SC/65a/IA08

Cruise report of the 2012 IWC-Pacific Ocean Whale andEcosystem Research (IWC-POWER)
KOJI MATSUOKA1, SALLY MIZROCH2, YONG-ROCK AN3, SAEKO KUMAGAI4 AND KIYOJI HIROSE5
1: The Institute of Cetacean Research, 4-5, Toyomi, Chuo, Tokyo, 104-0055, JAPAN
2: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Laboratory,7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, USA
3: Cetacean Research Institute, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 139-29, Maeam-Dong, Nam-Gu,
Ulsan, 680-050, Republic of Korea
4: IWC nominated researcher, 7-54, Asakura, Yamaguchi, 753-0061, JAPAN
5: Kyodo Senpaku Co. LTD., Toyomi 4-5, Chuo-ku Tokyo, 104-0055, JAPANContact e-mail: matsuoka@cetacean.jp
ABSTRACTThe 3rd annual IWC-POWER (as a successor to the IWC/IDCR-SOWER cruises since 1978/79 in the Antarctic) was
successfully conducted from 13 July to 10 September, 2012 in the eastern North Pacific (north of 40°N, south of the
Alaska, between 150°W and 135°W) using the Japanese Research Vessel Yushin-Maru No.3. The cruise was organized
as a joint project between the IWC and Japan. The cruise plan was endorsed at the 63rd IWC/SC meeting. Researchers
from Japan, Korea and the US participated in the survey. The cruise had five main objectives: (a) provide information forthe proposed future in-depth assessment of sei whales in terms of both abundance and stock structure; (b) provide
information relevant to Implementation Reviews of whales (e.g. common minke whales) in terms of both abundance andstock structure; (c) provide baseline information on distribution and abundance for a poorly known area for several large
whale species/populations, including those that were known to have been depleted in the past, but whose status isunclear; (d) provide biopsy samples and photo-identification photos to contribute to discussions of stock structure forseveral large whale species/populations, including those that were known to have been depleted in the past but whose
status is unclear; (e) provide essential information for the intersessional workshop to plan for a medium-long terminternational programme in the North Pacific. The sighting survey was conducted under the methods based on theguidelines of the IWC/SC and the predetermined transect lines were completed. The survey effort was stratified into twozones: a northern stratum within the US and Canada Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and a southern stratum south of
the US and Canada EEZ. Survey coverage was 80% in the northern stratum and 85% in the southern stratum. A total of2126.0 n.miles was surveyed in the research area in the Passing (NSP) with abeam closing mode. Sightings of blue (4schools / 4 individuals), fin (149/210), sei (87/164), common minke (2/2), North Pacific right (1/1), humpback (21/33),
sperm (50/57), Baird’s beaked (1/6), Cuvier’s beaked (1/4), Stejneger’s beaked (2/8), Mesoplodon spp. (3/9), Ziphiidae(23/44), killer (17/99), Risso’s (1/16), common dolphin (3/135), Pacific white sided dolphin (3/27), northern right whale
dolphin (1/10), Dall’s porpoise (132/636), and unidentified large whales (59/93) were made. Fin and sei whales were themost frequently sighted species. Blue whales were sighted in southern stratum. Fin whales were widely distributed inboth strata. Except for two sightings in the Canadian EEZ, sei whales were sighted in only the southern stratum andwidely distributed with some areas of concentration. A common minke whale was sighted in each strata. A solitary North
Pacific right whale was sighted in the northern stratum 120 n.miles southeast of Kodiak Island, Alaska Humpback
whales were only sighted in the northern stratum. Most sperm whales were solitary large males and were sighted in boththe northern and southern strata in some areas of concentration. Killer whales were sighted in both the northern andsouthern strata. Photo-identification data for 4 blue, 1 North Pacific right, 26 humpback, 60 fin, 51 sei and 47 killer
whales were collected. A total of 52 biopsy samples from were successfully collected from 2 blue, 12 fin, 37 sei and 1
killer whale using the Larsen-gun system. Marine debris of 230 objects was recorded, including some areas of dense
concentrations. The Estimated Angle and Distance Training Exercise and Experiment were completed as in previous
years. The planned sighting procedure was in accordance with the guidelines agreed by the SC. As explained theobjectives of the survey and its procedure to the vessel, the Captain, officers, crew and international researchers fully
understood the objectives and methods for operating the survey properly before starting the survey. The 3rd cruise of thisprogram was completed and provided information that various baleen whale species and other cetacean species were
widely distributed in the research area where they were depleted in the past. These results will contribute to the above
objectives for the IWC/SC.

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Research objective
The cruise was organized as a joint project between the IWC and Japan (IWC, 2011a, 2011b, 2012a and 2012b; Kato etal., 2011, Matsuoka et al., 2011, 2012). The cruise plan was endorsed at the 63rd IWC/SC meeting. The cruise had fivemain objectives: (a) provide information for the proposed future in-depth assessment of sei whales in terms of bothabundance and stock structure; (b) provide information relevant to Implementation Reviews of whales (e.g. common
minke whales) in terms of both abundance and stock structure; (c) provide baseline information on distribution andabundance for a poorly known area for several large whale species/populations, including those that were known to havebeen depleted in the past, but whose status is unclear; (d) provide biopsy samples and photo-identification photos tocontribute to discussions of stock structure for several large whale species/populations, including those that were known
to have been depleted in the past but whose status is unclear; (e) provide essential information for the intersessional
workshop to plan for a medium-long term international programme in the North Pacific (IWC, 2012a).
1.2 Research area, cruise track design and priority of the cruise
The research area was set north of 40°N, south of the Alaskan coast including both the US and Canadian EEZ between
150°W-135°W (Figure 1a). The survey area is divided into northern and southern strata at the US and Canadian EEZ.
Outer limit of EEZ is provided by NOAA Office of Coast Survey and the data are available fromhttp://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/csdl/docs/GIS_EEZ_Alaska.zip. A random start point for survey tracks was used assame as 2010 and 2011 IWC-POWER cruise based on the IWC/SC survey guidelines (IWC, 2005). Every location
within the study area has an equal probability of being sampled which is calculated by the software “DISTANCE”(Thomas et al. 2010). Figure 1b shows the cruise track design in the research area and Table 1a shows the planned
waypoints (WP) for the pre-determined tracklines. Research hours during the cruise were the same as on SOWER cruises.
The research day began 60 minutes after sunrise and ended 60 minutes before sunset, with a maximum of a 12-hour
research day. Time-zone changes were in 30-minute or 60-minute intervals, coming into effect at midnight. Primary
search effort was conducted only in acceptable weather conditions. The sighting survey was conducted using Passing(NSP) with abeam closing mode based on the discussions at the Tromsø SC meeting, recommendations based on the2010 cruise and suggestions from the SC members. The usual guidelines for acceptable conditions applied, i.e. visibility
greater than 2.0 n. miles and wind speed is <21 knots; the sea state should be <Beaufort 6 as same as previous cruise.
Two primary observers observed from the barrel at all times in NSP mode (See Item 2 Survey Mode). Details of thesighting survey are given in the “Information for researchers” (Anon. 2011a). In the case of sightings of very rare species(e. g. blue and right whales), the ship may conduct a direct approach to the location of the sighting if there is a possibility
that the group could be lost if closing were delayed.
The R/V Yushin-Maru No.3 (YS3) surveyed the US and Canadian EEZ first, and then surveyed the high seas area.
Biopsy sampling was conducted on the high seas after YS3 exited the US and Canadian EEZ. As appropriate and decided
by the Cruise Leader, research time was given for biopsy sampling of blue, North Pacific right, sei, common minke, fin,
humpback, and sperm whales (Bryde’s whales are unlikely to be seen north of 40°N), with higher priority given to theformer four species in this cruise using the Larsen-gun system. Biopsy of killer whales was successfully attempted on an
opportunistic basis. Target species for photo-ID were blue, North Pacific right and humpback whales. Photos of fin
whales, sei whales, sperm whales and killer whales were also obtained opportunistically.
An entry permit into the US and Canadian EEZ for the YS3 had been issued by the US and Canadian Governments.
While in the US EEZ, the YS3 conducted research under the US National Marine Mammal Laboratory’s (NMML)
MMPA/ESA (Marine Mammal Protection Act/ Endangered Species Act) Permit No. 14245-01. Sally Mizroch (USresearcher on board) is a Co-Investigator on the NMML permit. Research activities within the Canadian EEZ wereconducted under the Canadian License to Study Marine Mammals for Research Purposes (MML 2012-02-SARA-153)
issued to Takaaki Sakamoto (Fisheries Agency of Japan) with assistants listed as cruise participants Matsuoka, An andMizroch.
2. SHORT NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE
2.1 The 2012 cruise itinerary
Date

Event

12 July 201213 July
24 July
30 AugustPre-cruise meeting
Researchers on board. Vessel depart Shiogama, Japan
Vessel arrived in the research area to the starting point at 150º00’W
Vessel completed the research at 150º00’W (38 days in the research area).

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8 September
10 September

Post-cruise meeting
Vessel arrived Shiogama, Japan (researchers got off)

2.2 Research vessel used
The R/V Yushin-Maru No.3 (742GT) was engaged for this cruise same as 2011 cruise. Details including a photo, ship
specifications and a list of crew of the vessel is shown in Appendix A.
2.3 Scientists present and responsibilities
For the cruise, four researchers were selected by the steering group of this cruise, Koji Matsuoka (Cruise leader), Sally
Mizroch (photo-ID and biopsy data management), Yong-Rock An (biopsy sample management/video), Saeko Kumagai(sighting and data management).
Koji Matsuoka (Japan) - Cruise Leader, sighting/photo-ID
Sally Mizroch (USA) –photo-ID and biopsy data management
Yong-Rock An (Republic of Korea) – biopsy sample management/video
Saeko Kumagai (Japan) – sighting and data management
Reserve : -2.4 Pre-cruise meeting
On 12 July, the pre-cruise meeting was held on the R/V Yushin-Maru No.3 (YS3) under Kato (Convenor of this cruise).
In the meeting, it was discussed and confirmed on the priorities and strategies of the cruise based on the planning report(IWC, 2012b), as well as the SC64 report (IWC, 2012a). Meeting participants were: Kato (TUMSAT, Chair), Miyashita(NRIFSF), Matsuoka (ICR, cruise leader), Mizroch (US, AFSC, researcher), An (Republic of Korea, CRI, researcher),
Kumagai (IWC nominated researcher), Hirose (Captain), Murai (Chief Engineer), Iida (Chief Operater), Kasai (Chief
Officer), Ohmura (Bosun) and Kitajima (Kyodo-Senpaku). Report of this meeting was distributed to the steering group
after review by the Chair (Anon. 2012b). On 13 July, all researchers and equipment were on board the YS3.
2.5 Survey Mode
Sighting activities aboard the ship were classified into two principal types: On-effort and Off-effort. In the sightingssurvey portion of the research, On-effort activities were times when full search effort is being executed and conditions(such as weather and sea conditions) were within acceptable parameters to conduct research. Off-effort activities were allactivities that were not On-effort. All sightings recorded while the ship was On-effort were classified as Primarysightings. All other sightings are considered to be Secondary sightings. Sighting effort was conducted by the bosun andtopmen from the barrel (crow's nest) and the upper bridge where the helmsman, captain or officer-on-watch, researchers,
and the chief engineer or deputy are also present. Passing with abeam closing Mode (NSP) was used during this cruise.
This was in effect Passing Mode. Two topmen were observing from the barrel at all times. There was open
communication between the upper bridge and the barrel. The observers on the upper bridge communicated with thetopmen only to clarify information and did not direct the topmen to disrupt their normal search procedure unless they
were directed to do so by the Cruise Leader (Anon. 2012a).
Immediately after a sighting was made from the barrel, the topman informed the upper bridge of his estimate of the
distance and angle to the sighting (and also, if possible, the species and number of animals present), but did not change
his normal searching pattern in order to keep contact with the sighting. The observers on the upper bridge attempted tolocate the sighting made by the topman and decided whether it was possible for them to confirm the species and number
before the sighting passes abeam of the vessel. The topman gave no further information to the upper bridge unless thewhale group happens to surface again within the normal searching pattern of the topman. A designated researcher on theupper bridge recorded the species and estimated number of whales in the school when the sighting passed abeam of thevessel, in consultation with other researchers. When the sighting location was abeam of the vessel, the ship changed
course to the appropriate heading to approach the whale, and vessel speed was increased to 15 knots to hasten the closure.
Ship speed was decreased when the group is neared, usually at a distance of 0.2-0.4 n. miles from the initial sighting
position. After the whale group was approached, the species, number of animals in the group, estimated lengths, numberof calves present, and behaviour are determined and recorded. After as much data as possible have been collected, otheractivities might take place, such as natural marking or biopsy experiments. Until the ship resumed the transect with fullsearch effort, any whale sightings made after the initial sighting were classified as secondary sightings (Anon. 2012a).
2.6 Weather conditions and expected versus realised effort
Weather conditions were different and better than in the previous two cruises. In both northern and southern strata,
general weather conditions were good due to a strong high pressure system and high sea surface temperature from the3

