Satellite Tracking of Pacifi c Walruses:

The Planning Phase

Lori Quakenbush

Principal Investigator

Final Report

OCS Study BOEMRE 2010-035

November 2010
This study was funded in part by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy 

Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) through Cooperative Agreement No. 

0102CA85294, Task Order No. M07AC13300 between BOEMRE, Alaska Outer Continental 

Shelf Region, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. 

This report, OCS Study BOEMRE 2010-035, is available from the Coastal Marine Institute 

(CMI), School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775-

7220. Electronic copies can be downloaded from the MMS website at 

www.mms.gov/alaska/ref/akpubs.htm. Hard copies are available free of charge, as long as the 

supply lasts, from the above address. Requests may be placed with Ms. Sharice Walker, CMI, by 

phone (907) 474-7208, by fax (907) 474-7204, or by email at skwalker@alaska.edu. 

Once the limited supply is gone, copies will be available from the National Technical Information 

Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161, or may be inspected at selected Federal Depository 

Libraries. 

The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be 

interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade 

names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government. 
Satellite Tracking of Pacifi c Walruses:

The Planning Phase

Lori Quakenbush

Principal Investigator

Final Report

OCS Study BOEMRE 2010-035

November 2010
1

Contact information 

 email: skwalker@alaska.edu 

 phone: 907.474.7208 

 fax: 907.474.7204 

 Coastal Marine Institute 

 School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences 

 University of Alaska Fairbanks 

 P. O. Box 757220 

 Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220 
2

Table of Contents 

Abstract..........................................................................................................................................3 

Introduction...................................................................................................................................4 

Objectives.......................................................................................................................................6 

Methods ........................................................................................................................................6 

Results............................................................................................................................................7 

 Study Plan .....................................................................................................................................7 

 Objectives..................................................................................................................................7

 Satellite Tagging .......................................................................................................................7 

 Terrestrial Haulout Surveillance ..............................................................................................9 

 Traditional Knowledge............................................................................................................10 

 Project Design ........................................................................................................................10 

 Data Analysis ..........................................................................................................................11 

 Deliverables.............................................................................................................................11

 Meetings......................................................................................................................................12 

 Implementation Plan....................................................................................................................13 

Discussion..................................................................................................................................... 14

Acknowledgments....................................................................................................................... 15 

Study Products...............................................................................................16 

References..................................................................................................... 17 
3

Abstract 

 

Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) are an important subsistence and cultural resource 

for coastal people of western Alaska and they are an important component of the Bering and 

Chukchi seas ecosystems. Walruses winter together in the Bering Sea, however subadults and 

females with dependent young summer in the Chukchi Sea while many adult males remain in the 

Bering Sea. The rapid retreat of sea ice in recent years is changing walrus summer habitat and 

may be changing their summer distribution and haulout behavior, requiring that walruses haul 

out on land instead of ice. Oil and gas activity has recently increased in the Chukchi Sea and 

may compound the impact to walruses elevating the importance of understanding walrus 

movements, feeding behavior, and habitat requirements necessary for the conservation and 

management of the species. Satellite transmitters placed on walruses near the communities of 

Little Diomede, Wales, Nome, Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, and Barrow in spring would 

provide information on migration route, speed of travel, feeding areas and haulout behavior. 

Working cooperatively with the Eskimo Walrus Commission and walrus hunters from these 

communities, we designed a study to deploy satellite transmitters and conduct counts and 

observations on haulouts that are encountered near villages in spring and fall. These data will 

provide information that will help answer important questions about walrus movements, feeding 

and haulout behavior, and will help identify important habitats. The study is designed to involve 

walrus hunters and other local people without interfering with subsistence walrus hunting 

activities. 
4

Introduction 

Walruses have been important for subsistence communities along the coasts of the Bering 

and Chukchi seas for many years (Brooks 1953, Ray 1975) and they continue to be important 

(Fay and Bowlby 1994, Benter and Snyder 2005). Walrus meat and blubber is used for food, 

hides are used for boat skins, and ivory is used for artwork that provides cash for fuel, 

ammunition, and other needs. Walruses are also key components to the marine ecosystem for 

their role in re-suspending bottom sediments and making nutrients available in the water column 

for use by other organisms (Oliver et al. 1985, Nelson et al. 1994, Bornhold et al. 2005, Ray et 

al. 2006). 

In recent years, the sea ice has retreated more rapidly and to a greater extent in the Bering 

and Chukchi seas (Rigor and Wallace 2004, Comiso 2006, Serreze et al. 2007, Stroeve et al. 

