•

Aerial Surveys of' Endangered

Whales in the Beaufort Sea,

Fall 1994

ocs Study

tIMS 96-0033

.'-

~

us. Department of the interior

Mner. Management ServIce

Alaska OCS Region
Any use of trade names is for description purposes only and

does not constitute endorsement of these products

by the Minerals Management Service.
Aerial Surveys of Endangered

Whales in the Beaufort Sea,

Fall 1994

ocs Study

tIMS 96-0033

By Stephen D. Treacy, Project Manager

MMS Bowhead Whale Aerial Survey

us. Department of the Int.-lor

Mnerala Management 8ervIce

Alaska OCS Region
ABSTRACT

This report describes field activities and data analyses for aerial surveys of bowhead whales conducted

between 31 August 1994 and 18 October 1994 in the Beaufort Sea, primarily between 140°W. and 157°W.

longitudes south of 72°N. latitude. General ice cover during September and October 1994 was relatively

light. The number of sightings of bowhead whales (n = 105) and the number of bowhead whales counted

(n = 204) during Fall 1994 were lower than average totals for previous project surveys (1987-1993). The

bowhead whales, 514 belukha whales, 81 bearded seals, 379 ringed seals, 19 unidentified pinnipeds, 15

polar bears, and 2 arctic foxes were observed in 1994 during 132.70 hours of survey effort that included

60.45 hours on randomized transects. The initial sighting of bowhead whales in Alaskan waters occurred

on 31 August. Of all bowhead whales observed, half (median) had been counted by 9 September. The

peak count (mode) of 65 whales also occurred on 9 September. These central tendencies occurred earlier

in September than in previous surveys (1987-1993) and are being analyzed for statistical significance and

for comparison with industry activity, sighting conditions, etc. The last sighting of a bowhead whale in the

primary study area occurred in 90-percent ice in Block 12 on 13 October. Estimated median and mean (x)

water depths at the location of bowhead whales sighted on randomized line transects during September and

October 1994, 40.0 meters and 58.7 meters, respectively, are consistent with a previously noted trend for

whales to be located in shallower water during years of light ice cover.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Project Management

Cleveland J. Cowles, Ph.D., Supervisor

Stephen D. Treacy, Project Manager

Minerals Management Service (MMS) Project Field Scientists

Stephen D. Treacy, Team Leader (Flights 1-18)

Donald Hansen, Team Leader (Flights 19-33)

Kristopher Nuttall, Data Recorder-Observer (Flights 1-33)

Michael Baffrey, Primary Observer (Flights 1-13)

Kyle Monkelien, Primary Observer (Flights 14-22)

Joel Hubbard, Ph.D., Primary Observer (Flights 23-33)

Technical Support Personnel

Kristopher Nuttall, Field Equipment Coordinator

Contracting Officer's Administrative Representative - Aircraft Support

Stephen D. Treacy - MMS/Office of Aircraft Services (OAS) IA 14-35-0001-12493

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Liaison

Ron Morris, NMFS, Anchorage, Alaska

The project management acknowledges Joanne Groves and Shari George, respectively, of the University

af Alaska-Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, for preliminary analysis and graphic portrayal of ice

concentrations.

We acknowledge the Department of the Interior, OAS, for making all aircraft arrangements; Gale Armstrong,

Kenneth Harris, Tony Oney, and Jeff Sharp (ERA Aviation) for piloting the Twin Otter; and Deadhorse Flight

Service for provldlnq us with daily telefaxes of local weather.

We appreciate review comments on this and/or previous project reports by the NMFS, the State of Alaska,

the North Slope Borough, the Indigenous People's Council for Marine Mammals, and Dr. Steven Swartz,

formerly with the Marine Mammal Commission.

Cora Fullmer, Alaska OCS Region, provided administrative support for the field work. Alaska OCS Region

personnel who supported production of this study were Bill Chambers, who drafted Beaufort Sea isobaths

(Fig. 2); Fred King and Stan Ashmore, who prepared the graphic for Figure 24 using application software

(Quattro Pro and Corel Draw); and Ida Menge, who prepared the graphic for Figure 25 (AutoCAD, Autodesk,

Inc.). Ann Treacy contributed the cover illustration.

iii
J

/

CONTENTS

ABSTRACT i

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. iii

I. INTRODUCTION 1

II. METHODS AND MATERIALS 3

A. Study Area ,..................................... 3

B. Equipment 3

C. Aerial-Survey Design 5

D. Survey-Flight Procedures 6

E. Data Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

F. General Data Analyses 9

G. Median and Mean Water Depth at Bowhead Sightings (Analysis Protocol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

III. RESULTS 15

A. Environmental Conditions 15

B. Survey Effort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

C. Bowhead Whale (Ba/aena mysticetus) Observations 29

1. Distribution 29

2. Migration Timing 39

3. Relative Abundance by Survey Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

4. Habitat Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

5. Behavior, Swim Direction, and Speed 43

D. Other Marine Mammal Observations· 47

1. Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) 47

2. Belukha Whale (De/phinapterus /eucas) 47

3. Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus) 49

4. Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida) 49

5. Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) 49

6. Unidentified Pinnipeds 49

7. Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) 49

8. Arctic Fox (A/opex /agopus) 55

IV. DISCUSSION 57

A. Genera'i Comparisons with Previous Surveys (1979-1993) 57

B. Median and Mean Water Depth at Bowhead Sightings (1982-1994) 57

C. Potential Responses of Bowheads to Survey Aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

D. Potential Effect of General Ice Cover on WPUE (1~79-1994) 67

E. Management Use of Real-Time Field Information 71

F. Field Coordinations 72

V. LITERATURE CITED 73

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Bowhead Whale Densities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. A-1

Appendix B: Daily Flight Summaries B-1

Glossary of Acronyms and Abbreviations

v
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure

Number

Fall 1994 Study Area Showing Survey Blocks 4

2 Regions I, II, and III and Selected Isobaths ~ 12

3 Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea,23 August 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

4 Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea,30 August 1994 , . . . . . . . 16

5 Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea,6 September 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 17

6 Map oflee Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea, 13 September 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

7 Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea,20 September 1994 18

8 Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea,27 September 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

9 Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea,4 October 1994 ' 19

.10 Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea,.11October 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

11 Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea, 18 October,1994 20

12 Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea,25 October'1994 20

13 Flight Track, 31 August 1994 23

vi

14 Combined Flight Tracks, 1-15 September 1994 24

15 Combined Flight Tracks, 16-30September 1994 25

16 Combined Flight Tracks, 1-15 October 1994 : . .' 26

17 Combined Flight Tracks, 16-18October 1994 27

18 Map of Bowhead Whale Sightings, 31 August 1994 ,.,. : , 32

19 Map of Bowhead Whale Sightings, 1-15 September 1994 '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 33

20 .Map of Bowhead Whale Sightings, 16-30.September 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . 34

21 Map of Bowhead Whale Sightings, 1-15 October 1994 35

".

22 Map of Bowhead Whale Sightings, 16-18October 1994 36

23 Map of Bowhead Whale Sightings, Fall 1994 ... " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . 37

24 Daily RelativeAbundance and Sighting Rateof Bowhead Whales,

31 August-18 October 1994 41
LIST OF FIGURES

(Continued)

Figure

Number

25 Semimonthly Summary of Swim Directions for Bowhead Whales, Fall 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

26 Map of Belukha Whale Sightings, Fall 1994 48

27 Map of Bearded Seal Sightings, Fall 1994 50

28 Map of Ringed Seal Sightings, Fall 1994 51

29 Map of Unidentified Pinniped Sightings, Fall 1994 52

30 Map of Polar Bear Sightings, Fall 1994 53

31 Map of Polar Bear Tracks, Fall 1994 54

32 Map of Arctic Fox Sightings, Fall 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

vii
LIST OF TABLES

Table

Number

Data-Entry Sequence on the Portable Flight Computer 7

2 Operational Definitions of Observed Whale Behaviors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3 Aerial-Survey Effort in the Beaufort Sea,31 August-18 October 1994,

by Survey Flight 21

4 Summary of Marine Mammal Sightings, 31 August-18 October 1994,

by Survey Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

5 Number of Sightings and Total Bowhead Whales Observed per Hour,

31 August-18 October 1994,by Flight Day 40

6 Semimonthly RelativeAbundance (WPUE)of Bowhead Whales, by Survey

Block, Fall 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

7 Semimonthly Summary of Bowhead Whales Observed, by Water Depth at

Sighting Location, Fall 1994 44

8 Semimonthly Summary of Bowhead Whales Observed, by Percent Ice Cover

Presentat Sighting Location, Fall 1994 44

9 Semimonthly Summary of Bowhead Whales Observed, by Behavioral Category,

Fall 1994 45

10 Semimonthly Summary of Bowhead Whales Observed, by Swimming Speed,

Fall 1994 45

11 .Bowhead Whale RelativeAbundance (WPUE)by Beaufort Sea Survey Block

during September and October, 1979-1994 58

12 Central-Tendency Statistics for Water Depth at Random Sightings of Bowhead

Whales (September-October), by Year and Region, 1982-1994 ; 60

13 Interyear Correlation of the Median Water Depths at Random Bowhead Whale

Sightings (September-October) Using the Mann-Whitney UTest, 1982-1994 62

14 Interyear Correlation of the Mean Water Depths at Random Bowhead Whale Sightings

(September-October) Using Analysis of Variants and the Tukey Test, 1982-1994 66

15 RelativeAbundance (WPUE)of Bowhead Whales within the Primary Study Area

during September and October, by Year and General Ice Coverage, 1979-1994 68

viii
I. INTRODUCTION

In 1953, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) (43 USC 1331-1356) charged the Secretary of the

Interior with the responsibility for administering minerals exploration and development of the OCS. The Act

empowered the Secretary to formulate regulations so that its provisions might be met. The OCSLA

Amendments of 1978 (43 USC 1802) established a policy for the management of oil and natural gas in the

OCS and for protection of the marine and coastal environments. The amended OCSLA states that the

Secretary of the Interior shall conduct studies in areas or regions of sales to ascertain the "environmental

impacts on the marine and coastal environments of the outer Continental Shelf and the coastal areas which

may be affected by oil and gas development" (43 USC 1346).

