DOCSLIB.ORG

Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Thursday, October 8, 2009 Part III Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the Northern Sea Otter; Final Rule VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:03 Oct 07, 2009 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\08OCR3.SGM 08OCR3 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with RULES3 51988 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 194 / Thursday, October 8, 2009 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR northern sea otter, refer to the final published in the Federal Register on listing rule published in the Federal August 9, 2005 (70 FR 46366). Fish and Wildlife Service Register on August 9, 2005 (70 FR Summary of Comments and 46366), the proposed rule to designate Recommendations 50 CFR Part 17 critical habitat published in the Federal Register on December 16, 2008 (73 FR We requested written comments from [FWS–R7–ES–2008–0105; 92210–1117– the public during the public comment 0000–FY08–B4] 76454), and the June 9, 2009 (74 FR 27271), notice of availability of the draft period on the proposed rule to designate RIN 1018–AV92 economic analysis (DEA). More detailed critical habitat for the southwest Alaska information on northern sea otter DPS of the northern sea otter. During the Endangered and Threatened Wildlife biology and ecology that is directly public comment period, we also and Plants; Designation of Critical relevant to designation of critical habitat contacted appropriate Federal, State, Habitat for the Southwest Alaska is discussed under the Primary and local agencies; Alaska Native Distinct Population Segment of the Constituent Elements section below. organizations; and other interested Northern Sea Otter parties and invited them to comment on Previous Federal Actions AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, the proposed rule to designate critical Interior. We listed the southwest Alaska DPS habitat for this DPS and the associated of the northern sea otter as threatened draft economic analysis (DEA). ACTION: Final rule. on August 9, 2005 (70 FR 46366). We The comment period on the proposed SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and considered critical habitat to be critical habitat rule originally opened Wildlife Service (Service), are prudent, but not determinable, and we December 16, 2008 (73 FR 76454), and designating critical habitat for the therefore did not designate critical closed February 17, 2009. During that southwest Alaska Distinct Population habitat for this DPS at the time of time, we received one request for a Segment (DPS) of the northern sea otter listing. When we make a not public hearing. On May 8, 2009, we (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) under the determinable finding, we must, within 1 announced a public hearing, and Endangered Species Act of 1973, as year of the publication date of the final reopened the public comment period amended (Act). In total, approximately listing rule, designate critical habitat, from May 8, 2009, through July 1, 2009 15,164 square kilometers (km2) (5,855 unless we find designation to be not (74 FR 21614). We held a public hearing square miles (mi2)) fall within the prudent. On December 19, 2006, the on June 18, 2009, in Anchorage, Alaska. boundaries of the critical habitat Center for Biological Diversity filed suit The public hearing was attended by designation. All the critical habitat is against the Service for failure to nine people, and although telephone located in Alaska. designate critical habitat within the access was provided toll-free during the statutory time frame (Center for hearing, we received no calls. On June DATES: This rule becomes effective on 9, 2009, we published a notice of November 9, 2009. Biological Diversity et al. v. Kempthorne et al., No. 1:06–CV–02151–RMC (D.D.C. availability of the DEA, and we ADDRESSES: The final rule and final 2007)). On April 11, 2007, the U.S. extended the public comment period economic analysis are available for District Court for the District of through July 9, 2009, to allow interested viewing at http://regulations.gov. Columbia entered an order approving a parties to comment on both the Detailed color maps of areas designated stipulated settlement of the parties proposed critical habitat rule and the as critical habitat are available for requiring the Service on or before associated DEA (74 FR 27271). From viewing at http://alaska.fws.gov/ November 30, 2008, to submit to the June 9 through July 9, 2009, we also fisheries/mmm/seaotters/ Federal Register a determination as to operated a toll-free public comment criticalhabitat.htm. Supporting whether designation of critical habitat hotline, which enabled callers to record documentation we used in preparing for the southwest Alaska DPS is their public comments, to be later this final rule is available for public prudent, and if so, to publish a transcribed and entered into the official inspection, by appointment, during proposed rule. We have subsequently record. We received no comments on normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish