, as an agent on when rehabilitated manatees are November 16, 1999. released into the wild. Registered Agent/Tannery Permits 1. Permit 006762, Last Frontier 16. Permit 831167, renewed the 2. Permit 010370, issued January 28, Taxidermy, Anchorage, Alaska, was registration of Shawn Mc Crary, Palmer, 2000, through January 25, 2002, to the registered as an agent on May 26, 1999. Alaska, as an agent/tannery on February Monterey Bay Aquarium for scientific 23, 1999. research of captive southern sea otters 2. Permit 008188, Roger Lehrman-Bon, that are undergoing rehabilitation, to Eagle River, Alaska, was registered as develop and test an enhanced radio an agent on March 3, 1999. Polar Bear Trophy Import Permits tagging technique. Number of 3. Permit 011100, Shadow Mountain Approved Permits 3. Permit 017891, issued jointly with the Trading Company, Ketchikan, Alaska, Populations Issued NMFS May 16, 2000, through March 31, was registered as an agent on June 7, 2005, to the University of California 1999. Southern Beaufort Sea 16 Santa Cruz, Museum of Natural History Northern Beaufort Sea 8 Collections, to acquire and import/ 4. Permit 011401, the Great Alaskan export marine mammal specimens of the Tannery, Wasilla, Alaska, was registered Viscount Melville 0 Orders Cetacea, Pinnipedia, and Sirenia as a tannery on May 24, 1999. McClintock Channel 10 for the purposes of scientific research and for deposit into a museum collection. 5. Permit 011438, Ikam’aq Tanning, Western Hudson Bay 2 Cordova, Alaska, was registered as a 4. Permit 021423, issued February tannery on May 12, 1999. Lancaster Sound 105 24, 2000, through February 21, 2005, Norwegian Bay 1 to Zachary Sharp, University of New 6. Permit 012275, Patrick Malone, Eagle Mexico, to import cross-sections River, Alaska, was registered as an agent of canine teeth of Atlantic walrus on June 11, 1999. Number of (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) for scientific research for a preliminary 7. Permit 019560, Sea-Tac Taxidermy, Deferred Populations Permits (Pre-Amendment ONLY) Issued analysis to determine if tooth cementum Edgewood, Washington, was registered shows significant variations in stable as a tannery on December 13, 1999. Queen Elizabeth Islands 0 isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and lead. 8. Permit 019705, Darren Byler, Kodiak, Kane Basin 0 5. Permit 033974, issued November 28, Alaska, was registered as an agent on Baffin Bay 0 2000, through November 26, 2005 to the December 3, 1999. Florida Museum of Natural History for Gulf of Boothia 0 scientific research on manatees 9. Permit 681597, renewed the Foxe Basin 0 (Trichechus spp.) to conduct stable registration of George Kritchen, isotopic analyses of tooth fragments Cordova, Alaska, as an agent on Davis Strait 1 taken from existing museum specimens February 24, 1999. Southern Hudson Bay 0 or naturally shed from captive individuals to determine the diet 10. Permit 697867, renewed the composition in order to compare the registration of Bob McConnell, Jr., diets of modern and ancient manatees. Anchorage, Alaska, as an agent on March 22, 1999. Permit Activities in 2000 6. Permit 766818, amended October 27, 2000, through February 7, 2002, to the 11. Permit 704234, renewed the During 2000, 4 new permits were issued USGS/BRD for scientific research of registration of Bears Den, Inc., Olympia, for scientific research, 5 permits were Alaska and southern sea otters. The Washington, as an agent on November amended, and 1 was renewed; 1 new permit was amended to include the 12, 1999. permit was issued for public display and collection of liver biopsy samples to 1 permit was amended; 6 parties either determine estimates of contaminants 12. Permit 797559, renewed the registered or renewed their registration exposure. registration of Chukotka-Alaska, Inc., as agents and/or tanneries, and 76 Nome, Alaska, as an agent on February permits were issued for the import of 7. Permit 773494, amended November 19, 1999. sport-hunted polar bear trophies from 29, 2000, through July 22, 2003, to the Canada. The polar bear assessment Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 13. Permit 799354, renewed the report was not completed during the Commission, Florida Marine Research registration of the Ivory House, year as originally anticipated due to Center, to take West Indian manatees Anchorage, Alaska, as an agent on July other priorities. It’s completion and for scientific research. The permit was 16, 1999. publication was planned for 2001. amended to include authorization to conduct a preliminary study for one winter season at the Big Bend canal on the use of a remote-controlled floating scanner to scan PIT tags on manatees.

22 8. Permit 777239, amended March 9, 5. Permit 822365, registered Ron 2000, through December 31, 2002, to the Alleva, Grubstake Auction, Anchorage, Western Ecological Research Center, Alaska, as an agent on February 29, USGS (WERC), to take Alaska sea otters 2000. for scientific research. The permit was amended to allow the take of an additional 6. Permit 839290, renewed the registra- 33 sea otters in order to continue studies tion of Duane Edward Hill, Alaska of the species’ ability to reoccupy Auction Company, Anchorage, Alaska, historical habitats and to continue as an agent on March 23, 2000. sampling individuals to assess contaminant loads. 7. Permit 011401, the Great Alaskan Tannery, Wasilla, Alaska; registered 9. Permit 834406, amended April 3, tannery permit was revoked on April 24, 2000, through November 25, 2002, to 2000. the Mote Marine Laboratory, for scientific research of captive-held West 8. Permit 799354, the Ivory House, Indian manatees. The permit was Anchorage, Alaska; registered agent amended to include the opportunistic permit was revoked on June 14, 2000. collection of blood from manatees undergoing rehabilitation at authorized institutions outside the State of Florida. Polar Bear Trophy Import Permits Number of 10. Permit 837923, amended January 12, Approved Permits 2000, through January 12, 2005, to the Populations Issued New College of the University of South Florida, for scientific research of captive- Southern Beaufort Sea 18 held West Indian manatees. The permit Northern Beaufort Sea 9 was amended to include a study to test the manatee’s ability to use its sense of Viscount Melville 0 touch, without visual aid, to understand McClintock Channel 14 its environment. Western Hudson Bay 2 Public Display Permits Lancaster Sound 31 1. Permit 014704, amended March 16, Norwegian Bay 1 2000, through March 16, 2005, to the Toledo Zoological Gardens, to import a Number of captive-born polar bear from Germany Deferred Populations Permits for (Pre-AmendmentONLY) Issued public display. The permit was amended to substitute a captive-born Queen Elizabeth Islands 0 polar bear from Belgium. Kane Basin 0 2. Permit 032510, issued November 24, Baffin Bay 0 2000, through November 21, 2005, to the Gulf of Boothia 0 Chicago Zoological Park (Brookfield Zoo), to import a captive-born polar bear for Foxe Basin 0 public display. Davis Strait 1 Registered Agent/Tannery Permits Southern Hudson Bay 0 1. Permit 022474, registered Virgil Schumacher, Yakutat, Alaska, as a tannery on February 4, 2000. 2. Permit 024572, registered Megagem, Anchorage, Alaska, as an agent on May 8, 2000. 3. Permit 027560, registered W.D. Taxidermy, Wasilla, Alaska, as an agent/ tannery on June 6, 2000. 4. Permit 812648, renewed the registra- tion of Elizabeth West, Sitka Fur & Leather, Sitka, Alaska, as an agent on February 24, 2000.

23 International Activities

United States-Russia Environmental Agreement: Marine Mammal Project The Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation on Cooperation in the Field of Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources was signed on June 23, 1994, and supersedes the previous Agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union of May 23, 1972. The Service coordinates Area V of the Agreement for the U.S. side. Over nearly 30 years, the Agreement has served as an effective instrument for facilitating the exchange of scientific data and organization of cooperative field research by U.S. and Russian biologists.

Gerry Atwell/USFWS

The Service, in partnership with the Polar bears in Cape Lisburne USGS/BRD, the NMFS, the State of Alaska, and colleagues from universities and nongovernmental organizations, A NMFS biologist and colleague In January-February 2000, the collaborated with the Russian State traveled to Russia for two weeks in late Service hosted four Russian polar bear Fisheries Committee, Russian summer to coordinate field research with specialists in Anchorage, Alaska, for Academy of Sciences, and Russian Russian scientists on bowhead and gray 12 days to finalize the proceedings of State Committee for Environmental whales around Sakhalin Island. a workshop to design polar bear den Protection in conducting marine mammal survey methods and discuss population management and research activities in The Service hosted one Russian biologist density assessment techniques in 1999. Under the auspices of the bilateral in Alaska for three weeks in spring to connection with aerial surveys in the marine mammal project, nine U.S. participate in Pacific walrus harvest Bering and Chukchi Seas. specialists traveled to Russia, while six monitoring training and to gain field Russians traveled to the United States experience. The EWC hosted additional For one week in March, the Service for jointly sponsored activities. harvest monitors from Russia who hosted three Russian specialists in received training. Anchorage to conduct consultations on Throughout 1999, the two sides remained the final text of the Agreement between in contact on efforts to conclude One Russian was hosted in Alaska for the Government of the United States a proposed United States-Russia one month in summer by Service to take of America and the Government of the Agreement on the Conservation and part in an ice-edge research cruise to Russian Federation on the Conservation Management of the Alaska-Chukotka study the composition and productivity and Management of the Alaska- Polar Bear Population. of walrus herds in the Chukchi Sea. Chukotka Polar Bear Population. An American polar bear biologist Six Americans attended the 15th Marine One Russian researcher visited the traveled to Chukotka, Russia, in the Mammals Working Group Meeting United States for two months in March- spring for several weeks at the invitation under Area V of the United States- May 2000 for cooperative Steller sea lion of the Union of Marine Mammal Hunters Russia Environmental Agreement. The studies with the Alaska SeaLife Center for discussions on utilizing traditional meeting was held in November 1999 in in Seward, Alaska. Data collected in ecological knowledge to identify polar Kamchatka, Russia. 1998-99 via remote video monitoring on bear habitat use. Chiswell Island, Alaska, were analyzed The Aleutian sea otter population decline and compared with data collected in In spring, the NMFS hosted two was identified as a priority issue and the Russia on Medniy Island. Russian biologists for two weeks in Service has been active in identifying California for continued collaboration on funding sources to support the In March 2000, the Service and USGS/ bowhead (Balaena mysticetus) and gray continuation of sea otter population BRD hosted a workshop in Anchorage, (Eschrichtius robustus) whale research. surveys in Russia in the Commander Alaska, to evaluate various techniques Islands and Kamchatka Peninsula. and approaches to estimate the size and The NMFS National Marine Mammal Having Russian scientists continue their trend of the Pacific walrus population. Laboratory in Seattle, Washington, efforts in documenting sea otter Workshop participants included U.S. hosted two Russian specialists for population trends would provide a more and Russian experts in walrus biology several weeks in the spring for the complete picture of the extent of the and survey design, subsistence hunters, continuation of Northern fur seal studies population decline in the Aleutians. and resource managers. Previous and analysis of data. efforts to survey the Pacific walrus

24 population were reviewed and problems Ice Center in Washington, D.C., and management directions for the future. that were encountered in designing and discussed their evaluations and ice Recommendations included: continued conducting those surveys identified. The mapping methods. monitoring of the Commander Islands group also summarized survey conditions in Russia (as a possible control site by season and assessed potential tools On October 16, 2000, six Russian for comparison with the Aleutians), and techniques for surveying walrus Government and Native representatives continued work at existing long-term populations. attended the signing of the “Agreement monitoring sites in the western and Between the Government of the United central Aleutians and additional sites In May one Russian researcher from States of America and the Government in the eastern Aleutians, and the need Kamchatka visited the National Marine of the Russian Federation on the for studies to address the cause of the Mammal Laboratory (NMML) in Seattle, Conservation and Management of the decline in greater detail. Washington, for 2.5 weeks of collaboration Alaska-Chukotka Polar Bear Population” on the analysis of data on northern fur in Washington, D.C. The Agreement, seals from both Russian and U.S. signed by David Sandalow, Assistant populations. Secretary of State and Yuriy Ushakov, Russian Ambassador to the United Two Russian specialists from Kamchatka States, is designed to strengthen the were hosted by the Alaska SeaLife management and research efforts Center and participated in one month of for this distinct population of polar Steller sea lion studies in June-July in the bears. The Agreement fulfills the spirit Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. and intent of the 1973 International Agreement on the Conservation of In July-August two U.S. cetacean Polar Bears to which the U.S. and researchers visited eastern Russia for one Russia, along with Canada, Norway, month of collaboration on studies of the and Denmark (for Greenland), are Okhotsk-Korea population of gray whales. Contracting Parties. Additional details appear on following pages in the Polar One Russian researcher from Kamchatka Bear section of this report. visited the United States for three weeks in July-August for studies of harbor seals One Russian researcher from Moscow, in Alaska. The research involved the studying sea ice habitat delineation, catching of harbor seals and attachment visited the United States for 12 days of radio transmitters near Nanvak Bay during October-November 2000 to (north Bristol Bay), Alaska. attend a meeting of the principal investigators of the International In 2000, the second season of bilateral Arctic Research Center-Cooperative walrus harvest monitoring occurred in Institute for Arctic Research (IARC- walrus hunting villages in Chukotka, CIFAR) at the University of Alaska Russia. Details are presented in the in Fairbanks. Cooperation is under Pacific Walrus section on following pages. activity 02.05-7105 “Application of Contemporary Technology in Studies One Russian researcher from Vladivostok of Large Mammals” of Area V of the visited the United States for three weeks United States-Russia Agreement in August-September to participate in on Cooperation in the Field of population studies of northern fur seals in Environmental Protection. the Pribilof Islands, Alaska. From November 14-16, 2000, six Russian In September 2000, two NMFS/NMML scientists from Kamchatka and Moscow staff members attended the conference met with U.S. colleagues in Monterey, “Marine Mammals of the Palearctic” California, to attend the 7th biennial in Archangelsk, Russia, hosted by the U.S.-Russia Sea Otter Workshop to Russian Interdepartmental share information on sea otters, to Ichthyological Commission and the discuss the implications of recent Russian Marine Mammal Council. population declines, to identify needed research and management projects, and Two Russian researchers visited the to develop a protocol for information United States for two months in exchange and shared projects between September-November to collaborate with the United States and Russia to be USGS at the Alaska Biological Science conducted over the following two years. Center in Anchorage in assessing sea ice Planning for this workshop was initiated habitat parameters and their effect on the in 1999. Thirty-five papers presented movements and behavior of polar bears at the meeting addressed population and walruses. The work involves the status and trends, health and genetics, classification of methods for monitoring conservation, management, and ecology Arctic sea ice using Okean-series SLR/ of sea otters. Participants included passive microwave instruments. biologists from Japan, Russia, and the Additionally, the Moscow-based United States. The Aleutian sea otter researchers met with the Director and population decline was identified as a staff of the Science and Applied priority issue and a special session was Technology Office of the U.S. National held to discuss research and