Subsequent to the passage of the OCSLA, the Secretary of the Interior designated the Bureau of Land

Management (BLM) as the administrative agency responsible for leasing submerged Federal lands and the

Conservation Division of the U.S. Geological Survey for classification and evaluation of submerged Federal

lands and regulation of exploration and production. In 1982, the Minerals Management Service (MMS)

assumed these responsibilities.

To provide information used in environmental impact statements and environmental assessments under the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 USC 4321-4347), and to assure protection of marine mammals

under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 USC 1361-1407) and the Endangered Species Act

(ESA) of 1973 (16 USC 1531-1543), BLM funded numerous studies involving acquisition and analysis of

marine mammal and other environmental data.

In June 1978, BLM entered into an ESA Section 7 consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service

(NMFS). The purpose of the consultation was to determine the likely effects of the proposed Beaufort Sea

Oil and Gas Lease Sale on endangered bowhead (Balaena mysticetus) and gray (Eschrichtius robustus)

whales. After reviewing available information on the two species, NMFS determined that insufficient

information existed to conclude whether the proposed Beaufort Sea sale was or was not likely to jeopardize

the continued existence of bowhead and gray whales. In August 1978, NMFS recommended studies to BLM

that would fill the information needs identified during the Section 7 consultation. SUbsequent biological

opinions for Arctic Region sales--including a regional biological opinion; a revised opinion relative to the joint

Federal/State lease area; and opinions on Sales 71 (issued in 1982), 87 (issued in 1983), 97 (issued in 1987),

and Arctic Region sales (issued in 1988)--recommended continuing studies of whale distribution and

OCS-industry effects on bowhead whales (USDOC, NOAA, NMFS, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988). These opinions

also requested monitoring of bowhead whale presence during periods when geophysical exploration and

drilling are occurring.

Following several years when drilling was limited to the period 1 November through 31 March (USDOI, MMS,

1979), a variable 2-month seasonal-drilling restriction on fall exploratory activity in the joint Federal/State

Beaufort Sea sale area was implemented. The period of restriction would vary depending on bowhead

whale presence, and "this determination would require development of a monitoring program .... " (USDOI,

MMS, 1982). SUbsequently, MMS (Alaska OCS Region) adopted an endangered whale-monitoring plan that

required aerial surveys. The Diapir Field Sale 87 Notice of Sale (NOS) (1984) states that "Bowhead whales

will be monitored by the Government, the lessee, or both to determine their locations relative to operational

sites as they migrate through or adjacent to the sale area" (USDOI, MMS, 1984). The Beaufort Sea Sale 97

NOS (1988) and Beaufort Sea Sale 124 NOS (1991) do not contain a seasonal offshore-drilling restriction

but state that "MMS intends to continue its areawide endangered whale monitoring program in the Beaufort

Sea during exploration activities. The program will gather information on whale distribution and abundance

patterns and will provide additional assistance to determine the extent, if any, of adverse effects to the

species" (USDOI, MMS, 1988, 1991).

From 1979 to 1987, the MMS (formerly BLM) funded annual monitoring of endangered whales in arctic

waters under Interagency Agreements with the Naval Ocean Systems Center (NOSC) and through

subcontracts to SEACO, Inc. On 15 April 1987, a proposal for MMS scientists to conduct aerial surveys of
endangered whales was approved by the Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management. The MMS

uses agency personnel to perform field work and reporting activities for the Beaufort Sea on an annual basis.

Previous survey reports are available for inspection at the Minerals Management Service, Alaska OCS

Region, Library/Public Information Room, 949 East 36th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99508-4302.

The present goals of the ongoing program for monitoring endangered whales are to:

1. Provide real-time data to MMS and NMFS on the general progress of the fall migration of bowhead

whales across the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, for use in implementing overall seasonal drilling restrictions and

limitations on geological/geophysical exploration;

2. Monitor temporal and spatial trends in the distribution, relative abundance, habitat, and behaviors (e.g.,

feeding) of endangered whales in arctic waters;

3. Provide annual analyses of long-term interyear trends in the median depth (or north-south positioning)

of the migration axis of bowhead whales; .

4. Provide an objective wide-area context for management interpretation of the overall fall migration of

bowhead whales and site-specific study results;

5. Monitor behaviors, swim directions, dive times, surfacing patterns, and tracklines of selected bowhead

whales;

6.- Record and map belukhawhale distribution and incidental sightings.of other marine mammals; and

7. Determine seasonal distribution of endangered whales in other planning areas of interest to MMS.

2
II. METHODS AND MATERIALS

A. Study Area

The annual survey program is based on a design of random field transects within established geographic

blocks in and adjacent to Chukchi and Beaufort Sea sale areas offshore of Alaska. The present study, which

was focused on the bowhead whale migration from 31 August 1994 to 18 October 1994, included Beaufort

Sea Survey Blocks 1 through 12 (Fig. 1) between 140°W. and 157°W. longitude south of nON. latitude.

A large-scale Beaufort Gyre moves waters clockwise from the Canadian Basin westward in the deeper

offshore regions. Nearshore surface currents tend to follow local wind patterns and bathymetry, moving

from the east in winter, with an onshore component, and to the west in summer, with an offshore component

(Brower et aI., 1988).

In the Beaufort Sea, landfast ice forms during the fall and may eventually extend up to 50 kilometers (km)

offshore by the end of winter (Norton and Weller, 1984). The pack ice, which includes multiyear ice

averaging 4 meters (m) in thickness, with pressure ridges up to 50 m thick (Norton and Weller, 1984),

becomes contiguous with the new and fast ice in late fall--effectively closing off the migration corridor to

westbound bowhead whales. From early November to mid-May, the Beaufort Sea normally remains almost

totally covered by ice considered too thick for whales to penetrate. In mid-May, a recurring flaw lead can

form just seaward of the stable fast ice, followed by decreasing ice concentrations (laBelle et aI., 1983) and

large areas of open water in summer.

Local weather patterns affect the frequency and effectiveness of all marine aerial surveys. The present study

area is in the arctic climate zone, with mean temperatures at the Alaskan Beaufort Sea coast communities

of Barrow, Lonely, Oliktok, and Barter Island from -a.9°C to -0.1 °C during September and -9.7°C to -8.5°C

during October. Precipitation in these communities occurred an average of 10 to 34 percent of the time

during September (snow with some rain) and 13 to 43 percent during October (almost all snow), with the

heaviest precipitation at Barrow and Barter Island during both months. Fog (without precipitation) reduces

visibility approximately 11 to 19 percent of the time during September and 6 to 8 percent of the time during

October. Mean windspeed in the same communities is from 5 to 6 m per second during September and

5 to 7 m per second during October (Brower et aI., 1988).

Sea state is another environmental factor affecting visibility during aerial surveys. Surface waters in the

Beaufort Sea are driven primarily by wind. Ocean waves are generally from northerly or easterly directions

during September and October, during which time the ice pack continues to limit fetch. Because of the

pack ice, significant wave heights are reduced by a factor of 4 from heights that would otherwise be

expected during the open-water season. Wave heights greater than 0.5 m occurred in 23.9 to 38.9 percent

of observations during September and 14.1 to 37.4 percent during October, with the greater percentage of

larger waves (>0.5 m) reported for the eastern third of the study area during both months. Wave heights

greater than 3.5 m are not reported within the study area during September or October (Brower, 1988).

The study area contains sufficient zooplankton to support some feeding by bowhead Whales. The availability

of zooplankton during the fall would be expected to vary between years, geographic locations, and water

depths in response to ambient oceanographic conditions. In September 1985 and 1986, average zooplankton biomass in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea east of 144°W. longitude was highest south of the 50-m

isobath in subsurface water (LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc., 1987).

B. Equipment

The survey aircraft was a de Havilland Twin Otter Series 300 (call sign: N302EH). The aircraft was equipped

with medium-size bubble windows aft that afforded complete trackline viewing for a port observer and a

starboard data recorder-observer. A third observer-navigator occupied the copilot seat, which provided

good forward and side viewing. Each observer was issued a hand-held clinometer (Suunto) for measuring

3
71

L1)

L1)

BEAUFORT SEA

72

12

71

Harrison

70

o ~ 100

I I I I I I I I I I

«

<i. 0

« 69

{j) z

«

Alaska ~

(.)

(J)

n

n

m r--, L1) ..q-

..q- ..q- ..q- ..qSialule Miles (cporcx.)

L1)

L1)

Figure 1. Fall 1994 Study Area Showing Survey Blocks
the angle of inclination to the sighting location of endangered whales. Observers and pilots were linked to

common communication systems, and commentary could be recorded. The aircraft's maximum time aloft

under normal survey load was extended to approximately 8 hours (hr) through the use of a supplemental

onboard fuel tank.

Avionics included a Flight Management System (FMS) by ARNAV Systems, Inc., part of which was a Global

Positioning System (GPS). The FMS 5000, Model GPS-505, is a worldwide satellite-based system that

provides continuous position updating (15-m precision) and survey navigation through preprogramming of

transect start and end points. Electronic signals from the GPS were converted into an RS 232 serial stream;

and data were polled every second for automatic input of time, latitude, longitude, and flight altitude. The

GPS altitude (27-m precision) that was used exceeded the accuracy of the radar altimeter (32 m at the target

altitude of 458 m). In the event of a system failure, the team leader could read directly from the aircraft

instrument panel for manual entry of this information into the computer. System components required 115-

volt alternating current (AC) power, which was supplied by a direct current-+AC invertor connected to the

aircraft electrical bus.

A portable Mitsubishi MP 286L computing system was used aboard the aircraft to store and analyze flight

. and observational data. A small, portable Kodak Diconix 150 Plus inkjet printer was used to produce tractorfed hard copy and to plot onboard flight maps.

Onboard safety equipment included an impact-triggered emergency location transmitter (ELT) installed in

the aircraft, a portable ELT in a 6-person Switlik Search and Rescue Life Raft, a portable aircraft-band

transceiver, flotation suits, Nomex flight suits, and emergency crash helmets.

Flight-following equipment featured an experimental Radio Determination Satellite System (RDSS) under

development by Mobile Datacom Corporation (MDC). Data on latitude, longitude, time, and other

parameters were obtained from the aircraft's GPS and broadcast every minute to a satellite that was

stationary over the equator at 87°W. longitude. The project helped to test a pair of toggled patch antennas

used in tracking the project aircraft over the Alaskan Beaufort Sea during the 1994 field season. Real-time

satellite signals were relayed to MDC in Clarksburg, Maryland, where OAS queried the RDSS every 15

minutes to obtain current flight-following information. The information was displayed as digital data on a

computer screen and in the form of a map for visual tracking of the survey aircraft.