reaffirmed that critical habitat for the the toll-free hotline. and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals southwest Alaska DPS of the northern During the public comment periods, Management Office, U.S. Fish and sea otter is prudent, and we published we received 28 sets of public comments Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, a proposal to designate critical habitat directly addressing the proposed Anchorage, AK 99503; telephone 907/ for the southwest Alaska DPS of the designation of critical habitat: 2 from 786–3800; facsimile 907/786–3816. northern sea otter in the Federal Federal agencies, 1 from a State agency, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Register on December 16, 2008 (73 FR 1 from a local government, and the Douglas M. Burn, Wildlife Biologist, 76454). We accepted public comments remainder from organizations and Marine Mammals Management Office on this proposal for 60 days, ending on individuals. At the June 18, 2009, public (see ADDRESSES section). If you use a February 17, 2009. In response to hearing, we received one comment telecommunications device for the deaf requests from the public, we published directly addressing the proposed (TDD), call the Federal Information a document (74 FR 21614) reopening the designation of critical habitat. Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. public comment period from May 8, Peer Review SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 2009, through July 1, 2009. We also published a notice of availability of the In accordance with our policy on peer Background economic analysis of critical habitat review published in the Federal It is our intent to discuss only those designation on June 9, 2009 (74 FR Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), topics directly relevant to the 27271), and extended the public we solicited expert opinions from 10 designation of critical habitat for the comment period through July 9, 2009. knowledgeable individuals with southwest Alaska distinct population For more information on previous scientific expertise that included segment (DPS) of the northern sea otter Federal actions concerning the familiarity with the DPS, the geographic in this final rule. For more information southwest Alaska DPS of the northern region in which it occurs, and on the southwest Alaska DPS of the sea otter, refer to the final listing rule conservation biology principles. We VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:03 Oct 07, 2009 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\08OCR3.SGM 08OCR3 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with RULES3 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 194 / Thursday, October 8, 2009 / Rules and Regulations 51989 received responses from two of the peer the value of sea otter foraging habitat is appear to occur in shallower waters that reviewers. We reviewed all comments inversely proportional to water depth. are closer to shore, we do not consider received from the peer reviewers and For example, research in southeast sea otter habitat that occurs further the public for substantive issues and Alaska shows that 84 percent of foraging seaward than the proposed critical new information regarding critical occurs in depths between 2 and 30m habitat (i.e., waters deeper that 20m habitat for the southwest Alaska DPS of (6.6 and 98.4 ft), and female sea otters (65.6 ft) in depth) to be unoccupied the northern sea otter. These comments, do the vast majority (85 percent) of their habitat, as otters are still observed there which were aggregated by subject foraging in waters less than 20m (65.6 on occasion. We explain our reasoning matter, are summarized and addressed ft) in depth. Recent research from for why these areas do not meet the below and are incorporated into the California suggests these patterns may definition of critical habitat in our final rule as appropriate. be similar among populations (Tinker et response to Comment 3. al. 2006, p. 148). Our selection of the 20- Comment 5: Some areas in the Kodiak Peer Reviewer Comments m (65.6-ft) depth contour therefore and Cook Inlet appear to have been Comment 1: One peer reviewer includes the majority of the most inappropriately excluded from critical questioned our characterization of how important sea otter foraging areas. habitat designation. sea otters use various types of kelp The areas defined by the PCEs that we Our Response: We believe that this habitat, specifically those of the genera proposed for designation as critical comment was submitted due to an Nereocystis and Macrocystis. habitat include the intertidal zone, as artifact in one or more of the maps that Our Response: We have revised and well as adjacent shallow waters where were published on the Service’s Region clarified the discussion in the final rule otters may feed while being relatively 7 web site.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Resource Utilization in Unalaska, Aleutian Islands, Alaska
