SC/J09/JR2

Methodology and procedure of the dedicated sighting
surveys in JARPN II - Offshore and coastal componentof Sanriku and Kushiro HIROSHI KIWADA, SAEKO KUMAGAI AND KOJI MATSUOKA
The Institute of Cetacean Research; 4-5, Toyomi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0055 Japan
Contact E-Mail: kiwada@cetacean.jp

ABSTRACTWe describe the survey procedures used by dedicated sighting vessels of JARPN II. The
full-scale JARPN II involved two survey components, "offshore" and "coastal"(Sanriku andKushiro) surveys. In both components, sighting surveys are conducted by SSV (Sighting andSampling Vessel) and SV (Sighting Vessel). The sighting surveys by the SV were conductedunder the limited closing mode and the passing mode. The survey timing and surveying orderof strata were changed every year in order to investigate how abundance estimates changed
with seasonal migration of whales. Analyses of JARPNII sighting surveys are described in
the Hakamada et al. 2009a and 2009b papers prepared for this meeting.

INTRODUCTION
At the 2002 SC meeting, Japan presented the results of feasibility study of the Second phase of Japanese
Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Western North Pacific (JARPN II) which was
conducted in 2000 and 2001 (Government of Japan, 2002a). Japan also announced new research plan for
the full-scale JARPN II (Government of Japan, 2002b) at the 2002 SC meeting and began the program in2002 in compliance with Article VIII of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.
The objectives of the full-scale JARPN II are: i) to collect data on feeding ecology and ecosystem
studies, including cetacean prey consumption and preferences, to build ecosystem models, ii) to monitor
environmental pollutants in cetaceans and the marine ecosystem, and iii) to reveal stock structure ofwhales (Government of Japan, 2002b).
There are two components in JARPNII, offshore and coastal. In both components, sighting surveys are
conducted by SSVs and SV. Sighting surveys by SSVs are operated concurrently with sampling surveys,
therefore, sighting data might have some biases. On the other hand, SVs conduct dedicated sighting
survey independently and their sighting data are used for abundance estimates.
This paper describes the dedicated sighting survey procedure of JARPN II both offshore and coastal
components. Methodologies of whole JARPNII surveys are described in Tamura et al. (2009) for offshore
component and in Kishiro et al. (2009) for coastal component.

SIGHTING SURVEY METHODOLOGYJARPNII has been conducted with the consistent research methods. Table 1 and 2 shows an outline of all
JARPNII sighting survey cruises from 2002 to 2007. The full-scale JARPN II plan involved two survey
components, the "offshore" survey operated by the Nisshin-Maru research unit, and the "coastal" survey
operated by small type whaling catcher boats.
Sighting surveys in offshore components are designed to explore the entire survey area in two years(2002-2003 and 2004-2005) and one year (2006 and 2007). Coastal components were consisted of spring(April-May) Sanriku survey and autumn (September-October) Kushiro survey. Coastal components also
employed the same methodologies with offshore components.