Alaskan gyre current from the south. A total of 2,126.0 n. miles (767.5 n. miles in the northern stratum and 1,358.5 n.
miles in the southern stratum) was surveyed in the research area in the Passing (NSP) with abeam closing mode. Survey
coverage (searching distance / planned distance) was 80% in the northern stratum and 85% in the southern stratum.
3. SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS
3.1 Identification of species
Guidelines for species identification were based on the IWC-SOWER (Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research)and IWC-POWER methods for classification of identification (Anon, 2012a):
Positive identification of species was based on multiple cues and usually required the clear observation of the whale's
body. Occasionally, repeated observations of the shape of the blow, surfacing and other behavioural patterns were alsosufficient; this judgement was made only by the Chief Scientist or other designated researcher. Probable identification of
species was based on multiple cues, which were nevertheless insufficient to be absolutely confident in identification. This
usually occurred when blows are seen, the surfacing pattern is correct, but the whale's body could not be seen or clearlyseen.
3.2 Determination of group size
The following guidelines were used in determining group size: Schools where the number of animals, or an accurate
estimated range of the number of animals, was determined were classified as confirmed schools. The data from theconfirmed schools can be used to determine a mean school size. Therefore it is critical that the schools that are confirmed
are representative in size of the schools that are in the survey area. Normally, schools believed to be confirmed for school
size are approached to within 1n. mile for large whales and to within 0.3 n. miles for minke whales. Obviously, there aredifferences in the environmental conditions and behavior of the animals for every sighting; however, (with particularreference to minke whale sightings) every effort was made to be as consistent as possible in regard to the maximum timespent on identification of species and confirmation of numbers. Normally, if the sighting was thought to be minke whales,
no more than 20 minutes (after closure has been completed) should be spent trying to complete these tasks. (Otherwise
there is the potential for confusion with other sightings in the vicinity) (Anon, 2012a).
3.3 Sighting summary
Tabulations of all waypoint (WP) of the track line, the searching effort and the sightings recorded in the northern andsouthern strata, by species and by effort mode are presented in Tables 1a, 1b and 2a, 2b, respectively. Table 2c lists thesightings observed during transit to and from the research area. Table 2d summarizes all the sightings observed during
the entire cruise. Table 3 shows the sea surface temperatures (min. max. and range) for each species sighted in the
research area and provides quartile analysis for a few of the major species observed. Figure 1b and 1c illustrates the trackline design and location of the searching effort, respectively. Figures 2a and2b illustrates the location of the sightings.
Figure 3 shows the breakdown of research time, in minutes with the strata of the research area.
Transit survey to the research area (Including US EEZ)
The YS3 departed Shiogama port on schedule (09:50, 13 July) and started transit survey using the passing mode between
15 July (06:00) and 24 July (13:03) from Shiogama to the research area under good weather or intervals of rain/fog
conditions. The YS3 entered the USEEZ at position 48˚07’N 177˚24’E on 19 July 12:53. Fin and sei whales were sighted
in the eastern side of the Adams sea mount (50˚N, between 176˚W and 175˚W) on 20 July including a mixed group of fin
and sei whales (Appendix Figures 1, 2 and 3). A number of fin and humpback whales were sighted during transit along
the Aleutian trench (53˚N, between 163˚W and 162˚W) on 22 July (Appendix Figures 2 and 3). Total searching distancewas 550.5 n. miles. Total sightings included fin (35 schools / 41 individuals), sei (6/13), humpback (14/26), sperm (5/5)
Baird’s beaked (1/6), Ziphiidae (1/2), killer (5/57) whales, common dolphin (1/30) and Dall’s porpoise (5/35) including
mother and calf groups of fin (1), sei (1), humpback and killer (6) whales. Sightings recorded in the transit sighting
survey, by species are presented in Tables 2d. Photo-identification data were collected for nine fin whales, 5 sei whales,
19 humpback whales, and 21 killer whales during the transit survey (Table 4).
Northern stratum (US and Canadian EEZ)
The YS3 finished the transit survey and started the research area survey in the US EEZ approximately 120 n. miles
southeast of Kodiak Island at Waypoint 101 (WP, see Table 1a) position 55˚47’N 150˚00’E on 24 July 13:03 on anortheast course under acceptable searching conditions. The YS3 arrived at the northernmost WP (WP105) on 27 July
13:25 south of the eastern side of the Bering Glacier and turned to the southeast on schedule. The YS3 departed the US
EEZ and entered the Canadian EEZ on 1 August at 12:29 at position 53˚43’N, 137˚22’W, and departed the Canadian
EEZ to the high seas on 3 August at 11:40 at position 50˚28’N, 136˚12’W.

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A solitary North Pacific right whale was sighted in the northern stratum at 56˚17.5’N 149˚10.7’E on 24 July (Figure 2a,
Appendix Figure 3a). Estimated body length was 14.3 meters. A number of fin whales were sighted every day during 24
to 29 July and were widely distributed in the northern research area (55-60˚N, between 150˚W and 140˚W, Figure 2a).
Four fin whale mothers and calves were sighted (Appendix Figure 1). One fin whale mother was photo-identified. There
were sightings of 17 groups of fin whales on 30 July and at least one or two groups of fin whales sighted each day after
that. Fin whales were widely distributed in the northern research area (60 ˚N -50˚N, between 140˚W and 135˚W). Two
mixed groups of fin and sei whales in the Canadian EEZ, including a fin whale mother and calf were sighted. Dall’s
porpoise were observed probably feeding in the vicinity of fin whales and a mixed group of fin and sei whales. Directed
photo-ID approaches were conducted for one humpback whale in the US EEZ, two sei whales in the Canadian EEZ and agroup of 3 killer whales in the Canadian EEZ.
Total searching distance was 767.5 n. miles in the northern stratum (579 n. miles in the US EEZ and 188.5 n. miles in the
Canadian EEZ). Survey coverage of the northern stratum (total searching distance / planned cruise track distance) was
79.9 %. Total sightings included fin (76 schools /116 individuals) including 5 calves, sei (2/4), common minke (1/1),
North Pacific right (1/1), humpback (7/7), sperm (17/24), Mesoplodon spp. (2/5), Ziphiidae (9/15), killer (8/22) whales,
Pacific white-sided dolphin (1/7) and Dall’s porpoise (68/248) including mother and calf groups of fin whales (5).
Sightings recorded in the northern stratum, by species, survey modes are presented in Tables 2a. Photo-identification data
were collected for the North Pacific right, 36 fin whales, 3 sei whales seven humpback whales, one sperm whale and 12
killer whales in the northern stratum (Table 4).
Southern stratum
The YS3 started the southern stratum (high seas) survey at Waypoint 121 (Table 1b) position 50˚28’N 136˚12’E on 3
August 11:40 on a southwest course towards 40˚N under heavy fog intervals. The YS3 turned at 40˚N to the northwest
course under good weather conditions. Total searching distance of the southern stratum was 1,358.5 n. miles and survey
coverage (searching distance / planned distance) was 85.0 % in the southern stratum.
The most dominant species in the southern stratum were sei (79 schools / 147 individuals including 6 calves) and fin(38/53 including 4 calves) whales (Figures 2a, Appendix Figures 2 and 3a). There were sightings of 14 schools (26individuals) of sei whales on 10 August during western side of the Kagami seamount between 47˚N-45˚N and 137˚W139˚W. Two mixed groups of fin and sei whales (surfacing together as if conspecifics) were seen and a third group where
fin and sei whales were feeding near each other (Appendix Figure 1). We also saw three sei whale mothers and calvesduring surveys of the southern stratum. There were sightings of 18 schools (38 individuals) of sei whales on 12 and 13
August along the western side of the Raff seamount between 45˚N-42˚N and 139˚W-141˚W. Three mixed groups of fin
and sei whales (surfacing together as if conspecifics) were approached and biopsy samples were obtained from both fin
and sei whales on two occasions and from the sei whale only on one occasion (Appendix Figure 5). Two sei whale
mothers and calves (biopsy samples from one mother and calf group) and two fin whale mothers and calves were also
observed.
A total of 4 groups (4 individuals) of blue whales were observed in the only western part of the southern stratum (Figure2a). All blue whales sighted were solitary.
Total sightings included blue (4 schools /4 individuals), fin (38/53), sei (79/147) , common minke (1/1), sperm (28/28),
Cuvier’s beaked (1/4), Stejneger’s beaked (2/8), Mesoplodon spp. (1/4), Ziphiidae (13/27), killer (4/20) whales, Risso’s(1/16), common dolphin (2/105), Pacific white-sided dolphin (2/20), Northern right whale dolphin (1/10) and Dall’s
porpoise (59/353) including mother and calf groups of fin (4) and sei (6) whales. Sightings recorded in the northern
stratum, by species, survey modes are presented in Tables 2b. Photo-identification data were collected for four blue
whales, 16 fin whales, 43 sei whales and 14 killer whales in the southern stratum (Table 4). A total of 52 biopsy samples
from fast swimming whale species were successfully collected from 2 blue, 12 fin, 37 sei and 1 killer whale (Table 5).
Transit survey to Shiogama (Including US EEZ)
Sighting surveys were not conducted during transit from the research area to Shiogama between 30 August (8:46) and 5
September (16:40) until 170E because of areas of heavy wind (Table 1c). No sightings were recorded in the transit
sighting surveys from research area to Shiogama (Tables 2d).
Detailed sightings by each species as follows:Blue whale
A solitary blue whale was sighted on 18 August at 45˚36’N, 139˚52’W (sea surface temperature was 16.2˚C) andestimated body length was 23.2 m. A solitary blue whale was sighted on 23 August at 49˚56’N, 147˚15’W (sea surface
temperature was 12.6˚C) and estimated body length was 22.3 m. Two different solitary blue whales were sighted on 18
August at 52˚17’N, 148˚41’W (sea surface temperature was 11.2˚C) and at 52˚35’N, 148˚52’W (sea surface temperature5