2007). Evidence also indicates that oceanographic conditions in this region have been changing 

(Niebauer 1980, 1983, 1988, Trenberth 1990, Ebbesmeyer et al. 1991), which suggests changes 

in the ecosystem may be occurring that may decrease the productivity of benthic habitats where 

walruses feed (Grebmeier et al. 2006). Female walruses give birth in spring as they move north 

with the ice (Fay 1982). They use the sea ice as a platform for resting between feeding bouts. 

Walruses feed on the ocean bottom, usually in water less than 100 m in depth (Fay and Burns 

1988) and if the ice retreats off of the shelf, over deep water, it will no longer be available for 

walruses to use for resting between feeding bouts. These ice conditions may create a nutritional 

challenge for subadults and females with calves if they must feed near terrestrial haulouts, thus 

limiting the overall area available for feeding. Therefore, the changes in the extent and duration 

of the sea ice in summer may be changing the distribution of females, calves, and subadults. 

Renewed interest in oil and gas in the Chukchi Sea adds to the urgency to understand walrus 

movements, behavior, and important habitat areas in the Chukchi Sea in summer in order to 

provide protection to the species in the form of effective mitigation measures. Walruses that are 

stressed by recent changes in sea ice conditions may experience compounded impacts if they are 

prevented from using important habitats due to oil and gas activities. 
5

Satellite telemetry is a powerful tool used to address questions regarding movements, 

habitat use, and disturbance especially for marine mammals (Fancy et al. 1988; Heide-Jørgensen 

et al. 2003; Citta et al. 2007; Quakenbush et al. 2007, 2008). Locations from satellite 

transmitters on individual walruses can determine migration speed and routes, residence time in 

important feeding areas, distance between feeding areas and haulouts, and time spent on 

haulouts. Satellite transmitters can collect and transmit diving information to provide behavior at 

specific locations that can be correlated with feeding and resting. Some satellite telemetry 

studies have been done with Pacific walruses (Hills 1992, Jay et al. 2001, Jay and Garner 2002, 

Jay and Hills 2005,) and the existing satellite transmitter technology is well suited for use with 

walruses, although to date the retention time of transmitters is shorter than desired (Jay et al. 

2006). 
6

Objectives 

Objective 1: Work with the subsistence walrus hunters to design a study using satellite telemetry 

as a tool to document the general pattern of spring and summer movements of walruses in the 

Chukchi Sea; identify feeding areas and haulout locations; document behavior associated with 

feeding, hauling out on land, and oil industry activities. 

Objective 2: Work with the subsistence walrus hunters to design a study that includes deploying 

transmitters, counting walruses on haulouts, conducting behavioral observations, and providing 

protection against disturbance when walruses are encountered on land; all conducted by local 

people in coordination with scientists. 

Objective 3: Provide an opportunity for collaboration with walrus hunters, the Eskimo Walrus 

Commission (EWC), North Slope Borough (NSB), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Minerals Management Service (MMS), Alaska Department of 

Fish and Game (ADF&G), oil companies, and other interested parties. This relationship 

provides opportunities for input into the study design and for local involvement in the tagging, 

counts, behavioral observations, and protection against disturbance. 

Methods 

The project objectives were accomplished through communications and meetings with 

interested parties, and through presentations and discussions at EWC meetings. 

 
7

Results 

Study Plan 

Collaborations with the Eskimo Walrus Commission (EWC) established during the 

University of Alaska Coastal Marine Institute Study “Satellite Tracking of Walruses in the 

Chukchi Sea: The Planning Phase” will continue throughout the study. In order to address all of 

the objectives, walruses will be tagged by local hunters from several villages during the spring 

and when hauled out in the fall. Up to 45 walruses will be tagged annually. 

Objectives. The objectives of this study include: 

Objective 1: Work with the subsistence walrus hunters to deploy satellite transmitters on 

walruses of different age and sex classes in order to document and describe the general pattern of 

spring and summer movements in the Chukchi Sea including movements to feeding areas, 

haulout locations, and interactions with oil industry activities. 

Objective 2: Conduct counts, behavioral observations, and provide protection against 

disturbance when walruses are hauled out on land. 

Objective 3: Conduct all aspects of the study in a way that does not interfere with subsistence 

hunting. 

Objective 4: Share data with USGS to maximize the information available regarding 

movements, habitat use, haulout behavior, and interactions with industrial activities. 

Objective 5: Conduct traditional knowledge interviews in interested villages to collect 

information on what generations of walrus hunters know about movements, feeding areas, 

behavior and terrestrial haulouts. 

Satellite Tagging. Walrus hunters from coastal villages will be trained in the use of the 

tagging equipment and tag deployment and permit-related protocols. Satellite tags have been 
8

developed and tested by USGS researchers and their contractors and by researchers in Greenland 

and Canada. We may use other tags as they become available or as the data needs change. The 

current tags transmit location and duration while swimming and when hauled out of the water. 

