DRAFT PINNIPED LONG-TERM MONITORING PROGRAM San Francisco Area Network of Parks Henry W. Elliott 1872 Michelle Hester1, Sarah Allen2, Dawn Adams2, Hannah Nevins1, 1 Oikonos, P.O. Box 979, Bolinas, CA 94924 2 National Park Service, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, CA 94956 Version 1: July 30, 2004 1 SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... 5 I. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 6 Monitoring Justification.................................................................................................. 6 Legal mandates ....................................................................................................... 7 Enabling legislation ................................................................................................ 8 Indicator of ecosystem condition............................................................................ 9 History of monitoring ........................................................................................... 11 Monitoring Questions ................................................................................................... 12 Monitoring Goals and Objectives ................................................................................. 13 Specific Management Objectives ................................................................................. 15 Setting and Study Area ................................................................................................. 16 Study Area ................................................................................................................ 16 Pinniped guild ........................................................................................................... 17 Overview of Monitoring Programs............................................................................... 18 Sampling Design and Parameters monitored............................................................ 18 Population Size ..................................................................................................... 18 Distribution ........................................................................................................... 18 Reproductive Success ........................................................................................... 19 Population Ecology............................................................................................... 19 III. SPECIFIC PROGRAMS........................................................................................ 21 Harbor Seal Program..................................................................................................... 21 Program Objectives................................................................................................... 21 1. Monitor Population size................................................................................... 21 2. Monitor Distribution ........................................................................................ 21 3. Monitor Reproductive Success ........................................................................ 21 4. Monitor Population Ecology............................................................................ 21 History of Program ................................................................................................... 22 Regionwide Coordination ..................................................................................... 22 Sampling Design and Field Methods........................................................................ 23 Study Sites ............................................................................................................ 23 Observation Points................................................................................................ 23 Frequency.............................................................................................................. 23 Methods and Field Data Collection ...................................................................... 23 Northern Elephant Seal Program .................................................................................. 24 Program Objectives................................................................................................... 24 1. Monitor Population size................................................................................... 24 2. Monitor Distribution ........................................................................................ 24 3. Monitor Reproductive Success ........................................................................ 24 4. Monitor Population Ecology............................................................................ 25 History of Study........................................................................................................ 25 Nationwide Coordination.......................................................................................... 26 2 Sampling Design and Field Methods........................................................................ 26 Study Sites ............................................................................................................ 26 Observation Points................................................................................................ 26 Frequency.............................................................................................................. 26 Methods and Field Data Collection ...................................................................... 26 All Species Pinniped Program ...................................................................................... 27 Program Objectives................................................................................................... 27 1. Monitor Haul-out Use for all species, year round............................................ 27 Study History ............................................................................................................ 28 Regionwide Coordination ......................................................................................... 28 Sampling Design and Field Methods........................................................................ 28 Study Sites ............................................................................................................ 28 Observation Points................................................................................................ 28 Frequency.............................................................................................................. 28 Methods and Field Data Collection ...................................................................... 28 Stranding Network Program ......................................................................................... 29 Program Objectives................................................................................................... 29 1. Monitor stranded marine mammals year round............................................... 29 Regionwide Coordination ......................................................................................... 30 Methods and Field Data Collection .......................................................................... 30 IV. DATA MANAGEMENT, ANALYSES AND REPORTS.................................... 31 Data Management ......................................................................................................... 31 Legacy Datasets ........................................................................................................ 31 Database Design and Structure ................................................................................. 31 Data Archival Procedures ......................................................................................... 32 MetaData Procedures................................................................................................ 32 Data Maintenance ..................................................................................................... 32 Data Version Control ................................................................................................ 32 Data Analyses ............................................................................................................... 32 Harbor Seals.............................................................................................................. 33 1. Monitor Population size................................................................................... 33 2. Monitor Distribution ........................................................................................ 33 3. Monitor Reproductive Success ........................................................................ 33 4. Monitor Disturbance ........................................................................................ 33 Northern Elephant Seals ........................................................................................... 33 1. Monitor Population size................................................................................... 33 2. Monitor Reproductive Success ........................................................................ 34 3. Monitor Population Ecology........................................................................... 34 4. Monitor Disturbance .......................................................................................