was 11.3˚C) estimated body lengths were 23.8 m and 23.2 m, respectively. . Dall’s porpoise were swimming near the
first blue whale seen on 29 August, which is similar what was observed with fin, sei and humpback whales
Sea surface temperatures of the sightings ranged from 11.2˚C to 16.2˚C. Blue whales are rarely seen on the high seas andtheir oceanic distribution is poorly understood. The sightings data, biopsy samples and photo-identification data collectedduring this cruise will allow researchers to begin to assess abundance and study stock structure and movements of thisspecies.
Fin whale
Fin whales were the most frequently encountered baleen whale species in the research area (Figure 2a, Appendix Figure2). Fin whales were widely distributed in the northern and southern strata and there were some concentrated areas in both
northern and southern stratum (Figure 2b). A total of 149 schools (210 individuals including 10 calves) of fin whales
were observed through the surveys. Sea surface temperatures ranged from 7.8˚C to 22.5˚C but the majority of sightings
were within 10.3-13.2 °C (25th to 75th quartiles) (Table 3, Figure 4). Biopsy samples were obtained from 12 fin whales,
including from both mother and calf (Appendix Figure 5).
Sei whale
Although sei whales were the second frequently encountered baleen whale species through the surveys, almost all sei
whale sightings were in the southern stratum (Figure 2a). Sei whales were observed in the US EEZ on only one day (SeeAppendix B) and were observed on 2 different days in the Canadian EEZ (See Appendix C). A total of 87 schools (1647
individuals, including 7 calves) of sei whales were observed. Biopsy samples were obtained from 37 individuals,
including a mother and calf. Sei whales were seen mostly in groups of one (62%, 36 sightings) and groups of two (24%,24 sightings). Sea surface temperatures ranged from 7.8 °C to 22.5˚C, the same overall range as fin whales, but the
majority of sei whale sightings were within a temperature range of 14.5 to 18.9 °C, a much higher than fin whales (Table
3, Figure 4).
Mixed groups of fin and sei whales
Sei and fin whales were observed in mixed groups on six occasions, including one sighting with fin and sei and Dall’s
porpoise feeding in the same area (Appendix Figure 1). For four of the six encounters, sei and fin whales were surfacing
like conspecifics. In the other two sightings, it was unclear if the sei and fin whales were together or were feeding on thesame prey patch. One mixed group sighting was in the US EEZ before entering the research area, two sightings were in
the Canadian EEZ, and the others were in the southern stratum (Appendix Figure 1). Biopsy samples were collected fromboth fin and sei whales on two occasions and only the sei whale on one occasion (Appendix Figures 1 and 5).
Dall’s porpoise observed feeding near large whales
Dall’s porpoise were observed in all but the most southern regions of the research area (Figure 2b, Appendix Figure 5).
They were observed feeding in the vicinity of large whales 13 times (Appendix Figure 1). Dall’s porpoise were observed
near 2 blue whales, 8 fin whale groups, one sei whale group, one humpback group, and one mixed group of fin and sei
whales.
Common minke whale
A total of 2 schools (2 individuals) of common minke whales were observed, one observation in each in both strata.
Both observations occurred under very good sighting conditions, i.e., sea state 1 or 2 (Figure 2a). Common minke whales
were observed at sea surface temperature from 13.4˚C to 14.1˚C. Because of difficulty in seeing their blow and small
body, observations of this species were more difficult than in Antarctic waters. Common minke whales are hard to findwithin harsh sea surface conditions because their blows are not visible.
North Pacific right whale
A solitary North Pacific right whale was sighted in the transit survey at 56˚17.5’N 149˚10.7’E on 24 July (Figure 2a,
Appendix Figure 3b). Sea surface temperature at the sighting position was 10.0˚C. Estimated body length was 14.3 meter.
The population of North Pacific right whales is severely depleted and rarely seen in the eastern North Pacific.
Photographs were compared with NMML’s North Pacific right whale catalog and there is the possibility that this is a
newly documented. The sighting location is in the vicinity of the locations of illegal Soviet right whale catches from the
1960s (Ivashchenko and Clapham, pers. comm.)
Humpback whale
Humpback whales were the third most frequently encountered baleen whale species but all sightings of humpback whales
were either during transit, in the northern stratum, or off effort near the southern boundary of the US EEZ (Appendix
Figure 3b. A total of 21 schools (33 individuals including a mother and calf) were seen. Humpbacks sightings began6during transit along the Aleutian trench at around 170° W. Of the 21 sightings, 14 occurred during transit to the researcharea and 7 occurred in the northern stratum of the research area. Group sizes ranged from 1 to 5 along the Aleutian
trench, including the mother/calf sighting. All humpback whales sightedeast of 159° W were solitary individuals. After
research in the southern stratum was completed, a solitary humpback whale was observed off effort in the southern partof the US EEZ as the return transit began (Appendix Figure 3b). Humpback whales were observed in sea surface
temperatures ranging from 8.5˚C to 12.6˚C and the majority of sightings were between 8.6-10.5 °C, a much narrowerband of temperatures than observed for fin and sei whales (Table 3, Figure 4).
Sperm whale
A total of 50 sperm whale schools (57 individuals) were seen over a wide area (Figure 2b, Appendix Figure 6). Spermwhales were observed at sea surface temperature ranges from 7.7˚C to 20.8˚C and the 25th to 75th quartile range was 117-14.0 (Table 3). Sperm whales were the most frequently encountered toothed whale species in the research area (Figure
2b, Appendix Figure 6). Most sperm whales were solitary large males (97% of the schools) and were widely distributedin the northern and southern strata in some concentrated areas near the eastern shelf edge in the northern stratum (Figure2b). No sperm whale females or calves were sighted during the survey.
Ziphiidae and Mesoplodon spp.
One school (6 individuals) of Baird's beaked whale was seen during the transit to the research area (sea surface
temperature ranged from 11.2˚C). One school (4 individuals) of Cuvier’s beaked whale was seen in the research area (seasurface temperature ranged from 13.9˚C). A total of 23 schools (44 individuals) of unidentified Ziphiidae were observed(sea surface temperature ranged from 10.0˚C to 21.4˚C). A total of 3 schools (9 individuals) of unidentified Mesoplodon
species were observed in the research area (sea surface temperature were from 17.9˚C to 20.6˚C). They were widelydistributed throughout the research area (Figure 2d).
Killer whale
A total of 17 pods (99 individuals including 7 calves) of killer whales were observed during the cruise (Figures 2b,
Appendix Figures 3a and 3b). The westernmost sighting (approx. 152° E) was a pod of 23 individuals which wereobserved an area of where the sea surface temperature was 19° C. The overall range of sea surface temperatures where
killer whales were observed was 9.2˚C to 19.0˚C, but most sightings were at a range of 10.3 to 13.6 (Table 3). Killer
whales were sighted during transit and in both the northern and southern strata (Appendix Figures 3a and 3b). Photoidentification catalogue numbers were assigned to 47 individuals (Table 4). Mothers and calves were observed and photoidentified in two different pods. One biopsy sample was collected opportunistically.
One killer whale pod (n = 4) was observed twice in one day. The pod was encountered firstly in the morning of 27 Julyon the way to the northernmost waypoint. The same pod was encountered nine hours later during the southbound transit.
All four individuals were photo-identified during each encounter. Based on precise location data from the geocoded
photographs of the whales during each encounter (latitude and longitude encoded in the photo EXIF metadata), thewhales had traveled 33.9 miles at a bearing of 91° from the first sighting. Speed of travel was estimated at 3.8 knots.
Other species
Sightings of dolphin species such as short-beaked common dolphin (3 schools 135 individuals), Pacific white-sided
dolphin (3/27), Northern right whale dolphin (1/10), Risso’s dolphin (1/16), Dalli type Dall’s porpoise (93/481),
Unidentified type Dall’s porpoise (39/155) were made. Dall’s porpoise were the most frequently encountered dolphin
species. This species was sighted throughout the research area (Figure 2b). There were 3 instances where Dall’s
porpoises were probably feeding in the vicinity of fin whales on 27 August and one instance where Dall’s porpoises werefeeding in the vicinity of a blue whale on 18 August.
4. PHOTO-IDENTIFICATION
A total of four blue whales, 60 fin whales, 51 sei whales, 26 humpback whales, one sperm whale and 37 killer whales
were photo-identified during the 2012 IWC-POWER cruise (Table 4). Catalogue numbers were assigned to all species
but fin whales during the research cruise. Fin whales were not assigned catalogue numbers due to time constraints.
During transit to the research area, photo-identification data were collected for 9 fin whales, 5 sei whales, 19 humpback
whales, and 21 killer whales. In the northern stratum, where biopsy sampling was not permitted, photo-identification data
were collected for the North Pacific right whale, 36 fin whales, 3 sei whales, 7 humpback whales, one sperm whale and
12 killer whales. In the southern stratum, photo-identification data were collected for four blue whales, 16 fin whales, 43
sei whales and 14 killer whales.

75. BIOPSY SAMPLING
A total of 52 biopsy samples were collected, including 2 blue whales, 12 fin whales, 37 sei whales, and 1 killer whale(Table 5, Appendix figure 5). Every biopsy encounter was documented photographically.
5.1 Biopsy data management
Biopsy darts were numbered and color-coded and each biopsy shooter used either red or black labeled darts. During
setup for each biopsy sampling encounter, photos were taken of each dart before it was loaded into the Larsen gun. Aftera sample was collected, photos were taken of each dart with the sample. This allowed us to track which whale was
sampled. The time of each biopsy hit was captured photographically (including for the biopsy event that wasn’t
photographed), and the biopsy time was written on the foil wrap for each sample before it was taken to the biopsy lab.
The biopsy time was also recorded for each sighting by the researcher on the upper bridge.
Each evening, the photos were evaluated to confirm which whale had been biopsied. After analysis of the photographs,
biopsy sample numbers were assigned and simultaneously linked to photo-ID data were possible. Information about
each encounter was entered into the PhotoID_Biopsy database. Sighting number, photo-ID and biopsy data wererecorded in each photo’s EXIF metadata fields.
After sample numbers were assigned, data were double-checked with the sightings records to confirm sighting numbers
and biopsy hit times, and then biopsy data sheets were given to the biopsy sample manager for sample processing.
Times of biopsystart (setup on bow deck, document biopsy darts before approach), hitting, retrieval (photo of dart withsample) and/or finish(no hit or no shot) were recorded in the “PhotoID_Biopsy database” based on time of the photos:
5.2 Biopsy efficiency
Biopsy duration times were evaluated to examine biopsy efficiency (Table 5a, Figures 5a and 5b). There were 77
encounters where biopsy sampling was attempted. Of those, 48 encounters resulted in a successful hit. For 12
encounters, shots were fired but no whales were sampled. For 17 encounters, the biopsy team was ready on the bow deck
but no shots were fired.
In 75% of the 48 successful biopsy encounters, the first hit occurred in less than 17 minutes from biopsy setup (Table 5a).
The fastest time to first hit was less than 3 minutes. For encounters where no shots were fired, 75% of encounters ended
in less than 33 minutes (Table 5a). Where shots were fired but no samples obtained, 75% of those encounters ended inless than 23 minutes (Table 5a).
Some of the encounters of very short duration occurred under ideal sighting conditions, i.e., good lighting and calm seas,
where the topmen could track the whales underwater as we approached. Most of the encounters where no shots were
fired were approaches to whales which were surfacing in erratic (not predictable patterns) under less than ideal lighting
conditions.
Table 5b shows the summary of biopsy experiment. Biopsy sampling was attempted as often as possible in the southern
stratum.
6. VIDEO-RECORDING
Video recording was opportunistically conducted in this cruise. Video of the main sightings were recorded for the
behavioral studies of cetacean animals and the backup data for school size estimation or photo-id studies. The DSLR
(Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera (Samsung NX200) with 18-200mm lens was used for the video recording. The video
format was MPEG-4 (Moving Picture Expert Group) with full HD (High Definition, 1920*1082 pixels) level resolution
and 30 frames per seconds. Video recording took place at the bow deck during the photo-id or biopsy sampling or at theupper bridge during sighting survey.
Generally several video clips were made for each sighting because the camera was turned on and off repeatedly due tothe diving behaviors of the animals. Therefore the original video clips need amount of data storage. After recording, theoriginal clips of a sighting were edited with useful parts which the animals featured in and saved as a WMV (Windows
Media Video) format in order to reduce the data storage and to provide easy access to the scenes of the animals. During
the survey period, video for a Pacific right, 15 humpback, 3 blue, 55 fin, 36 sei, a common minke, a sperm and 9 killer
whale sightings were recorded.