25 Status Reports for 1999 and 2000

Stock Assessments northern sea otter in Alaska identified available to validate the discreteness one Statewide stock. It concluded of the eastern Chukchi Sea population, The 1994 amendments to the Act that, based upon the best scientific management decisions will continue to require the Service and the NMFS, information available on population include this stock with the Southern in consultation with Scientific Review size, productivity, and estimates of Beaufort Sea stock. Information on Groups created by the amendments, human-caused mortality, the stock population size is either outdated or to prepare, periodically review, and was nonstrategic. In 1998, based on unavailable for all stocks. Future polar revise stock assessment reports for all new information on fisheries, stock bear population survey and inventory stocks of marine mammals occurring in identity, and harvest related mortality, projects over remote areas of the arctic U.S. waters. These stock assessments we developed three draft revised stock are needed but limited by availability are intended to provide information assessments to denote separate stocks in of resources. In order to update the for making management decisions to southeast, southcentral, and southwest current population estimate for the address the incidental take of marine Alaska. This delineation was based on Southern Beaufort Sea, the USGS/BRD, mammals in commercial fisheries. genetics, morphology and geographic the Service, and the Canadian Wildlife Stock assessment reports use the best separation. All three stocks were Service would conduct a five year available information on population size designated as nonstrategic. intensive mark/recapture study in the and productivity to calculate the PBR Southern Beaufort Sea. level that the population could sustain, Following a 90-day public review and and compare the PBR with estimates comment period for the draft revised The need to develop a statistically of annual human-caused mortality to stock assessments, a decision was made valid population estimate for the assess the status of the stock. Pursuant not to finalize the documents. At that Chukchi/Bering Seas population stock to this provision of the statute, stocks are time, The Alaska Sea Otter and Steller continues to be one of our greatest either designated as strategic or non- Sea Lion Commission (TASSC) objected needs. Population information is strategic. A strategic stock is one that: to the delineation of three separate sea essential to implement the United is listed as threatened or endangered otter stocks, stating that the science States-Russia Bilateral Polar Bear under the ESA, or depleted under the used to differentiate the stocks was Agreement and develop management Act; is declining and is likely to be listed deficient. In accordance with section goals and objectives for this stock. as threatened under the ESA within the 117 of the Act, their objection required (Note: Development of this Bilateral foreseeable future; or is a stock with a a formal proceeding on the record to Agreement continued through 1999 level of direct human-caused mortality resolve the issue. In August 1999, and 2000. It was signed on October that exceeds its PBR. TASSC withdrew their objection based 16, 2000, by representatives from both on a Memorandum of Agreement with countries.) In 2000, an aerial survey In October 1995, we completed and the Service to cooperatively gather and was conducted along the ice edge from released our initial stock assessments analyze additional genetic information to the U.S.-Russian border to Barrow, for Pacific walrus, northern sea otters reevaluate the proposed stock structure, Alaska, using helicopters from a USCG in Alaska and Washington State, two as well as finalize information referenced icebreaker. The objectives of this survey stocks of polar bears, southern sea otter, in the 1998 draft stock assessments. One were to estimate polar bear density and two stocks of West Indian manatees. analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear for the eastern Chukchi Sea area and For Pacific walrus, based upon the best DNA completed in November 2000 evaluate the potential for assistance by available information on population size, supports the identification of multiple the USCG for more extensive surveys in productivity, and estimates of human- sea otter stocks within Alaska. Also the Chukchi Sea, particularly in Russian caused mortality, the stock was given a in the interim since the draft stock territory. nonstrategic determination. In 1998, assessment reports were prepared, the Pacific walrus stock assessment the journal Marine Mammal Science Pacific Walrus was revised and finalized to include new accepted for publication the paper The Pacific walrus population is an information on fisheries and harvest- that detailed the rationale for multiple ecologically important component of related mortality. In the absence of stocks. The Service expects to revise the the Bering/Chukchi Sea ecosystem. new population data, no changes were northern sea otter stock assessment in While foraging for clams and other proposed to the estimated PBR level. 2001. invertebrates, walrus exert a strong The inclusion of the latest fisheries influence on the structure of the benthic and harvest information resulted in a Currently, as identified in our 1995 and community and play an important role slightly lower estimate of average annual subsequent revised final 1998 stock in nutrient cycling. Walrus also serve human-caused mortality, therefore, assessments, there are two recognized as an important food source for top level the designation of this stock remains polar bear population stocks in Alaska: predators, including man. Pacific walrus nonstrategic. During review of the the Southern Beaufort Sea population, have been harvested by subsistence Pacific walrus stock assessment report, which is shared with Canada; and the hunters for thousands of years. Today, conservation organizations and members Chukchi/Bering Seas population, which walrus hunting remains an important of the scientific community raised is shared with Russia. Recent cluster component of the economy and culture concerns that the population data used analysis of radiotelemetry data on of Native communities along the Bering to calculate safe removal levels were female polar bears has indicated that Sea and Chukchi Sea coasts. becoming outdated. The next revision of there may be three functional stocks in the Pacific walrus stock assessment was Alaska: the Southern Beaufort Sea, the The Service is responsible for managing conducted in 2001. western Chukchi Sea, and the eastern walrus in U.S. waters. Authority and Chukchi Sea. Until more information is structure for management activities

26 come from the Act. The essential exchange their respective walrus equipment, and specimen analysis. The guidance of the Act is to maintain marine harvest monitoring reports in 2001. hunt monitor traveled to and from the mammal stocks as healthy and vital island with the hunting crews. The components of the marine ecosystem. The Service and the USGS/BRD also harvest limit of 20 walrus for both years, In 1994, the Service developed a sponsored a walrus haulout monitoring including struck and lost animals, was conservation plan for Pacific walrus. program in the Gulf of Anadyr, divided by the QWC between eight The plan identifies critical management Chukotka, Russia. Russian biologists Bristol Bay villages; and the harvest and research needs and objectives for staffed terrestrial haulout sites at season each year was from September improving the conservation of walrus Rudder and Meechkin Spits from June 20 to October 20. stocks in Alaska. The Service has used through September. The objective of this plan to develop and implement the study was to evaluate the size and In 1999, 13 walrus were harvested by walrus program activities as reported composition of walrus herds at these hunters from six different villages. No below. important summer haulout sites in animals were struck and lost. Whenever Russia. possible, lower canine teeth were International Activities in 1999 and 2000 collected and turned over to the Service The Pacific walrus is thought to be Co-Management Activities With Alaska for age determination. In 2000, eight represented by a single stock of animals Natives in 1999 and 2000 walrus were harvested by hunters from that inhabits the Bering and Chukchi The 1994 amendments to the Act three different villages. One animal was Seas. The population ranges across the included provisions for funding co- struck and lost. Copies of the Round international boundaries of the United management activities for marine Island walrus harvest monitoring report States and Russia, and both Nations mammal stocks through cooperative are available from the Service’s Alaska share common interests with respect to agreements between the Service and Marine Mammals Management Office, its conservation and management. Alaska Native organizations. The Act’s 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Section 119 authorized funds to be Alaska 99503. In 1999, we, the EWC, and the Alaska appropriated to the Secretary of Interior Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) (up to $1 million) and the Secretary Research and Monitoring Activities sponsored a pilot walrus harvest of Commerce (up to $1.5 million) to in 1999 and 2000 - Bristol Bay Walrus monitoring project in Chukotka, Russia. implement this Section. Congress Haulouts The project was designed to collect appropriated $250,000 for the Secretary Bristol Bay provides critical feeding and walrus harvest information from the of Interior to carry out this section in resting habitat for a large number of six primary walrus hunting villages in Fiscal Years 1999 and 2000. Of this male Pacific walrus. From May through Chukotka utilizing a network of local money in each of these years, the Alaska October, walrus congregate in the Bay Native harvest monitors. Russian Nanuuq Commission (ANC) received and rest at terrestrial haulout sites collaborators in the project included $90,000, the EWC received $80,000, and at Round Island, Cape Peirce, Cape Chukotka TNIRO, the Naukan Native TASSC received $70,000. A Cooperative Newenham, and Cape Seniavin. Each Corporation, and the Eskimo Society of Agreement between each Commission summer, Service biologists monitor the Chukotka. and the Service incorporates specific number of walrus using the haulouts, project plans outlining how the funds and record and report any incidences of In May 1999, Russian harvest monitors will be used. human-caused disturbances. Monitoring traveled to Gambell, Alaska, to observe these haulouts provides a cost-effective and participate in U.S. walrus harvest Specific activities undertaken by source of information on trends in the monitoring training. At the training the EWC as part of its Cooperative number of male walrus utilizing the session, the harvest monitors were Agreement with the Service included: Bristol Bay region. Monitoring efforts provided with data forms and field a bilateral walrus harvest monitoring are expected to provide information equipment necessary to carry out harvest workshop; meetings with Chukotka on haulout patterns and trends in local monitoring activities in their villages. Natives for the development of a habitat use. These monitoring activities Between May and October 1999, a total native-to-native agreement on walrus have contributed to specific regulations of 891 walrus were recorded by Russian conservation; a walrus harvest such as fishing closure zones to protect harvest monitors in the villages of New monitoring project in Russia; initial walrus at these critical sites. Chaplino, Siriniki, Enmelen, Lorino, discussion of development of native Uelen, and Inchoun. Researchers self-regulation policies concerning In 1999, all four Bristol Bay haulouts from the two countries exchanged their walrus utilization; and an internship were monitored by Service employees, respective harvest monitoring reports in program providing the opportunity for interns, and volunteers. Round Island 2000. native students to participate in walrus was monitored from May 17 through management and research activities. August 10. Monitors reported a high In 2000, we, along with the EWC and average count of 4,186 walrus on July 8. the National Park Service sponsored the Subsistence Walrus Hunt on Round Cape Peirce was monitored from May 29 second season of walrus harvest Island, Bristol Bay, Alaska through October 8 with a reported high monitoring in Chukotka. The villages In 1995, the Service entered into a average count of 2,263 walrus on August of New Chaplino, Siriniki, Enmelen, cooperative management agreement 8. Cape Newenham was monitored Yanrakinot, Lorino, Uelen, Inchoun, and with the Qayassik Walrus Commission from June 24 to July 20. A high count of Enurmino were monitored. During the (QWC), the EWC, and the ADFG to three walrus was noted on July 10. Cape year, we also collected information on the monitor a limited subsistence hunt on Seniavin was monitored from June 28 walrus harvest by Alaska Natives in the Round Island, Walrus Islands State through July 20. Monitors reported a major Alaskan walrus hunting Game Sanctuary, Bristol Bay, Alaska. high average count of 1,556 on July 5. communities. Harvest monitors in both For both years, the Round Island countries collected harvest data directly subsistence hunt was monitored by the The 1999 monitoring season marked through observation and hunter Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA), the second year of the BBNA Youth interviews in the villages. Researchers with the Service providing technical Student Internship Program. This is a from the two countries had planned to support in the form of training, cooperative program between BBNA

27 and the Service, in which an Alaska Cape Newenham haulouts were class. Of the noncalf walrus taken where Native undergraduate participates in monitored from 20 June to 19 July. The sex was identified, 1,312 (73.6 percent) all phases of the field work at Cape peak number of walrus hauled out at were females and 471 (26.4 percent) Seniavin, data management, and report Cape Newenham this year was four were males, a 2.8:1 F:M ratio. generation. The haulout at Cape animals on 1 July. The walrus haulout at Seniavin does not have the protection Cape Seniavin was not monitored in 2000 In early 2000, a study plan was approved that the haulouts at Round Island due to logistical problems. The Service to continue monitoring the spring walrus and on the Togiak National Wildlife had planned to monitor all four Bristol harvest in these four Native Alaskan Refuge have. Haulout monitors at Bay haulouts in 2001. Field reports for villages and to expand this program Cape Seniavin recorded 30 human- haulout monitoring activities in Bristol into the village of Shishmaref. These caused disturbances during the 25 day Bay are available from the U.S. Fish five villages are currently responsible field season. One of the more severe and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals for approximately 65-90 percent of the disturbances was caused by a small plane Management Office. reported annual Alaskan walrus harvest passing north to south within 400m of the each year. haulout at an altitude of approximately Walrus Harvest Monitoring Project 180 feet. All walrus on the beach The Walrus Harvest Monitoring Project In 2000, a total of 1,615 harvested oriented to the noise and most of them (WHMP) monitors the size and structure Pacific walrus were recorded through (76 percent) abandoned the haulout. of the subsistence walrus harvest in the WHMP at Little Diomede, Gambell, the primary walrus hunting villages in Savoonga, Wales, and Shishmaref. The In addition to monitoring haulouts from Alaska. Service and village technicians monitored harvest consisted of: 1,195 the ground, the Service collected aerial work together to collect information on adults, 35 subadults, 1 yearling, 381 photographs of Round Island on several the size and demographics of the spring calves, and 3 animals of unknown age dates in July 1999. Analysis of those harvest by conducting hunter interviews class. Of the noncalf walrus taken photographs indicate that when viewed and obtaining biological samples. This where sex was identified, 823 (69.1 from above, the average walrus covers information is used to assess the size percent) were females and 368 (30.9 2.2 m2 of ground. This technique can be and composition of the harvest and percent) were males, a 2.2:1 F:M ratio. used to estimate the number of walrus to study aspects of walrus population The Service and the EWC will monitor on a haulout from remotely sensed data, dynamics and life history. Samples the spring walrus harvest in these five including airborne and satellite imagery. collected through the WHMP include villages in 2001. A field report of walrus teeth for age determination, adult harvest monitoring activities in Alaska is In the summer of 2000, haulouts at female reproductive tracts to determine available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Round Island were monitored from May reproductive status, and occasional Service, Marine Mammals Management 6 through August 16. Our monitors anomalous tissues which are used to Office. reported a high count of 7,573 animals identify specific pathologies. on 8 August. This was the highest Population Status and Trend peak count since 1995 when 9,550 In 1999, a total of 2,195 harvested Pacific The current size and trend of the Pacific animals were counted on Round Island. walrus were recorded through the walrus population are unknown. Haulouts at Cape Peirce were monitored WHMP at the Native villages of Little Cooperative aerial surveys by the from 26 April to 5 October. The peak Diomede, Gambell, Savoonga, and Wales. United States and the Soviet Union count of walrus at Cape Peirce was 971on This was the largest harvest recorded (now Russia) were carried out at 5- June 23. This was the lowest peak count by WHMP monitors in the past 15 years. year intervals between 1975 and 1990; since haulout monitoring began at Cape The monitored harvest consisted of: however, population estimates generated Peirce in 1981. The previous low peak 1,685 adults, 78 subadults, 19 yearlings, from these surveys were considered number was 1,474 in 1990. 408 calves, and 5 animals of unknown age imprecise and not useful for detecting population trends. Cooperative aerial surveys were suspended after 1990 due to unresolved problems with survey methods and lack of resources in the United States and Russia. Recent scientific observations and reports from Native hunters suggest that the rate of recruitment of calves into the population has been low for the past several years. It is unknown whether the walrus population has been affected by ecosystem changes that have contributed to declines in other species of marine mammals and sea birds in the Bering Sea. Future work to evaluate the size and trend of the Pacific walrus population is considered a high priority by both Russian and U.S. scientists. The lack of precision and reliability in the fall surveys conducted in the past has prompted the Service to revisit the question of how best to monitor status and trends in walrus abundance. In USFWS March 2000, the Service and the USGS Pacific walrus hosted a workshop on walrus survey