C. Aerial-Survey Design

The RDSS was backed up by an on board aircraft-band radio, used to transmit position data on very high

frequency to Deadhorse Flight Service when entering a new survey block and, if possible, when ending

southbound transect lines. An onboard high-frequency radio was also used to transmit position data to OAS

Flight Operations, Anchorage. The onboard transponder was set at a discrete identification code for radar

tracking byair-traffic-control personnel.

Aerial surveys were based out of Deadhorse, Alaska, from 31 August through 18 October 1994. The field

schedule was designed to monitor the progress of the Fall 1994 bowhead migration across the Alaskan

Beaufort Sea. All bowhead (and belukha) whales observed were recorded, along with incidental sightings

of other marine mammals. Particular emphasis was placed on regional surveys to assess fine-scale shifts

in the migration pathway of bowhead whales in this area and on the coordination of effort and management

of data necessary to support seasonal offshore-drilling regulations.

Daily flight patterns were based on sets of unique transect grids produced for each survey block. Transect

grids were derived by dividing each survey block into sections 30 minutes of longitude across. One of the

minute marks along the northern edge of each section was selected at random to designate one end of a

transect leg. The other endpoint of the transect leg was determined similarly using a separate randomly

generated number along the southern edge of the same section. A straight line, representing one transect

leg, was drawn between the two points. The same procedure was followed for all sections of the survey

5
block. Transect legs were then connected alternately at their northernmost or southernmost ends to

produce one continuous flight grid within each survey block .. The use of random-transect grids is a

requirement for later analyses of median water depths at bowhead sightings based on line-transect theory

(Cochran, 1963) and analyses of absolute densities based on strip-transect theory (Estes and Gilbert, 1978).

The selection of the survey blocks to be flown on a given day was nonrandom, based primarily on criteria

such as reported or observed weather conditions over the study area and the level of offshore oil industry

activity in various areas. Weather permitting, the project also uses a semimonthly flight-hour goal for each

survey block allocated proportionately for survey blocks east of 154°W. longitude and semimonthly time

periods based on relative abundance of bowhead whales .as determined from earlier fall migrations

(1979-1986). Such allocations, detailed in our Project Management Plan (USDOI, MMS, 1994), greatly favor

survey coverage in inshore Survey Blocks 1 through 7 and 11 (Fig. 1), since bowheads were rarely sighted

north of these blocks in previous surveys. -The purpose of these survey-effort allocations was to increase

the sample size (n) of whale sightings within the primary migration corridor, thus increasing the power of

statistical analysis within these inshore blocks.

,

Random-transect legs were used for obtaining data to analyze the migration axis, using a line-transect

model, and to estimate whale density, using a strip-transect model. Nonrandom surveys were flown to

further identify whales and their behaviors when sighted adjacent to a transect line or when in transit to a

transect block.

D. Survey-Flight Procedures

During a typical flight, a "search" leg was flown to the target survey block, beginning a series of

random-transect legs (above) joined together by "connect" legs, followed by a search leg back to

Dead horse. Surveys generally were flown at a target altitude ofA58 m. This altitude was maintained--when

weather permitted--in order to maximize visibility and minimize potential disturbance to marine mammals.

A clinometer was used to measure the angle of inclination to each sighting of endangered whales when the

initial sighting location was abeam of the aircraft.

When bowheads were encountered while surveying a transect line, the aircraft sometimes diverted from

transect for brief « 1o-rnlnute) periods and circled the whales to observe behavior, obtain better estimates

of their numbers, and determine whether calves were present. Only groups of bowheads seen before

diverting from the transect line were included in density calculations.

E. Data Entry

A computer program developed by project personnel was used to record all data. Time of day was

maintained by the computer and recorded at each entry. Greenwich Mean Time, local time, latitude,

longitude, and altitude as well as a question list and the main menu selections were shown continuously on

the computer monitor. The program is menu-driven, facilitating entry of a complete data sequence for

sightings of endangered whales. An abbreviated data-entry format was available whenever several whale

pods (a pod is loosely defined here as either a singleton or a group of 2 or more whales within a few body

lengths of each other and whose respiration patterns appear somewhat synchronous) were sighted within

a short period of time. To avoid lumping of sightings in areas where whales were extremely concentrated,

an even shorter rapid-sighting update was used. A position-update format including data on weather,

visibility, ice cover, and sea state was entered at turning points, when changes in environmental conditions

were observed, and otherwise within 10-minute intervals. All entries were coded to reflect the type of survey

being conducted. Table 1 shows the data-entry sequence used in 1994 and the questions used to prompt

entry of observational data. All data entered were simultaneously printed out in hard copy.

6

The behavior, swim speed, and swim direction for observed whales represent what the pod as a whole was

doing at the time itwas first sighted. Behaviors were entered into one of 14 categories as noted on previous
Table 1

Data-Entry Sequence on the Portable Flight Computer

Polar Bear/

Large Belukha

Position Whale Whale Other

Sequence Update Sightings Sightings Species

1. Entry number X X X X

2. Time X X X X

3. Latitude X X X X

4. Longitude X X X X

5. Altitude X X X X

6. Reason for entry X X X X

7. Search type X X X X

8. Species X X X

9. Sighting cue X

10. Habitat X X X

11. Behavior X X X

12. Size X

13. Total number X X X

14. Calf number X X X

15. Clinometer angle X

16. Side of plane X

17. Swim direction X X

18. Swim speed X

19. Aircraft response X X X

20. Repeat sighting X

21. Observer X X

22. Weather X X X X

23. Visibility right X X X X

24. Visibility left X X X X

25. Ice' coverage X X X X

26. Ice type X X X X

27. Sea state X X X X

28. Water color X X X X

7
surveys. These categories--breaching, cow-calf association, diving, feeding, flipper-slapping, log playing,

mating, milling, resting, rolling, spy-hopping, swimming, tail-slapping, and underwater blowing--are defined

in Table 2. Swimming speed was subjectively estimated by observing the time it took a whale to swim one

body length. An observed swimming rate of one body length per minute corresponded to an estimated

speed of 1 krn/hr: one body length per 30 seconds was estimated at 2 krn/hr, and so on. Swimming speed

and whale size were recorded by relative category (i.e., still, 0 krn/hr; slow, 0-2 km/hr; medium, 2-4 krn/hr;

or fast, >4 krn/hr: and calf [length less than half of accompanying adult], immature, adult, or large adult,

respectively) rather than on an absolute scale. Swim direction was recorded in the field as a magnetic value,

using the aircraft's compass.

Sea state was recorded according to the Beaufort scale outline in Piloting, Seamanship, and Small Boat

Handling (Chapman, 1971). Ice type was identified using terminology presented in Naval Hydrographic

Office Publication Number 609 (USDOD, Navy, 1956). Average ice cover within a few kilometers of the

aircraft was estimated as a single percentage, regardless of ice type.

F. General Data Analyses

Preliminary data analysis was performed by a computer program--developed by project personnel--that

provided daily summations of marine mammals observed, plus calculation of time and distance on transect

legs, connect legs, and general search portions of the flight. The analysis program provided options for

editing the data file, calculating summary values, and printing various flight synopses.

Application software (Grapher, Golden Software, Inc.) was used to plot daily maps of aircraft tracklines and

positions of marine mammals observed. To function as a mapping package, coastlines were mapped using

an Altec digitizer; and all points on the maps were based on number of meters north or to one side of a

central meridian for Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 6. Observed bowhead distribution was plotted

semimonthly over the Beaufort Sea study area. September-October sightings of belukha whales, ringed and

bearded seals, and other marine mammals were depicted on separate maps. Maps in this report were

plotted on a Hewlett-Packard (HP) Laser Jet II printer equipped with an HP 7475A plotter emulator cartridge.

Ice concentrations in the Beaufort Sea were digitized or hand-drafted as either O-percent, 0- to 25-percent,

26- to 50-percent, 51- to 75-percent, or 76- to 100-percent ice cover from U.S. Navy-NOAA Joint Ice Center

Southern Ice Limit charts. Maps of ice concentrations were prepared with application software (ARC/INFO)

using a Polar Stereographic Projection (central meridian = 150oW. longitude, latitude of true scale = 70oN.,

spheroid = Clark 1866, and North American Datum 1927).

An index of relative abundance was derived as whales per unit effort (WPUE = number of whales

counted/hr of survey effort) per survey block for bowheads and belukhas. The timing of the 1994 bowhead

migration through the study area was analyzed as sightings per unit effort (SPUE = number of sightings

counted/hr of survey effort) and WPUE per date. Because chance sightings of a few large groups of whales

in a short period of time might produce artificially high WPUE values in certain blocks, values based on at

least 4.00 hr of survey effort were distinguished when discussing relative abundance between areas.

Habitat preference was depicted as percentage of whales per ice class and percentage of whales per depth

regime. Directionality of whale group headings was analyzed using Rayleigh's test (Batschelet, 1972) for

all pods, excluding those that were resting, feeding, or milling. Directionality was analyzed as a True (T)

heading, assuming a compass correction of -31 ° for the study area as a Whole. Probabilities were

interpolated from alpha values shown for calculated critical values of Rayleigh's z (Zar, 1984: Table B.32).

A generalized bathymetry map was adapted from U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Maps 76-821, 76-822,

and 76-823. Additional statistical comparisons, correlations, and regressions (Zar, 1984) were performed

as appropriate.

The water depth at each bowhead sighting in the 1982-1994 database was derived using a computer

program--DEPTH--that assigned a metric depth value averaged over gridded areas (each 5.6 km2) in the

9
Table 2

Operational Definitions of Observed Whale Behaviors

Behavior Definition

Breaching

Cow-Calf

Diving

Feeding

FlipperSlapping

Log Playing

Mating

Milling

Resting

Rolling

SpyHopping

Swimming

<'

Tail- .

Slapping

Underwater

Blowing '.

Whale(s) launching upwards such that half to nearly all of the body is above the surface

before falling back into the water, usually on its side, creating an obvious splash.

Calf nursing; calf swimming within 20 m of an adult.

Whale(s) changing swim direction or body orientation relative to the water surface,

resulting in submergence; mayor may not be accompanied by lifting the tail out of the

water.