It is likely that the availability of walruses near shore and near communities for tagging 

will not be predictable. Therefore, having a trained crew with tagging equipment in each village 

that can respond to walruses nearby will be critical to deploying tags and recording numbers and 

behavior at terrestrial haulouts. 

In Year 1, we will attempt to deploy a total of 15 tags from Diomede, Wales, Point Hope, 

or Pt. Lay in late May and early June 2010 depending upon ice conditions and where walruses 

can be found. We will also attempt to deploy a total of 15 tags from Wainwright or Barrow in 

June. In summer and fall we will respond to sightings of walruses using land haulouts near 

villages and attempt to deploy up to 15 tags at land haulouts. Methods will be developed with 

the hunters for approaching and tagging walruses with minimal disturbance to the herd while 

they are hauled out. 

 

During tagging the following information will be recorded: 

1. Date and time 

2. Location (GPS coordinates) 

3. Tagger 

4. Type of tag 

5. Type of boat 

6. Distance to target walrus when tag deployed 

7. Placement of tag on walrus marked on drawing and digital photo documentation, if 

possible 

8. Reaction of target walrus to tag 

9. Reaction of target walrus to boat 

10. Reaction of nearby walruses to tagging activity 

11. Number of walruses in the group 

12. Number of calves in the group 

13. Age and sex class of tagged walrus 

14. If tagged walrus has a calf 
9

Walruses on ice will be approached in a boat from downwind. Tags will be deployed 

with crossbows. Walruses on land will be approached from land using the wind and cover to 

avoid detection until in position to deploy a tag. 

Prior to deployments in Year 2, we will evaluate the results from the tags deployed in 

Year 1 to determine the best allocation of tags by location, season, and what if any changes in 

methods should be made. In Year 2 we will attempt to deploy 45 tags in spring, summer, and 

fall. Prior to deployments in additional years, we will evaluate the results of previous years in 

order to determine the best allocation of tags by location and season. 

Terrestrial Haulout Surveillance. Walrus hunters from coastal villages will conduct boat 

surveys to locate walruses hauled out on land. When found, the number of walruses, their sex 

and age composition, and their behavior and condition will be recorded. As soon as possible a 

report will be made to a designated person. That person will be responsible for notifying EWC, 

USFWS, USGS, MMS, O&G so that the area can be avoided by boats and aircraft. A 

surveillance plan will be initiated and the group will be monitored until they leave the haulout. 

Someone will be stationed at a location nearby to observe the animals and offer protection 

against disturbance if necessary and possible. 

During the surveillance period the following information will be recorded: 

1. Data and time first observed 

2. GPS coordinates of the haulout 

3. Total number of walruses on beach 

4. Sex and age composition of the walruses 

5. Physical condition of the walruses 

6. Color of the walruses 

7. Behavior of walruses (i.e., sleeping, alert) 

8. Causes of disturbances 

9. Reaction to disturbances 

10. Date and time last observed or when walruses left the beach 
10

Traditional Knowledge. Walrus hunters will be interviewed to collect local knowledge of 

walrus migration timing, behavior, feeding areas, and haulouts. Hunters to be interviewed will 

be selected by the EWC Commissioner for that village. All interviews will be voluntary and 

interviewees will be compensated for their time. Information will be written into a report with 

maps, a draft report will be prepared and approved by the interviewees and then by the EWC 

before it is shared outside of the walrus hunting community. Once the report is approved the 

information will be incorporated into the scientific reports and presentations so that the 

movements and behavior of the tagged walruses will be presented with the traditional knowledge 

of movements and behavior. 

Project Design. Participation of Alaska Native subsistence walrus hunters is a key 

component of this project. This is true for all aspects of planning, development, field logistics, 

expertise regarding walrus behavior, tag deployment and for tagging so that there is no 

interference with the walrus subsistence harvest. If hunters decide there are acceptable levels of 

interference, those levels will be identified and approved by the walrus hunters of the community 

that would be affected. Without such approval, all tagging will be done without interfering with 

any walrus hunting activities. Prior to tagging any walruses, participating villages will approve 

of the tagging plan and any issues regarding subsistence hunting will be addressed. If concerns 

can not be addressed tagging will not be conducted from that village. 

A similar satellite telemetry study is being conducted with bowhead whales in 

cooperation with the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission and local Whaling Captain’s 

Associations (Quakenbush and Small 2008). This project has been successful in tagging 40 

bowhead whales in Alaska and Canada, acquiring valuable information on migration, feeding, 

diving behavior, and documenting interactions with seismic vessels while not interfering with 

subsistence whaling. This project is widely accepted among whaling communities in Alaska and 

subsistence communities in Canada. We have trained whalers to deploy the tags and three 

whalers have been added to our research permit as co-investigators for tagging. 
11

Data Analysis. Maps of locations of satellite tagged walruses will be posted on the State 

of Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s website so that the locations and movements of 

walruses within days of their actual movements. Data received from satellite tags will be 

archived and analyzed for: 

1) Movements relative to ice conditions and industrial activity 

2) Haulout patterns relative to ice conditions 

3) Identification of feeding areas 

4) Distance from haulout areas to feeding areas 

5) Time spent feeding, time spent hauled out, and time in transit between feeding and resting 

areas 

6) Comparison of above among females with calves of the year, females with older calves, and 

independent males and females. 