87. OTHER EXPERIMENTS
7.1 Estimated Angle and Distance Training Exercise
The Estimated Angle and Distance Training Exercise were conducted in the afternoon of 22 July for 1:44 hours. During
the exercise the observers familiarized themselves with distance estimates from the TOP and Upper Bridge.
7.2 Estimated Angle and Distance Experiment
The Estimated Angle and Distance Experiment were conducted on 14 August for 4:18 hours. An Estimated Angle andDistance Training Exercise and Estimated Angle and Distance Experiment were performed using the same protocol as
during recent cruises (Anon. 2010b).
7.3 Marine debris observation
During this cruise, we collected data on floating marine debris (mainly artificial materials which listed in the researchmanual, Anon, 2010b) to document the type and extent of the marine debris in the North Pacific (Table 9a). Special
consideration was taken to try to evaluate whether any observed debris could be related to the Japan Tsunami, and a newdata form was designed to help experts determine origin of debris during post-processing.
A total of 230 marine debris items were observed during transit and within the research area (Table 9a, Appendix Figure7). During the survey, there were two areas where marine debris observations were clustered. More than 5 debris items
per day were observed in late July (25-30) as we were in the vicinity of the northernmost waypoint in the northern
stratum. The debris observed were a roughly equal mix of natural debris (mostly logs) and manmade (total items
observed = 31) (Table 9b).
Very dense debris was observed from 13-17 August (total items observed = 171, Table 9b) as near the southernmost
waypoint in the southern stratum. Most of the debris observed near the southernmost waypoint was manmade. Debris
on the southward transit was observed starting at about 43° 44’ N and 143° 53’ W. Debris density increased at about 40°
45’ N and 141° 37’ W just before the southernmost waypoint and remained dense at the start of the northbound transit
until about 42° 37’ N and 143° 18’ W.
In the area of high density in the southern stratum, 72 single fishing floats (mostly black or orange) were observed, as
well as some pieces of Styrofoam, about 10 different pieces of milled wood in various states of decay, 12 tires in various
states of decay, including 3 tires with rims, a cluster of fishing floats with a tangled fishing net (fairly recent) and acluster of buoys and materials (also fairly recent) that appeared to have originated at a fish farm. There were also
observations of a metal drum, and a couple of compressed air canisters.
Throughout the cruise, weekly summaries of marine debris observations were provided to Fisheries Agency of Japan andto marine debris and Japan Tsunami debris research collaborators at NOAA and GOJ. A bilingual marine debris
database was developed and includes hyperlinks to photographs taken of 97 of the 230 observations. Copies of themarine debris database including hyperlinked photos of debris will be provided to marine debris specialists upon request.
8. TECHNICAL MATTERS OF DATA AND RECOMMENDATIONS
8.1 Whale ID numbering protocol for the IWC-POWER cruises
YS3 Whale ID numbers were assigned to 4 blue whales, 26 humpback whales, 51 sei whales and 47 killer whales
identified during the 2012 IWC-POWER cruise. This year, the YS3 whale ID numbers have the prefix 2012. In 2011,
Whale ID numbers were assigned to 9 blue whales, 28 humpback whales, 26 sei whales and 19 killer whales. Once all
2012 photos are compared to the 2011 YS3 catalog, permanent IWC-POWER whale ID numbers will be assigned,
sequentially using the 2011 YS3 ID numbers as the catalog starting numbers. When photos from the 2010 IWC-POWER
are cataloged, they will also be integrated into the IWC-POWER catalog.
Biopsy sample numbers have been added to the whale ID numbers when a sampled whale was photo-identified, e.g.,
2012_Sei_12_12041001. For whales which have been cataloged, such as sei whales, if the whale was biopsied but not
photo-identified, the whale ID number is the species, the letter “X” in place of the whale ID number, and the biopsy
sample number. E.g., Sei_X_12041023. The prefix “2012” is not used in this case because the coding for the biopsy
sample number includes the year “12” as part of the biopsy sample numbering protocol.
As is standard practice with killer whale identification numbering, pod ID numbers have been assigned to killer whales
as well as individual whale ID numbers within each pod. The pod ID number is a unique identifier that includes the dateand sighting number of the first sighting of the pod. E.g., the killer whale pod seen twice on 27 July has been assigned
pod number 727_1, based on the date and sighting number of the first sighting of the pod. The ID numbers for thewhales resighted later in the day use the 727_1 pod number.

9In 2012, there were 60 individual fin whales photo-documented (photos of sufficient quality to compare for matching),
but catalog numbers have not yet been assigned to fin whales due to time constraints. For fin whales which have been
biopsied, the fin whale ID numbers contain the biopsy sample number and an uppercase “X” in place of the catalogue
number. When the fin whales have been cataloged, the “X” will be replaced by the catalog number for whales whichhave been photo-identified.
8.2 Recommendation
It is recommended that the photo-ID photos from the 2010 IWC-POWER cruise be cataloged and integrated into the
IWC-POWER catalog as soon as possible to allow them to be compared to other photo catalogs in the North Pacific in atimely fashion.
It is also recommended that recording opportunistic sightings of species of special note be considered when the sighting
time occurs outside of the usual range of effort times. For example, a humpback whale was observed near the southernboundary of the US EEZ at 05:38 (before the official start of the survey effort) and therefore could not be added to thesighting record (Appendix Figure 3b). Pelagic distribution of humpback whales is poorly known and the sighting wasrecorded only for inclusion in the US EEZ report and will also be reported to the NMFS permit office when NMML’s
annual permit report is filed.
9. CONCLUSIONSThe 3rd annual IWC-POWER (as a successor to the IWC/IDCR-SOWER cruises since 1978/79 in the Antarctic) was
successfully conducted using the Japanese Research Vessel Yushin-Maru No.3. All equipment and the survey method
were same as the past IWC international sighting surveys. The planned sighting procedure was in accordance with theguideline agreed by the SC (IWC, 2005). As explained the objectives of the survey and its procedure to the vessel, theCaptain, officers, crew and international researchers fully understood the objectives and methods for operating the survey
properly before starting the survey. (Sighting data was already sent to the IWC secretary and confirmed at 4th April 2013).
The 3rd cruise of this program was completed and provided information (sightings and photo-ID data, and biopsy
samples) that various baleen whale species and other cetacean species were widely distributed in the research area where
they were depleted in the past. These results will contribute to the above objectives for the IWC/SC.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We acknowledge the Governments of the US, Canada, Republic of Korea and Japan for their assistance in the researchpermit and funding for this cruise. We also thank the Captain and his officers and crew of the R/V Yushin-Maru No.3 fortheir hard work and dedication, which led to the successful execution of this cruise. We acknowledge Greg Donovan of
the Secretariat of the IWC, the steering group of this cruise (Hidehiro Kato (Convener), Robert Brownell, Phillip
Clapham, Paul Ensor, Tomio Miyashita, Hiroto Murase, Luis Pastene and Lars Walloe), the Techinical advisory group of
this cruise (Toshihide Kitakado, Sharon Hedley, Mark Bravington, and Nataly Kelly) and the staff of The Institute of
Cetacean Research (Tokyo) and Kyodo Senpaku Co. LTD. for their assistance in arrangements and support for the cruise.
The National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (Yokohama) loaned equipment for the cruise, including video
camera and items for biopsy processing and storage. The US Alaskan Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) also loaned
camera for the experiments. Quartermasters Y. Sekine and K. Maehashi assisted with collection of biopsy samples.

REFERENCE
Anon. 2012a. 2012 IWC-POWER Information for Researchers. 54pp. Available from the IWC Secretariat.
Anon. 2012b. Report of the pre-cruise meeting for the 2012 IWC-POWER. 8pp. Available from the IWC Secretariat.
IWC. 2005. Report of the Scientific Committee. Annex D. Report of the sub-committee on the Revised Management
Procedure. Appendix 3. Requirements and Guidelines for Conducting Surveys and Analysing Data within the Revised
Management Scheme. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 7:92-101.
IWC. 2011a. Report of the Intersessional Meeting on the North Pacific Survey Programme. Tokyo 27-28 September
2009. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 12:415-420.
IWC, 2011b. Report of the Scientific Committee. IWC/63/AnnexG.
IWC. 2012a. Report of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting on the short and medium term objectives and plans
for the IWC-POWER cruises. Tokyo 26-28 September 2011. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 13:xxx-xxx. (15pp).
IWC. 2012b. Report of the Planning Meeting for the 2012 IWC-POWER Cruise. Tokyo 29-30 September 2011. J.
Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 13:xxx-xxx. (12pp).

10

Kato, H., An, Y.R, Bravington, M., Brownell, B., Clapham, P., Donovan, G., Ensor, P., Matsuoka, K., Miyashita,,
Murase, and Walløe. 2011. Research plan for the 2012 IWC / Japan Joint Cetacean Sighting Survey Cruise in the
North Pacific. SC/63/O7. 12pp.
Matsuoka, K, Hakala, S., Kim, H.W., Aki, M. and Shinyasiki,Y. 2011. 2010 IWC/Japan Joint Cetacean Sighting Survey
Cruise in the North Pacific. 40pp.
Matsuoka, K, Mizroch, S., and Komiya, H. 2012. Cruise report of the 2011 IWC-Pacific Ocean Whale and Ecosystem
Research (IWC-POWER). 27pp.
Thomas, L., S.T. Buckland, E.A. Rexstad, J. L. Laake, S. Strindberg, S. L. Hedley, J. R.B. Bishop, T. A. Marques, and K.
P. Burnham. 2010. Distance software: design and analysis of distance sampling surveys for estimating population size.
Journal of Applied Ecology 47: 5-14.

11

Table 1b. Way Points (WP) in the southern strata.