Whale(s) diving repeatedly in a fixed general area, sometimes with mud streaming from

the mouth and/or defecation observed upon surfacing. Feeding behavior is further

defined as synchronous diving and surfacing or echelon-formations at the surface with .

swaths of clearer water behind the whale(s), or as surface swimming with mouth agape.

Whale(s) floating on side, striking the water surface with pectoral flipper one or many

times; usually seen within groups or when the slapping whale is touching another whale.

Whale(s) milling or thrashing about in association with a floating log.

Ventral-ventral orienting of two whales, often with one or more other whales present to

stabilize the mating pair. Mating is often seen within a group of milling whales. Pairs

may appear to hold each other with their pectoral flippers and may entwine their tails.

Whale(s) swimming slowly at the surface in close proximity (within 100 m) to other

whales, often with varying headings.

Whale(s) floating at the surface with head, or head and back exposed, showing no

movement; more commonly observed in heavy-ice conditions than in open water.

Whale(s) rotating on longitudinal axis, sometimes associated with mating.

Whale(s) extending head vertically out of the water such that up to one-third of the

body, including the eye, is above the surface.

Whale(s) proceeding forward through the water propelled by tail pushes.

Whale(s) floating horizontally or head-downward in the water, waving tail back and

forth above the water and striking the water surface; usually seen in group situations.

Whale(s) exhaling while submerged, thus creating a visible bubble.

10
Beaufort Sea west of 139°W. longitude and south of 72°N. latitude. Values assigned to each grid block

were initially subjective and were averaged from depths read from NOAA Provisional Chart 16004.

Raw density estimates were calculated using a computer program--DENSITY --and are presented only for

relative comparison with similar values from previous survey reports. The program was based on

strip-transect-analyses methods using only sightings made within 1 km of random-transect legs. Density

estimates were derived by survey block and are presented, with a description of density-estimate

methodologies, in Appendix A.

Overall, whale sightings were shown on distribution maps and entered into relative-abundance analyses;

regardless of the type of survey leg (transect, search, or connect) being conducted or the prevailing

environmental conditions (sea state, ice cover, etc.) when the sightings were made. As with previous reports

in this series (Treacy, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994), repeat sightings or sightings of dead

marine mammals were not included in summary analyses or maps. Where tables and figures exclude

certain data, such exclusions are indicated in the captions.

G. Median and Mean Water Depth at Bowhead Sightings (Analysis Protocol)

The analysis protocol specifying the use of median water depth to detect interannual shifts in the bowhead

migration route was initially described in Chapters 4.2.3 and 5.3.3 of "Beaufort Sea Monitoring Progtam

Workshop Synthesis and Sampling Design Recommendations" (Houghton, Segar, and Zeh, 1984). The null

hypotheses tested via median-depth analysis were prescribed in Houghton, Segar, and Zeh (1984) as:

Ho.: The axis of the fall migration of bowhead whales will not be altered during periods of increased

OCS activities in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea.

H02: Changes in bowhead migration patterns are not related to OCS oil and gas development activity.

To define the migration axis, a separate file was created for bowhead whale sightings made while on random

transects, regardless of distance from the transect line. The Beaufort Sea was divided into three regions

in order to analyze east-west components of the known fall-migration corridor. Region I was delimited by

150°W. and 153°30'W. longitudes, south of 72°N. latitude. Region II was between 146°W. and 150oW.

longitudes, south of 71 °20'N. latitude. Region III was between 141 ow. and 146°W. longitudes, south of

71 ° 10' N. latitude (Fig. 2). Because of the bathymetry of the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, a seaward displacement

of the fall-migration route would be represented, via this analysis, as a shift to a deeper median depth.

Selected isobaths (20 m, 40 m, 100 m, 400 m, 1,000 m, 2,000 m, and 3,000 m), after a Beaufort Sea

Planning Area Map (USDOI, MMS, 1985), are included for general reference (Fig. 2).

A computer program--NEWSTAT--was used to analyze the file and describe central tendencies of water

depths at bowhead whale sightings. The program was used to calculate median depth, mean depth,

Standard Deviation (SD) about the mean, and overall depth range for Regions I, II, and III. NEWSTAT also

was used to rank median depths from lowest to highest values. Upper and lower confidence limits for

population medians were calculated by hand (Zar, 1984: Table B.26). If sample sizes were large (n ~ 25),

a large-sample approximation (Zar, 1984: Page 113) was used to calculate the upper and lower limits.

Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated at the 1-percent level to reduce the probability of incorrectly

postulating a change in migration route when no change from other years had occurred. For example, the

probability of incorrectly determining that a change had occurred is approximately 23, percent if tested at

the 5-percent level, but only about 5 percent if tested at the 1-percent level (Houghton, Segar, and Zeh,

1984).

The NEWSTAT program employed the Mann-Whitney U test to address the question of potential fine-scale

shifts in the axis of the bowhead whale fall-migration route. The Mann-Whitney U test is a nonparametric

procedure performed on rankedsamples (Zar, 1984). The Normal Approximation to the Mann-Whitney Test

11
69

....•.

I\)

())

l() "

l() l()

t"} ())

l() t"} •... t"}

l() •... ()) "

l() 'V •... l() 'V 'V 'V 'V •... •... -;p.- •...

BEAUFORT SEA

-c

~

~ l

Alaska :::> o

t") •...

()) •.... l() 'V

-q- 'V -q- 'V •... •... •... •...

70

71

o 50 100

I I I I I I I I I I

SWut.e •••• (applQX.)-

•

Deadhorse

Camden

Flgure 2. RegIons I. II. and '" (used In medlan-water-depth analyses) and Selected Isobaths
(Zar, 1984: Page 142) was used to hand-calculate the value of Z for larger sample sizes. A series of

Mann-Whitney paired comparisons were made on annual depth values, with each year compared to all

others such that annual and/or interannual shifts in migration route from 1982 to 1994 could be evaluated.

Similar paired comparisons were made by region (I, II, and III) such that annual variations or potential shifts

in median depth could be assessed for these smaller areas. Probabilities were interpolated from alpha

values shown for calculated critical values of the Mann-Whitney U distribution (Zar, 1984: Table 8.10).

The NEWSTAT program compared mean water depths at bowhead sightings between years employing an

analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey test (Zar, 1984). Probabilities were estimated as alpha values

shown for calculated critical values of the F and q distributions (Zar, 1984: Tables 8.4 and 8.5).

13
III. RESULTS

A. Environmental Conditions

General ice coverage in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea was light during the Fall 1994 surveys (Figs. 3-12). During

August (Figs. 3-4), there was a narrow strip of open water alongshore except for some light (>0-25%) ice

concentrations contiguous with the shoreline between Barter Island, Alaska, and Herschel Island, Canada.

During the first 3 weeks of September (Figs. 5-7), the nearshore ice concentrations generally diminished,

widening the strip of open nearshore water across the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. By the end of September (Fig.

8), very heavy ice concentrations (> 75%) were contiguous with the shoreline near Point Barrow, Alaska; and

there was some very heavy shorefast ice in Camden Bay, just west of Barter Island. In early October (Fig.

9), the nearshore area was increasingly iced in. By mid-October (Figs. 10-11), very heavy ice concentrations

(> 75%) covered the Alaskan Arctic Ocean east of Icy Cape, Alaska, except for some moderate ice

concentrations (51-75% and 26-50%) contiguous with the shoreline from Barter Island eastward into Canada.

By the end of October (Fig.12), the Alaskan Arctic Ocean was essentially covered with very heavy ice

(> 75%) from Icy Cape to Banks Island, Canada.

The open-water conditions during Fall 1994 generally provided for good observation of subsurface whales,

although associated high sea states sometimes reduced the ability of observers to spot whales near the

surface or at great distances from the transect centerline. Cloud ceilings over portions of the study area

were often lower than the target-survey altitude of 458 m. Overall, environmental conditions were considered

favorable most of the time, permitting 33 flights in 48 days. Ice percent and sea state at each sighting of

endangered whales are shown in Appendix B (Table B-1).

B. Survey Effort

Daily totals of kilometers and hours flown per survey flight are shown in Table 3. A total of 29,299 km of

surveys were flown in 132.70 hours (Table 3) in the Beaufort Sea at an average speed of 220.8 kmjhr. The

average survey flight was 887.8 km, with flights ranging from 68 km to 1,539 km. Mean survey time per flight

was 4.02 hr (SO = 1.92, n = 33). A total of 13,509 km of random-transect lines were flown in 60.45 hours

(Table 3) at an average speed of 223.5 kmjhr. These random transects constituted 46.1 percent of the total

kilometers flown and 45.6 percent of the total flight hours. The number of flight hours over each survey

block is shown in subsequent analyses.

Day-to-day flight tracks are shown in Appendix B. Survey-flight lines are summarized by semimonthly period

in Figures 13 through 17.

On 31 August, survey coverage was in the nearshore survey blocks east of Deadhorse (Fig. 13). There were

2.87 hours of random transects flown from a total of 5.63 flight hours during this period (Table 3),

constituting 4.7 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively, of the total time spent in those effort categories.

During the first half of September, survey coverage was distributed between 140 oW. and 154 oW. longitudes,

with most of the effort east of Harrison Bay within 60 nautical miles (nm) of shore (Fig. 14). There were

15.28 hours of random transects flown from a total of 34.35 flight hours during this period (Table 3),

constituting 25.3 percent and 25.9 percent, respectively, of the total time spent in those effort categories.

During the second half of September, survey coverage was evenly distributed between 140oW. and 154°W.

longitudes, mostly within 60 nautical miles (nm) of shore (Fig. 15). There were 15.62 hours of random

transects flown from 33.37 total flight hours during this period (Table 3), constituting 25.8 percent and 25.1

percent, respectively, of the total time spent in those effort categories.

During the first half of October, survey coverage was distributed between 140oW. and 157°W. longitudes,

with even coverage between 150oW. and 157°W. longitudes, south of 72°N. latitude (Fig. 16). There were

15
' ...:

KEY

.0%

III >O-2S%

~ 26-50%

CL 51-75%

o >750/0.

Scale. 1:8,860,500

-. '.;

... .

...,

.....

" ..,..~..,'.

69"

68"

Figure 3. Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea, 23 August 1994.

•

III

~

.0

o

Scale

KEY

0%

>O-2S%

26-50%

51·~5%r>

>750/0

" ...: . 1:8,860,500

,="---~---'

.':'

......