 

Deliverables. Presentations will be given at participating villages, EWC meetings, and 

professional meetings and conferences. The website will be maintained so that interested parties 

can stay informed of the latest information. Satellite telemetry data will be shared with USGS, 

USFWS, and others for real-time management and mitigation purposes. Traditional knowledge 

will be collected into a report and after approval that information will be combined with the 

telemetry data and incorporated into quarterly and annual reports as well as submitted as 

manuscripts in the scientific literature. 
12

Meetings 

Interagency Meeting, November 2007. Researchers from USGS, USFWS, and ADF&G 

met in Anchorage to coordinate research objectives and discuss tag options. 

Eskimo Walrus Commission Meeting, 15–16 January 2008. PI, Lori Quakenbush, 

presented the satellite tagging study idea at a meeting of the EWC commissioners in Nome for 

discussion. The project was of interest and importance to the EWC and they reiterated their 

support, especially because it includes the hunters and the local people who know about walruses 

and use them for subsistence. 

Eskimo Walrus Commission Meeting, 20–21 November 2008. PI, Lori Quakenbush, 

presented the draft study plan for review and discussion. 

Eskimo Walrus Commission Meeting, 5–6 February 2009. The study plan was 

presented, reviewed, and approved. 
13

Implementation Plan 

Minerals Management Service (MMS) is funding a study to be managed by ADF&G 

working in close cooperation with EWC and Alaska Native subsistence walrus hunters, in which 

the hunters will participate in the study by providing logistics, walrus behavior expertise, and by 

deploying the tags whenever possible. Satellite telemetry will be used to document seasonal 

movements of walruses throughout their range in spring, summer, and fall. This is a 5-year 

study in which ADF&G will provide technical and analytical expertise, administrative support, 

and oversight in the study; subsistence hunters will provide expertise in aspects of field logistics 

and walrus behavior resulting in deployment of the satellite tags by hunters whenever possible. 

The contract between MMS and ADF&G is in place and satellite transmitters have been 

ordered and a research permit application has been submitted. We expect that the first tags will 

be deployed in May 2010. 

 
14

Discussion 

Learning more about Pacific walrus haulouts, feeding areas, and movements between the 

two in the Chukchi Sea is especially important given the recent decrease in sea ice and the 

increase in industrial activity. When and where to deploy tags will likely be determined by 

where the walruses are and if they are hauling out on ice or land within reasonable distances of 

coastal communities. 

We have successfully accomplished the objectives of the planning phase and have 

received funding to begin the study phase. We will continue to work with the EWC and hunters 

from each village as the project develops. 
15

Acknowledgments 

This project greatly benefited from key ideas provided by EWC commissioners. Vera 

Metcalf, Chris Perkins, Charles D. N. Brower, and Victor Karmun scheduled project 

presentations into EWC meeting agendas and supported the project. Charles Monnett was 

instrumental in the project concept and assisted in its development. Minerals Management 

Service and the Coastal Marine Institute (University of Alaska Fairbanks) provided the funding. 
16

Study Products 

A Study Plan for using satellite telemetry to document the general pattern of spring and 

summer movements, feeding areas, haulout locations, and behavior relative to oil industry 

activities of walruses in the Chukchi Sea was developed. 

Presentations 

Eskimo Walrus Commission Meeting, 15–16 January 2008, Nome. PI Quakenbush introduced 

the satellite tracking of walruses project and presented draft objectives and ideas for study plan 

discussion. 

Eskimo Walrus Commission Meeting, 20–21 November 2008, Nome. PI Quakenbush presented 

the satellite tracking of walruses project and draft studies plan for further discussion. 

Eskimo Walrus Commission Meeting, 5–6 February 2009, Anchorage. PI Quakenbush 

presented the draft study plan for the satellite tracking of walruses project for final review and 

approval. 

Quakenbush, L.T. 2009. Satellite tracking of Pacific Walruses; the Planning Phase. Coastal 

Marine Institute Annual Project Presentations, 11 December 2008, Fairbanks. 

Abstracts 

Quakenbush, L. 2008. A cooperative approach to walrus research—hunters and scientists 

working together. Minerals Management Service, Information Transfer Meeting 28–30 

October, Anchorage, AK. (Abstract and presentation)
17

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