Table 1a. Way Points (WP) in the northern strata.
WP

LatitudeLongitude

101

55˚46.8’N

150˚00.0’W

102

56˚50.1’N

148˚17.8’W

103

57˚53.4’N

146˚32.8’W

104

58˚56.7’N

144˚44.5’W

105

60˚00.0’N

142˚53.0’W

106

58˚50.2’N

141˚47.3W

107

57˚40.4’N

140˚43.8’W108

56˚30.6’N

139˚42.3’W

109

55˚20.8’N

138˚42.6’W110

54˚11.0’N

137˚44.6’W111

53˚01.1’N

136˚48.3’W

112

51˚51.3’N

135˚53.5’W

113

50˚41.4’N

135˚00.0’W

WP

LatitudeLongitude

121

50˚27.9’N

136˚11.5’W122

49˚27.1’N

136˚48.2’W

123

48˚06.1’N

137˚36.0’W

124

46˚45.1’N

138˚22.7’W125

45˚24.1’N

139˚08.1’W

126

44˚03.1’N

139˚52.5W

127

42˚42.1’N

140˚35.9’W128

41˚21.0’N

141˚18.4’W

129

40˚00.0’N

142˚00.0’W130

41˚24.8’N

142˚41.9’W131

42˚49.5’N

143˚24.7’W132

44˚14.2’N

144˚08.5’W133

45˚38.9’N

144˚53.4’W

134

47˚03.5’N

145˚39.4’W135

48˚28.2’N

146˚26.6’W

136

49˚52.8’N

147˚15.2W

137

51˚17.4’N

148˚05.2’W

138

52˚42.0’N

148˚56.7’W

139

54˚06.6’N

149˚50.0’W

Table 1c. Summary of search effort (time and distance) and experimental time (hours) conducted during the 2012 IWCPOWER Cruise.

Photo-ID,
BiopsyEstimated
angle anddistance
training
andexperiment

Dist.

Time

Time

(hours)(n.m.)(hours)(hours)46:37:40

550.507:10

0:00

65:00:35

767.52

3:42

1:44

116:54:55

1358.54

28:33

4:17

0:00

0.00

0:00

0:00

228:33:10

2676.56

39:26:19

6:02:27

Start

End

NSP with abeam closing

Date

Date

Time

Time

Time

15-Jul.

24-Jul.

6:00

13:03

24-Jul.

3-Aug.

13:03

7:52

3-Aug.

30-Aug.

11:40

8:46

30-Aug.

8-Sep.

8:46

16:40

15-Jul8-Sep.

6:00

16:40

Area

Shiogama to research area

Northern stratum

Southern stratum

Research area to Shiogama

Total

12

Table 2a. Number of sightings for all species observed in the northern stratum (US and Canadian EEZ) by effort mode
(NSP: Normal Passing with abeam closing Mode; BX: Begin experiment; OE: Off effort). Parentheses indicate
the number of calves observed.
Species
Fin whale
Sei whale
Common minke whale
North Pacific right whale
Humpback whale
Sperm whale
Mesoplodon spp.
Ziphiidae
Killer whale
Pacific white-sided dolphin
Dalli-type Dall's porpoise
Unid. type Dall's porpoise
Unid. large whale
Unid. whale
Total

NSP
Sch.
73
2
1
1
7
17
2
9
8
1
42
16
16
1
196

Ind
112(5)
4
1
1
7
24
5
15
22
7
156
53
21
1
429(5)

BX
Sch.
1
1
1
1
4

OE
Ind.
1
3
7
1
12

Sch.
2
5
3
1
11

Total
Ind.
3
18(1)
11
1
33(1)

Sch.
76
2
1
1
7
17
2
9
8
48
20
18
211

Ind.
116(5)
4
1
1
7
24
5
15
22
177(1)
71
23
474(6)

Table 2b. Number of sightings for all species observed in the southern stratum by effort mode (NSP: Normal Passing
with abeam closing Mode; BX: Begin experiment; OE: Off effort). Parentheses indicate the number of calvesobserved.
SpeciesBlue whale
Fin whale
Sei whale
Common minke whale
Sperm whale
Cuvier’s beaked whale
Stejneger’s beaked whale
Mesoplodon spp.
Ziphiidae
Killer whale
Risso’s dolphin
Common dolphin
Pacific white-sided dolphin
Northern right whale dolphin
Dalli-type Dall's porpoise
Unid. type Dall's porpoise
Unid. large whale
Unid. dolphin/porpoise
Total

NSP
Sch.
3
36
77
1
27
2
1
11
3
1
1
1
1
30
11
23
8
237

Ind
3
51(4)
144(6)
1
27
8
4
23
18(1)
16
25(3)
2
10
143
31
39
207
752(14)

BX
Sch.
1
1
1
6
3
2
14

13

OE
Ind.
2
1
80
55
11
4
153

Sch.
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
8
1
1
19

Total
Ind.
1
2
1
4
4
2
18
98
15
4
149

Sch.
4
38
79
1
28
1
2
1
13
4
1
2
2
1
44
15
26
8
270

Ind.
4
53(4)
147(6)
1
28
4
8
4
27
20(1)
16
105(3)
20
10
296
57
47
207
1,054(14)Table 2c. Number of sightings for all species observed in the entire research area by each stratum. Parentheses indicate
the number of calves observed.
SpeciesBlue whale
Fin whale
Sei whale
Common minke whale
North Pacific right whale
Humpback whale
Sperm whale
Cuvier’s beaked whale
Stejneger’s beaked whale
Mesoplodon spp.
Ziphiidae
Killer whale
Risso’s dolphin
Common dolphin
Pacific white-sided dolphin
Northern right whale dolphin
Dalli-type Dall's porpoise
Unid. type Dall's porpoise
Unid. large whale
Unid. dolphin/porpoise
Unid. whale
Total

Northern stratum
Sch.
Ind.
76
116(5)
2
4
1
1
1
1
7
7
17
24
2
5
9
15
8
22
1
7
48
177(1)
20
71
18
23
1
1
211
474(6)

14

Southern stratum
Sch.
Ind.
4
4
38
53(4)
79
147(6)
1
1
28
28
1
4
2
8
1
4
13
27
4
20(1)
1
16
2
105(3)
2
20
1
10
44
296
15
57
26
47
8
207
270
1,054(14)

Total
Sch.
4
114
81
2
1
7
45
1
2
3
22
12
1
2
3
1
92
35
44
8
1
481

Ind.
4
169(9)
151(6)
2
1
7
52
4
8
9
42
42(1)
16
105(3)
27
10473(1)
128
70
207
1
1,528(20)Table 2d. Number of sightings for all species observed in 2012, including sighting during transits and in the researcharea (R.A.). Parentheses indicate the number of calves observed.

Species

Transit to
R.A.

Research
Area (R.A.)

Transit from
R.A.

Total

Sch.

Ind.

Sch.

Ind.

Sch.

Ind.

Sch.

Ind.

Blue whale

-

-

4

4

-

-

4

4

Fin whale

35

41(1)

114

169(9)--

149

210(10)

Sei whale

6

13(1)

81

151(6)--

87

164(7)

Common minke whale

-

-

2

2

-

-

2

2

North Pacific right whale

-

-

1

1

-

-

1

1

Humpback whale

14

26(1)

7

7

-

-

21

33(1)

Sperm whale

5

5

45

52

-

-

50

57

Baird’s beaked whale

1

6

-

-

-

-

1

6

Cuvier’s beaked whale

-

-

1

4

-

-

1

4

Stejneger’s beaked whale

-

-

2

8

-

-

2

8

Mesoplodon spp.

-

-

3

9

-

-

3

9

Ziphiidae

1

2

22

42

-

-

23

44

Killer whale

5

57(6)

12

42(1)

-

-

17

99(7)

Risso’s dolphin

-

-

1

16

-

-

1

16

Common dolphin

1

30

2

105(3)--

3

135(3)

Pacific white-sided dolphin

-

-

3

27

-

-

3

27

Northern right whale dolphin

-

-

1

10

-

-

1

10

Dalli-type Dall's porpoise

1

8

92

473(1)--

93

481(1)

Unid. Type Dall's porpoise

4

27

35

128

-

-

39

155

Unid. large whale

15

23

44

70

-

-

59

93

Unid. dolphin/porpoise

1

30

8

207

-

-

9

237

Unid. whale

-

-

1

1

-

-

1

1

89

268(9)

481

1,528(20)570

1,796(29)

Total

15

Table 3. Minimum, maximum and range of sea surface temperatures in degrees Celsius for each species sighted during
the cruise (including transit survey), sorted in order of frequency of sightings. Range of 25th to 75th quartiles arepresented for fin, sei, humpback, sperm and killer whales. See text for details.
Species
Fin whale
Dalli-type Dall's porpoise
Sei whale
Sperm whale
Unidentified type Dall's porpoise
Ziphiidae
Humpback whale
Killer whale
Blue whale
Mesoplodon spp.
Common dolphin
Pacific white-sided dolphin
Common minke whale
Stejneger’s beaked whale
North Pacific right whale
Northern right whale dolphin
Baird's beaked whale
Cuvier’s beaked whale
Risso's dolphin

Number of Minimum
sightings
SST
149
7.8
93
10
87
7.8
50
7.7
39
9.4
23
10.1
21
8.5
17
9.2
4
11.2
3
12.8
3
19.1
3
13.1
2
13.4
2
17.8
1
10.1
1
13.6
1
11.2
1
13.9
1
21.4

16

Maximum
SST
22.5
16.2
22.5
20.6
19.1
21.4
12.6
19
16.2
18.9
21.7
14.2
14.1
20.4
10.1
13.6
11.2
13.9
21.4

Temperature
range
14.7
6.2
14.7
12.9
9.7
11.3
4.1
9.8
5
6.1
2.6
1.1
0.7
2.6
0
0
0
0
0

25th to 75th
Quartile
10.3-13.2
14.5-18.9
11.7-14.0
8.6-10.5
10.3-13.6-

Table 4. Summary of the photo-identification experiment with accompanying photo-ID data. LD: Left dorsal; LL: Left lateral; RD: Right dorsal; RL: Right lateral. YS3 Whale ID numbers have been assigned to blue,
humpback and sei whales. Biopsy sample numbers have been added to the whale ID numbers when a sampled whale was photo-identified. Temporary pod ID numbers have been assigned to killer whales.
The fin whale photo data have been evaluated for photo-ID but not catalogued yet, so the fin whale ID numbers contain the biopsy sample number and an uppercase “X” in place of the catalogue number.