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Research area
The research area for the offshore survey component was sub-areas 7, 8 and 9. These areas were further
stratified into blocks based on oceanographic information (particularly of Kuroshio and Oyashio effects)(Fig. 1).
Sub-area 7: Five small blocks (7N, 7MI, 7MO, 7SI, 7SO) were stratified based on thesatellite water temperature information.
Sub-areas 8 and 9: These sub-areas were stratified into four small blocks at latitude of 40N(8N and 8S, 9N and 9S).
A part of sub-area 7 (off the Pacific coast of northern Japan) was covered by the coastal survey
component. Spring Sanriku survey was conducted in blocks 7SI and 7MI, while autumn Kurhiso survey
covered block 7N.
Research Vessels
There were five research vessels used for dedicated sighting survey from 2002 to 2007 JARPNII.
Among them, one or two vessels were operated in each season in offshore components. The
Kyoshin-Maru No.2 (KS2: 372GT), Shonan-Maru (SM1: 712GT) and Shonan-Maru No.2 (SM2: 712GT)
have been used as a SV (Table 3). The Kaiko-Maru (KK1: 860.25 GT) was engaged in the whale sighting
and cetacean prey species surveys in 2006 and 2007. These vessels also conducted various experiments.
Although one vessel participated every season as SV in coastal components in principle, two vessels(KS2 and KK1) operated in the coastal component of Kushiro 2006 (Table 3). It was a feasibility study
for KK1 that sighting surveys and prey species surveys conducted by one vessel simultaneously.
Design of track lines
Track lines and allocation of vessels were made in the same manner as in previous JARPN (Fujise et al.,
1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003; Ishikawa et al., 1997; Zenitani et al., 1999; Tamura et al.,2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007). The zigzag-shaped track line was established on an arbitrary basis in each
sub-area and month. These lines were established independently from those for sampling surveys(Nisshin-Maru unit).
Since the survey area was small, zigzag track lines for coastal components were set at smaller width. It
is still follow the offshore methods and designed randomly for abundance estimates.
Survey route and stratum
Spatial and temporal distribution of our target species, sei whales and Bryde’s whales in North Pacific
Ocean, had not been known well. Therefore, we surveyed their distributions focusing on each smallerarea at various timing, such as early summer or mid-summer.
Originally, sighting surveys in offshore components were planned to cover the entire research area in
two years as pairs (2002-2003 and 2004-2005, Fig. 2a-d). As for 2004 and 2005, some parts of Area 8(8N and 8S) and 9 (9N and 9S) were not performed in 2004 and those were covered in 2005, so thatsurveys were conducted efficiently to cover the entire area.
For the purpose of abundance estimates, however, it was preferred to collect sighting data of wholearea in one year. Therefore, lines have been switched to run all areas in a single year since 2006. In 2006
and 2007, surveys were conducted with four strata based on latitude lines, regardless of the sub-areas andblocks; north of 45N, 41-45N, 38-41N, and 35-38N. These years completed survey in one year, but theysurveyed each stratum at different timing by reversing survey routes from south to north in 2006 to northto south in 2007 (Fig.2e-f). These results should be therefore taken into account for analysis.
Survey routes in each area were determined taking into consideration of the whale migration paths
based on the sighting and distribution data from previous years. For example, the surveying order of strata
was followed the shift of whales (i.e. from south to north) in 2006, while it was against (i.e. north tosouth) in 2007. Thus surveying order of strata was different by year so that sighting data in one area werecollected at different month of the year. We anticipated to evaluating the effects of double counts ofwhales and mismatch of both timings of whale migration and survey.
Procedure of sighting surveys
Sighting procedure of the offshore and coastal components for the dedicated sighting survey was similar-2-

to the previous surveys of JARPN. The sighting survey by the SV was conducted under the limited
closing mode (ASP mode; same manner as "NSC" without sampling of whales) and the passing mode
(NSP mode; even if sighting was made on the predetermined track line, the vessel did not approach thewhale directly and searching from the top barrel was uninterrupted). Closing was performed mainly onsightings of common minke, Bryde's, sei and sperm whales. Furthermore closing was made on sightingsof large whales in order to confirm species and school size, and to conduct experiments if they are blue,
humpback, right or fin whales.
The dedicated sighting vessels proceeded on the predetermined track lines at a standard speed of 10.5
knots during the sighting survey. To ensure an accuracy of sighting survey, the survey was operated under
optimal research conditions (when the wind speed was below 17 knots and visibility was over 2.0
n.miles) .
Sightings of whales were classified as primary and secondary sightings. The primary sightings were
those seen in normal searching mode (on-effort), i.e. ASP or NSP (two or three primary observers
searched from the top barrel of the vessel on the predetermined track-line). The secondary sightings were
those seen during off-effort (e.g. during confirming whales, no observer in the top barrel or the vessel
engages in other work) or off the research time.
Research hour was from an hour after sunrise to an hour before sunset while the maximum research
hours were set at 12 hours. Generally, the survey started at 06:00 or 07:00 and ended at 18:00 or 19:00(local time).
Researcher on board recorded all sighting information. The sighting record includes date and time ofthe sighting, position of the vessel, classification of the survey mode and the sightings (primary or
secondary), angle and distance from the vessel, species and school size, estimated body length, etc. Since
2006 survey, most of these data have been recorded semi-automatically by using whale research dataacquisition systems on board research vessels.
Non-lethal survey
Besides collecting whale sighting data, JARPN II conducted a variety of non-lethal biological survey.
These surveys contributed to accumulate knowledge thus further understand large baleen whales, preyspecies and oceanography.
Photo-identification and biopsy sampling
The following species were targeted for photographic record of natural markings by SV; blue, humpback
and right whales. In addition to the species targeted for photo-identification, blue, fin, humpback, rightand sperm whales were also targeted for biopsy sampling. Cross bows and air guns developed by ICR(Kasamatsu et al, 1991) were used.
Prey species and oceanographic survey
KS2 and KK1 conducted the following surveys; 1) hydro-acoustic survey using a passive acoustic system(EK500 38kHz, 120kHz, 200kHz(only KS2), SIMRAD, Norway) elucidation of distribution andabundance of cetacean prey species, 2) consecutive measuring of surface water temperature, conductivity,
surface chlorophyll, dissolved oxygen and surface particle by Electric Particle Counting and Sizing
System (EPCS: only KS2), 3) XBT, XCTD and CTD survey. Details are described in Murase et al (2009),
Watanabe et al (2009) and Yonezaki et al (2009) prepared for this meeting.
Other experiments
Sighting distance and angle experiments were conducted on each cruise/vessel to examine the precisionof sighting data. Following experiments including those at the developing stage were also conducted;
observation of feeding behavior of large whales, air and sea water sampling for environmental monitoring,satellite tagging for baleen whales, acoustic monitoring for large baleen whales, and so on..
Outline of the each sighting survey
Details are described in each cruise report of JARPNII (see References, Table 1&2).
2002 season (Fig. 2a)
In June and July 2002, KS2 surveyed counterclockwise from block 7SO through sub-areas 8S, 9S, thensouthern section of 9N and 8N (south of 45N) to block 7MO.
Block 7N was explored by Kushiro survey in September.