    RESOURCE UTILIZATION IN UNALASKA, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA Douglas W. Veltre, Ph. D. Mary J. Veltre, B.A. Technical Paper Number 58 Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Subsistence October 23, 1982 Contract 824790 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This report would not have been possible to produce without the generous support the authors received from many residents of Unalaska. Numerous individuals graciously shared their time and knowledge, and the Ounalashka Corporation,. in particular, deserves special thanks for assistance with housing and transportation. Thanks go too to Linda Ellanna, Deputy Director of the Division of Subsistence, who provided continuing support throughout this project, and to those individuals who offered valuable comments on an earlier draft of this report. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. ii Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION . 1 Purpose ..................... 1 Research objectives ............... 4 Research methods 6 Discussion of rese~r~h'm~tho~oio~y' ........ ...... 8 Organization of the report ........... 10 2 BACKGROUNDON ALEUT RESOURCE UTILIZATION . 11 Introduction ............... 11 Aleut distribuiiin' ............... 11 Precontact resource is: ba;tgr;ls' . 12 The early postcontact period .......... 19 Conclusions ................... 19 3 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND. 23 Introduction ........................... 23 The precontact'plrioi . 23 The Russian period ............... 25 The American period ............... 30 Unalaska community profile. ........... 37 Conclusions ................... 38 4 THE NATURAL SETTING ...............
    [Show full text]
  • Sea Otter Studies - 1969
    SEA OTTER STUDIES - 1969 by Karl Schneider SEA OTT ER STU DIES - 1969 This report is a comp il ation of a numbe r o short reports _written for the marine mammals staff files. While it serves some of the purposes of a segment report, ft was compiled for the use of the staff only. Many of the conclusions and ideas expressed are tentative and based on incomplete analysis or the dat.a . The contents of the report are as follows: Proje"ct Statement Aerial Count (Aleutians, Alaska Peninsula, Shumagins) Survey -Sitka to Cape Spencer Survey - Klag Bay Area Sightings - Yakutat Bay History of Harvests and Transplants Age Determination Age Structure Growth Reproduction Tagged Otter In addition to the work presented here, much time was spent on a sea otter transplant, observing the effects of nuclear testing at Amchitka and collecting information on pelt sales. Analysis of much information and specimens collected since 1967 is still incomplete and will be written up at a later date . ·­ .. ­ STATE: Alaska JOB T ITL.E: . Sea Otte.r · JOB NO.: . G-2 . NAME AND TITLE OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Karl Schneider, Study Leader NAME AND ADDRESS OF FISH AND GAME AGENCY: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Subpart Building, Juneau,-. Alaska­ ~ :. ·-­ · --- -~ · JOB DESCRIPTION: OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine trends in distribution changes of sea otter populations in areas where repopulation of former habitat is incomplete. 2. To determine the effectiveness of aerial, surface and photographic· counts as census tools. )-. To obtain information relating to molt, breeding biology, population sex and age composition, growth and food habits of the sea otter in selected.
    [Show full text]
  • Designation of Critical Habitat for the Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the Northern Sea Otter; Final Rule
    Thursday, October 8, 2009 Part III Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the Northern Sea Otter; Final Rule VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:03 Oct 07, 2009 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\08OCR3.SGM 08OCR3 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with RULES3 51988 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 194 / Thursday, October 8, 2009 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR northern sea otter, refer to the final published in the Federal Register on listing rule published in the Federal August 9, 2005 (70 FR 46366). Fish and Wildlife Service Register on August 9, 2005 (70 FR Summary of Comments and 46366), the proposed rule to designate Recommendations 50 CFR Part 17 critical habitat published in the Federal Register on December 16, 2008 (73 FR We requested written comments from [FWS–R7–ES–2008–0105; 92210–1117– the public during the public comment 0000–FY08–B4] 76454), and the June 9, 2009 (74 FR 27271), notice of availability of the draft period on the proposed rule to designate RIN 1018–AV92 economic analysis (DEA). More detailed critical habitat for the southwest Alaska information on northern sea otter DPS of the northern sea otter. During the Endangered and Threatened Wildlife biology and ecology that is directly public comment period, we also and Plants; Designation of Critical relevant to designation of critical habitat contacted appropriate Federal, State, Habitat for the Southwest Alaska is discussed under the Primary and local agencies; Alaska Native Distinct Population Segment of the Constituent Elements section below.