North Pacific Right Whale

Sighting
Date
24-Jul-12

Blue whale
Blue whale
Blue whale
Blue whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale

18-Aug-12
23-Aug-12
29-Aug-12
29-Aug-12
20-Jul-12
20-Jul-12
20-Jul-12
20-Jul-12
20-Jul-12
22-Jul-12
23-Jul-12
25-Jul-12
25-Jul-12
25-Jul-12
25-Jul-12
26-Jul-12
26-Jul-12
26-Jul-12
26-Jul-12
27-Jul-12
28-Jul-12
28-Jul-12
29-Jul-12
29-Jul-12
29-Jul-12
29-Jul-12
29-Jul-12
29-Jul-12
29-Jul-12
29-Jul-1230-Jul-1230-Jul-1230-Jul-1230-Jul-1230-Jul-12
31-Jul-12
31-Jul-12
03-Aug-12

Common Name

Sighting
Number of individualsGroup size
photographed
Number8
1
1
2012_Right_1
1
10
4
13
2
6
11
13
15
3
6
8
9
26
28
7
11
19
26
4
7
10
2
11
18
19
23
30
32
33
6
7
19
27
30
14
21
3

1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
1
1
4
2
3
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
4
2
4
3
1
1
2
3

1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
3
1
2
1
1
1
2
2

YS3 Whale ID

2012_Blue_1_12061042
2012_Blue_2_12061047
2012_Blue_3
2012_Blue_4

17

Encounter
Duration
Right Head, Left Head, Top
24
Head
LD, LL/RD, RL
20
LD,LL/RL
44
RD/RL
44
LD, LL/RL
46
RD of one, LD of the other2
RD mother
5
2 LD
9
RD
5
LD
1
RD
0
RD
1
LD
3
LD
1
RD
0
RD
0
RD
5
RD
0
LD
1
RD
1
2 RD
6
LD/RD mother; RD calf
5
LD/RD
10
RD
8
RD
4
LD/RD
1
RD mother; RD calf
8
LD
2
RD
2
LD
1
2 LD
7
3 RD
31
RD
0
LD of one, RD of the other
8
LD
5
LD
4
LD
5
2 RD
6
RD mother; RD calf
21
Photo-ID result

Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Fin whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale

Sighting
Date
04-Aug-12
06-Aug-12
09-Aug-12
10-Aug-12
10-Aug-12
12-Aug-12
15-Aug-12
17-Aug-12
20-Aug-12
20-Aug-12
27-Aug-12
27-Aug-12
27-Aug-12
29-Aug-12
15-Jul-12
18-Jul-12
20-Jul-12
20-Jul-12
02-Aug-12
03-Aug-12
05-Aug-12
08-Aug-12
09-Aug-12
09-Aug-12
10-Aug-12
10-Aug-12
10-Aug-12

Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale

10-Aug-12
10-Aug-12
10-Aug-12
10-Aug-12

13
14
16
17

2
4
1
4

1
2
1
2

Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale

10-Aug-12
11-Aug-12
12-Aug-12
12-Aug-12
12-Aug-12
12-Aug-12

18
1
5
6
8
11

1
1
1
5
3
6

1
1
1
2
1
6

Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale

13-Aug-12
13-Aug-12
13-Aug-12

11
12
13

1
1
1

1
1
1

Common Name

Sighting
Number of individualsGroup size
YS3 Whale ID
Numberphotographed
1
1
1
2
2
1
7
1
1
2
2
1
Fin_X_12051002
92
1
Fin_X_12051006
12
2
1
8
1
1
Fin_X_12051031
142
2
Fin_X_12051040 (mother)
22
1
1
27
1
1
2
2
2
Fin_X_12051049
17
1
1
19
3
1
Fin_X_12051050
17
1
1
7
2
1
2012_Sei_1
71
1
2012_Sei_2
42
1
2012_Sei_3
862
2012_Sei_4 (mother), 2012_Sei_5 (calf)
3
1
1
2012_Sei_62
32
2012_Sei_7, 2012_Sei_8
3
1
1
2012_Sei_92
41
2012_Sei_10
221
2012_Sei_11
611
2012_Sei_12_12041001
1
1
1
2012_Sei_13
1011
2012_Sei_14_12041007
122
2
2012_Sei_15_12041009, 2012_Sei_16

Photo-ID result

LD/RD
LD
RD
RD
LD
LD
LD
RD mother, LD calf
RD, RL
LD
2 LD
LD/RD
RD
RD
LD
LL
RD
LD/RD mother; LD calf
LD/RD
2 RL/2 RD
LD/RD
LD
RD
LD
LD/RD
LD/RD
RD of biopsied whale, LD of theother2012_Sei_17_12041010
LD
2012_Sei_18_12041011, 2012_Sei_19_12041012
RD
2012_Sei_20_12041013
RD
2012_Sei_21, 2012_Sei_22_12041014
RD of biopsied whale, RD of theother2012_Sei_23_12041015
LD
2012_Sei_24_12041016
LD
2012_Sei_25_12041018
LL, LD
2012_Sei_26_12041019, 2012_Sei_27_12041020
1 LL, 2 LD
2012_Sei_28_12041021
LD/RD
2012_Sei_29_12041022,
2012_Sei_30,
2012_Sei_31, 1 LD/RD, 1 LL/LD, 4 LD
2012_Sei_32, 2012_Sei_33, 2012_Sei_34
2012_Sei_35_12041026
RD
2012_Sei_36_12041027
LD
2012_Sei_37_12041028
LD,LL

18

Encounter
Duration
25
23
14
57
32
18
12
23
1
16
20
28
0
3
6
6
20
13
21
5
26
14
15
23
25
3
12
7
27
8
10
6
7
15
25
11
5
8

Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale

Sighting
Date
15-Aug-12
15-Aug-12
16-Aug-12
16-Aug-12
16-Aug-12
16-Aug-12

Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Sei whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale

17-Aug-12
17-Aug-12
20-Aug-12
20-Aug-12
21-Jul-12
22-Jul-12
22-Jul-12
22-Jul-12

Humpback whale

22-Jul-12

Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale

22-Jul-12
22-Jul-12
22-Jul-12
22-Jul-12
22-Jul-12

Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Sperm whale
Killer whale

23-Jul-12
24-Jul-12
25-Jul-12
27-Jul-12
27-Jul-12
28-Jul-12
28-Jul-12
29-Jul-12
28-Jul-12
15-Jul-12

Killer whale
Killer whale
Killer whale

18-Jul-12
18-Jul-12
18-Jul-12

Killer whale
Killer whale
Killer whale

25-Jul-12
25-Jul-12
25-Jul-12

Common Name

Sighting
Number of individuals
Encounter
Group size
YS3 Whale ID
Photo-ID result
Numberphotographed
Duration
7
1
1
2012_Sei_38_12041030
LD/RD
12
10
3
1
2012_Sei_39
LD, LL/RD, RL
4
1
1
2012_Sei_40_12041032
RD, RL13
6
1
1
2012_Sei_41_12041034
RD, RL11
12
2
1
Sei_X_12041035 (mother), 2012_Sei_42_12041036 (calf) LD/RD of calf
17
17
6
4
2012_Sei_43_12041037,
2012_Sei_44,
2012_Sei_45, LD/RD, RL, RD/RL, RD
21
2012_Sei_46
342
2012_Sei_47_12041038, 2012_Sei_48
2 RD, RL
12
981
Sei_X_12051039, 2012_Sei_49
RD, RL25
5
1
1
2012_Sei_50
RD, RL24
7
1
1
2012_Sei_51_12041043
RD
13
1
1
1
2012_Mn_1
Tail
13
2
1
1
2012_Mn_2
LD
13
5
3
2
2012_Mn_3, 2012_Mn_4
1 LD/RD, 1 LD
16
8
33
2012_Mn_5, 2012_Mn_6, 2012_Mn_7
Mn_5:LD/RD/Tail;17
Mn_6:LD/RD/Tail; Mn_7:RD
954
2012_Mn_8, 2012_Mn_9, 2012_Mn_10, 2012_Mn_11
Mn_8:LD/Tail, Mn_9:RD/Tail,38
Mn_10:Tail, Mn_11:Tail
1022
2012_Mn_12 (calf), 2012_Mn_13 (mother)
2 RD
1
12
1
1
2012_Mn_14
LD
15
13
1
1
2012_Mn_15
Tail
14
14
1
1
2012_Mn_16
Partial tail/LD/RD31742
2012_Mn_17, 2012_Mn_18
Mn_17:LD/Tail,
Mn_18:
37
RD/Tail34
1
1
2012_Mn_19
Tail
23
4
1
1
2012_Mn_20
Tail
6
12
1
1
2012_Mn_21
Tail
3
12
1
1
2012_Mn_22
Tail
14
14
1
1
2012_Mn_23
Tail
13
8
1
1
2012_Mn_24
Tail
21
12
1
1
2012_Mn_25
Tail, Genitals
11
7
1
1
2012_Mn_26
LD
19
1
1
1
RD
1
3
23
14
2012_715_3_RD_1:: 2012_715_3_KW_RD_14 ,including 14 RD
8
RD_2 (calf), RD_6 (mother), RD_11 (mother), RD_14(mother)2
1
1
2012_718_2_KW_1
LD/ RD13
3
17
2
2012_718_3_KW_1, 2012_718_3_KW_2
2 LD
24
4
12
5
2012_718_4_KW_1(mother),
2012_718_4_KW_2, 5 LD
4
2012_718_4_KW_3 (mother), 2012_718_4_KW_4 (calf),
2012_718_4_KW_5
1411
2012_725_14_KW_1
LD
14
16
4
2
2012_725_16_KW_1, 2012_725_16_KW_RD_1
LD of one, RD of the other717
3
1
2012_725_17_KW_RD_1
RD
3

19

Killer whale

Sighting
Date
27-Jul-12

Killer whale

27-Jul-12

Killer whale
Killer whale

02-Aug-12
09-Aug-12

Killer whale

20-Aug-12

Killer whale

20-Aug-12

Common Name

Sighting
Number of individuals
Encounter
Group size
YS3 Whale ID
Photo-ID result
Numberphotographed
Duration
1
44
2012_727_1_KW_1,
2012_727_1_KW_2, 2 LD/RD, 2 LD
8
2012_727_1_KW_3, 2012_727_1_KW_4
1644
2012_727_1_KW_1,
2012_727_1_KW_2, 4 LD
8
2012_727_1_KW_3, 2012_727_1_KW_4
233
2012_82_2_KW_1, 2012_82_2_KW_2, 2012_82_2_KW_3 3 LD/RD
14322
2012_89_3_KW_1, 2012_89_3_KW_2
2 LD, including 1 top saddle
10
patch
24
11
11
2012_820_24_KW_1::2012_820_24_KW_11;
11 LD (3 RD - None linked to25
2012_820_24_KW_RD_1_12271046
LD)
30
5
1
2012_820_30_KW_1
LD
14

20

Table 5a. Biopsy experiment durations by quartile for successful encounters (time to first hit, total time of encounter, n = 48), for encounters where shots were fired but nosamples were obtained (n = 12) and for encounters where the biopsy team was on the bow deck but not shots were fired (n = 17)