28 methods. Workshop participants included Northern Sea Otter throughout the Alaska Native U.S. and Russian experts in walrus In 1999 and 2000, the Alaska sea otter communities. This historical information biology and survey design, resource program accomplished the activities can then be incorporated into the users, and managers. The goals of the described in detail below. Many management of sea otters. During workshop were to revisit the question of constitute co-management activities and 1999, the Sitka Marine Mammal how best to obtain population estimates were conducted in close cooperation with Commission published a local knowledge and track trends in walrus abundance. TASSC under Section 119 of the Act. survey on sea otter distribution in Questions concerning the best time, The Service and TASSC continue to Southeast Alaska. A second effort was location, and techniques to survey walrus work together under co-management on initiated in Southwest Alaska involving stocks were examined. Recommendations the development of regional and local documentation of the observations from the workshop centered on three management plans, collection, and use of of local residents regarding past and primary issues: (1) ability to estimate traditional Native ecological knowledge, current interactions between killer a correction factor for the number of sharing of scientific information, and whales and sea otters. The community animals in the water as opposed to the implementation of the biological of False Pass has started this survey in number of animals visible on the ice; monitoring program. their community. (2) applicability of remote sensing to improve accuracy of counts; and (3) Co-management with Alaska Natives in Killer Whale Photo Identification potential for use of mark/recapture 1999 and 2000 In an effort to investigate killer whale approach. Work is underway to address predation on the sea otter population in workshop recommendations, and studies Biosampling Program the Aleutian Islands, training in photo are planned to test a different type of The Service continued to work with identification methods of killer whale transmitter attachment and various the TASSC on the ongoing training identification was initiated during 1999. remote sensing techniques. A project of Alaska Native hunters in sea otter The objective of this training was to have was initiated to develop a study design for necropsy techniques. A total of 56 local residents help in the documentation a mark/recapture approach. Walrus can individuals have been trained in of transient killer whales in areas of be individually identified based on genetic communities throughout Alaska. This potential sea otter conflict. Although analysis, and the “marks” would be based has resulted in the collection of sea otter training efforts got off to a slow start on biopsy samples. A report summarizing biological samples for contaminants due to the absence of killer whales, the proceedings of the walrus census analyses and life history studies. community involvement was beneficial workshop is available from the U.S. Fish Through 2000, a total of 344 sea otters in developing local participation for and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals that were taken through subsistence information exchanges. Management Office. hunting have been necropsied as part of this program; 21 of that total was in Genetics Stock Identification Walrus Productivity and Survivorship 1999 while 26 sea otters were necropsied The Service began work during Over the past few years there has been and sampled in 2000. In addition to 1999 on a statewide assessment of a growing body of evidence that changes collecting baseline information about the genetics of sea otters, in order in the walrus population are occurring. sea otters in Alaska, this program has to better define the stock structure Many subsistence hunters throughout been the source of samples for ongoing of the population. This project will Alaska have reported that they are seeing studies on sea otter population structure utilize the genetics samples collected fewer numbers of newborn calves in and health. through the Biosampling Program and recent years. The traditional knowledge is being conducted in cooperation with supplied by these hunters is consistent Mortality Surveys TASSC. The goal of this project is to with recent reports from scientists who In several communities, annual sea otter supplement prior population genetics have been surveying the ice pack in the carcass surveys are being conducted by work done with mitochondrial DNA Chukchi Sea between Alaska and Russia local Native residents to assess winter with analyses of several nuclear DNA to assess the age and sex composition of mortality. The program involves markers (microsatellites) to define the walrus herds. In 1999, shipboard surveys volunteers searching specific beaches stock structure of sea otters in Alaska. of the pack ice in the Chukchi and Bering early in the spring, and collecting Inclusion of genetics samples collected Seas were used to visually sample the information on the carcasses of otters through the sea otter Biosampling age-sex composition of free-ranging that have died during the previous Program and our Marking, Tagging, and walrus herds in order to investigate winter. The communities of False Pass, Reporting Program (MTRP) has productivity and juvenile survival rates. Cordova, and Sitka have had ongoing increased the sample size to over 300 Preliminary results of the shipboard survey programs, and the communities samples. surveys indicate that the number of 1 of Port Heiden and Unalaska started year-old, 2 year-old, and 3 year-old calves their programs this year. During early Sea Otter Population Trend Surveys per 100 adult females was lower than 1999, residents of Port Heiden were During 2000, local sea otter population expected, suggesting that productivity able to document the movement of sea trend surveys continued in the and/or juvenile survival among Pacific otters across the Alaska Peninsula from communities of Cordova, Port Graham/ walruses has been low for at least the Bristol Bay toward the Pacific Ocean, Nanwalek, Yakutat, Unalaska, and Sitka. past five years. and mortality associated with that Survey training was held in conjunction event. Local participation provides an with USGS/BRD at Adak, Alaska. The cause of the suppressed productivity opportunity to track this type of valuable Training was also initiated at Whittier, and/or juvenile survival rates is unknown, information. In 2000, surveys were Alaska. but warrants further investigation. The conducted in conjunction with Service Service contacted the USCG Arctic personnel to document winter mortality TASSC and Tribal Projects Icebreaker Committee to express interest in Cordova and Port Heiden. There were a number of activities in performing ice-edge walrus surveys involving TASSC and tribal projects in in 2001. Information on ice conditions Traditional Knowledge 2000. Co-management funds supported and distribution of walrus herds may also An important information source is the various participation by TASSC be useful for planning future large-scale traditional knowledge of residents representatives in local, Federal, and population surveys. international meetings and workshops.

29 For example, efforts were made to Work with the USGS/BRD Alaska this study utilized genetics samples initiate co-management activities in Science Center, Population Surveys collected through the Marine Mammal Southeast Alaska (Prince of Wales Information collected in the mid-1990s Marking, Tagging, and Reporting Island) through tribal meetings. In by the USGS/BRD at several locations in Program and the Sea Otter Biosampling addition, TASSC members participated the western and central Aleutian Islands Program. This project supplemented in a British Columbia Sea Otter indicated a dramatic decline in the sea earlier population genetics work based Workshop, Marine Mammal Protection otter population over the past decade. on mitochondrial DNA with analyses Act reauthorization hearings, and the In order to determine the magnitude and of several nuclear DNA microsatellites seventh United States-Russia Area geographic extent of the decline, in April to define the stock structure of sea V Sea Otter Workshop in Monterey, 2000, the Service repeated an aerial otters in Alaska. Data from two of the California. In an effort to facilitate survey of the entire Aleutian archipelago microsatellites tested were acceptable resource information from the Alaska for comparison with data collected and thus used for regional comparison. Peninsula and Kodiak Island, TASSC in 1992. The results of this survey The results were consistent with a representatives attended the Bristol indicate an overall population decline previous mitochondrial DNA studies and Bay Marine Mammal Council meeting of 70 percent over the past eight years. therefore support the identification of and participated in drafting the South Analysis of both aerial and skiff survey multiple sea otter stocks in Alaska. Alaska Peninsula Sea Otter Regional data from select islands corroborate both Management Plan. TASSC and tribal the timing and magnitude of the decline. representatives also participated in varying degrees during the Aleutian sea On August 22, 2000, the Director of the otter aerial survey. Service designated sea otters in the Aleutian Islands as a candidate species Research and Monitoring Activities in under the ESA. The Service requested 1999 and 2000 funds for Federal Fiscal Year 2001 to prepare a proposed rule to list the sea Contaminants Monitoring otter; however, due to other priorities, those funds were not available. The A 3-year program was initiated in 1997 to Service also received a petition to list the monitor contaminants in approximately sea otter. Having already been elevated 50 sea otters. Funding was received to candidate species status, this petition from the Service’s Division of was treated as a second, redundant Environmental Contaminants to analyze petition. livers and kidneys from 56 sea otters harvested by Alaska Natives throughout Immediately following the Aleutian the State. Samples were submitted for survey, the Service conducted another organochlorine and heavy metal analyses aerial survey of sea otters along the from southeast Alaska (20 otters), north side of the Alaska Peninsula. Prince William Sound (17 otters), Kodiak Archipelago (7 otters), Cook Inlet (6 This area contains a broad, shallow shelf otters), the Alaska Peninsula/Aleutian extending over 20 miles from shore and

Islands (4 otters), and the Russian was last surveyed in 1986. In order to Douglas Burn/USFWS Kamchatka Peninsula (2 otters). document the eastward extent of the Aleutian decline, the Service replicated Rescued northern sea otter pup Initial results indicate that the levels that survey design in May 2000. Results of most pollutants were below or near from this survey indicate that sea otters detection levels. The Service is in the have also declined by as much as 36- Polar Bear process of reviewing laboratory results 56 percent along the north side of the relative to quality assurance criteria Alaska Peninsula. The Service surveyed International Activities in 1999 and and completing statistical analyses of the south side of the Peninsula in 2001. 2000-U.S./Russia Bilateral Agreement all data. Results were summarized in In February 1998, United States and a draft interim technical report in June During both years, the Service continued Russian representatives negotiated a 2000. This report was finalized in 2001. to work with the USGS/BRD to identify preliminary text for the United States- sea otter research needs and provide Russia Bilateral Agreement on the Sea Otter Population Survey in Izembek management information on various Conservation and Management of the Lagoon issues. In response to unusually high Chukchi/Bering Seas Polar Bear The Marine Mammals Management winter mortality in the Cordova area, Population. In July 1999, comments Office collaborated with the Izembek the Service in 2000 funded USGS/BRD received from the Russian government National Wildlife Refuge in the summer to conduct an aerial survey of Orca Inlet indicated substantial changes. of 1999 to conduct an aerial survey of in Prince William Sound. The estimate sea otter abundance in Izembek Lagoon. from this survey effort was 3,455 sea Additional discussions between the two Historically, large numbers of sea otters otters. It did not appear that large sides ensued and a meeting took place in have inhabited that lagoon with some numbers of sea otters were moving into March 2000 to finalize the Agreement. seasonal variation depending on sea ice or out of Orca Inlet on a short term basis In Washington, D.C., on October 16, coverage. This was a first step in (Bodkin, personal communication). 2000, the Assistant Secretary of State assessing potential changes in sea otter for the United States and the Russian abundance on the north Aleutian basin Genetics Studies Ambassador to the United States signed and to examine another lagoon that may In November, 2000, the Service the landmark bilateral conservation serve as a refuge for sea otters from completed the analysis portion of a agreement entitled, Agreement between predation by killer whales. statewide sea otter genetics study. the United States of America and the Conducted in cooperation with TASSC, Russian Federation on the Conservation

30 and Management of the Alaska- and research of polar bears and other prepared a report that summarized the Chukotka Polar Bear Population. marine mammal populations. harvest, management, and research activities for this population in the past This Agreement significantly advances In 1999, $90,000 was provided to the year. A manuscript evaluating the on-the-ground conservation programs ANC by the Service, as authorized under effects of the first 10 years of the IGC/ for this shared population of polar bears. Section 119 of the Act. These funds were NSB Agreement is in preparation. The purpose of the Bilateral Agreement used for activities associated with the is to provide for effective conservation development of the Native-to-Native The NSB discontinued its highly and management of the polar bear Agreement for the conservation of polar effective polar bear patrols in 2000 due population in the Chukchi/Bering Seas bears in the Chukchi/Bering Seas and to budget constraints. The Service and through regulation of take and protection participation in international, Federal, the NSB are developing a Polar Bear/ of habitat. The Bilateral Agreement and local meetings to support Native Human Conflict Plan, and strategy to would provide the basis for developing a interests in polar bear conservation fund implementation of this Plan. unified and comprehensive management and to assist in the development of program which includes provisions for the United States/Russia Bilateral Future ANC tasks are to: (1) finalize the regulation of take (enforceable quotas), Agreement. In addition, the ANC Native-to-Native Polar Bear Agreement enhanced biomonitoring and research participated in meetings in Gambell with the Chukotka Union of Marine opportunities, habitat protection, and and Savoonga, both of which are on St. Mammal Hunters (UMMH); (2) conduct nonconsumptive as well as consumptive Lawrence Island, Alaska, to discuss the meetings in Alaska villages to discuss uses. It provides the mechanism to implications of the U.S./Russia Bilateral implementation of the United States- regulate the harvest prior to depletion. Agreement and to provide information Russia Bilateral Agreement; (3) assist The treaty between governments would concerning the health, management, the Service in collecting harvest data be implemented through cooperative subsistence use, and conservation of and specimens; (4) develop a long range management arrangements with polar bears to local subsistence users. strategic plan for the ANC; and (5) Alaska and Chukotka Natives. A joint support and encourage conservation and Commission consisting of a Government The ANC is also conducting a National wise use of polar bears. and a Native representative from each Park Service funded study to collect country will design the management traditional knowledge of polar bear Research and Monitoring in 1999 and programs, describe how these programs habitat use in Chukotka, Russia. The 2000 will be carried out, and provide oversight Service is providing technical assistance for implementation of the Agreement. to facilitate completion of this project, Harvest Summary which is similar to a study previously Our MTRP continued to collect Future steps include advice and consent conducted in Alaska. information from polar bears taken by to ratification by the Senate and Alaska Native hunters for subsistence advancing companion draft legislation Again in 2000, $90,000 was provided by purposes during the past year. In and interpretive documents to Congress. the Service to the ANC. Specific addition to the 92 bears tagged by the accomplishments for 2000 include: (1) MTRP during harvest year 1998/99, we Co-Management with Alaska Natives in four meetings with the Indigenous received information of an additional 9 1999 and 2000 Peoples Council on Marine Mammals bears harvested but not yet tagged. The The ANC was established on June 16, (IPCoMM) to discuss reauthorization majority of the harvest (79 percent) was 1994, to represent Alaska Native hunters of the MMPA; (2) continued work on from the Chukchi/Bering Seas region in concerning issues related to the development of the Native-to-Native western Alaska. conservation and subsistence uses of Agreement for the conservation of polar polar bears. The ANC consists of bears in the Chukchi/Bering Seas; (3) Polar bears were harvested in every representatives from 15 villages from initial preparations for meetings in month of the year. These predators northern and western coastal Alaska. each village to discuss implementation typically follow the ice edge and of the United States/Russia Bilateral thus are not available to hunters in The goals of the ANC are to: (1) Agreement and the Native-to-Native western Alaska until after January, encourage and implement self-regulation Agreement; and (4) development when the pack ice reaches this area. of polar bear hunting by Alaska Natives; and distribution of posters on co- A majority (81 percent) of the bears (2) provide education and information to management to all the village councils were killed during late winter and early the public, State, and Federal agencies; and several schools. spring (January-May). The fall (i.e., (3) represent polar bear hunting September, October, and November) communities in developing, reviewing, The Inuvialuit Game Council and North harvest was below the historical and commenting on regulations affecting Slope Borough meeting of Joint average. polar bear management; (4) encourage Commissioners and Technical Advisors international cooperation in was held March 3-4, 2000, in Inuvik, We obtained premolar teeth for age management, research, and enforcement Northwest Territories, Canada. This determination from 75 of the 101 bears through the involvement of Native meeting is held primarily to review the harvested during the 1998/99 season. hunters and leaders to ensure the status and effectiveness of the 1988 These teeth were analyzed in 2000, health of polar bears and their habitat; Inuvialuit Game Council/North Slope and the following age determinations (5) promote conservation, health, and Borough Polar Bear Agreement (IGC/ were made. The mean age of females sustainable utilization of polar bears by NSB Agreement). The IGC/NSB (4.9 years, n=28) and males (5.5 years, Alaska Natives; (6) actively participate Agreement is a Native-to-Native n=47) were below the long term average in the formation and implementation of Agreement that sets guidelines for of 7.1 and 6.5, respectively. harvest monitoring efforts; and (7) enter management of the Southern Beaufort into or participate in the negotiation of Sea polar bear population that is shared During harvest year 1999/2000, the local, State, Federal, and international between the United States and Canada. Service again collected information agreements for the protection, The Service, which participates as a from polar bears harvested by Native enforcement, enhancement, utilization, technical advisor to the commission, hunters. Only 45 polar bears