    [Show full text]
  • THE SUBSISTENCE HARVEST and USE of STELLER SEA LIONS in ALASKA by Terry L Haynes and Craig Mishler Technical Paper No
    THE SUBSISTENCE HARVEST AND USE OF STELLER SEA LIONS IN ALASKA by Terry L Haynes and Craig Mishler Technical Paper No. 198 This research was partially supported by ANILCA Federal Aid funds administered through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska, SG-1-9 Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Subsistence Juneau, Alaska July 1991 EEO STATEMENT The Alaska Department of Fish and Game operates all of its public programs and activities free from discrimination on the basis of race, igion, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap Because the de partment receives federal funding, any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against should write to: O.E.O. U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 i ABSTRACT Subsequent to the classification of the Steller sea lion as a threatened species in 1990, a Sea Lion Recovery Team was created and charged with preparing a population recovery plan. This report examines the historical literature on subsistence uses, reviews Native oral traditions, and summarizes the limited amount of available information on contemporary harvests and uses of sea lions over a wide range of 25 coastal Alaskan communities. The report is designed to assist in creation of a recovery plan sensitive to subsistence uses. Further research and data needs are identified for consideration in the development of a long-range sea lion management plan. Various strategies of hunting sea lions are described, along with hunting technologies, methods of butchering sea lions, and traditional ways of cooking and serving them. Evidence gathered from prehistoric sites is summarized, and the pervasive symbolic role of Steller sea lions in Koniag and Aleut folktales, folk songs, and folk beliefs is examined in some detail.
    [Show full text]
  • Alaska Submerged Lands Act Report : Analysis of Inholdings
    BLM LIBRARY 88074922 // ALASKA SUBMERGED LANDS ACT REPORT ANALYSIS OF INHOLDINGS, ACQUISITION PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE IMPACTS ON CONSERVATION SYSTEM UNITS IN ALASKA AUGUST 1990 U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NATIONAL PARK SERVICE USDA FOREST SERVICE •v * f & naj&*^ ib'-MoT-Wll i^l Iks.1 m r AH / AH? ALASKA SUBMERGED LANDS ACT REPORT ANALYSIS OF INHOLDINGS, ACQUISITION PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE IMPACTS ON CONSERVATION SYSTEM UNITS IN ALASKA , AUGUST 1990 BLM Library Denver Federal Center Bidg. 50. OC-521 v>rs Rnx 25041 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE I. INTRODUCTION. 1 II. SCOPE OF REPORT. 1 III. HISTORY OF LAND STATUS. 3 Alaska Statehood Act. 3 Alaska Native Allotment Act. 3 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. 3 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. 6 National Park Service. 6 USDA Forest Service. 6 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 6 Bureau of Land Management. 10 IV. ACQUISITION POLICY. 10 V. ACQUISITION METHODS. 11 VI. ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIORITIES FOR ACQUISITION. 12 VII. EFFECTS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 101 OF THE ACT ON CONSERVATION SYSTEM UNITS. 14 VIII. ISSUES. 18 A. Potential Impacts because of Changing Navigability Standards. 18 B. Potential Impacts of Amendment of Section 901 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act by Section 101 of this Act. 19 C. Title to Submerged Lands on Pre-statehood Withdrawals. 20 D. Overselections. 20 E. Underselected Villages. 21 IX. RECOMMENDATIONS. 22 A. Funding for Land Acquisitions. 22 B. Land Exchanges. 22 i PAGE X. APPENDICES Appendices A-D: Acquisition Priority Lists. 23 A. Summary of Inholdings and Acquisition Priorities on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Fl'tjyvi" I RESULTS of a MARINE BIRD &'Ld MAMMAL SURVEY