.'

-:.'

...;,"

Figure 4. Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea, 30 August 1994

16
16()" 130· 125·

>75%

......

KEY

0%

>0-25%

26-50%

51-75%

..'

..:-.,.

::.....

1:8,860,500 .,

., .....

Pt. Barrow

68·

69·

Figure 5. Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea, 6 September 1994,

......

150· 145" 135· 130· 125·

KEY

•

00/0

IIlII >0-25%

~

26-50% .' .0.

D 51-75% 73·

D >75%

Scale 1:8,860,500

. ~"-'

'.: ..

Pt. Barrow

Figure 6. Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea, 13 september 1994

17
17tf 16("

KEY

.0%

III >0-25%

~ 26-50%

o 51-75%

o >750/0

Scale 1:8,860,500

Pt. Barrow

......

....

... , .,'

.....

Figure 7. Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea, 20 September 1994

16("

KEY

.00/0

III >0·25%

m;J 26-500/0

Gl 51-75%

o >75%

Scale 1:8,860,500

..~

"." ..

... ;.....

" .,. .•..

. ':"\

.....

Figure 8. Map of Ice Concent~ions in the Beaufort Sea, 27 September 1994

18

69·
16(f 155· 150· 145· 140·

KEY

•

()O~

IIlIlI >0-250/0

Em•... 26-50%

CJ 51-7$%

0

>75%

"...;. Scale 1:8,860,500 ..

.......

73·

.;.-

.....

Pt. Barrow 69·

68·

Figure 9. Map at Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea, 4 Odober 1994

..~

KEY

.0%

IIlII >0-25%

~26-50%

-b] 51-75%

o >75%

Scale 1:8,860,500

.....

,....

-'- ..:..

".'.

" ,..-

..~:...

......:....

Pt. Barrow

Figure 10. Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea, 11 October 1994.

19
16()"

'KEY

.0%

III *25%

~ 26-50%

CI 51-75%

o >750/0

Scale 1:8,860,500

". -"

....

.....

...: .

. .

......

....:..

Figure 11. Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea, 18 October 1994

170' 165' 160' iSS" 150" 146' 140' 135' 130' 125'

.......

KEY .' •

00/0

.'.

...... m >0-25%

';"0 ..~.

~

26-50% .' :-:.•:

CJ 51-75%

0

>75%

Scale 1:8,860,500

.........

..'

"':" .7f

. " - ..;,-.

. @b .

Pt. Barrow

Figure 12. Map of Ice Concentrations in the Beaufort Sea, 25 October 1994

20
Table 3

Aerial-Survey Effort in the Beaufort Sea, 31 August-18 October 1994, by Survey Flight

Total

Flight Transect Connect Search Total Transect Survey

Day No. (km) (km) (km) (km) Time (hr) Time (hr)

31 Aug 1 621 149 524 1,294 2.87 5.63

1 Sep 2 1090 205 237 1,532 4.77 6.77

2 Sep 3 201 74 591 866 0.88 3.97

4 Sep 4 165 16 417 598 0.75 2.98

5 Sep 5 0 0 68 68 0.00 0.28

5 Sep 6 119 0 497 616 0.53 2.77

7 Sep 7 318 95 404 817 1.38 3.65

8 Sep 8 614 97 171 882 2.73 4.28

9 Sep 9 460 111 553 1,124 2.15 5.25

12 Sep 10 0 0 141 141 0.00 0.68

13 Sep 11 451 81 296 828 2.08 3.72

16 Sep 12 0 0 337 337 0.00 1.42

17 Sep 13 815 117 252 1,184 3.72 5.57

20 Sep 14 0 0 204 204 0.00 0.93

22 Sep 15 415 73 601 1,089 1.77 4.77

23 Sep 16 635 63 454 1,152 2.72 5.03

24 Sep 17 718 54 382 1,154 3.28 5.70

25 Sep 18 149 20 224 393 0.63 1.70

27 Sep 19 377 98 185 660 1.82 3.20

28 Sep 20 110 0 385 495 0.47 2.10

29 Sep 21 274 108 258 640 1.22 2.95

1 Oct 22 670 87 266 1,023 2.98 4.62

7 Oct 23 150 0 417 567 0.67 2.65

8 Oct 24 548 51 588 1,187 2.47 5.05

10 Oct 25 979 189 348 1,516 4.25 6.62

11 Oct 26 1,000 121 269 1,390 4.73 6.60

12 Oct 27 39 0 613 652 0.15 2.87

13 Oct 28 544 62 629 1,235 2.52 6.02

14 Oct 29 1,120 124 295 1,539 4.92 7.02

15 Oct 30 0 0 398 398 0.00 1.68

16 Oct 31 405 22 636 1,063 1.78 4.92

17 Oct 32 522 56 553 1,131 2.22 4.82

18 Oct 33 0 0 1,524 1,524 0.00 6.50

21
Table 3

Aerial-Survey Effort in the Beaufort Sea, 31 August-18 October 1994, by Survey Flight

(Continued)

Total

Semimonthly Transect Connect Search Total Transect Survey

Period (km) (km) (km) (km) Time (hr) Time (hr)

31 Aug 621 149 524 1,294 2.87 5.63

1-15 Sep 3,418 679 3,375 7,472 15.28 , 34.35

16-30 Sep 3,493 533 3,282 7,308 15.62 33.37

1-15 Oct 5,050 634 3,823 9,507 22.68 43.12

16-18 Oct 927 78 2,713 3,718 4.00 16.23

TOTAL 13,509 2,073 13,717 29,299 60.45 132.70

22
23
I \

L, -- I I I

<;17~ I I I I 0 I

.Y. I

Cf)

~ I I 0

Lv~

«

~ I

(J)

CI)

(J) I ~

.•...

LH

h I

CD

.Q

~ I

617~

E

0 I

CD

.f3

Q..

I

CD

617~

(I)

~

,---

!

I/)

~<;l .•...

~

.•...

~<;~

I

.

en oX

I

00

I

c

£<;~

~

0

~

£<;~

I

en

-

'C

0

s:

...

~

Ol

L

0

0-

I

G:

I

x

"tJ

<;<;~

I

s

<;<;~ CD

0-

C

~

:0

I

0

" '" "

E

I

"

Si

0

:;

0

L<;~

'-

iii

i>

0

L<;~

0

z

~

c.:> w

.•...

w

0

...J

6<;~

~e

n

Ol

r-,

N

G:

I"-

6<;~

I"-

r-, 0

com --

24
617

Lid~

~g~

(fJ 0c

'i:0

I.-

§-

£g~

I

---

x . - Q. ~

fil-

::

.s

-

~

-

~

0

-

ill

z

-

LUo

LU

0--'

...J

\

_---L-

\ IIIII

,--,-- II

p~~~f1l IIIIIII

g17~

«o

(f)

..Yo

L17~

s:

•..

.•...

CDI

I")o

(/)

G)

Q.

•..

G) E

.0

G) ~ooE

:0c

G)

-0

G:

.~

I

I

I

I

I

617~

.•...

Iii

25
72

\

\

\

\

--

\,

\ 71

I

\

\

\

\

\ 70

\

\

«

<i. 0

« 69

If) z

«

Alaska ::> 0

(j)

I"')

I"')

en r-, LD "<t

"<t "<t "<t "<t

Lf)

Lf) I"')

LD

BEAUFORT SEA

TTrlr-,--.._- -

- --

I

I

I

Harrison

Deadhorse

Camden LEGEND

o W 100

I I I I I I I I I I

Stalule Mile. (approx.)

Lf")

Lf") I"')

LD

Figure 16. Combined Flight Tracks. 1-15 October 1994
---

\

_L-

IIIII aE

-0

Q) c

u

.r;oL

~u

_T"-lo,.,c.p

o

Q) a

~vl Ir I

I-

(fl oc

'C:aL

:r:

8----

~

-

u~

Q.

-"

-~

-

0-

27

6vl CD

"-

•...

ClO

c3

.•.. o

.0I

"tJ

r:L

.~

.c

.•..

COc

CD 8E

:0

«o

(f)

.::::t. o

Lvl
22.68 hours of random transects flown from 43.12 total flight hours during this period (Table 3), constituting

37.5 percent and 32.5 percent, respectively, of the total time spent in those effort categories.

From 16 through 18 October, flight effort was distributed west of 148°W. longitude, with all transects

conducted between 154°W. and 157°W. longitudes, south of 72°N. latitude (Fig. 17). During the return

flight to Anchorage, one trackline extended southwest from Barrow, Alaska, along the Chukchi Sea coast.

There were 4.00 hours of random transects flown from 16.23 total flight hours during this period (Table 3),

constituting 6.6 percent and 12.2 percent, respectively, of the total time spent in those effort categories.

C. Bowhead Whale (Balaena mvsticetus) Observations

1. Distribution: One hundred five sightings were made for a total of 204 bowhead whales observed

during Fall-1994 surveys in the study area (Table 4 and Figs. 18-23), not counting repeat sightings. Three

of these whales were identified as calves (Appendix B: Table B-1), resulting in a seasonal calf ratio (number

calves/total whales) of 0.015. Daily sightings are shown on individual maps in Appendix B. A semi-monthly

analysis follows.

On 31 August, 9 sightings were made for a total of 9 bowheads (Table 4), with sightings from 140°38.4 'W.

to 142°22.5 'W. longitudes (Appendix B: Table B-1), based on survey coverage between 1400W. and

148°W. longitudes (Fig. 13). The whale pods were east of Barter Island, Alaska, within 30 nm north of the

shoreline (Fig. 18). The first bowhead in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea was sighted on 31 August at 70003.4'N.

latitude, 141 °24.3 'W. longitude (Appendix B: Table B-1). Each pod contained only one whale (Appendix

B: Table B-1). No bowhead whale calves were observed during this period (Appendix B: Table B-1).

During the first half of September, 58 sightings were made for a total of 137 bowheads (Table 4), with

sightings from 140005.7'W. to 147°44.5 'W.longitudes (Appendix B: Table B-1), based on survey coverage

between 140°W. and 154°W. longitudes (Fig. 14). Most of the whale pods were east of Barter Island,

Alaska, with only 1 pod west of 144°W.; all pods were within 60 nm north of the shoreline (Fig. 19). Pod

sizes ranged from 1 to 14 whales (Appendix B: Table B-1), with a mean of 2.36 (SD = 2.24, n = 58).