31 were reported through the MTRP. recommended harvest guidelines for have some of the highest documented Information was also gathered from the Southern Beaufort Sea population, levels of PCBs in polar bears. The 15 polar bears that were not reported. set by the IGC/NSB Agreement. Bears highest levels of S-PCB were found The sex composition of the reported were harvested in all months except in the one subadult from Point Lay and unreported harvest of 59 bears was June, October, and March. Two bears (7.55 ppm) and three adult males from 41 males, 9 females, and 9 unknown. were taken outside the September 1 to Barrow and Savoonga (5.06 ppm, 5.01 Approximately half of the harvest (32/59) May 31 recommended season. ppm, and 5.05 ppm). Six congeners 99, came from the Chukchi/Bering Seas 153, 138, 180, 170, and 194 constituted population in western Alaska. The sex composition of the harvest was approximately 87 percent of the S-PCB 20 males and 2 females. This represents in the sample. Polar bears were harvested in every the lowest proportion of females in the month except June and October. harvest since the inception of the IGC/ Mean levels of total hexachlorocyclo- Hunters in western Alaska, from Point NSB Agreement and is well below the hexane (S-HCH ppm wet weight) for Lay to St Lawrence Island, typically recommended harvest guidelines of 33 the 24 bears recently analyzed was harvest bears after December. This is percent. Although complete sex 0.87 which is similar to the high levels the result of bears moving southward information provided by the hunter and/ reported for the Chukchi and Bering with the or tagger was available for 24 of 27 bears Seas by Norstrom et al. (19981). Beta- advancing pack ice. Thus they are not in the 1999/2000 harvest, teeth were HCH, the most persistent HCH isomer, available in this area until later in the collected from only seven bears. constituted about 92 percent of the season. Since 1980, significantly more sum HCHs. The levels of S-HCH in bears have been harvested in the fall Polar Bear Biomonitoring Program the Chukchi/Bering Seas and Beaufort (October-December) in the Southern The fourth year of the polar bear Sea polar bears are among the highest Beaufort Sea than in the Chukchi Sea. biomonitoring program, which coincides reported within the Arctic region. The sex ratio of known-sex bears with the polar bear harvest period, Suspected sources are from Asia, harvested during 1999/2000 was 82 began in fall/winter 1998-1999. As in carried north via the Japanese current, percent males and 18 percent females. previous years, Service biologists visited and from Russian rivers to the north. Native villages in northern and western The Service obtained premolar teeth for Alaska to review the biological sampling Nineteen trace elements were analyzed age determination from 20 of the bears protocol with polar bear hunters and in the muscle, livers, and kidneys of 22 harvested during the 1999/2000 season. MTRP taggers, encourage participation adult male polar bears taken in northern Results from these teeth, sent in for age in the contaminant sampling program, and western Alaska. Only 14 samples determination, currently are not assist in the collection, and explain the were used to calculate the average available. need and rationale for collecting polar methyl mercury levels because some bear samples. Regular contact with of the mercury levels in the muscle Polar Bear Management Agreement, key residents assisting in the specimen samples were below the detection limit. Beaufort Sea collection is ongoing. The methyl mercury/mercury ratios in The IGC/NSB Agreement sets the muscle tissues averaged 37 percent. recommended harvest guidelines for the To date, organochlorine analyses has Several elements (i.e., aluminum- Southern Beaufort Sea stock of polar been completed for 24 adult males, Al, arsenic-As, boron-B, barium-Ba, bears. The 1998/99 harvest for the eight from the Beaufort Sea population beryllium-Be, molybdenum-Mo, lead- participating North Slope villages was and 16 from the Chukchi/Bering Pb) were near the detection limit in all 14 polar bears, which was roughly 15 Seas population. Levels of total tissues. The preliminary results (n=21) percent of the statewide total. Bears polychlorinated biphenyls (S-PCBs ppm indicate that mercury (Hg) levels in were harvested in all months except wet weight) averaged 2.41 ppm (n=24, Alaska polar bear livers (both population December. Seven bears were taken range 0.90-5.06 ppm), which is below stocks combined) are lower than those outside the prescribed season which levels recorded in Hudson Bay, Canada, reported for western Canada in 1986 extends from September 1 to May 31. and Svalbard, Norway, two areas which and levels of cadmium (Cd) and Copper (Cu) are somewhat higher. The sex composition of known-sex animals was 53 percent (8/15) male and 47 percent (7/15) female. The proportion of females in the harvest exceeded the 33 percent recommended in the IGC/NSB Agreement, which sets the sustainable yield based on a 2:1 male:female ratio in the harvest. Based on information from the last 15 years, the average age of the harvest has remained relatively constant with a proportion of bears reaching old age. The age class composition from the 1997/98 harvest was 47 percent adults, 35 percent subadults, and 18 percent cubs and approximated the long-term average, since the inception of the IGC/ NSB Agreement in 1988. The 1999/2000 harvest for villages of

the North Slope, party to the IGC/NSB Olsen/USFWS Dave Agreement was 22 polar bears. This harvest was well below the 40 bear Polar bear feeding sustainable harvest quota, the

32 1Norstrom, R.J., S.E. Belikov, E.W. Oil and Gas Polar Bear Surveys Incidental, Small Take During Oil and Gas Born, G.W. Garner, B. Malone, S. The Beaufort Sea Northstar Project Operations Olpinski, M.A. Ramsay, S. Schliebe, I. includes construction of the first offshore In 1981 the Act was amended to allow Sterling, M.S. Stishov, M.K. Taylor, and oil production facility incorporating for the incidental, but not intentional, O. Wiig. 1998. Chlorinated hydrocarbon subsea pipeline technology in Arctic take of small numbers of marine contaminants in polar bears from eastern North America. In February 1999, the mammals during specific activities at Russia, North America, Greenland, U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska, specific geographic sites. Regulations and Svalbard: Biomonitoring of Arctic completed the Final Environmental to authorize and govern the incidental pollution. Archives of Environmental Impact Statement, Beaufort Sea Oil and take of small numbers of polar bear Contamination and Toxicology 35: 354- Gas Development/Northstar Project and Pacific walrus during oil and gas 367. (Northstar EIS). The Northstar industry operations (i.e., exploration, EIS identified potential effects of development, and production) in the Population Monitoring development and production of the southern Beaufort Sea and adjacent The Act requires the Service to manage Northstar Unit on the surrounding northern coast of Alaska expired polar bear populations at the optimum environment, and included stipulations January 28, 1999, at which time they sustainable population (OSP) level. to mitigate for potential effects. were revised and issued through Although population estimates are Stipulations require resource surveys January 30, 2000, to allow information available for the Southern Beaufort Sea to be conducted for sensitive species or on the potential impact of subsea population in northern Alaska, these habitats, including polar bears. pipelines from the proposed Northstar estimates are becoming dated. A project to become final. On December 9, simultaneous sampling effort in Canada We conducted aerial surveys along the 1999, a proposal to issue regulations for and Alaska will be required to develop a coastline and barrier islands of the 3 years was published in the FEDERAL more reliable population estimate for the Beaufort Sea in cooperation with BP REGISTER. On March 30, 2000, Southern Beaufort Sea. Exploration and LGL Research from after evaluating oil and gas activities September 21, 2000, to October 12, 2000. including the offshore development at Population data is limited for the We designed the aerial surveys to Northstar, we issued new regulations Chukchi/Bering Seas population in determine the spatial and temporal effective through March 31, 2003 (62 FR western Alaska. Consequently, OSP distribution and abundance of polar 16828). and PBR levels currently cannot be bears using coastal habitats and determined for the Chukchi/Bering barrier islands during the open water During 1999, 35 Letters of Authorization Seas population and accurate population period (until freeze-up) in the vicinity (LOAs) were issued to the oil and gas information is needed. of offshore oil and gas operations. We industry under our Incidental Take made 232 observations of polar bears Regulations. During 2000, we issued 62 In August, we conducted a pilot study on four weekly surveys (49, 73, 72, and LOAs (Table 1). Both years represent from a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Ship 38, respectively); some of the bears may substantial increases in the number of of Opportunity. The purposes of the have been observed on more than one oil and gas activities on the North Slope study were to assess the reliability and survey. Barrier Islands represented the of Alaska from 1998 (20) and previous logistical constraints of using helicopter most used habitat (72 percent) followed years (1990-1997, range 5-12). support, to determine the feasibility by coastal mainland (17 percent), shore of conducting future surveys in the ice (9 percent), and open water (2 Chukchi Sea from this platform, and to percent). Adult females and dependent develop a baseline population density young comprised 53 percent of the estimate. We flew line transect surveys observations. from the USCG Cutter Polar Star using two Delphine H-65 helicopters. Table 1. Letters of Authorization (LOA) issued in 2000 for the Beaufort Sea and The survey efforts were conducted in adjacent northern coast of Alaska the eastern Chukchi Sea and western Beaufort Sea. Company Exploration Development Production We flew 8,734 km of randomly selected PHILLIPS Alaska, Inc. 19 2 transect lines during 71 hours of survey ARCO Alaska, Inc. 16 1 effort on 43 flights. Surveys occurred between August 5, 2000, and August 28, Western Geophysical 10 2000. Twenty-five groups consisting of BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc. 4 3 2 27 polar bears were seen on transect. Density estimates, based on preliminary Fairweather E&P Service, Inc. 3 analysis, ranged from .0060 bears/km2 Exxon/Mobil Production Company 1 1 (or 1 bear/168 km5) to .0065 bears/km2 (or 1 bear/154 km5). Total 53 5 4 Use of an icebreaker with helicopter support for future surveys holds (Note: An additional offshore production site is in the review process. The Liberty promise. For statistically defensible Project has not been evaluated under existing incidental take regulations. To more population estimates to be developed, accurately characterize potential environmental impacts to polar bears and their however, the sample size (number of bear habitat from oil spills in the marine environment, polar bear population distribution groups observed on transect) must be modeling, and oil spill trajectory analysis are continuing. The Service, USGS/BRD, increased and survey-specific correction the Minerals Management Service (MMS), and the oil and gas industry are involved factors developed for polar bears missed in this process. In addition, a large scale, two year National Research Council study by observers. of the cumulative effects of oil and gas development in Arctic Alaska is ongoing).

33 Marking, Tagging, and Reporting Program single tusk was tagged is given a Because of the extensive exposure of the Success of our MTRP,first implemented weight factor of 0.5, because the MTRP staff throughout coastal Alaska, in October 1988 to monitor the possibility exists that the second tusk MTRP personnel are often called upon subsistence harvest of polar bear, sea may be tagged at a later date. For by other programs in the Service that otter, and Pacific walrus, depends upon analytical purposes, the lower estimate need an introduction to, or assistance routine contact between the Service and is calculated with the assumption that working in, a village. The MTRP staff the individuals hired in villages to do the single tusk-records in the database continued to provide information that actual tagging (i.e., taggers). During represent half of one walrus. The is obtainable only by being acquainted 1999, the MTRP staff traveled to 60 upper estimate is calculated assuming with the residents of the remote villages coastal villages to hold village meetings, that each record represents a whole and/or familiarity with the traditional hire and replace taggers, provide walrus. If all walrus tusks are tagged village life. training, and work with hunters to as pairs, the upper and lower bounds gain better compliance with the MTRP are equal. As a conservative approach During the two year period, we regulations; in 2000, we made 53 such to management, the upper estimate is distributed our quarterly Marine visits. To help inform village residents of considered to be the actual figure for the Mammal Bulletin to all taggers and these provisions, 15 school presentations walrus harvest (Tables 6, 7). other interested people. The bulletin were made during the village visits in has proven to be valuable tool in 1999, while 11 schools were visited in Hunter success in both years varied disseminating pertinent information in 2000. In the Anchorage area, the MTRP greatly from village to village and a timely manner to a State-wide village staff conducted 14 other information between hunters. Many hunters audience. and education programs in 1999 and 25 reported poor weather and marginal ice in 2000. During the two year period, conditions during the walrus migration the MTRP staff hired or replaced five making hunting conditions difficult. taggers in 1999, and eight taggers in Often the villagers could hear or even 2000. see the walrus but because of bad ice conditions they were unable to get close In 1999, the MTRP had 147 taggers to them. and 30 alternates located in 104 villages through coastal Alaska. In 2000, the Compliance with the tagging regulation number of taggers increased to 153 by walrus hunters continues to need in the MTRP, along with 30 alternates improvement. Despite an aggressive located in 106 villages (Table 1, Map campaign by the MTRP staff and Law 1). Usually, local Native residents are Enforcement, some walrus hunters still hired and trained to work in villages do not comply with the tagging rule. where they live to tag polar bear and Village meetings, radio and newspaper sea otter hides and skulls, and walrus announcements, letters, and posters tusks. The MTRP employed 66 sea otter, were utilized to encourage the hunters 25 polar bear, and 99 walrus taggers. in all villages to have every kill recorded. The number of taggers per village The most common reason for ivory not varies depending on the magnitude being tagged was that hunters carve of the harvest. Some villages have their own harvested ivory. Some hunters several taggers for each species and a do not see the use of tagging their ivory few village taggers tag more than one if they are going to use it themselves. species where the harvest numbers are In the past, when raw ivory was sold to low. Numbered, color coded, locking the village store or registered agents, tags are placed on all polar bear and compliance with the rule was high. sea otter skulls and skins presented for tagging. Premolar teeth are extracted Assessment of compliance is subjectively for aging purposes from each bear and based on personal observation and otter skull. A lead headed wire tag is discussions with village taggers and attached through a hole drilled in the others. Enforcement of the tagging rule root section of each walrus tusk tagged has been limited to only a few cases and (beginning in 2001, plastic tags will be those were related to other enforcement used). Tag numbers, location and date actions. However, information from of tagging, place of kill or find, sex, age, the MTRP database was valuable in and measurements of specified parts are several enforcement actions in past recorded by the tagger. Harvest data years. In most cases, enforcement has were reported from 47 villages during had a positive effect and heightened 1999, and 66 villages during 2000. awareness. Thirty-eight walrus taggers reported The MTRP staff maintained a village tagging 1,936 walrus in 1999, and 1,952 presence and routine contacts with animals in 2000. Walrus tusks sometimes taggers. They continued to hold village become separated before they are meetings, train and retrain taggers as tagged. In order to accurately account necessary, work with native leaders and for the harvest, a weight factor variable organizations and expand the use of is added that interprets each record in informational and educational materials terms of take. Estimation of the total that relate to the MTRP and other harvest is made by summing this weight marine mammal issues. factor. Walrus records where only a

34 Table 1. Villages With MTRP Taggers and Species Tagged. Village Species* Village Species* Village Species* Adak SO Hydaburg SO Petersburg SO Akhiok SO Ivanof Bay SO Pilot Point SO/W Akutan SO Juneau SO Platinum W Aleknagik W Kake SO Point Hope PB/W Anchorage SO/PB/W Kaktovik PB/W Point Lay PB/W Angoon SO Karluk SO Port Graham SO Atka SO Kenai SO/W Port Heiden SO/W Barrow PB/W Ketchkan SO Port Lions SO Bethel SO/W King Cove SO Quinhagak W Brevig Mission W King Island W Sand Point SO/W Buckland W King Salmon SO/W Savoonga PB/W Chefornak W Kipnuk W Seldovia SO Chenega Bay SO Kivalina PB/W Shaktoolik W Chevak W Klawock SO Seward SO Chignik SO/W Kodiak SO/W Shishmaref PB/W Chignik Lagoon SO Kongiganak W Sitka SO/W Chignik Lake SO/W Kotzebue PB/W St. GeorgeW Clarks Point W Koyuk W St. Michael W Cold Bay SO/W Kwigillingok W St. Paul SO/W Cordova SO/W Larsen Bay SO Stebbins W Craig SO Little Diomede PB/W Tatitlek SO Deering W Manokotak W Teller PB/W Dillingham SO/W Mekoryuk W Togiak W Egegik SO/W Naknek W Toksook Bay W Elim W Nelson Lagoon SO Tuntutuliak W Emmonak W New Stuyahok W Tununak W English Bay SO Newtok W Twin Hills W Fairbanks SO/PB/W Nightmute W Unalakleet W False Pass SO Nikolski SO Unalaska SO/W Gambell PB/W Nome PB/W Valdez SO Golovin W Nuiqsut PB Wainwright PB/W Goodnews Bay W Old Harbor SO Wales PB/W Homer SO/W Ouzinkie SO Wrangell SO Hoonah SO Pelican SO Yakutat SO Hooper Bay W Perryville SO/W

*Species: SO = Sea Otter PB = Polar Bear W = Walrus For names, addresses, and telephone numbers of village taggers, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Marine Mammals Management; Marking, Tagging, and Reporting Program; 1011 East Tudor Road; Anchorage, Alaska 99503, (800) 362-5148.