Biopsy Encounter Duration in hours:minutes:seconds

Time to first hit

Total time,sampleretrieved

No shot

Shots, no hits

0:02:42

0:03:55

0:03:39

0:05:00

Quartile

0:05:47

0:10:42

0:15:48

0:12:14

Median time

0:09:30

0:14:26

0:24:20

0:17:03

Quartile

0:16:26

0:24:32

0:32:51

0:22:20

Maximum time

0:54:12

0:57:53

0:44:33

1:05:27

Minimum time
th

25

th

75

Table 5b. Summary of the biopsy experiment
Common Name

Sighting Date

Blue whale

18-Aug-12

Blue whale

Sighting
NumberYS3WhaleID

Sample 1

Number of samples

Number of shots

1

2012_Blue_1_12061042

12061042

1

2

1

20

23-Aug-1210

2012_Blue_2_12061047

12061047

1

2

1

44

Blue whale

29-Aug-124

2012_Blue_30Blue whale

29-Aug-1213

2012_Blue_4

3

Fin whale

04-Aug-12

1

0

25

Fin whale

04-Aug-12

4

0

40

Fin whale

05-Aug-12

9

0

32

Fin whale

06-Aug-12

2

0

23

Fin whale

09-Aug-12

1

0

11

Fin whale

09-Aug-12

7

1

0

14

Fin whale

10-Aug-12

2

Fin_X_12051002

12051002

1

7

1

57

Fin whale

10-Aug-12

9

Fin_X_12051006

12051006

1

1

1

32

21

Sample 2

Number of hits Encounter Duration

44
0

46

SightingNumberCommon Name

Sighting Date

YS3WhaleID

Sample 1

Sample 2

Number of samples

Number of shots

Number of hits Encounter Duration

Fin whale

11-Aug-12

10

Fin whale

12-Aug-12

4

Fin whale

12-Aug-12

12

Fin whale

15-Aug-12

8

Fin_X_12051031

12051031

Fin whale

17-Aug-12

14

Fin_X_12051040 (mother)12051040

Fin whale

20-Aug-12

9

Fin_X_12051044 (calf),
Fin_X_12051045 (mother)12051044

Fin whale

27-Aug-12

1

Fin_X_12051048

Fin whale

27-Aug-12

2

Fin_X_12051049

Fin whale

27-Aug-12

90

Fin whale

27-Aug-12

17

1

0

20

Fin whale

27-Aug-12

19

Fin_X_12051050

12051050

1

4

2

28

Fin whale

29-Aug-12

7

Fin_X_12051051

12051051

1

2

2

17

Fin whale

29-Aug-12

12

Fin_X_12051052

12051052

1

2

1

7

Sei whale

05-Aug-123

2012_Sei_9

2

0

5

Sei whale

09-Aug-122

2012_Sei_11

1

0

26

Sei whale

09-Aug-126

2012_Sei_12_12041001

3

1

14

Sei whale

09-Aug-12

9

Sei whale

10-Aug-121

2012_Sei_13

Sei whale

10-Aug-12

3

Sei_X_12041003

12041003

Sei whale

10-Aug-12

4

Sei_X_12041004

Sei whale

10-Aug-12

8

Sei whale

10-Aug-12

Sei whale

0
Fin_X_12051017

12051017

1

25

2

1

19

2

0

18

1

4

2

12

1

4

1

23

2

2

2

10

12051048

1

1

1

19

12051049

1

2

2

16

12051045

12041001

1

33

0

33

1

0

15

1

4

1

40

12041004

1

2

2

39

Sei_X_12041005

12041005

1

3

1

32

10

2012_Sei_14_12041007

12041007

1

4

2

23

10-Aug-12

11

Sei_X_12041008

12041008

1

2

1

11

Sei whale

10-Aug-1212

2012_Sei_15_12041009, 2012_Sei_16

12041009

1

4

2

25

Sei whale

10-Aug-1213

2012_Sei_17_12041010

12041010

1

2

1

3

Sei whale

10-Aug-1214

2012_Sei_18_12041011,
2012_Sei_19_12041012

12041011

2

2

2

12

22

12041012

Common Name

Sighting Date

Sei whale

10-Aug-12

Sei whale

Sighting
NumberYS3WhaleID

Sample 116

2012_Sei_20_12041013

10-Aug-12

17

Sei whale

10-Aug-12

Sei whale

Sample 2

Number of samples

Number of shots

12041013

1

2

1

7

2012_Sei_21, 2012_Sei_22_12041014

12041014

1

3

1

27

18

2012_Sei_23_12041015

12041015

1

2

1

8

11-Aug-121

2012_Sei_24_12041016

12041016

1

2

1

10

Sei whale

11-Aug-12

2

2

0

21

Sei whale

12-Aug-12

30

Sei whale

12-Aug-125

2012_Sei_25_12041018

12041018

Sei whale

12-Aug-126

2012_Sei_26_12041019,
2012_Sei_27_12041020

12041019

Sei whale

12-Aug-128

2012_Sei_28_12041021

12041021

Sei whale

12-Aug-12

10

Sei whale

12-Aug-1211

2012_Sei_29_12041022, 2012_Sei_30,
2012_Sei_31, 2012_Sei_32,
2012_Sei_33, 2012_Sei_34

12041022

1

6

1

25

Sei whale

13-Aug-12

2

Sei_X_12041023

12041023

1

4

2

24

Sei whale

13-Aug-12

30

Sei whale

13-Aug-12

4

2

0

12

Sei whale

13-Aug-12

7

Sei_X_12041024

12041024

1

2

1

11

Sei whale

13-Aug-12

8

Sei_X_12041025

12041025

1

1

1

9

Sei whale

13-Aug-1211

2012_Sei_35_12041026

12041026

1

3

2

11

Sei whale

13-Aug-1212

2012_Sei_36_12041027

12041027

1

2

2

5

Sei whale

13-Aug-1213

2012_Sei_37_12041028

12041028

1

2

1

8

Sei whale

13-Aug-12

15

Sei_X_12041029

12041029

1

1

1

11

Sei whale

15-Aug-127

2012_Sei_38_12041030

12041030

1

2

1

12

Sei whale

16-Aug-12

2

1

0

10

Sei whale

16-Aug-124

2012_Sei_40_12041032

12041032

1

2

2

13

Sei whale

16-Aug-12

5

Sei_X_12041033

12041033

1

2

1

10

Sei whale

16-Aug-126

2012_Sei_41_12041034

12041034

1

3

1

11

12041020

Number of hits Encounter Duration

8

1

2

2

6

2

4

3

7

1

3

1

15

0

23

23

15

SightingNumberCommon Name

Sighting Date

YS3WhaleID

Sample 1

Sei whale

16-Aug-12

9

Sei whale

16-Aug-12

12

Sei whale

16-Aug-12

14

Sei whale

16-Aug-1217

2012_Sei_43_12041037, 2012_Sei_44,
2012_Sei_45, 2012_Sei_46

12041037

Sei whale

17-Aug-123

2012_Sei_47_12041038, 2012_Sei_48

12041038

Sei whale

17-Aug-12

6

Sei whale

17-Aug-12

9

Sei whale

17-Aug-12

12

Sei whale

17-Aug-12

16

Sei whale

20-Aug-12

1

Sei whale

20-Aug-125

2012_Sei_50

Sei whale

20-Aug-127

2012_Sei_51_12041043

Sei whale

20-Aug-12

16

Killer whale

20-Aug-12

24

Sample 2

Number of samples

Number of shots

Number of hits Encounter Duration

0
Sei_X_12041035 (mother),
2012_Sei_42_12041036 (calf)

12041035

12041036

2

28

3

3

17

3

0

5

1

2

1

21

1

2

1

12

1
Sei_X_12051039, 2012_Sei_49

12041039

1

3

5
1

0
Sei_X_12041041

12041041

12041043

1

1

2

3
2

12271046

24

1

6

0

24

0

24

3

2

0
2012_820_24_KW_1::2012_820_24_K
W_11;
2012_820_24_KW_RD_1_12271046

25

2

13
9

1

25

Table 6a. Summary of marine debris observations sorted by frequency of occurrence. Some new descriptive codes weredeveloped based on the types of debris observed during the 2011 and 2012 POWER cruises.
IWC Code
134
199
148
136
199
199
199
199
135
199
199
199
199
199
199
199
199
199
199
199
199
Total

YS3 POWERMarine Debris Code Definitions
Code
134
single fishing float, round801
wooden log
148
styrofoam board, less than 1 square meter
136
wood plank or milled wood board
701
tire with or without rim
301
buoy
199
other, unidentified object
601
plastic bottle
135
clustered fishing floats (2-10 floats together)605
fiberglass or plastic board or piece
401
glass ball602
square box
901
metal container
302
ship bumper
501
life jacket
201
barrel606
plastic sheet or other unknown plastic piece
609
plastic ball610
plastic fishing basket
650
coiled line, synthetic
802
wood pallet

Count
88
32
15
13
12
11
9
8
8
6
5
5
5
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
230

Table 6b. Summary of debris by day on days where 5 or more items were observed. Debris observed from 25-27 July (n= 31) were seen near the northernmost point in the northern stratum. Debris observed from 13-17 August (n= 171)were near the southernmost point of the southern stratum (see text for details).
Datemanmadenatural25-Jul-1251

26-Jul-12

68

27-Jul-121

430-Jul-1251

13-Aug-12

11

0

14-Aug-12

32

4

15-Aug-12

81

4

16-Aug-12

31

1

17-Aug-12

7

0

25

Figure 1a. Research area of the 2012 IWC-POWER cruise. The survey area is divided into northern and southern stratumat US and Canadian EEZ line. Outer limit of EEZ is provided by NOAA Office of Coast Survey and the data are
available from http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/csdl/docs/GIS_EEZ_Alaska.zip.

Figure 1b (left). The trackline design for 2012 cruise. The survey area is divided into northern and southern stratum at US
and Canadian EEZ. Grey coloured area represents for the EEZ. The starting points of transect lines within the study
area were randomized following IWC/SC guidelines (IWC, 2005).
Figure 1c (right). The searching effort of the 2012 IWC-POWER cruise (black line).

26

Figure 2a. Sighting positions of blue (blue square; top left), common minke (white square; top left), North Pacific right(white square; top right), humpback (black circle; top right), fin (red circle; bottom left), sei (orange circle;
bottom right) w hales in the research area.

27

Figure 2b. Sighting positions of sperm (brown circle; top left), Cuvier’s beaked (black circle; top right), Stejneger’s
beaked (cross; top right) whales, Mesoplodon spp. (black triangle; top right), Ziphiidae (white circle; top right),
killer whale (black triangle; bottom left), common (black circle; bottom left), northern right (cross; bottom left),
Pacific white-sided (white triangle; bottom left), Risso’s (black square; bottom left), unidentified (white circle;
bottom left) dolphins, Dalli type Dall’s porpoise (black circle; bottom right), unid. type Dall’s porpoise (whitecircle; bottom right) in the research area.

28

Figure 3. Breakdown of research time, in minutes, by effort mode for each stratum of the research area. Right side bar ineach mode indicates the northern stratum. BP: Passing mode searching, CO: Confirmation of school, PX: Photo-ID
experiment, TD: Top down steaming (off effort), TF: Time back to trackline, TX/PX: Biopsy experiment.

Figure 4. Sea surface temperatures for fin whales (149 sightings), sei whales (87 sightings) and humpback whales (21sightings).

29

Figure 5a. Biopsy encounter times showing time to first hit (blue bars), duration of encounter when shots were fired but
no samples were obtained (green bars), and duration of encounter when the biopsy team were on deck but no shots were
fired (red bars).

Figure 5b. Quartile analysis of biopsy encounter duration.

30

Appendix A
Ship specifications and crew list of Yushin-Maru No.3.
Ship photo:

Ship specifications:
Yushin-Maru No.3
Call sign

7JCH

Length overall [m]69.61

Molded breadth [m]10.80Gross tonnage (GT)742

Barrel height [m]19.5

Upper bridge height [m]11.5

Bow height [m]6.5

Engine power [PS / kW]