    -----~- r ¥l~~ S-eJ~;~(:? I fl'tJyVI" i RESULTS OF A MARINE BIRD &'lD MAMMAL SURVEY [ OF THE WESTERN ALEUTIAN ISLANDS SUMMER 1978 ,J l I :"I i Robert H. Day Brian E. Lawhead Tom J. Early Elaine B. Rhode ALEUTIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE January 1979 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Title Author Page List of Figures i List of Tables vi I Introduction 1 II Census Techniques Day 4 III Island Descriptions Rhode 17 IV Island Species Accounts Day 34 V Avian Pre~ators Day 48 VI Marine Mammals Lawhead 54 VII Buldir Island Rhode 77 VIII Auklet Census Day 83 IX Murre Study Plots Lawhead and Day 88 X Beached Animal Surveys Day 115 XI Permanent Plots Day and Early 129 XII Pelagic Transects Early 157 XIII Terrestrial Transects Early 176 XIV Recotmnendations 184 Literature Cited 186 Appendix I Raw Island Transect Data 190 .,. .. :'" ,., ,- II Buldir Permanent Plots Data 200 III Agattu Murre Plot Data 217 IV Agattu Inland Transects Data 234 LIST OF FIGURES Figure No. Title Page No. 1 Schematic diagram of Least and Crested 11 Auklet activity patterns. 2 Location of the Baby Islands in the 19 Eastern Fox Group. 3 Baby Islands - Physical features. 20 4 Bogoslof Island - Physical features 22 in 1978. 5 The Near Island Group. 23 6 Agattu ,Island - Physica·1 features and 24 potenti~l campsites. 7 Alaid Island - Physical features and 26 potential campsites. 8 Nizki Island - Physical features and 27 potential campsites. 9 The Rat Island Group. 29 10 Bu1dir Island - Physical features and 30 potential campsites. 11 Kiska Island - Physical features and 31 potential campsites.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Assessment of the Alaskan Continental Shelf. Principal
    Volume 1. Marine Mammals Principal Investigators' Reports for the Year Ending March 1976 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 1976 Annual Reports from Principal Investigators Volume: 1. Marine Mammals 2. Marine Birds 3. Marine Birds 4. Marine Birds 5. Fish, Plankton, Benthos, Littoral 6. Fish, Plankton, Benthos, Littoral 7. Fish, Plankton, Benthos, Littoral 8. Effects of Contaminants 9. Chemistry and Microbiology 10. Chemistry and Microbiology 11. Physical Oceanography and Meteorology 12. Geology 13. Geology 14. Ice Environmental Assessment of the Alaskan Continental Shelf Volume 1. Marine Mammals Fourth quarterand annual reportsfor the reportingperiod ending March 1976, from PrincipalInvestigators participating in a multi-year program of environmental assessment related to petroleum development on the Alaskan ContinentalShelf. The program is directed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the sponsorship of the Bureau of Land Management. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORIES / Boulder, Colorado / 1976 CONTENTS Research Unit Proposer Title Page 13 James A. Estes Behavior and Reproduction of the 1 USFWS Pacific Walrus 14 James A. Estes Distribution of the Pacific Walrus 1 USFWS 34 G. Carleton Ray Analysis of Marine Mammal Remote 3 Douglas Wartzok Sensing Data Johns Hopkins U. 67 Clifford H. Fiscus Baseline Characterization: Marine 57 Howard W. Braham Mammals NWFC/NMFS 68 Clifford H. Fiscus Abundance and Seasonal Distribution 121 Howard W. Braham of Marine Mammals in the Gulf of NWFC/NMFS Alaska 69 Clifford H. Fiscus Resource Assessment: Abundance and 141 Howard W. Braham Seasonal Distribution of Bowhead and NWFC/NMFS Belukha Whales - Bering Sea 70 Clifford H. Fiscus Abundance and Seasonal Distribution 159 Willman M.