35 Map 1. Village locations with Marking, Tagging and Reporting Program taggers.

36 Twenty-nine sea otter taggers reported 531 otters being tagged in 1999, while 24 taggers reported 740 otters tagged in 2000 (Tables 2 and 3). Sea otter hides are used to make hats, gloves, slippers, blankets, and other arts and crafts. A few hunters trade sea otter hides for walrus ivory, polar bear and seal skins or other items that are used in making crafts. Compliance to the tagging regulation by sea otter hunters appears high.

Table 2. Sea otters tagged, by tagging location and year. Location Pre-Rule 1988-95 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Total Adak 0 2 0 0 0 0 5 7 Akhiok 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Akutan 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 Anchorage 117 192 50 22 2 50 21 454 Angoon 0 99 0 0 0 0 0 99 Atka 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 Bethel 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 Chenega Bay 0 14 6 13 0 5 10 48 Chignik 1 20 0 0 0 0 0 21 Chignik Lake 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 Cold Bay 0 9 0 0 0 0 1 10 Cordova 31 409 173 34 293 79 213 1,232 Craig 0 0 0 0 36 80 11 127 Egegik 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 English Bay 0 23 13 0 3 0 0 39 Fairbanks 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 False Pass 0 10 3 3 2 0 0 18 Homer 18 79 24 8 7 0 5 141 Hoonah 0 292 0 3 25 7 8 335 Hydaburg 0 0 7 38 1 31 95 172 Juneau 11 182 3 33 16 3 2 250 Kake 0 23 5 0 0 0 0 28 Kenai 0 66 0 0 2 0 0 68 Ketchikan 2 294 3 33 46 86 15 479 King Cove 8 40 0 13 1 2 5 69 King Salmon 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 Klawock 57 500 25 99 40 13 38 772 Kodiak 157 235 41 39 20 45 33 570 Larsen Bay 31 56 77 22 15 0 6 207 Mekoryuk 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 Nelson Lagoon 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 3 Nikolski 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Old Harbor 0 0 0 53 0 0 0 53 Ouzinkie 0 29 0 0 0 0 0 29 Pelican 0 0 8 6 52 27 0 93 Perryville 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 Petersburg 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 10 Pilot Point 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 Port Graham 0 149 13 20 10 4 3 199 Port Heiden 1 9 7 1 1 4 4 27

37 Table 2. (cont.) Sea otters tagged, by tagging location and year. Location Pre-Rule 1988-95 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Total Port Lions 11 27 18 9 5 3 1 74 Sand Point 0 17 0 4 2 8 0 31 Seldovia 0 41 1 27 11 0 0 80 Shishmaref 0 0 0 0 14 3 3 20 Sitka 44 696 71 97 113 69 146 1,236 Tatitlek 0 50 0 0 0 9 16 75 Unalaska 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 Valdez 0 431 56 167 111 78 69 912 Wrangell 0 23 3 0 0 1 6 33 Yakutat 0 42 4 13 31 1 24 115 Totals 500 4,088 612 769 860 610 740 8,179

Revised April 2, 2001

Table 3. Sea otters tagged by age, class, sex, and year. Age Sex Pre-Rule 1988-95 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Total A F 88 972 82 96 106 105 172 1,621 A M 231 2,362 422 488 611 348 434 4,896 A U 121 207 42 62 37 74 25 568 P F 0 14 5 4 7 2 5 37 P M 1 28 5 11 6 10 6 67 P U 6 16 2 4 1 2 1 32 S F 8 140 20 45 46 32 34 325 S M 8 236 31 48 40 36 59 458 S U 14 41 3 11 6 1 4 80 U F 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 U M 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 U U 23 59 0 0 0 0 0 82 Totals 500 4,088 612 769 860 610 740 8,179

Age Classes: A = Adult, S = Subadult, P = Pup, U = Unknown Sex Classes: M = Male, F = Female, U = Unknown Revised April 2, 2001 Ninety-two polar bears were tagged in 12 villages during the 1998/99 hunting season, with another 45 bears tagged in 11 villages during the 1999/00 season (Tables 4 and 5).

38 Table 4. Polar bears tagged, by tagging location and harvest yeara. 1987/88- Village 1994/95 1995/1996 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 Totals Anchorage 13 0 0 0 0 0 13 Barrow 157 16 29 15 10 13 240 Brevig Mission 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Fairbanks 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Gambell 104 0 7 1 20 4 136 Kaktovik 23 1 2 1 1 1 29 Kivalina 20 0 0 0 3 0 23 Kotzebue 6 1 1 0 4 0 12 Little Diomede 63 2 6 3 4 5 83 Nome 6 0 0 1 0 0 7 Nuiqsut 9 1 0 2 2 5 19 Point Hope 98 3 13 10 15 6 145 Point Lay 10 0 5 3 0 2 20 Savoonga 86 0 1 5 11 4 107 Shishmaref 86 2 0 3 15 1 107 Wainwright 59 14 4 4 1 3 85 Wales 28 0 1 1 6 1 37 Totals 770 40 69 49 92 45 1,065 a Harvest year is from July 1 until June 30 of the following year. Revised April 2, 2001

Table 5. Polar bears tagged by age class, sex, and harvest yeara. 1987/88- Age Sex 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 Totals A F 71 2 10 11 11 2 107 A M 205 13 22 13 37 24 314 A U 10 7 1 0 1 0 19 C F 14 0 1 1 1 1 18 C M 24 0 3 1 2 3 33 C U 4 2 2 1 0 0 9 S F 50 4 15 9 17 5 100 S M 112 11 15 13 22 10 183 S U 5 1 0 0 1 0 7 U F 88 0 0 0 0 0 88 U M 157 0 0 0 0 0 157 U U 30 0 0 0 0 0 30 Totals 770 40 69 49 92 45 1,065 a Harvest year is from July 1 until June 30 of the following year. Age Classes: A = Adult, S = Subadult, C = Cub, U = Unknown Sex Classes: M = Male, F = Female, U = Unknown Revised April 2, 2001

39 Table 6. Walrus tagged, by tagging location and year. Location Pre-Rule 1988-95 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Totals Adak 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 Anchorage 295 111 8 5 6 12 8 445 Atmautlak 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Barrow 1 121 12 48 22 16 9 229 Bethel 13 91 3 14 13 10 9 153 Brevig Mission 3 43 1 47 107 25 8 234 Chevak 11 18 0 0 0 0 0 29 Chignik 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 5 Chignik Lake 2 0 0 2 0 1 0 5 Clarks Point 8 23 0 0 0 0 0 31 Cold Bay 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 6 Cordova 13 0 0 0 0 1 0 14 Deering 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 6 Dillingham 25 149 63 62 45 16 7 367 Egegik 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 6 Elim 0 8 1 1 0 3 0 13 Emmonak 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 Fairbanks 9 6 0 3 6 3 4 31 False Pass 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 Gambell 12 3,254 676 353 667 1,058 657 6,677 Golovin 1 6 1 2 4 1 1 16 Goodnews Bay 4 10 1 0 7 3 2 27 Homer 0 6 0 0 0 0 1 7 Hooper Bay 3 31 2 9 8 6 20 79 Kaktovik 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Kenai 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 Ketchikan 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 King Cove 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 King Island 2 472 122 8 12 7 123 746 King Salmon 3 8 2 1 3 2 0 19 Kipnuk 3 13 23 1 6 6 2 54 Kivalina 0 48 12 16 38 13 2 129 Kodiak 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 Kongiganak 1 25 5 1 3 3 0 38 Kotzebue 30 3 22 15 2 1 0 73 Koyuk 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 Kwigillingok 3 11 1 4 0 0 0 19 Little Diomede 3 1,533 90 152 164 131 145 2,218 Manokotak 3 3 0 0 4 0 0 10 Mekoryuk 23 131 8 13 4 0 6 185 Naknek 3 6 1 0 1 0 0 11 Nelson Lagoon 0 0 0 3 3 1 0 7 Newtok 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Nome 50 109 51 6 17 32 62 327

40 Table 6. (cont.) Walrus tagged, by tagging location and year. Location Pre-Rule 1988-95 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Totals Perryville 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Petersburg 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 Pilot Point 0 1 0 3 0 3 1 8 Platinum 20 32 0 14 2 0 0 68 Point Hope 3 23 0 3 1 5 6 41 Point Lay 0 6 4 7 8 6 5 36 Port Heiden 5 15 12 0 0 0 0 32 Quinhagak 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 Sand Point 1 10 4 0 0 0 1 16 Savoonga 426 2,351 347 330 297 827 796 5,374 Shaktoolik 0 0 2 0 11 21 3 37 Shishmaref 494 382 66 24 127 28 0 1121 Sitka 15 6 0 0 0 0 0 21 St. George 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 St. Michael 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 1 St. Paul 0 10 1 0 0 0 0 11 Stebbins 0 31 0 0 0 0 0 31 Teller 0 19 0 0 9 1 1 3 Togiak 13 120 43 37 40 42 4 299 Toksook Bay 4 11 5 3 3 0 7 33 Tuntutuliak 0 14 0 0 6 0 0 20 Tununak 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 6 Twin Hills 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 11 Unalakleet 6 15 0 0 0 1 0 22 Wainwright 4 318 24 49 69 48 31 543 Wales 10 127 1 2 21 3 14 178 Totals 1,533 9,756 1,618 1,257 1,742 2,341 1,952 20,199

Revised April 2, 2001

41 Table 7. Walrus tagged by age class, sex, and year. Age Sex Pre-Rule 1988-95 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Totals A F 236 4,013 637 461 680 1,304 1,073 8,404 A M 608 4,092 700 684 883 830 680 8,477 A U 585 538 56 47 79 47 55 1,407 C F 0 63 0 0 1 0 0 64 C M 0 63 0 0 0 0 0 63 C U 1 700 155 35 16 110 74 1,091 S F 5 53 16 4 11 14 23 126 S M 27 189 39 22 64 31 40 412 S U 49 38 15 4 8 5 7 126 U U 22 7 0 0 0 0 0 29 Totals 1,533 9,756 1,618 1,257 1,742 2,341 1,952 20,199

Age Classes: A = Adult, S = Subadult, C = Calf, U = Unknown Sex Classes: M = Male, F = Female, U = Unknown Revised April 2, 2001

Sea Otter-Southern 1999 and 2000. Spring counts are recorded count for the population. Sea otters historically ranged consistently higher than fall counts, More survey data are needed, throughout the north Pacific from and this is thought to be the result of however, to determine whether Hokkaido, Japan, through the Aleutian more favorable sighting conditions in the spring 2000 count is an Islands, the Alaskan peninsula, and the spring than in the fall. In 1999, anomaly or the beginning of a south along the Pacific coast to Baja the area between Point San Pedro, San positive trend in southern sea California, Mexico. In the mid-1700s, Mateo County, and Rincon Point, Santa otter population growth. sea otters were recognized as a valuable Barbara County, was surveyed. The fur-bearing animal and were subject 1999 spring survey yielded a count to an intense commercial harvest. By of 2,090 individuals (Table 8) with the early 1900s, the species had been animals ranging from Pillar Point, San extirpated from most of its historic range Mateo County, to Carpinteria, Santa except for 13 remnant populations, Barbara County. In addition, a group including one numbering approximately of approximately 150 sea otters moved 50 individuals in central California. into the Management Zone and was This remnant population in the near- distributed along the Santa Barbara shore waters of California is referred County coast south and east of Point to as the southern sea otter, and was Conception. Five sea otters were also first recognized as a subspecies in 1904. observed at San Miguel Island in the The historical sea otter population fall. Based on the spring 1999 survey, size in California is estimated to have the total sea otter count was 1.1 percent numbered 16,000-18,000 individuals. below the spring 1998 count and down The Service listed the southern sea about 12 percent from the peak count in otter as threatened under the ESA in 1995 (Table 8). As in 1998, most otters 1977 because of its small population were sighted between Ano Nuevo, San size, limited distribution, and its risk Mateo County and Point Arguello, of exposure to oil spills throughout Santa Barbara County. Concern over its range. Although traditionally the the declining population counts was mostserious threat to the southern sea heightened by three consecutive years otter was a major oil spill from a tanker of record high mortality, as indicated by in the waters in the vicinity of its range, beached sea otter carcasses.A total of factors responsible for the declining 2,317 individuals were counted during population counts from 1995-1999 are the 2000 spring survey with animals currently also of great concern. ranging from Pillar Point Harbor, Stephen Tuttle/USFWS San Mateo County, to Tajiguas, Santa Southern sea otters Standardized population surveys that Barbara County. Based on the spring began in 1982 have continued. The 2000 survey, the total sea otter count is USGS/BRD, the CDFG, the Service 10.9 percent above the spring 1999 count. and other supporting organizations These survey results are encouraging, conducted spring and fall population with the number of southern sea otters surveys of the California coast in counted approaching the highest