An elongated aggregation of 29 bowhead whale pods (63 whales) was observed east of Barter Island

between 141 °39.0'W. and 143°15.0'W. longitudes, within 25 nm of shore on 2 September (Appendix B:

Flight 3); a circular aggregation of 18 bowhead whale pods (63 whales) was observed just east of the

Canadian border between 70 °02.0' N. and 70 ° 14.4 'N. latitudes on 9 September (Appendix B: Flight 9). Two

bowhead whale calves were observed during this period (2 September) at 70°06.2 'N., 142°00.3 'W. and

70004.0'N., 141 °41.2'W. (Appendix B: Table B-1).

During the second half of September, 30 sightings were made for a total of 46 bowheads (Table 4), with

sightings from 140°23.5 'W. to 152°40.6'W. longitudes (Appendix B; Table B-1), based on survey coverage

between 1400W. and 154°W. longitudes (Fig. 15). The whale pods were fairly evenly distributed east to

west over the area surveyed, within 40 nm north of the shoreline (Fig. 20). Pod sizes ranged from 1 to 6

whales (Appendix B: Table B-1), with a mean of 1.53 (SD = 1.20, n = 30). Only one bowhead whale calf

was observed during this period (24 September) at 70028.3'N., 143°53.4'W. (Appendix B: Table B-1).

During the first half of October, 7 sightings were made for a total of 11 bowheads (Table 4), with sightings

from 146°37.0'W. to 157°32.6'W. longitudes (Appendix B: Table B-1), based on survey coverage between

143°W. and 158°W. longitudes (Fig. 16). The whale pods were fairly evenly distributed east-to-west over

the area surveyed, within 50 nm north of the shoreline (Fig. 21). Pod sizes ranged from 1 to 3 whales

(Appendix B: Table B-1), with a mean of 1.57 (SD = 0.79, n = 7). No bowhead whale calves were observed

during this period (Appendix B: Table B-1).

From 16 through 18 October, no bowheads were seen in the primary study area. One sighting was made

west of the study area (between 1400W. and 157°W. longitudes) for a total of 1 bowhead (Table 4) at

65°46.3'N. latitude, 167°57.6'W. longitude on 18 October (Appendix B: Table B-1), based on survey

29
Table 4

Summary of Marine Mammal Sightings, 31 August-18 October 1994, by Survey Flight

(number of sightings/number of animals)

Flight Bowhead Belukha Gray Bearded Ringed Pacific . Unidentified Polar PB Tracks Arctic

Day No. Whale Whale Whale Seal Seal Walrus Pinniped Bear (PB) (no bear) Fox

31 Aug 1 9/9 4/27 0 2/2 2/3 0 0 0 0 0

1 Sep 2 2/2 11/101 0 1/2 33/239 0 1/1 0 0 0

2 Sep 3 29/63 0 0 0 3/22 0 1/2 0 0 0

4 Sep 4 0 8/33 0 1/1 1/8 0 0 1/2 0 0

5 Sep 5' 0 0 0 0, 0 0 0 0 0 0

5 Sep

.

6 0

.. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

7 Sep 7 • 2/2 0 -0 3/4 1/1 0 0 ' 0 0 0

8 Sep 8 0 6/18 0 2/2 2/4 0 0 2/9 2 0

9 Sep 9 20/65 3/4 O· 2/3 6/12 0 1/1 2/4 0 0

12 sep 10 0 0 0 0 1/2 0 0 0

.., O· 0

(,) 13 Sep 11 5/5 3/3 0 7/8 10/18 0 1/1 0 0 0

0

16 Sep 12 ,,, 0 0 0 .. 0 2/10 0 0 0 0 0

17 sep. 13 3/8 "24/141 0 3/4 7/12 0 0 0 3 0

20 Sep 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

22 Sep 15 11/16 7/37 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

23 Sep 16 0 9/45 0 0 O· o ~ .. 0 0 0 0

24 Sep 17 13/18 1/42 0 1/1 1/1 0 0 0 0 0

25 Sep 18 . 0 1/2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

27 Sep 19 0 2/2 0 1/2 3/5 0 0 0 4 0

28 Sep 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

29 Sep 21 ,3/4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 Oct 22 2/2 8/35 0 5/18 1/1 0 0 0 0 .0

7 Oct 23 2/4 0 '0 0 0 0 1/1 1/1 0 0

8 Oct 24 1/2 3/7 0 >7/22 3/9 0 2/2 0 10 0

10 Oct 25 0 0 0 2/4' 6/10 0 1/1 0 : 14 0

11 Oct 26 0 2/17 0 5/6 8/18 0 1/1 0 " 3 0

12 Oct 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

13 Oct 28 2/3 0 0 -,1/1 1/1 0 1/1 1/1 15 0

14 Oct 29 0 0 0 0 3/4 0 1/1 3/6 19 2
Table 4

Summary of Marine Mammal Sightings, 31 August-18 October 1994, by Survey Flight

(number of slqhtlnqs/nurnber of animals)

(Continued)

Flight Bowhead Belukha Gray Bearded Ringed Pacific Unidentified Polar PB Tracks Arctic

Day No. Whale Whale Whale Seal Seal Walrus Pinniped Bear(PB) (no bear) Fox

15 Oct 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0

16 Oct 31 0 0 0 1/1 0 0 0 2/4 10 0

17 Oct 32 0 0 0 0 1/1 0 0 3/5 16 0

18 Oct 33 1/1 0 0 0 0 0 1/7 0 1 0

Total Semimonthly Sightings

c.L..•

31 Aug 9/9 4/27 0 2/2 2/3 0 0 0 0 0

1-15 Sep 58/137 31/159 0 16/20 57/304 0 4/5 5/15 z· 0

16-30 Sep 30/46 44/269 0 5/7 13/28 0 0 0 7 0

1-15 Oct 7/11 13/59 0 20/51 . 22/43 0 7/7 5/8 71 2

16-18 Oct 1/1 0 0 1/1 1/1 0 1/7 5/9 27 0

TOTAL 105/204 92/514 0 44/81 95/379 0 12/19 15/32 107 2
BEAUFORT SEA

r-r- ___ 72

--- - - - -- - --

- -- \

4

I I' I \

I I I \

. I I I \

- -;-'-t - - -- 1 I \ --- r 1'- - -- I \ 71

I

I

I

\

I' ...,

I

I

(,.) \

I\) '-'-

I I L \

Harrison I I I

,

I

• •

•

,

70 Deadhorse \

LECEND Camden •

•

Bowhead Whole \

0 50 100

I I I I I I I I I I

Statute Mile. (opprox.)

«

0

<i. « 69

If) z

'. «

Alaska ~

<.)

I'

Lf) Lf) ())

Lf) n

n

n

Lf) en r- Lf) ..qLf) ..q- ..q- ..q- ..q-

())

Lf)

Figure 18. Mop of Bowhead Whole Sightings. 31 August 1994
617

Lvl

l

- --

\

\

_L-

IIIII

617l

G)

... E

.0

en

G) -0-

G) -o

•..

•..

10

•..

oi ~o

0-

I

\ IIIIIIIIIIII I

I

/---tL_-_ I I I I I I I I I I

LI

I

I

I

I

I

--,

rJ

• I I

I-

\.~

I

••...

- -.. Q)!!! I •..• t • 0 IIII «o

en

.sco

Lvl

Qj coE

-0

Lo

s;

~u

.-0o

Q) o

o

....

....

enocI

0

£(;a

~---

e~

-

Q.

Q.

5l-

~

., .!!

.J::

"0

-

':E

"0~

-

~

c

.=

.,

-

vi

Cl

~

s:

Z0

-'

W III Wo

0--'

-'

•

I"o

33
Lv~

£vl

617l

lSl

-

I\

_---L IIIII 

I

~ ~I-- I

.-

~-

II «o

(f)

.x:o

I\ IIIII

--- I "1' IIIII III II

I

I

I

L

I

I

I

I IJ -- r

Q) coE

"U

.co

l.... ~u

.-0o

Q) o

IIIIIII'

--tL_-_ IIIIII I I

I-

(fl oc

·Co

l....

:r:

~-

£Sl

--

"e

-

Q.

Q.

~-

~

'"

..

"0

" s: - Sj

'"~

-

.!

0

~

'"

c

0

s:-

iii

~

z

0

w CD

-

wo

o-l

..J

•

r-- N

r-- o

34

Lv~

CD

...

,.r) o

(J)

CD -0-

CDE

.aIN

ci

..-

co
617

LHL

oE

-0

Q) c

oL

~()

.r::

.-0o

Q) o

(fl ocIoL

'L

§-

£gL

---

"e

-

Q.

Q.

2-

.2-

'"

" "0 " s: - ~

."~

-

~~

0c

'"

0

.s:

-

iil

!O

Z0

oj

w

m

..J Wo

•

«o

(f)

..::1. o

617L

.-

en

en~

\

_---IIII11

I

__

1II

I--II ~e

Q.-omo~

.J:Go

"tJ

.-.N

.-

I

\

1II

1---.-------

1II I 1 I 1 1 I I I I I I

I I

1--~tL--- I I I I I I I

II•

LI

I

(

(

(

I

•

rJ

•

••

35
Lf)

Lf) 1'0

Lf) (J) ,

'<t L[)

BEAUFORT SEA

r-r- __

----- \

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

I

I

I

-----t----

I

1

I

I

I

I

I

i

,-

I

,

I

I

I

I

\

I

I

-\--

I

I

L-,--

I

Harrison

•

Deadhorse

LEGEND Camden

• Bowhead Whole

«

<i. 0

«

(j) z

«

Alaska ~ 0

1'0 '..-

(J) r-, L[) '<t

Lf) '<t <;f- '<t '<t

o 50 100

I I I I I I I I I

Statute Mile. (approx,')

L[)

L[) 1'0

L[)

Figure 22. Map of Bowhead Whale Sightings.' 16-18 October 1994

73

72

71

70

69
617

LV~~

I

\ II

1- III - -.,- --- II1II, I

--tL_-- III/I

..

I

oE

"0

Q). c

-CoL

~w

.'0o

Q) o

IoLL

CIl oc

«o

en

.x:o

Lv~

~----

!

Sl- II _

•.

Si

-

;;

:;

_ iii -

0-

• IJ •• r

.,o

"0~

"0

.,

o L: ~ ~ " ID

--' w.