5280 / 3900

Crew list:
Yushin-Maru No.3
Captain

K. Hirose

Chief Officer

H. KasaiSecond Officer

T. Koyanagi

Chief Engineer

Y. MuraiFirst Engineer

S. Miyamoto

Second Engineer

H. Fujimoto

Third Engineer

K.Takamatsu

Chief Operator

F. IidaBoatswain

T. Ohmura

Quartermaster

K. Kuroki

QuartermasterY. Sekine

Quartermaster

K. Maehashi

Sailor

A. Tsuji

SailorA. Yamasaki

Sailor

S. Torihara

Chief Steward

S. Hamashita

31Appendix B
Sightings in the US EEZ
1. DATES AND LOCATIONS OF SURVEY EFFORT IN US WATERS
The ship entered the US EEZ at location 48° 7.5’ N, 177° 24.1 E on 19 July 2012 at approx. 12:53 SMT (GMT+12) andleft the USEEZ and entered the Canadian EEZ at location 53° 42.7’ N, 137° 21.8’ W on 1 August at approx. 12:29 pm
SMT (GMT +14.5). The ship re-entered US EEZ at location 53° 52.6’ N, 150° 21.2’ W after finishing surveys in thesouthern (high seas) stratum on 30 August at approx. 10:14pm SMT (GMT +13) and left USEEZ at location 47° 46.2’ N,
179° 35.0’ W on 3 Sept at approx. 11:07pm SMT (GMT+12).
The Yushin-Maru No. 3 completed survey effort of approximately 295.54 nautical miles of trackline in the US EEZ
during transit to the northern stratum and completed survey effort of approximately 578.97 nautical miles of trackline
while surveying in US waters in the northern stratum.
2. SIGHTINGS AND PHOTO-ID IN US WATERS
Table 1 shows total sightings while in the US EEZ. Appendix Figures 2, 3a, 3b, 4, 6 and 7 show locations sightings ofsome of the species of note seen during surveys in US waters. One North Pacific right whale was observed and photoidentified (Appendix Figure 3b). Only three groups of sei whales were encountered in US waters (Table 1, Appendix
Figure 3b). All sightings occurred within a one-hour period on 20 July during the transit survey to the research area
south of the eastern Aleutians. One sighting was of a mother and calf which was part of a group of six sei whales andanother sighting was of a group of two sei whales and the third sighting was a mixed group of one fin and one sei whale(Appendix Figure 1).
All sightings of humpback whales (21 groups) occurred in US waters (Appendix figure 3b). Fourteen sightings occurred
during transit along the Aleutian trench and 7 sightings were in the northern stratum of the research area. Humpback
whale group sizes during transit varied from 1 to 5. Humpback whale group sizes in the northern stratum were allsolitary individuals. There was one off effort sighting of a humpback whale on 31 August as the ship returned to the
USEEZ after finishing surveys in the southern stratrum (Appendix Figure 3b). The sighting was not recorded in thesightings record because the sighting occurred at 05:38 outside of normal survey hours.
There were 6 pods of killer whales observed in US waters, including one pod that was seen twice in one day. Killer
whale pod sightings were clustered with 3 pods seen on 25 July and 2 pods seen on 27 July. On 25 July, a lone male wasseen 3.8 miles away from the second pod (a group of 4 whales) and seven miles from the third pod (3 whales). On 27
Julym one killer whale pod (group of 4 whales) was seen twice in one day. The group was encountered on the morningof 27 July on the way to the northernmost waypoint and seen again nine hours later, during the southbound survey, about
34 miles east of the original sighting location. The rate of travel of the pod was estimated to be 3.8 knots.
Fin whales were observed over a wide area both during transit and in the research area (Appendix Figure 2)
3. PHOTO-ID AND PHOTO DURATIONSPhotographic data were collected, sometimes opportunistically, in 93 encounters in the US EEZ. Photo-identification
data were collected in 60 of the 93 encounters. While in the US EEZ, most encounter durations where photographs weretaken were 20 minutes or less (25th to 75th quartile range: 6-20 minutes).
The longest photographic encounter duration was 38 minutes, documenting a group of 5 humpback whales. One
individual was lob-tailing so the photo start time began a little earlier than usual (distant photographs of a the lob-tailingindividual). The group was approached the group and tail flukes photographs were obtained of 4 of the 5 individuals.
The second longest photo encounter in the US EEZ was 37 minutes, a group of 4 humpback whales. The group split into
2 groups of 2 and tail flukes photographs were obtained of both whales in one of the subgroups of 2 whales. The third
longest encounter duration was 31 minutes, a group of 4 fin whales “echelon” feeding (one whale trailing the otherduring feeding bouts) with Dall’s porpoise feeding nearby.
Encounter duration for photo-documenting the North Pacific right whales was 24 minutes. Photo-identification photos
were taken both from the bowdeck and from the barrel.

32

Table 1. Number of sightings for all species observed in the US EEZ by effort mode (NSP: Normal Passing with abeamclosing Mode; BX: Begin experiment; OE: Off effort). Parentheses indicate the number of calves observed.
Species
Fin whale
Sei whale
Common minke whale
North Pacific right whale
Humpback whale
Sperm whale
Mesoplodon spp.
Ziphiidae
Killer whale
Pacific white-sided dolphin
Dalli-type Dall's porpoise
Unid. type Dall's porpoise
Unid. large whale
Unid. whale
Total

NSP
Sch.
103
3
1
1
21
19
1
9
7
1
39
16
28
1
250

Ind
145(5)
9(1)
1
1
33(1)
26
3
16
19
7
148
61
37
1
507(1)

BX
Sch.
1
1
1
2
5

33

OE
Ind.
1
3
7
6
17

Sch.
3
5
3
1
12

Total
Ind.
4
18(1)
11
1
34(1)

Sch.
107
3
1
1
21
19
1
9
7
1
45
20
31
1
267

Ind.
150(5)
9(1)
1
1
33(1)
26
3
16
19
7
169(1)
79441558(8)

Appendix C
REPORT OF OF SURVEYS IN THE CANADIAN EEZ
1. DATES AND LOCATIONS OF SURVEY EFFORT IN CANADIAN WATERSThe Yushin-Maru No. 3 entered the Canadian EEZ at location 53° 42.7’ N, 137° 21.8’ W on 1 August 2012; 12:30 PM
Ship Mean Time (SMT) (UTC +14.5,UTC Date Time: 7/31/2012; 10:00:00 PM) and finished surveys in the Canadian
EEZ on 3 August 2012; 7:50 AM SMT (UTC + 14.5,UTC Date Time: 8/2/2012; 5:20:00 PM) after completing survey
effort of approximately 188.6 nautical miles of trackline while in Canadian waters
The Yushin-Maru No. 3 exited the Canadian EEZ at location 50° 27.9 N and 136° 11.5 W, at 11:40 AM SMT (UTC +14.5, UTC Date Time: 8/2/2012; 9:10:00 PM).
2. TOTAL SIGHTINGS IN CANADIAN WATERS
There were 14 sightings but only 10 sighting events during surveys in Canadian waters because of sightings of mixed
groups of whales (Tables 1a and 1b).
There was one sighting of a killer whale pod composed of three individuals. One killer whale was seen andphotographed with a piece of dead mammal in its mouth. Based on visual observations the prey was possibly a Dall's
porpoise, but species of prey could not be confirmed positively. All three killer whales were photo-identified (left andright sides, Yushin -Maru No. 3 (YS3) ID numbers: 2012_82_2_KW_1, 2012_82_2_KW_2, 2012_82_2_KW_3).
There were three different sightings of fin whales, including a sighting of a fin whale mother and calf (during Sighting
Event 10 on Table 1b). The first fin whale sighting was a solitary whale which was not approached for photography.
The two other fin whale sightings were in association with two sightings of sei whales. In the first sighting of fin and sei
whales (Sighting Event 5 on Table 1b), the fin and sei whales appeared to be closely associated, surfacing together like
conspecifics.
In the second fin and sei whale encounter (Event 10), both species were feeding near each other but there did not appear
to be a close association between the fin and sei whales. The fin whale mother and calf were documented during Event
10.
Dall’s porpoise were seen on 6 occasions (4 sightings of Dalli-type and 2 sightings of unknown type). Dall’s porpoise
were feeding in the vicinity of the mixed fin and sei whales both times (Events 5 and 10) and 2 sightings of sei whales(Table 1b).
An unknown type Ziphiid-type beaked whale was seen from a distance (Event 3) and a mesoplodont-type beaked whale
was seen at a somewhat closer distance and some inconclusive photographs were taken (Event 9) (Table 1b).
3. APPROACHES FOR PHOTO-IDENTIFICATION
Photo-identification approaches occurred on three different occasions. The killer whale group was photographed over a
period of 14 minutes, the first fin and sei mixed group was photographed over a period of 13 minutes, and the second fin
and sei mixed group was photographed over a period of 21 minutes.

34

Table 1a. Number of sightings for all species observed in the Canadian EEZ by effort mode (NSP: Normal Passing withabeam closing Mode; BX: Begin experiment; OE: Off effort). Parentheses indicate the number of calves observed.
Species
Fin whale
Sei whale
Mesoplodon spp.
Ziphiidae
Killer whale
Dalli-type Dall's porpoise
Unid. type Dall's porpoise
Total

NSP
Sch.
3
2
1
1
1
4
2
14

Ind
6(1)
4
2
1
3
16
3
35(1)

BX
Sch.
-

OE
Ind.
-

Sch.
-

Total
Ind.
-

Sch.
3
2
1
1
1
4
2
14

Ind.
6(1)
4
2
1
3
16
3
35(1)

Table 1b. Details of all sightings in the Canadian EEZ, including locations, photo effort and duration of encounter.
Bestestimate Encounter
Sighting
Sighting Sighting Sighting
Photo Photo
Lat
Lat Lat Long Long Long
Common Nameof
Duration
Reaction
Deg Min NS Deg Min EW
Event
Date
Time Number
Start
End
group (minutes)
size
1
Fin whale
01-Aug- 1:08:38
2
1
No close
53 35.75 N 137 16.08 W
12PM
approach2
Dalli-type Dall's
01-Aug- 3:06:21
3
2
No approach 53 19.54 N 137 3.2 W
porpoise
12
PM
3
Ziphiidae, unknown
02-Aug- 6:19:17
1
1
No approach 52 48.77 N 136 38.63 W
species
12AM
4
Killer whale
02-Aug- 9:09:46
2
3
14
9:17:22 9:31:40 No reaction
52 18.26 N 136 14.61 W
12
AM
AM
AM
Mixed group of fin and sei whales with Dall’s porpoise feeding nearby. Fin and sei whales were surfacing together like conspecifics
Sei whale
02-Aug- 11:27:36
3
1
13
12:05:19 12:18:38 No reaction
51 57.97 N 135 58.6 W
AM
PM
PM
12
Fin whale
02-Aug- 11:27:37
4
2
13
12:05:19 12:18:38 No reaction
51 57.98 N 135 58.61 W
5
12
AM
PM
PM
Unidentified type02-Aug- 11:27:38
5
2
No approach 51 57.98 N 135 58.61 W
Dall's porpoise
12
AM
6
Unidentified type02-Aug- 3:18:10
6
1
No approach 51 22.04 N 135 31.03 W
PM
Dall's porpoise
127
Dalli-type Dall's
02-Aug- 5:21:27
7
4
No approach 50 59.92 N 135 14.16 W
porpoise
12PM
8
Dalli-type Dall's
02-Aug- 5:28:14
8
7
No approach 50 58.75 N 135 13.2 W
porpoise
12PM
9
Mesoplodon spp.
03-Aug- 6:27:03
1
2
0
6:28:02 6:28:17 No approach 50 51.03 N 135 7.38 W
12
AM
AM
AM
Fin and sei whales and Dall’s porpoise feeding near each otherSei whale
03-Aug- 7:06:51
2
3
21
7:28:47 7:50:08 No reaction
50 44.17 N 135 2.23 W
12
AM
AM
AM
Fin whale
03-Aug- 7:06:52
3
3
21
7:28:47 7:50:08 No reaction
50 44.17 N 135 2.23 W
10
12
AM
AM
AM
Dalli-type Dall's
03-Aug- 7:26:59
4
3
No approach 50 40.29 N 135 2.97 W
porpoise
12
AM

35

Appendix D
ADDITIONAL MAPS OF 2012-IWC-POWER SIGHTINGS

Appendix Figure 1. Locations of mixed groups of whales

36Appendix Figure 2. Locations of fin whales

37Appendix Figure 3a. Locations of humpback, sei and killer whales (all sightings)

38

Appendix Figure 3b. Locations of North Pacific right, humpback, sei and killer whales in the USEEZ

39

Appendix Figure 4. Locations of Dall’s porpoise40Appendix Figure 5. Locations of biopsy sampling41

Appendix Figure 6. Locations of sperm whales

42Appendix Figure 7. Locations of marine debris

43