42 Table 8. Comparison of Sea Otter Counts Conducted Since Spring 1982. (In 1992, all survey data since Fall 1982 was revied and counts corrected). Number of Number Independent of Season Otters Pups Total 1982 Spring 1,124 222 1,346 Fall 1,204 147 1,351 1983 Spring 1,156 121 1,277 Fall 1,060 163 1,223 1984 Spring 1,180 123 1,303 Spring* 1,151 52 1,203 Fall No survey 1985 Spring 1,119 242 1,361 Fall 1,065 150 1,215 1986 Winter** 1,231 181 1,412 Spring 1,358 228 1,586 Fall 1,091 113 1,204 1987 Spring 1,435 226 1,661 Fall 1,260 110 1,370 1988 Spring 1,504 221 1,725 Fall No Survey 1989 Spring 1,571 285 1,856 Fall 1,492 115 1,607 1990 Spring 1,466 214 1,680 Fall 1,516 120 1,636 1991 Spring 1,700 241 1,941 Fall 1,523 138 1,661 1992 Spring 1,810 291 2,101 Fall 1,581 134 1,715 1993 Spring 2,022 217 2,239 Fall 1,662 143 1,805 1994 Spring 2,076 283 2,359 Fall 1,730 115 1,845 1995 Spring 2,095 282 2,377 Fall 2,053 137 2,190 1996 Spring 1,963 315 2,278 Fall 1,858 161 2,019 1997 Spring 1,919 310 2,229 Fall 2,008 197 2,205 1998 Spring 1,955 159 2,114 Fall 1,726 211 1,937 1999 Spring 1,858 232 2,090 Fall 1,808 162 1,970 2000 Spring 2,053 264 2,317 Fall 1,678 199 1,877 * California Department of Fish and Game aerial survey with ground truth stations **Experimental

43 Translocation of Southern Sea Otters In March 1999, we distributed a draft made or natural stochastic events, In our 1982 recovery plan for the evaluation of our translocation program and, therefore, likely jeopardize the southern sea otter, we identified the to interested parties. The draft continued existence of the species. translocation of southern sea otters as document included the recommendation an effective and reasonable recovery that we declare the translocation On February 8, 2000, a draft revised action, although we acknowledged program a failure because fewer than 25 recovery plan for the southern sea otter that a translocated southern sea otter sea otters remained in the translocation was released for public review and population could impact shellfish zone and reasons for the translocated comment (65 FR 6221). Based on the fisheries that had developed in areas otters’ emigration or mortality could observed decline in abundance and shift formerly occupied by southern sea not be identified and/or remedied. We in distribution of the southern sea otter otters. Goals cited in the recovery received substantive comments from population, the recovery team plan included: minimizing risk from agencies and the public following release recommended in the draft revised potential oil spills; establishing at least of the draft for review. Comments recovery plan that it would be in the one additional breeding colony outside included both support and lack of best interest of the southern sea otter to the then-current southern sea otter support for declaring the translocation declare the experimental translocation range; and compiling and evaluating program a failure. The majority of of southern sea otters to San Nicolas information on historical distribution respondents cited new information that Island a failure and discontinue and abundance, available but unoccupied became available after publication of the maintenance of the management zone. habitat, and potential fishery conflicts. EIS for the program. Many respondents The recovery team’s recommendation encouraged us to look at alternatives not will be fully evaluated through Public Law 99-625 provided the identified in the EIS or corresponding our ongoing NEPA process on the authority and established the guidelines implementing regulations. translocation action. for carrying out the translocation program. The regulations designating We prepared a draft biological Incidental Take Within the Mainland the colony as an experimental population opinion evaluating southern sea otter Range (50 CFR 17.84) established the containment and distributed it to Several lines of direct and indirect boundaries of a Translocation Zone to interested parties for comment on evidence indicate that incidental which otters would be translocated and March 19, 1999. On July 19, 2000, drowning of sea otters in gill and given protection similar to that of the we completed a final opinion. Our trammel entangling nets has been a source population, and a Management reinitiation of consultation was prompted significant source of mortality in past Zone to be maintained otter-free by by the receipt of substantial new years. The State of California entered nonlethal means. information on the population status, into a cooperative agreement with the behavior, and ecology of the southern NMFS to assist with the monitoring Between 1987 and 1990, 140 southern sea sea otter that revealed effects of program required under the 1988 otters (32 males, 108 females) were containment that were not previously amendments to the Act. In Monterey translocated to San Nicolas Island, considered. Specifically, the biological Bay and Morro Bay, up to three NMFS offshore southern California, in an effort opinion noted that in 1998 and 1999 observers had been stationed to to establish a second breeding colony. southern sea otters moved into the document incidental take, although no Through 1999, sea otter surveys were management zone in much greater observers were used in 1998. From June conducted at San Nicolas Island every numbers than had occurred in prior 1982 to December 31, 2000, 76 southern 2-3 months by the USGS/BRD. During years; analysis of carcasses indicated sea otters were observed or otherwise 1999, counts of independent otters that southern sea otters were being known to have drowned in legally set ranged from 16 to 21, with 21 being exposed to environmental contaminants commercial fishing nets. the highest number of independent sea and diseases which could be affecting otters counted at San Nicolas Island the health of the population throughout On September 13, 2000, the Director since September 1989. From the California; range-wide counts of of the CDFG issued an order to close beginning of the translocation program southern sea otters found numbers the halibut gillnet fishery in waters less through the end of 2000, a total of 60 were declining; recent information, in than 60 fathoms (360 feet) in depth from pups are known to have been born at the particular the implications of the effects Marin County southward throughout island. Because pups are not marked, an of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, indicated Monterey Bay, and between Point assessment of recruitment into the that sea otters at San Nicolas Island Sal and Point Arguello in northern population was difficult to ascertain. would not be isolated from the potential Santa Barbara County. The order was effects of a single large oil spill; and the prompted by concern for common murre The purpose of the translocation capture oflarge groups of sea otters in (a sea bird) and sea otter populations. program was to establish southern sea the management zone and subsequent We believe that this and other State otters in one or more areas outside the release into the parent population was legislation has significantly reduced the otters’ then-current range to minimize likely to result in substantial adverse number of sea otters drowned in gill the possibility of a single natural or effects on the parent population. We nets. human-caused catastrophe, such as an concluded that reversal of the southern oil spill, adversely affecting a significant sea otter population decline and The crab, lobster, and fish trap fisheries portion of the population. Ultimately, it expansion of the southern sea otter’s continue to be a concern as a source of was anticipated that translocation would population distribution are essential to mortality for otters. Sparse data and result in a larger population size and a its survival and recovery. We further anecdotal records indicate that southern more continuous distribution of animals concluded that continuation of the sea otters are incidentally taken in these throughout the southern sea otter’s containment program, while restricting fisheries. Sea otters are known to be former historical range. We viewed the southern sea otter to the area taken occasionally in Alaska’s crab pot translocation as important to achieve north of Point Conception, will likely fishery. However, Alaska’s pot fishery recovery and to identify the optimum exacerbate recent sea otter population uses different types of gear and is not sustainable population level for the declines and increase vulnerability to a directly comparable to the California southern sea otter as required under the catastrophic oil spill or other man- fishery. In recent years, the fish trap MMPA.

44 fishery increased along the California primary facility involved in the rescue Injured in the Avila Beach Unocal coast. Traps for fish are set within the and rehabilitation of stranded southern Spill; and (3) Part II: Analysis kelp beds near shore in the same areas sea otters. In 1994, the Service and Comparison of Existing Blood sea otters prefer to forage. A USGS/ authorized a second facility, The Marine Samples for Polycyclic Aromatic BRD study investigating the potential Mammal Center of Sausalito, California, Hydrocarbons (PAH) by Enzyme- for sea otter entrapment in fish traps to rescue and rehabilitate stranded Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was completed in 2000. The results of southern sea otters for the purpose of and Gas Chromatography Mass the study, which was initially begun and returning them to the wild. Spectroscopy (GCMS). A copy of the conducted in a controlled environment, final restoration plan is available from indicate that sea otters do enter traps Rehabilitated sea otters that lack the the Land Conservancy of San Luis and can become trapped in this type skills to survive in the wild are placed Obispo County’s web page (http://www. of fishing gear. The CDFG is now in permanent housing in a number slonet.org/vv/land_con). considering trap modifications for the of facilities. By 2000, these facilities fishery to prevent incidental take of sea included the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Sea Otter-Northern (Washington State otters. Sea World of San Diego, Oregon Zoo, Population) Oregon Coast Aquarium, Ocean Journey The northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris Sea Otter Mortality (Denver), New England Aquarium, kenyoni) historically inhabited the ocean Over 100 sea otter carcasses wash ashore New York Aquarium, Aquarium of the waters off the coast of Washington every year. In 1999, 187 southern sea Americas (New Orleans), and Aquarium State; however, little information otter carcasses were recovered from of the Pacific (Long Beach). exists on population size and the exact beaches. This represents the second distribution. It is believed that otter highest number of recovered beach cast ESA Section 7 Consultations populations were diminished to low carcasses and is equivalent to 8.9 percent Pursuant to Section 7 of the ESA, we numbers primarily as a result of the of the spring count. The previous record review proposed Federally funded, maritime fur trade in the mid 1800s. of 213 carcasses was set in 1998 (10.1 conducted, or permitted activities that The species was probably extirpated percent of the spring count). In 2000, 153 may affect the southern sea otter. In from the State by the early 20th century southern sea otters were recovered from 1999, we reinitiated consultation on (Schaffer 1940). In 1969 and 1970, as the California’s beaches, representing 6.6 continuing the containment program, result of a joint effort between the percent of the 2000 spring count. established as part of the Southern Sea Washington Department of Fish and Otter Translocation Program. In July Wildlife, the ADFG, the Department of The National Wildlife Health Center 2000, we completed this intra-Service Defense, and the Service to reestablish (NWHC) has conducted necropsies on consultation and issued a biological the species, a total of 59 otters were fresh, beach cast sea otter carcasses opinion, finding that continuing the brought to the Washington coast from since 1992. The immediate goals of containment program would jeopardize Amchitka Island in the central Aleutian this program are to identify the major the continued existence of the species Islands of Alaska (Jameson et al., 1982). causes of death in sea otters and to (see section on Translocation of Southern establish their relative frequencies. Sea Otters above). The reintroduced population was not In 2000, the necropsy program at the surveyed between 1970 and 1977. In NWHC continued at the same level of Oil Spill Activities 1977, the Service surveyed the coast coverage as in 1997, 1998 , and 1999. The Service’s sea otter oil spill and counted only 19 sea otters. The Approximately 25 percent of fresh contingency plan is still in draft and population was surveyed again in 1978, carcasses recovered were necropsied needs to be revised to incorporate every other year from 1981 through by NWHC with the remainder of those pertinent aspects of the Federal Oil 1989; and annually since 1989 using necropsied done so by CDFG. Causes Pollution Act of 1990, and California combined aerial and ground counts of death among necropsied animals have Senate Bill #2040 which created a (Table 9). Based on the 2000 summer not significantly changed since 1992 new oil spill division within the CDFG. survey (actual count), the minimum when most sea otter deaths were Ramifications of both Federal and State size of this population is 504 animals, attributed to infectious diseases (42 legislation has yet to be realized or a 17 percent decrease below the 1999 percent). These diseases include applied to the existing document. count of 605. The average finite rate coccidioidomycosis, acanthocephalan of increase for this population since peritonitis, protozoal encephalitis, The CDFG’s Office of Spill Prevention 1989 is 9.4 percent Until recently, the and other diseases. Other sources and Response has developed area population rarely dispersed far from of mortality include various types contingency plans for oil spill in their core range of Neah Bay south of trauma (shark bite, lacerations, California as well as a wildlife response to Destruction Island. Currently the etc.), emaciation, tumors, and various plan that includes special procedures for population is showing signs of range conditions of mechanical or functional handling of sea otters in the event of a expansion, moving into the Straits of impairment (esophageal impaction, spill. The sea otter oil spill contingency Juan De Fuca and down the outer coast intestinal perforation, intestinal volvulus, plan is incorporated into the existing of Washington. etc.). The USGS/BRD received funding plans and is periodically updated, most in 2000 to study the causes of observed recently in 1999. No oil spills affected The Washington population of sea otters declines through 1999 in population southern sea otters in 1999 and 2000. is protected under the MMPA, but is counts of southern sea otters including not afforded additional protection under an assessment and identification of Three restoration projects have been the ESA. In 1981, the Washington sources of mortality. During 1999, a selected and the projects began early in Department of Fish and Wildlife record number of white shark-bitten sea 1999. The projects are: (1) Establishing designated the sea otter as State otter carcasses was recovered (33, or 18 the Factors That Affect Survivability endangered. In 2000, the Service percent of the total). of Wild and Rehabilitated Sea Otters; participated in the development of the (2) Baseline Health Studies: Part I: Draft Washington State Recovery Plan Stranding and Rehabilitation Program Baseline Health Studies on Southern for the Northern Sea Otter. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the Sea Otters and Comparison to Otters

45 Sea Otter Mortality Table 9. Northern Sea Otter Population been viewed as rare and declining Several factors have been identified Numbers in Washington State, 1989- 2000 in number. Because of this Manatee which may cause sea otter mortality in research and management initiatives Washington including oil spills, other Year Population Size over the past 30 years have shown that contaminants, marine biotoxins, 1989 208 the manatee’s future depends upon a entanglement and entrapment in nets, better understanding of its status and habitat loss, and disturbance. Since their 1990 212 life history and on better protecting reintroduction in 1969-70, a few sea otter 1991 276 the manatee and its habitat from direct carcasses have been reported annually, and indirect impacts. The protection but sources of human-caused mortality 1992 313 of these essential components in the affecting this population is not well face of an increasing human population, documented. Sea otters are susceptible 1993 307 development, and use of watercraft to drowning in gill nets in Washington’s 1994 360 underscores the need to continue to coastal gill net fisheries conducted by balance the needs of the manatee with tribal fishermen, but documented 1995 395 its human neighbors. incidental takes are rare. At least three 1996 430 sea otters are reported to have been As a Federally listed endangered killed in a tribal fishery for chinook 1997 502 species, efforts to recover the species salmon set-net in the vicinity of Point 1998 433 are guided by the manatee recovery of the Arches on the north Washington program, through the Division of coast in 1996. As the Washington sea 1999 605 Ecological Services. This program, otter population moves east and south, 2000 504 through the revised Florida Manatee the probability of fisheries-related Recovery Plan of 1996, coordinates incidental take will increase. Federal, State, local and private manatee recovery efforts. Recovery In 2000, a total of 22 carcasses were The Service currently has both activities incorporate both research and reported from May 2 through August national and regional oil spill response management efforts. Research efforts 16, with the majority of carcasses being contingency plans in place, including a have focused on monitoring the status reported between late June and mid sea otter response plan. In addition, of the manatee and its habitat, and on August. In an effort to determine the we have developed a sea otter rescue better defining various components of cause of this abnormally high mortality, protocol for the state of Washington and its life history. Management initiatives seven of these animals were collected would work in conjunction with the State have concentrated on protecting and necropsy was performed. At the during oil spill events. essential manatee habitat and reducing time of this report, a definitive cause human-related causes of manatee of death had not been established Research mortality. Our field offices that play an for six of these animals. One animal In FY 2000, the Service, in cooperation integral role in the manatee recovery was determined to have protozoal with the USGS/BRD, the Olympic Coast process include the Jacksonville and encephalitis. Laboratory results National Marine Sanctuary, the National Vero Beach field offices, and various received thus far indicate that the deaths Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska National Wildlife Refuges located within were likely acute and not related to Fisheries Science Center, and the the range of the Florida manatee. a chronic condition. At this time the Washington Department of Fish and Service is awaiting further test results, Wildlife, funded a study to estimate the Status including tests evaluating environmental sea otter carrying capacity of the While most authorities agree that the contaminant levels in the liver tissue of Washington coast. The results of this present size of the manatee population these animals. study are expected in 2001. has increased over the past few decades, the extent to which this has occurred is Several Native Americans of the Pacific References unknown. It has been suggested that northwest have treaty reserved hunting Jameson, R .J., K. W. Kenyon, A.M. this growth may be attributed, in part, and fishing rights. The Makah tribe has Johnson, and H.M. Wight. 1982. to a number of factors including but asserted that their reserved hunting History and status of translocated sea not limited to the cessation of hunting, rights apply to sea otters. Currently, otter populations in North America. an abundance of native and exotic food there is no harvest of sea otters by the Wildlife Society Bulletin 10: 100-07. plants, the relatively recent existence Makah tribe, although they have of nonnatural warm water refuges, informally expressed an interest in Schaffer, V.B. 1940. The sea otter on the the establishment and enforcement of possibly developing such a program. Washington coast. Pacific Northwest manatee protection zones, and public Quarterly 10:370-388. education. Oil Spill Activities In the past decade two oil spills West Indian Manatee The Florida Fish and Wildlife have occurred within the range of The West Indian maperception, the Conservation Commission (FFWCC), the northern sea otter population manatee was first afforded protection formerly the Florida Game and in Washington, however, only one by the State of Florida in 1893. It is Freshwater Fish Commission, documented oil-related death was now variously protected by the State coordinates a series of synoptic aerial recorded during either of the spills. With of Florida’s Manatee Sanctuary Act of surveys and ground counts during the volume of shipping traffic into, and 1978, the ESA, and the MMPA.natee in peak cold periods when manatees tend out of, the Strait of Juan de Fuca the Florida represents the northernmost to aggregate in warm water locations. potential for a catastrophic spill event and largest remaining component The surveys focus on these warm water still exists and the population is of a manatee population once found aggregation sites and are used to assess vulnerable to the effects of such a spill. throughout the Caribbean basin. manatee abundance. Surveys conducted Physically isolated from its counterparts, between 1991 and 1998 produced high the manatee in Florida has historically counts that ranged from 1,465 to 2,639