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2003 season (Fig. 2b)
2003 survey filled the area where 2002 survey left (7MI and 9N), thus regular area category was ignored.
KS2 surveyed northward in the area of north of 37N and west of 145E in May, and northward in theremaining sub-area 7, north of 38N in June. KS2 then proceeded northward in the area north of 38N and
156-159E. KS2 resumed a survey heading west from 170E north of 43N in sub-area 9N. SM1 took a partin the sub-area 8 survey in May. Combining 2002 and 2003, all survey areas were explored.
This year, the first time Sanriku survey conducted in April, blocks 7SI and 7MI. Kushiro survey
searched in block 7N in September. Sanriku survey trackline was experimental design because of firsttime survey. Kushiro survey trackline was a continuation of offshore component. Therefore, both surveys
design were different from other year’s surveys.
2004 season (Fig. 2c)
Areas 7 and 8 were studied in early summer of 2004. From May to June 2004, the survey was conducted
clockwise starting from block 7SI in the sub-area 7. Following the sub-area 7, survey was continued in
sub-area 8 eastward in the area north of 38N line. KS2 finished 2004 survey with the counterclockwise
survey in the area between 38N and 45N in the sub-area 9. Due to the lack of research time, southernparts of Areas 8 and 9 were left as unsurveyed.
Block 7 was filled during coastal components in Kushiro, September.
2005 season (Fig. 2d)
Areas left in 2004 (southern parts of Areas 8 and 9) were filled by 2005 survey. SM1 joined the sighting
survey in 2005 searching in the sub-area 7 clockwise in May. Concurrently, KS2 started a survey in thearea between 38N and 41N from western edge of sub-area8 (150E) to 170E. KS2 then kept goingwestward from 170E in the area between 35N and 38N. Survey was subsequently succeeded eastward in
the area between 41N and 45N. We were unable to some of the area in Area 9 (north of 45N) due to thelack of research time as well as bad weather. Nevertheless, combining 2004 and 2005 surveys, all survey
areas were completed.
Blocks 7SI and 7MI were surveyed by Sanriku survey from April to May, while 7N was so by Kushiro
survey in September.
2006 season (Fig. 2e)2006 survey covered the entire research area by proceeding south to north. In May 2006, sighting survey
began from 144E longitude line in block 7SO eastward to 170E longitude line in sub-area 9S. KS2 thenmoved northern stratum, 38-41N starting from 170E longitude line in sub-area 9S headed west in June.
After reaching at 145E line (western edge of block 7MO or eastern edge of block 7MI), KS2 searchedsouthward in blocks 7MI and 7SI. Following the survey in the southern strata, KS2 proceeded to thenorthern strata, from eastward in 41-45N then westward in the north of 45N from July to August.
As in 2005, blocks 7N, 7SI and 7MI were studied by coastal components of Kushiro and Sanriku,
respectively.
2007 season (Fig. 2f)
2007 was different from previous years in that sighting survey started from far north area of the researcharea, north of 45N in May, followed by 41-45N survey in June. KS2 then searched from block 7MI toblock 9S in the area between 38-41N. Survey was continued in the southernmost research area, 35-38N,
from 170E heading to Japan in August.
Kushiro survey was carried out in block 7N from September to October.

DISCUSSION
Abundance estimates by past surveys fluctuate substantially depending on the timing and coverage ofeach survey. Therefore, we intended to grasp seasonal distributions and movements of whales and tounderstand why abundance estimates were extremely different in cruise by cruise.
Changing survey route and timing every year have merits as well as demerits. The greatest merit is that
we obtained information on seasonal distribution, abundance and movement of whales while we areunable to obtain annual trends in abundance estimates. In JARPNII, abundance estimates of whales were-4-

significant in calculating how much whales eat food in ecosystem models. Therefore, the annual trend inabundance estimate is less important than the seasonal trends in abundance estimates. Our experiment ofchanging survey routes and timing will provide us better information necessary for JARPNII goals.
Furthermore, it will shed light on causes why the number of whales in this area show a discrepancy
survey by survey.
From 2002-2007 results, it will be possible to establish the best survey design. In 2008 survey, we
carried out new research plan which two SVs simultaneously survey southern part and northern part of
the research area.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are greatly indebted to Dr. Hiroshi Hatanaka, and Mr. Shigetoshi Nishiwaki for their help in
the preparation of this paper. We also thank all Captains, officers and crew of the research vessels and thestaff of the ICR, Kyodo-Senpaku Co. Ltd. and Kaiko-Senpaku K.K.