~o

c-

'0mo•

s:

G) o~

II11IIII IIII

I

L

I

I

I

I

• I I

I-

•

•

••

37
coverage between 148°W. and 168°W. longitudes (Fig. 17). No bowhead whale calves were observed

during this period (Appendix B: Table B-1).

2. Migration Timing: The day-to-day timing of the bowhead whale migration was calculated over the

entire study area (Table 5 and Fig. 24) as a daily sighting rate, or sightings per unit effort (SPUE), and an

index of relative abundance, or whales per unit effort (WPUE).

Of the 105 observed sightings of bowhead whales, Table 5 shows that the first bowhead whales were

sighted on 31 August. The data for daily sighting rates show a peak of 7.30 SPUE on 2 September, followed

by a second peak of 3.81 SPUE on 9 September.

A large aggregation of bowhead whale pods was observed in eastern Block 5 on 2 September (see Sec.

III.C.1 above), representing the peak relative abundance for Fall 1994. The aggregation did not appear to

be migratory. Of those whale pods exhibiting a deliberate swim direction on 2 September, only 36 percent

appeared to be headed in a true (T) westerly direction (between 226°T and 315°T). A second large

aggregation was observed in eastern Block 5 on 9 September, with 69 percent of swimming pods headed

in a true westerly direction.

The last sighting of a bowhead was made west of the study area on 18 October, following 4 days in which

no bowhead whales were sighted (Table 5 and Fig. 24).

Of the 204 bowhead whales counted during this period, the data for daily relative abundance (WPUE) show

that the midpoint (median) of the bowhead migration in Blocks 1 through 12 (when 50% of all sighted whales

had been recorded) occurred on 9 September (Table 5). The peak relative abundance (mode) of 15.87

WPUE occurred on 2 September (Table 5 and Fig. 24).

The most prominent differences in pattern between the graph for relative abundance and that for sighting

rate occurred on 2 September and 9 September (Fig. 24), due to the several large pods of whales observed

on those days (Appendix B: Table B-1).

3. Relative Abundance by Survey Blocks: The relative abundance of bowhead whales in each

Beaufort Sea survey block (Fig. 1), in Chukchi Sea survey blocks west of 157°W. longitude, in Canadian

waters east of 140 ow. longitude, and in Alaskan waters outside of historically monitored survey blocks, was

calculated in Table 6. Over the field season (31 August-18 October), there were 6 survey blocks in which

~ 15.00 hr of survey effort were made. Of these coastal or offshore blocks (Blocks 1,3,4,5, 11, and 12),

coastal Block 5 (9.02 WPUE) had the greatest relative abundance, followed by Block 4 (0.99 WPUE), Block

3 (0.42 WPUE), and Block 1 (0.42 WPUE), Block 12 (0.22 WPUE), and Block 11 (0.00 WPUE) (Table 6).

On 31 August, there were no blocks in which ~ 4.00 hr of survey effort were made. Although only 3.12 hr

of survey effort were made in Block 5, it was notable that 9 whales were observed in this coastal block, for

a high relative abundance (2.88 WPUE). No bowheads were observed during a total of 2.52 hr of survey

effort in the remaining blocks (Blocks 1, 4, 6, and 7) of the primary study area or adjacent waters (Table 6).

During the first half of September, there were 4 blocks in which ~ 4.00 hr of survey effort were made. Of

these coastal or offshore blocks (Blocks 1, 2, 4, and 5), coastal Block 5 (14.18 WPUE) had the greatest

relative abundance, followed by Block 1 (0.11 WPUE) and Blocks 2 and 3, for which no whales were

observed. Although only 0.38 hr of survey effort were made in Block 6, it was notable that 6 whales were

observed in this block, for a very high relative abundance (15.79 WPUE). No bowheads were observed

during a total of 4.11 hr of survey effort in the remaining blocks (Blocks 3, 7,10, and 11) of the primary

study area or adjacent waters (Table 6);

During the second half of September, there were 5 blocks in which ~ 4.00 hr of survey effort were made.

Of these coastal or offshore blocks (Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 11), coastal Block 4 (3.58 WPUE) had the greatest

relative abundance, followed by Block 3 (1.49 WPUE), Block 1 (0.68 WPUE), and Blocks 1 and 11, for which

39
Table 5

Number of Sightings and Total Bowhead Whales Observed per Hour,

31 August-18 October 1994, by Flight Day

Sightings/ Whales/

No. of No. of Total Survey Hour Hour

Day "Sightings Whales Time (hr) (SPUE) (WPUE)

31 Aug 9 9 5.63 1.60 1.60

1 Sep 2 2 6.77 0.30 0.30

2 Sep 29 63 3.97 7.30 15.87

4 Sep a a 2.98 0.00 0.00

5 Sep a a 3.05 0.00 0.00

7 Sep 2 2 3.65 0.55 0.55

8 Sep a a 4.28 0.00 0.00

9 Sep 20 65 5.25 3.81 12.38

12 Sep a a 0.68 0.00 0.00

13 Sep 5 5 3.72 1.34 1.34

16 Sep a a 1.42 0.00 0.00

17 Sep 3 8 5.57 0.54 1.44

20 Sep a a 0.93 0.00 0.00

22 Sep 11 16 4.77 2.31 3.35

23 Sep a a 5.03 0.00 0.00

24 Sep 13 18 5.70 2.28 3.16

25 Sep a a 1.70 0.00 0.00

27 Sep a a 3.20 0.00 0.00

28 Sep a a 2.10 0.00 0.00

29 Sep 3 4 2.95 1.02 1.36

1 Oct 2 2 4.62 0.43 0.43

7 Oct 2 4 2.65 0.75 1.51

8 Oct 1 2 5.05 0.20 0.40

10 Oct a a 6.62 0.00 0.00

11 Oct a a 6.60 0.00 0.00

12 Oct a a 2.87 0.00 0.00

13 Oct 2 3 6.02 0.33 0.50

14 Oct a a 7.02 0.00 0.00

15 Oct a a 1.68 0.00 0.00

16 Oct a a 4.92 0.00 0.00

17 Oct a a 4.82 0.00 0.00

18 Oct 1 1 6.50 0.15 0.15

TOTAL 105 204 132.70 0.79 1.54

40
20,0

18.0

16.0

14.0

12.0

Ll.J 10.0

:::::> 0....

8.0

~

6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0

20.0

18.0

16.0

14.0

12.0

10.0

LU

:::::> a.. 8.0

en

6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0

eo"-

,,;

'"'"N

'" ~

..; ..;

0

"

~

-o ;;; -o

I~ '" i i .•."'11" 0

'"

~ v ~

'"

-

,g, _ " _ _ " ,g" '"',n.n.n.n. 0 _ _ .5:. ci

31 2

'4' '6' '8 10' ',2' "4' '16' ',8 20 22 24 26 28 30 2' 4' 6' 8' '10' '12' '14' ',6' ',8

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

Q

...:

~

-'" '"('l

~ "

~ ~

'" i

.,

•••

q

'" Ie

g

'" '" i

., o ~ ~ ~

0

,g,. ,g, 0 ii O_n.- __ 0 ____ 0

31 2

'4 6 8 10 12 . ',/ 116 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 2 d 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

Figure 24. Daily Relative Abundance (WPUE) and Sighting Rate (SPUE) of Bowhead Whales,

31 August - 18 October 1994

(Solid circles indicate days when flights were made during which no bowheads were observed.

Open circles indicate days when no flight was made.)

41
Table 6

Semimonthly Relative Abundance (WPUE) of Bowhead Whales (BH), by Survey Block, Fall 1994

31 Aug 1-15 Sep 16-30 Sep 1-15 Oct 16-18 Oct Total

Block Hr BH WPUE Hr BH WPUE Hr BH WPUE Hr BH WPUE Hr BH WPUE Hr BH WPUE

1 0.55 '0 0.00 8.81 1 0.11 8.85 . 6 0.68 6.91 4 0.58 1.22 a 0.00 26.33 11 0.42

2

1 1

4.65 0 0.00 4.10 a 0.00 2.05 a 0.00 1 110.79 0 0.00

3 0.83 0 0.00 4.69 7 1.49 12.85 2 0.16 3.07 0 0.00 21.44 9 0.42

4 1.78 0 0.00 7.23 0 0.00 5.30 19 3.58 4.90 0, 0.00 1 1 1

19.21 19 . 0.99

5 3.12 9 2.88 9.17 130 14.18 3.04 11 3.62 1.30 a 0.00 16.63 150 9.02

6 0.11 0 0.00 0.38 6 15.79 2.18 3 1.38 0.03 a 0.00 .1 2.70 9 3.33

7 0.08 0 0.00 0.27 0 0.00 0.12 0 0.00 1 1 1 0.46 0 0.00

10 1 1

0.90 0 0.00 0.32 a 0.00 0.28 a 0.00 1.51 a 0.00

11 2.06 0 0.00 4.65 a 0.00 6.68 a 0.00 0.25 0 0.00 13.63 a 0.00

12 1 1 1 1 1 17.58 3 0.40 6.12 0 0.00 13.69 3 0.22

132 0.24 2 8.33 0.42 a 0.00 0.66 2 3.03

142 1 1 1

0.22 a 0.00 0.22 a 0.00

172 0.65 a 0.00 0.65 a 0.00

~ 20 2 0.82 0 0.00 0.82 a 0.00 I\)

222 0.33 a 0.00 0.33 a 0.00

242

'" 0.22 a 0.00 0.22 a 0.00

252 0.75. 1 1.33 0.75 1 1.33

282 0.29 a 0.00 0.29 a 0.00

30 2 0.84 a 0.00 0.84 a 0.00

31 2

1 1 '

0.76 a 0.00 0.76 a 0.00

12N 2

~ '""1 '1 0.17 o, 0.00 0.10 a 0.00 0.27 a 0.00

Other

Canadian

Areas

Other

Alaskan

Areas 0.05 0 0.00 0.13 0 0.00 0.14 a 0.00 0.18 a 0.00 0.50 0 0.00

TOTAL 5.63 9 1.60 34.35 137 3.99 33.37 46 1.38 43.12 11 0.26 16.23 0.06 132.70 204 1.54 ,

"

1 No survey effort.

2 Chukchi Sea survey blocks.
no whales were observed. Although only 3.04 hr of survey effort were made in Block 5, it was notable that

11 whales were observed in this coastal block, for a high relative abundance (3.62 WPUE). Three bowheads

were observed during a total of 2.75 hr of survey effort in the remaining blocks (Blocks 6, 7, and 10) of the

primary study area or adjacent waters (Table 6).