46 30 percent of manatee deaths have been directly attributable to human-related causes, including watercraft collisions, accidental crushing and drowning in water control structures, and entanglements in fishing gear. A total of 274 manatees died in 1999. Included in these mortalities were 83 manatees that died from watercraft collisions, 15 crushed and killed in flood gates and water control structures, and 8 that died from other human-related causes. This was the worst year on record for total number of watercraft-related manatee deaths. In 2000, 34 percent (94 of 273) of manatee deaths were human-related. Included were 78 manatees that died from watercraft collisions, 8 crushed and killed in flood gates and water control structures, and 8 that died from other human-related causes. This was the Jim P. Reid/USFWS P. Jim second worst year on record for total Manatee surfacing to breathe number of watercraft-related manatee deaths. animals. Three Statewide surveys were and Upper St. Johns River We (and subsequently the State of flown in 1999. The surveys, flown on subpopulations have steadily increased Florida and its contractors) began January 6, February 23, and March 6, over the last 25 years. This population examining manatee carcasses in 1974. 1999, yielded counts of 1,873 manatees, growth is consistent with the lower Between 1976 and 2000, 4,082 manatee 2,034 manatees, and 2,353 manatees, number of human-related deaths, high carcasses have been recovered. Of respectively. Statewide counts on estimates of adult survival, and good these, 990 (24 percent) have died January 16 and 27, 2000, differed by manatee habitat in these regions. This from collisions with watercraft, 168 36 on January 16 and 27, 2000, differed good news is tempered by the fact (4 percent) have died in water control by 36 percent, at 1,629 and 2,222, that the manatees in these two regions structures, and 112 (3 percent) have respectively; while the synoptic survey in probably account for less than 20 percent died from other human-related causes January 2001 resulted in a count of 3,276 of the State’s manatee population. (e.g., entanglements in and ingestion of animals, the highest count to date. The fishing gear, entrapment in stormwater highest previous count was 2,639 in 1996. The picture is less optimistic for the pipes). The continued high level of Survey results are highly variable and do Atlantic coast subpopulation. Scientists manatee deaths raises concern about the not reflect an actual population trend. are concerned that the adult survival ability of the overall population to grow Excellent survey conditions and an rate (i.e., the percentage of adults that or at least remain stable. The negative unusually cold winter undoubtedly survives from one year to the next) is impacts of factors that are difficult to contributed to the high count in 2001. lower than what is needed for sustained quantify, such as habitat loss and chronic While population biologists have used population growth. The population on effects of severe injuries, are also a this information to model trends, the this coast appears to have been growing concern. Adult survival is critical to exact number of manatees in Florida is slowly in the 1980s but may now have the manatee’s recovery. In the regions unknown. Manatees are difficult to count leveled off, or could even be declining. where adult survival rates are high, the because they are often in areas with poor This finding is consistent with the high population has grown at a healthy rate. water clarity, and their behavior (such level of human-related and, in some In order to assure high adult survival, as resting on the bottom of a deep canal) years, cold-related mortality in the recovery efforts need to significantly may make them difficult to see. region. reduce the number of human-related manatee deaths. Long-term studies suggest that there Estimates of survival and population are four relatively distinct regional growth rates are currently underway Management subpopulations of the Florida manatee: for the Southwest region. Preliminary Manatees and their behavior and habitat Northwest, Southwest, Atlantic estimates of adult survival are similar to have been closely monitored for more (including the St. Johns River north of those for the Atlantic region, i.e., than 25 years through the carcass Palatka), and St. Johns River (south substantially lower than those for the salvage program, photo identification of Palatka). These divisions are based Northwest and Upper St. Johns River studies, aerial surveys, tracking primarily on documented manatee use of regions. This area has had high levels of projects, and other studies. These data wintering sites and from radio tracking watercraft-related deaths and injuries, have been used to track the status of studies of individuals’ movements. as well as periodic natural mortality the manatee population and to assist Although some movement occurs among events caused by red tide and severe Federal, State, and local agencies in subpopulations, researchers have found cold. However, pending further data their efforts to protect manatees from that analysis of manatee status on a collection and analysis, scientists are direct threats such as watercraft and regional level provided insights into unable to provide an assessment of how water control structures, and from important factors related to manatee manatees are doing in this part of the indirect threats such as habitat loss. recovery. State. Since 1978, management efforts to Evidence indicates that the Northwest Over the past ten years, approximately reduce human-related manatee deaths

47 have included strategies focused on stop gap measure and recommended to at critical and long-term care facilities; reducing manatee collisions with the State that a preferred alternative manatees maintained in captivity may boats, reducing hazards such as would be to remove the dam. be viewed by the public, provided their entrapment in water control structures Additionally, eight manatees died in display does not impede their recovery. and entanglement in fishing gear, and water control structures in 2000. protecting manatee winter aggregation In 2000, 46 manatees were rescued and sites to reduce cold-related mortality. Industrial Warm Water Discharges 32 were released (including 13 that were Managers are continually challenged to Historically, Florida manatees relied treated in the field and subsequently develop innovative protection strategies, on natural warm water springs and released). Fifty-seven manatees were given the rapidly growing human coastal waters in the southern part of in captivity for treatment at the end of population along Florida’s coasts and the State for warmth during critical 2000, including animals receiving long- resultant rangewide impacts to manatees cold winter periods. The development term care. Florida’s State legislature and their habitat. of warm water discharges at power and budgeted funds in 2000 to help offset manufacturing plants in the first half of costs incurred by these organizations in An important focus of our efforts to the 20th century provided manatees with carrying out these activities. recover the manatee is to improve alternative wintering sites, including compliance with manatee protection some well north of their traditional Outreach and Education zones. The zones, some of which were wintering range. Today, more than half Service manatee outreach and education first designated in 1978, require boat of the manatee population relies on efforts during the 1999-2000 time operators to drive their boats at slow or industrial warm water discharges for period included preparing hundreds of idle speeds in sensitive manatee areas. warmth during the winter. The Service, written responses to persons seeking Manatees are capable of hearing boats in conjunction with the Environmental information about manatees and the and can, and do, get out of their way, if Protection Agency, and the FFWCC, distribution of thousands of brochures they are given time to do so. Compliance has encouraged the elimination of and handouts through correspondence with speed zones will minimize the these artificial warm water sites in and public meetings. Service biologists number of manatees that die in these coastal Georgia and northeast Florida. routinely review, prepare comments areas. To promote compliance, Service Plants to the south, where most of on, and develop outreach materials law enforcement officers implemented these animals winter, are currently in promoting manatee conservation. seven law enforcement task force operation; these plants are older, less Numerous interviews are given each initiatives in 1999. These initiatives, efficient, and are not necessarily reliable year to the media, and presentations are conducted in sensitive manatee areas, during critical winter periods. Efforts made to various schools and outreach cited 749 boat operators for violating to deregulate the power industry will groups. Refuge outreach programs speed zone restrictions. These efforts influence the viability of these sites. have been a particularly effective tool were enhanced by the USCG, which Given these concerns, the Service held a by which refuge visitors learn about made 697 cases in 1999. two-day workshop in 1999 to review the manatees, manatee refuges, and status of the manatees’ winter habitat, manatee conservation. The Service’s Water Control Structures to identify threats, and to identify ways manatee law enforcement coordinator Water control structures are a persistent to protect these areas and the manatees developed a presentation to promote law source of human-related manatee that use them. The Service is creating enforcement efforts; USCG personnel mortality. Members of an interagency a task force to address these concerns at stations throughout Florida have task force that includes the Army Corps and to take steps to ensure the safety of received training to enhance compliance of Engineers (Corps), the South Florida manatees that use these sites. with manatee protection zones. In 2000, Water Management District, the Florida the Service helped to prepare and fund Fish and Wildlife Conservation Manatee Rescue, Rehabilitation, and a new waterproof boater’s card, “Mind Commission, and others have taken steps Release Activities Your Waterway Signs” and designed an to reduce the number of animals killed Service biologists coordinated a outreach display. in these structures every year. Efforts manatee rescue, rehabilitation, and include refitting flood control gates with release program in 1999 and 2000 to Service efforts in 2000 to protect pressure sensitive devices and navigation treat injured and distressed manatees. manatees were complicated as we were lock doors with acoustic sensors; both The program aids recovery efforts inundated with questions and concerns devices stop gate and lock closures when by assisting distressed manatees and raised by issues involved in the lawsuit. manatees are present, thereby reducing reintroducing them into the wild, and by In addition, rumors and misinformation the number of animals crushed in these drawing attention to the species through abounded regarding manatees and devices each year. Four flood gate outreach inherent in the program. manatee protection efforts. Common structures (10 gates) and 2 navigation In 1999, a total of 44 manatees were misconceptions included statements locks have been equipped with these rescued and ten were released. At year’s to the effect that manatees were devices since 1997. The Canaveral Locks end, 54 manatees were in captivity for an invasive, nonnative species; that were fitted in 2000. Preliminary test treatment, including animals receiving manatee protection would preclude results were encouraging. However, long-term care. The Service authorizes access by waterfront property owners in 1999, two manatees died in flood 18 private organizations and works and would result in a severe decrease gates and one died in a navigation lock. with other permitted State and Federal in property values; and that vast areas Installation flaws were implicated in organizations to help these animals. of coastal and inland waters would be all of these deaths and steps have been The program largely relies on these closed to all public access. Service taken to correct these problems. The organizations to fund these activities. personnel fielded questions about these Rodman Dam and Reservoir in Putnam Manatee rescues, captive manatees, concerns from hundreds of reporters County, Florida, have been a chronic and manatee releases draw attention and thousands of citizens. source of structure-related mortality to the manatee and the problems that for many years. In 1999, the Service they face. The media heavily publicize One of the Service’s most important advocated a refit of navigation locks and rescues and releases and more than outreach tools is the manatee rescue, spillway gates to protect manatees as a 10,000,000 visitors a year see manatees rehabilitation, and release program.

48 Manatee rescues, captive manatees, of the Act. In addition, the Service and accessible to manatees, including: and manatee releases draw attention the Corps agreed to revise procedures (1) regulating boater behavior on the to the manatee and the problems that for reviewing permit applications for water (e.g., speed zones and vessel they face. (Manatees maintained in the construction of boating facilities in registration); (2) permitting construction captivity may be viewed by the public, manatee habitat. of watercraft access facilities (i.e., provided their display does not impede marinas, docks, boat ramps); (3) funding their rehabilitation). The media heavily Review of Federal Actions construction of watercraft access publicize rescues and releases and Historically, we have relied on section facilities; (4) operating watercraft access more than 10 million visitors a year 7 of the ESA to minimize the effects of facilities; and (5) operating watercraft. see manatees at critical and long-term boat facility development on manatees To date, there is no authorization for care facilities. The 10 facilities housing and their habitat. In 2000, most section the incidental, unintentional death, manatees provide manatee recovery 7 reviews of development projects that injury, or harassment of manatees efforts with one of the most valuable could affect manatees were delayed caused by these otherwise legal and far-reaching educational tools for due to the lawsuit. During this time, activities. The Service engages in, or manatee conservation. These facilities we reevaluated the use of section 7 as has the authority to engage in, each of do an outstanding job of interpreting the a means to minimize the effect of such the above five categories of activities; challenges that face manatees and do a projects on manatees. As a result of therefore, Service activities could result great deal to promote a constituency for this reevaluation, we drafted interim in the incidental, unintentional take of the species. guidance for the section 7 process and manatees. As such, the Service plans made plans to further address takings to request development of incidental Lawsuit issues through the MMPA’s incidental take regulations for Service activities On May 20, 1999, the Service received a take provisions. and to promulgate regulations to allow Notice of Intent to Sue from the Save the authorization of a small amount of take Manatee Club and 21 other The interim guidance applies to actions associated with government activities environmental organizations for alleged that may result in increased watercraft related to watercraft in Florida. violations of Federal statutes that protect access in Florida. It identifies conditions Through this rule-making the Service the Florida manatee. In particular, the which will allow the Service to determine will determine whether take associated notice identified concerns related to: (1) when a proposed watercraft access with watercraft use and regulation in the development of recovery plans, (2) facility is unlikely to have adverse Florida will have a negligible impact the development of biological opinions, indirect effects on manatees as well as on manatees, after taking into account and (3) a purported failure to prepare the measures that an individual seeking mitigating measures that would render environmental impact statements and authorization to build a watercraft access the impact negligible when it may not assessments on the cumulative effect facility could take to reduce indirect otherwise meet that standard. of development projects in manatee effects on manatees to an “unlikely to habitat. The notice proposed solutions occur” level. These interim measures To improve the project evaluation to these perceived deficiencies, including will be used until the Service completes process, the Corps prepared a series the: (1) development of objective, its promulgation of incidental take of GIS coverages that include known measurable criteria for down- and de- regulations under the Act. manatee habitat in Florida. These listing the Florida manatee; (2) effective provide project reviewers with a more implementation of manatee protection Pursuant to plans to address takings effective means to evaluate manatees zones; (3) creation of a network of issues through the Act’s incidental take and their habitats in the context of sanctuaries and refuges; and (4) issuance provisions, the Service plans to request permitting and development activities. of jeopardy biological opinions for authorization to “take” small numbers The program divides the State into 80 projects that will result in increasing of Florida manatees. In Florida, county, discreet areas or reaches with overlays boat traffic. Responses were prepared to State, and Federal agencies engage in that include area manatee data, habitat address these concerns. a variety of activities that may result information, development locations, and in the incidental, unintentional take of other sources of information. This tool On January 13, 2000, the Save manatees by watercraft. Many of these will help to identify potential problem the Manatee Club and 17 other activities relate to the use and regulation areas as well as areas with adequate environmental organizations, as well of watercraft operated in Florida waters protection for manatees. as three individuals, filed suit against the Service and the Corps. The lawsuit charged the Service and the Corps of allegedly violating Federal statutes that protect the Florida manatee. (A similar lawsuit was filed against the State’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, alleging that the State was in violation of Federal laws.) By the end of the 2000, the Service, Corps, plaintiffs, and intervenors in the Federal lawsuit agreed to settle. Under terms of the settlement agreement, the Service agreed to time frames for completing a number of manatee conservation activities. These activities include revising the manatee recovery plan, establishing new Federal manatee protection areas, and pursuing regulations to allow for incidental take of Robert K. Boone/USFWS manatees under Section 101(a)(5)(A) Manatee with scars