    [Show full text]
  • Universim of Alaska Table: of Contents
    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE XNTEFSOR GEOLOGICAL SURmY RESOURCE REPORT FOR THE DEEP-WATER AREAS OF PROPOSED mS LEASE SALE NO* 70, ST. GEORGE BASIN, ALASKA A- K. Cooper, D. W. Scholl, T. L. Vallier, and E. W. scott Open File Report 80- 246 This reprt is preliminary and has not been edited or reviewed for conformity with Geological . Survey standards and nanenclature. Menlo Park, Calif,ornia October, 1979 BMER E. RASMUSON LIBRARY UNIVERSIM OF ALASKA TABLE: OF CONTENTS Introduction -cation ..................................................... 5 Publieally available data .................................... 5 . Regional Tectonic setting .................................... 7 Geologic Fxamework Gemrphic setting ......................................... 10 frmnak Plateau and continental slope ...................... 10 Aleutian Ridge .......................................... 10 Geology of Umnak Plateau Region ............................... 14' Umnak Plateau and continental slope ..................... 14 Aleutian Ridge ...................................... 18 Structural Framework Seismic reflection/refraction data ........................... 29 Umnak Plateau and continental slope .......................... 31 Seamen- and igneous crustal sections ................ 31 Diapirs ........................,..,.................. 37 Folding and Faulting ................................. 40 Submarine canyons ....................................... 42 Aleutian Ridge ............................................... 44 Igneous and sedimentary crustal sections
    [Show full text]
  • Bookletchart™ Unalaska Bay and Akutan Pass NOAA Chart 16528
    BookletChart™ Unalaska Bay and Akutan Pass NOAA Chart 16528 A reduced-scale NOAA nautical chart for small boaters When possible, use the full-size NOAA chart for navigation. Included Area Published by the shoal with a least depth of 7 fathoms is 3.5 miles NW from Cape Morgan. The shoal can be detected by the swirls and tide rips marking it. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Akutan Pass is wider than Unalaga Pass, but the currents and tide rips National Ocean Service are similar. However, the current is felt over a much greater distance, so Office of Coast Survey that with an adverse current it has been found that better time can be made by using Unalaga Pass. On the larger tides, the flood creates such www.NauticalCharts.NOAA.gov heavy tide rips N of Unalaga Island, even in calm weather, that it is 888-990-NOAA advisable to be prepared to take seas aboard. Tide rips 15 feet high have been observed. In approaching both Akutan Pass and Baby Pass, fewer What are Nautical Charts? rips will be encountered if courses are directed for the area SE of the Akutan Pass, in the daytime and with clear weather and a fair current, Nautical charts are a fundamental tool of marine navigation. They show furnishes a convenient route for vessels bound to or from Unalaska Bay. water depths, obstructions, buoys, other aids to navigation, and much From E it is recommended that courses be steered to make land in the more. The information is shown in a way that promotes safe and vicinity of Tigalda Island and Avatanak Island; then follow the S side of efficient navigation.
    [Show full text]
  • FROM KATMAI to KAMCHATKA Current Route: Anchorage, Alaska to Anchorage, Alaska
    ACROSS THE BERING SEA: FROM KATMAI TO KAMCHATKA Current route: Anchorage, Alaska to Anchorage, Alaska 22 Days Expeditions in: Jun/Jul Covering more than 3,800 nautical miles, and nearly circumnavigating the Bering Sea, this wide-ranging voyage explores one of the most rugged and wildlife-rich regions of the planet. Spot coastal brown bears from Katmai National Park to the Kamchatka Peninsula, search for Steller’s sea eagles along the scenically stunning Zhupanova River and be awed by the abundance and variety of marine mammals and seabirds from the Aleutians to the Commander Islands. Call us at 1.800.397.3348 or call your Travel Agent. In Australia, call 1300.361.012 • www.expeditions.com Important Flight Information DAY 1: Anchorage/Seward/Embark padding Please check departure and arrival times prior to Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to Seward, booking flights. Alaska to embark National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon. (D) Cost Includes: Accommodations; meals indicated; DAY 2-3: Katmai National Park alcoholic beverages (except premium padding Spend two days exploring the shorelines and brands); excursions; services of Lindblad waters of coastal Katmai National Park & Expeditions’ Leader, Naturalist staff and Preserve, observing and photographing its expert guides; use of kayaks; entrance abundant brown bear population. Explore fees; all port charges and service taxes; Geographic or Hidden Harbors and Kukak Bay by gratuities to ship’s crew. ship, Zodiac, or, conditions permitting, kayak. Cost Not Included: (B,L,D Daily) Air transportation; personal items such as emails, laundry, voyage DVD etc. DAY 4-5: At Sea/Unalaska padding Watch from deck as Orion transits Baby Pass en route to the Baby Islands, just to the east of Unalaska.