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2006. Cruise report of the second phase of the Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit
in the Western North Pacific (JARPN II) in 2005- Coastal component off Sanriku. Paper SC/58/O9
submitted to the 58th IWC scientific Committee, 30pp.
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Table 1. Summary of JARPNII dedicated sighting surveys – Offshore component.

Year

Research
vessel

2002

KS2

2003

SM1

2003

KS2

2004

KS2

7
N

●

7
MI

7
SI

7
MO

7
SO

8
N

8
S

9
N

9
S

Researchers

Reference
IWC/SC Rep.

●

●

●

●

●

●

Shin Ito,
Kazuki Fukutome

SC/55/O7●●

Masaomi Tsunekawa

SC/56/O13

●

●

●

●

Shin Ito,
Sumito Machida

SC/56/O13

●

●

●

●

Masakatsu Mori,
Takuya Teraoka

SC/57/O3

SC/58/O8

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

Hiroshi Kiwada,
Atsushi Wada,
Masahiko Nagamine,
Saeko Kumagai

●

●

●

●

●

Saeko Kumagai,
Takahiro Konagai,
Keisuke Kimura

SC/59/O5

●

●

●

●

●

●

Saeko Kumagai,
Motonori Aki,
Keisuke Kato

SC/60/O5

●

●

●

●

●

●

Hiroto Murase,
Shiroh Yonezaki,
Ryuichi Matsukura

SC/60/O5

2005

KS2

2006

KS2

●

●

●

2007

KS2

●

●

2007

KK1

-9-

Table 2. Summary of JARPNII dedicated sighting surveys – Coastal component.

Year

Research
vesselKushiroResearchers

Reference
IWC/SC Rep.

2002

KS2

●

Kazuki Fukutome

SC/55/O8

2003

SM1

Masaomi Tsunekawa

SC/56/O14

2003

KS2

●

Shigetoshi Nisiwaki, Atsushi Wada

SC/56/O13

2004

KS2

●

Masakatsu Mori, Takuya Teraoka

SC/57/O4

2005

SM1

Isamu Yoshimura

SC/58/O9

2005

KS2

Masahiko Nagamine, Saeko Kumagai

SC/58/O10

2006

SM2

Kazuki Fukutome, Keisuke Kimura

SC/59/O6

2006

KS2

●

Keisuke Kimura

SC/59/O7

2006

KK1

●

Hiroshi Kiwada, Hikaru Watanabe, Saeko
Kumagai

SC/59/O7

2007

KK1

●

Hiroshi Kiwada, Hikaru Watanabe, Keisuke
Kato

SC/60/O7

Sanriku●●●●- 10 -

Table 3. Principal particulars of research vessels.
Name

Kyoshin-Maru
No.2

Kaiko-Maru

Shonan-Maru

Shonan-Maru
No.2

Code

KS2

KK1

SM1

SM2

Signal letter

JFHR

JGDW

JFBW

JFCF

Launched

Oct. 1987

Jul. 1974

Jan. 29, 1972

Jan. 29, 1972

Gross tonnage(Register)

372

860.25712

712

Gross tonnage(International)

1158

-

1015

1015

Lengthoverall (m)

68.18

61.90

70.55

70.55

Breadthmoulded (m)

10.8

11.0

10.2

10.2

Barrel height (m)

17.0

19.5

21.0

21.0

IOP height (m)

10.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

Upper bridge
height (m)

8

9

11

11

Main engine
type

Diesel engine

Diesel engine

Diesel engine

Diesel engine

Main engine
output (kW)

1544

1471

4045

4045

Photo

Fig.3

Fig.4

- 11 -

Fig.5(same type vessels)Figure 1. Research area.

- 12 -

ab

Figure 2.

Survey route for off-shore component and effort (2002-2007).

- 13 -

cdFigure 2.

Survey route for off-shore component and effort (2002-2007).

- 14 -

ef

Figure 2.

Survey route for off-shore component and effort (2002-2007).

- 15 -

Figure 3

Figure 4

Dedicated sighting survey vessel: Kyoshin-Maru No.2

JFHR

Dedicated sighting survey and prey survey (Trawl-type) vessel: Kaiko-Maru

Figure 5

Dedicated sighting survey vessel: Shonan-Maru No.2

16

JFCF

JGDW