49 Manatee Protection Areas operations involving numerous officers to Historical warm water refuges, used In order to minimize the number of smaller efforts dispersed throughout the by wintering manatees, have also been manatees struck and killed or harassed State. As a result of these efforts, over modified. Spring flows have been by watercraft, manatees are protected 800 notices of violation were issued to reduced and/or lost due to groundwater through a network of manatee protection violators for speeding in manatee zones. withdrawals and impacts to recharge areas. These areas, designated by both areas, south Florida ambient waters State and Federal agencies, protect The USCG also played a key role in have been altered due to development manatees by limiting boat speeds and manatee protection through law activities, and winter distribution access in important manatee use areas. enforcement activities. All USCG patterns have been changed with the By slowing boats, manatees are given Stations in peninsular Florida addition of industrial warm water ample time to get out of the way of participated in enforcement activities. outfalls. moving boats and thus avoid collisions. USCG Boarding Officers issued a total Furthermore, limited access areas of 645 tickets during 2000 for violations To ensure that these changes do not prevent manatee disturbance caused by of manatee speed zones. Analyzed by have a significant, adverse effect on boats and other activities in especially station, this total includes 248 from manatees, many of these impacts are sensitive use areas, including warm Station Miami Beach, 188 from Station addressed through various state and water refuges. Ft. Lauderdale, 59 from Station Ponce Federal permitting programs, as well as Inlet, 38 from Station Lake Worth, through planning groups. The Service In 2000, Florida finalized rules adopting 34 from Station Yankeetown, 33 from relies upon section 7 and Fish and manatee protection zones in Lee and Station Cortez, 19 from Station Ft. Wildlife Coordination Act reviews to Duval Counties. To date, the State has Myers, 16 from Station Mayport and 10 minimize the effect of construction on adopted rules in 22 Florida counties. from Station Ft. Pierce. important use areas. An interagency Where appropriate, the Service endorses group ensures that aquatic plant control State rules and has the authority to With the extremely high manatee activities are balanced with the needs of enforce these areas when they are mortality numbers at the start of the wintering manatees at important winter appropriately marked. The Service has year, law enforcement efforts by officers sites. The Service, through coastal not endorsed the newly adopted zones of the FFWCC were intensified. A program activities, has been active in in Duval County, citing the inadequacy combined enforcement/education efforts to restore grassbeds. of these measures to effectively protect campaign focused on Dade, Brevard, manatees and the fact that the newly Lee, and Collier Counties, areas that Natural and industrial warm water designated zones are unenforceable. experienced heavy watercraft-related refuge concerns are being addressed mortality. Manatee protection was also by interim and long range planning. An Advance Notice of Rulemaking was conducted by many county sheriff ’s Extant industrial warm water published in the Federal Register in offices and local police departments. discharges are made safe for manatees September 2000 advising the public Among the most active was the Metro- through the use of manatee protection that the Service planned to designate Dade Police Department’s Marine plans, included as conditions of NPDES manatee refuges and sanctuaries. As Unit. This unit issued several hundred permits. While the future status of part of this process, Service personnel manatee violation tickets during the these sites is unknown, it is apparent met with Federal, State, and local year. that some will be eliminated and others managers and planners involved in operated in some diminished capacity. manatee protection, law enforcement To gauge the effectiveness of law To address these concerns, the Service’s officers and manatee researchers in enforcement efforts and to monitor Warm Water Task Force, made up of an effort to preliminarily identify sites boater compliance within manatee representatives from industry, resource important to manatees that are currently protection zones, the Service partnered management agencies, research lacking adequate protection. Five with the FFWCC to conduct boater organizations, environmental groups, meetings were held with these experts, compliance surveys in various areas etc., is reviewing the current network of one in each quadrant of Florida and a throughout the State. Preliminary field sites and preparing plans in anticipation meeting to evaluate coastal Georgia. As assessments were completed in 2000. of these changes. a result of these meetings, approximately 150 individual sites were identified. Habitat Management The Service was also involved in State Following this effort, the Service hosted Essential manatee habitat includes activities focused on protecting natural six public information meetings (at foraging and freshwater sites, travel warm water sites. Florida Governor Crystal River, St. Petersburg, Ft. Myers, corridors, resting, cavorting, and Jeb Bush convened a “Springs Task Miami, Viera, and Palatka) in December calving areas, and warm water refuges. Force” to develop a management plan 2000 to solicit comments and suggestions These areas are heavily influenced by for Florida’s springs; the Service helped regarding these sites, as well as any human activities and must be properly to draft the plan, which is currently in additional recommendations that the managed to support species recovery. its implementation stage. The State public might have. Human impacts include dramatic is also involved in maintaining spring declines in seagrass area over the flows through legislatively mandated Law Enforcement Activities past 50 years and drinking sites that requirements to establish minimum An important focus of Service efforts to have both disappeared and appeared flows in Florida waterbodies. The recover the manatee is to improve (including new, artificial sites such as Service worked closely with the St. compliance with manatee protection storm water runoff pipes and ditches, Johns River Water Management zones. Compliance with speed zones process water, etc.). The diversion of District to establish minimum flow levels will minimize the number of manatees river courses, damming, construction at Blue Spring, a primary warm water that die in these areas. To promote of canals, shoreline bulkheading, and refuge for manatees located in the upper compliance, Service law enforcement other activities have altered corridors St. Johns River. officers implemented numerous law and use areas which have been further enforcement task force initiatives during compromised by waterborne activities 2000. These initiatives ranged from (e.g., boating) and other disturbances.

50 Entanglements Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Plan and do not preclude future translocation Every year manatees become entangled respond to additional situations involving of weaned pups from French Frigate in monofilament fishing line, crab trap monk seals as needed. Hawaiian Islands Shoals to Midway, a potential recovery float lines, and other types of fishing NWR staff provide a variety of support action to be considered in the future. gear. While the majority of these services, including transportation of entangled animals are rescued, treated, equipment and supplies aboard Service- The Service, working with NMFS, and released back into the wild through funded charters, radio-monitoring and USCG, and other cooperators during the Service’s manatee rescue program, message relays, and maintenance of the 1999 undertook survey and tissue animals occasionally die as a result of Tern Island Field Station. The NMFS sampling efforts at Tern Island complications associated with these maintains seasonal field camps and to document and monitor PCB events. In 2000, nine manatees were crews on several islands of the Hawaiian contamination in seals and reef fishes. rescued from fishing gear (including two Islands NWR including Tern Island, Service funding was used by the Corps from monofilament line and two from Laysan Island, Lisianski Island, and of Engineers to complete sea wall crab trap lines.) Service sponsored Pearl and Hermes Reef. Tern Island reconstruction design. These shore research at Sea World’s Hubbs Research and Laysan Island are manned by protection measures are intended Institute is investigating the ways in Service personnel year-round, assisting to reduce erosion and minimize which animals are becoming entangled. the monk seal researchers in any way entrapment of seals. This information will be used to promote possible while the NMFS camps are gear cleanups and possible modifications present on these islands including At Tern Island, NMFS personnel to fishing gear. assistance in conducting population carefully monitor the health and state of surveys, production estimates, tagging the population during pupping season. Recovery Planning efforts, resighting of marked seals, and Weaned pups are tagged and measured. A manatee recovery team was convened deployment of satellite tags. Midway Yearlings are measured for a number of in 1998 to revise the Florida Manatee Atoll NWR also hosts NMFS biologists health factors. During 2000, NWR staff Recovery Plan. The team met four in support of Hawaiian monk seal continued to assist in a shark study at times in 1999. Team initiatives research. French Frigate Shoals. The researchers included developing updated objective, observed interactions between large measurable criteria for defining when Monk seal monitoring efforts in 1999 [primarily Galapagos and tiger] sharks Florida manatees should be listed as documented increased juvenile survival and seals to determine if sharks were a endangered and threatened under at French Frigate Shoals and Lisianski significant source of seal pup mortality the ESA. The team based criteria Island, while juvenile survival at other in near-shore waters. The researchers (developed by the Manatee Population areas remained similar to previous also worked to determine frequency of Status Working Group) on manatee years. The total number of pups born on visits of individual sharks to the waters survivorship and reproduction rates. the six principal pupping areas remained of the atoll using radio tracking devices. Other recovery team activities included relatively high (n=243), although at least FWS personnel collect marine debris the development of recovery tasks, 25 pups were lost to shark predation at and flotsam from the beaches of Tern and a revised draft recovery plan, the French Frigate Shoals. Island on a biweekly basis to prevent completion of which was expected in entanglement hazards. Tern Island 2000. The recovery team met several Service personnel worked with FWS staff also assisted NMFS staff in a times in 2000 to complete its draft of the cooperators from the NMFS, the USCG, large marine debris survey and cleanup third revision of The Florida Manatee the State of Hawaii, and others to effort conducted in the waters of the Recovery Plan. A draft was completed document and remove net debris from atoll in August 2000. A daily patrol of and made available to the public on Northwestern Hawaiian Island reefs. the seawall was conducted to detect any November 30, 2000. A final plan was More than 25.5 tons of material was seals that may have been washed over completed in fall 2001. collected from Lisianski, Pearl, and the deteriorating seawall and become Hermes Reef and Midway. A record high trapped. Any seals found were relocated Summary of 23 seals were observed entangled to the nearest beach. Efforts by the In the two years covered by this in 1999, all of which were freed by Service and the Corps of Engineers to report, substantial progress was made observers or escaped on their own. In finalize plans for replacement and repair to enhance the long-term survival October 2000, we again participated of portions of the seawall continued prospects of manatees. Recovery team in a multi-agency reef clean-up during in year 2000. The repairs will reduce members furthered efforts to reduce which approximately 25 tons of debris erosion and minimize entrapment watercraft and water control structure- (primarily derelict fishing gear) was hazards for the monk seal. Finally, related mortality. Various habitat removed from Pearl and Hermes Reef, as part of the Hawaiian Monk Seal conservation initiatives promoted and Kure Atoll, Midway Atoll, and the reefs Recovery Project, marine fauna was enhanced essential manatee habitat around Lisianski Island. Documented collected from the Refuge for nutritional areas. Researchers continued to identify entanglements of Hawaiian monk seals value analysis and fatty acid signatures manatee habitat and to assess manatee were down from 23 in 1999 to 5 animals for monk seal diet studies. distribution, abundance, and the status in 2000. of the manatee. During 2000 at Laysan Island, Service During 1999, Service personnel also personnel assisted in bleaching numbers Hawaiian Monk Seal and Other Marine assisted NMFS and other cooperators on pups weaned late in the season, Mammal Activities on Pacific Islands in movement of 10 captive seals to re-sighted tagged seals, and reported Pacific/Remote Islands National SeaWorld/San Antonio, studies of shark seal entanglements in marine debris. Wildlife Refuge Complex Activities predation at French Frigate Shoals, and Service personnel also assisted in Service personnel from the Hawaiian collection of monk seal prey for fatty acid untangling seals from marine debris Islands NWR and Midway Atoll NWR analysis. Service personnel also assisted and collected marine debris from cooperate regularly with NMFS on a health assessment project involving beaches regularly to reduce hazards. In personnel on various research and monk seals at several atolls and islands. February 2000, there was an alarming recovery actions recommended in the Preliminary results of this assessment occurrence of aborted monk seal fetuses

51 at Laysan. This event precipitated an health assessment activities at Midway, spinner dolphins. The objectives of the unscheduled visit by NMFS personnel involving collection of fat, blood, and study are to: (1) assess abundance and to Laysan Island. The Service offered fecal samples, as well as bacterial swabs, distribution; (2) determine patterns assistance in terms of housing and from several seals. Service personnel of habitat use; (3) determine size, cooking facilities, communications, and participated in extensive observations of, composition, and social structure of availability of Service personnel to assist and interaction with, refuge visitors to dolphin groups; (4) develop a photo when needed. monitor compliance with in-place refuge identification file for the population; (5) regulations to minimize disturbance document year-round activity pattern; Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge of monk seals and other wildlife. This and (6) evaluate dolphin behavior Activities-Hawaiian Monk Seal also included presentation of monk seal to detect possible human/dolphin The Midway Atoll Hawaiian monk seal lectures and other interpretive tours, conflicts and make management (Monachus schauinslandi) population maintenance of trails, placement of recommendations to minimize human remains at between 50-60 animals. A informational signs, and development of impacts. total of 12 pups were born in 1999, one observation sites. more than in 1998. Monk seal-related Field studies in 1999, in photo activities at Midway were conducted Midway Atoll NWR staff remained identification of known animals, led to under NMFS Permit No. 1-29 and active in protecting the Hawaiian Monk a revised atoll population estimate of Fish and Wildlife Special Use Permit seal during 2000. Service volunteers, about 250 animals. In-water observation MID-03-99. In 1999, personnel from interested Refuge visitors, and staff and and photography in 1999, coupled with the Refuge, NMFS, Hawaii Wildlife volunteers of nonprofit organizations above water observations, significantly Fund, and Oceanic Society assisted in joined the Refuge staff to recover expanded information on the the recovery of the Hawaiian monk seal entangling debris within the lagoon, demographic structure and social population at Midway by: (1) monitoring emergent reef, and island beaches of the behavior of the Midway dolphin school. population numbers; (2) identifying, atoll. The Refuge collected about 27,000 tagging, and bleach marking seals; (3) pounds of debris between January and The activities described here are funded recording beach use patterns; (4) photo December. through the normal refuge operations. documenting seal behavior; and (5) No specific funding from other sources determining prey preference by The activities described here are funded is received. collecting and analyzing scats and through the normal Refuge operations spewings. budget. No specific funding from other sources is received. One Refuge staff Service personnel embarked on an member serves on the Hawaiian monk aggressive effort to document, map, seal recovery team. and remove entangling net debris from Midway’s reefs. A total of approximately Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge 29,000 pounds of debris was removed Activities-Spinner Dolphin during 1999. The following activities were conducted on spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) Also in 1999, Service personnel assisted under NMFS General Authorization No. in the collection of reef fish and other 31 and Fish and Wildlife Special Use marine species in support of monk seal Permit MID-07-99. diet studies. In addition, reef transects were initiated in selected areas to In 1999, personnel from the Refuge, document abundance of monk seal prey Oceanic Society, and Texas A&M species (lobster, octopus, eels, etc.). University conducted the third year of Service personnel also assisted NMFS a research project designed to assess

personnel and other cooperators in impacts of human activities on Midway’s USFWS

Hawaiian monk seal

52 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division

Cover photograph of Northern Sea Otter by Dr. Randall Davis/Texas A&M University