    [Show full text]
  • Unalaska Port of Dutch Harbor Wildlife Viewing Guide
    ildlife W ur O atch W visitor center at 5 Broadway Street. Street. Broadway 5 at center visitor V i s i & All other photos ©ADF&G. photos other All t o n r o s i t Fish and Game and Fish visiting Unalaska, stop by the the by stop Unalaska, visiting Williams • Whale / Fox ©Ali Bonomo • Emperor goose / Seal ©Suzi Golodoff ©Suzi Seal / goose Emperor • Bonomo ©Ali Fox / Whale • Williams B n u e Crested auklets / Seacoast ©Dan Parrett • Sunset flowers ©Richard Bye • Otter ©Jim ©Jim Otter • Bye ©Richard flowers Sunset • Parrett ©Dan Seacoast / auklets Crested r v e n info or call (877)581-2612. While While (877)581-2612. call or info a Photos Alaska Department of of Department Alaska o u C Bureau. Visit www.unalaska. Visit Bureau. − − U r Harbor Convention and Visitors Visitors and Convention Harbor n www.wildlifeviewing.alaska.gov o a b l a r s a k H consult the Unalaska, Port of Dutch Dutch of Port Unalaska, the consult a , h c P t o u r D t f o For information on tours and lodging, lodging, and tours on information For interesting land animals inhabit these lands and waters. waters. and lands these inhabit animals land interesting visit www.wildlifeviewing.alaska.gov. www.wildlifeviewing.alaska.gov. visit For more information on wildlife viewing across Alaska, Alaska, across viewing wildlife on information more For the world, bountiful fish and marine mammals and several several and mammals marine and fish bountiful world, the Opportunities to see wildlife abound. Birds from all over over all from Birds abound.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Net Entanglement on Northern Sea Lions in the Aleutian
    0 0 0 0 0. 0 0 0 0 0 . Th:i·s- r~P-ott-.-d_q,e,:. _tg:l~- ·eons_titUt(i -~ .p_uJJiicati_On a·n~- _is _foi ·i:nlor:&iat_iQi'l 0 ·o_ril.y. All.dat~'~6!'f.e.-;n -·are:_to be .con_si(:ler,~d_:provisi_onal. _, · INTRODUCTION The breeding range of the northern (Steller) sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus, the most abundant sea lion in the Northern Hemisphere, extends throughout the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea with centers of abundance in the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. The sea lions are not known to migrate but disperse throughout their range during fall and winter, returning to rookeries to breed and pup during late May to early July. A published review of their distribution and population covering the years 1956-80 showed that overall the world population level had changed little, although marked declines had occurred in the eastern Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea (Braham et al. 1980; Loughlin et al. 1984). Results of an unpublished survey by the National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML) in July 1985 indicated that the eastern Aleutian Island sea lion population has continued to decline at a steady rate. The 1985 survey of the eastern Aleutian Islands documented an overall population reduction of 57% from counts made in the mid-1970's by Braham et al. (1980). The 1977 counts showed a 50% decline from counts made in the early 1960's by Kenyon and Rice (1961). In a span of 20 years the number of adult sea lions on eastern Aleutian Island rookeries has declined from about 50,000 animals (1960's) to the 1985 level of about 10,000 adult animals.
    [Show full text]