During the first half of October, there were 5 blocks in which ~ 4.00 hr of survey effort were made. Of these

coastal or offshore blocks (Blocks 1, 3, 4, 11, and 12), coastal Block 1 (0.58 WPUE) had the greatest relative

abundance, followed by Block 12 (0.40 WPUE), Block 3 (0.16 WPUE), and Blocks 4 and 11, for which no

whales were observed. Although only 0.24 hr of survey effort were made in Chukchi Sea Block 13, it was

notable that 2 whales were observed, for a very high relative abundance (8.33 WPUE). No bowheads were

observed during a total of 3.97 hr of survey effort in the remaining blocks (Blocks 2, 5, 6, 10) of-the primary

study area, Block 12N, or adjacent waters (Table 6).

From 16 through 18 October, there was only 1 block in which ~ 4.00 hr of survey effort were made. No

whales were observed in this coastal block (Block 12). Only one bowhead was observed during a total of

10.11 hr of survey effort in the remaining blocks (Blocks 1, 3, 11, 12) of the primary study area, Block 12N,

Chukchi Sea blocks (Blocks 13, 14, 17,20,22,24,25,28,30,31), or adjacent waters (Table 6).

4. Habitat Associations: Of 204 bowhead whales sighted during Fall 1994, 160 (78%) were in shallow

water (0-50 m deep), 42 (20%) were in waters of transitional depth (51-200 m), and 1 (1%) was sighted in

deeper water (>200 m) (Table 7). A fuller description of depth associated with the bowhead migration

appears in the discussion on median-water-depth analysis in Section IV.B.

In addition to general ice coverage for arctic waters (Figs. 3-12), the percentage of ice cover visible from

the aircraft at each bowhead sighting (Appendix B: Table B-1) was summarized (Table 8). Over the field

season (31 August-18 October), bowheads were sighted in each concentration of ice cover shown on Table

8. Of 204 bowheads, 110 (54%) were sighted in open water (0-% sea ice), 81 (39%) in 1- through 5-percent

ice, 4 (2%) in 91- through 99-percent ice, 3 (1%) in 81- through 90-percent ice, 2 (1%) in 11- through 20-

percent ice, 2 (1%) in 41- through 50-percent ice, 1 (1%) in 31- through 40-percent ice, and 1 (1%) in 61-

through 70-percent ice (Table 8). From 31 August through 24 September, all but one whale were observed

in association with open water or s5-percent sea ice (Appendix B: Table B-1).

5. Behavior, Swim Direction, and Speed: Of 204 bowhead whales observed during Fall 1994, 127

(62%) were swimming (Table 9), i.e., moving forward in an apparently deliberate manner, when first sighted.

Over the fall season, the greatest proportion (0.24) of" directional movement was between west and

northwest, with a significant (p <0.02) mean heading of 284.07°T (Fig. 25), consistent with a directed

migration in rough parallel to Alaska's Beaufort Sea coastline. Of the 204 whales observed, 84 (41%) were

jUdged to be swimming at medium speed, with 45 (22%) swimming slowly, 4 (2%) swimming fast, and 17

(8%) still. Swim speeds for 54 whales (27%) were- not noted (Table 10). Of other behaviors noted for

bowhead whales, 15 (7%) were milling, 9 (4%) were resting, 7 (3%) were in cow-calf associations, 6 (3%)

were diving, 1 (1%) was playing with a log, and 1 (1%) was slapping its flukes on the surface of the water.

Behaviors for 38 whales (19%) were not noted (Table 9). All behaviors noted are defined in Table 2.

43

On 31 August, 5 of 9 (56%) bowheads were initially observed swimming (Table 9). Whales were generally

moving in southeasterly directions, with a significant (p <0.05) mean heading of 120.48°T (Fig. 25). Five

(56%) whales were judged to be swimming at medium speed, with 3 (33%) swimming slowly, and 1 (11%)

still (Table 10). Of other behaviors noted for bowhead whales, 3 (33%) were resting and 1 (1%) was diving

(Table 9).

During the first half of September, 78 of 137 (57%) bowheads were initially observed swimming (Table 9).

Whales were generally moving in westerly directions, with a significant (p <0.02) mean heading of 311.96°T

(Fig. 25). Fifty-four (40%) whales were judged to be swimming at medium speed, with 20 (15%) swimming

slowly, 10 (7%) still, and 2 (1%) swimming fast (Table 10). Of other behaviors noted for bowhead whales,

15 (11%) were milling, 5 (4%) were in cow-calf associations, 2 (1%) were resting, 1 (1%) was diving, and 1

(1%) was slapping its flukes on the surface of the water (Table 9).
Table 7

Semimonthly Summary of Bowhead Whales Observed,

by Water Depth at Sighting Location, Fall 1994

Water 31 Aug 1-15 Sep 16-30 Sep 1-15 Oct 16-18 Oct Total

Depth No. (%) No. (%) No. (%) No: (%) No. (%) No. (%)

"

Shallow 3 (33) 107 (78) 46(100) 4 (36) 0 160 (78)

(0-50 m)

Transitional 6 (67) 29 (21) 0 7 (64) 0 42 (20)

(51-200 m)

Deep 0 (1) 0 0 0 (1)

( >200 m)

(not noted) 0 0 0 0 1 (100) (1)

TOTAL 9(100) 137(100) 46(100) • 11 (100) 1 (100) 204 (100)

44

Table 8

Semimonthly Summary of Bowhead Whales Observed,

by Percent Ice Cover Present at Sighting Location, Fall 1994

% Ice 31 Aug' 1-15 Sep 16-30 Sep 1-15 Oct 16-18 Oct Total

Cover No. (%) No. (%) No. (%) No. (%) No. (%) No. (%)

0 1 (11) , 65 (47) 44 '(96) 0 0 110 (54)

1-5 8 (89) 71 (52) 1 (2) 0 1 (100) 81 '(39)

6-10 0 0 0 0 0 0

11-20 0 0 0 2 (18) 0 2 (1)

21-30 ': 0 0 0 0 0 0

31-40 0 0 0 1 (9) 0 1 (1)

41-50 0 1 (1) 1 (2) 0 0 2 (1) ,

51-60 0 0 0 0 0 0

61-70 0 0 0 1 (9) 0 1 (1)

71-80 0 0 0 0 0 0

81-90 0 0 0 3 (27) 0 3 (1)

91-99 0 0 0 4 (37) 0 4 (2)

TOTAL 9(100) 137(100) 46(100) 11 (100) 1 (100) 204 (100)
Table 9

Semimonthly Summary of Bowhead Whales Observed, by Behavioral Category, Fall 1994

31 Aug 1-15 Sep 16-30 Sep 1-15 Oct 16-18 Oct Total

Behavior No. (%) No. (%) No. (%) No. (%) No. (%) No. (%)

Cow-Calf 0 5 (4) 2 (4) 0 0 7 (3)

Diving 1 (11) (1) 2 (4) (9) 1 (100) 6 (3)

Log Playing 0 0 (2) 0 0 1 (1)

Milling 0 15 (11) 0 0 0 15 (7)

Resting 3 (33) 2 (1) 2 (4) 2 (18) 0 9 (4)

Swimming 5 (56) 78 (57) . 36 (79) 8 (73) 0 127 (62)

Tail Slapping 0 (1) 0 0 0 1 (1)

(not noted) 0 35 (25) 3 (7) 0 0 38 (19)

TOTAL 9(100) 137(100) 46(100) 11 (100) 1 (100) 204 (100)

Table 10

Semimonthly Summary of Bowhead Whales Observed, by Swimming Speed, Fall 1994

Swim 31 Aug 1-15 Sep 16-30 Sep 1-15 Oct 16-18 Oct Total

Speed No. (%) No. (%) No. (%) No. (%) No. (%) No. (%)

Still 3 (33) 10 (7) 2 (4) 2 (18) 0 17 (8)

(0 kmjhr)

Slow 1 (11) 20 (15) 21 (46) 3 (27) 0 45 (22)

( <2 kmjhr)

Medium 5 (56) 54 (40) 19 (41) 5 (46) 1 (100) 84 (41)

(2-4 kmjhr)

Fast 0 2 (1) (2) (9) 0 4 (2)

( >4 kmjhr)

(not noted) 0 51 (37) 3 (7) 0 0 54 (27)

TOTAL 9(100) 137(100) 46(100) 11(100) 1 (100) 204 (100)

45
.'

31 AUGUST 1-15 SEPTEMBER 16-30 SEPTEMBER

n=6 n=47 n=27 0'

270' I-+-I-+-t+t+~ wt-i1-H++--i90' - 270' I-+-I-+-I-+-~ 1rH++++++-l90' 270' H--<H-IH-I1-l"'I1"'l

160'

0=120.48, r=0.63

z=2.42, p<0.05

160'

0=311..96, r=O.27

z=3.53, p<O.02

160'

0=252.02, r=0.19

z=0.97, p<O.20

r-.

1-15 OCTOBER TOTAL

n=5 n=86

270' 270' I-+-I-+-t++-+,_ m++++++-l9 ++++++++-+1 0' 90' 270'

160'

0=258.52, r=0.78

z=3.04

160'

0=251, r=1..00

z=1..00

160'

0=284.07, r=0.19

z=3.13, p<O.02

Figure 25. Semimonthly Summary of Swim Directions for Bowhead Whales, Fall 1994
1. Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus): No gray whales were sighted during the study.

ppggggp(

III.C.1 and III.C.2 above). On 2 September, 8 of the whales were engaged in milling behavior and the

aggregation as a whole was located in water depths ranging from 11 to 37 m. On 9 September, 7 of the

whales were engaged in milling behavior and the aggregation was located in water 42 to 55 m deep. These

were the only days during Fall 1995 when milling behavior was noted. - No clear evidence of feeding

behavior was observed on either day.

During the second half of September, 36 of 46 (79%) bowheads were initially observed swimming (Table 9).

The greatest proportion (0.30) of directional movement was between west and northwest or between east

and southeast (0.26), with a mean heading of 252.02°T (Fig. 25). Nineteen (41%) whales were judged to

be swimming at medium speed, with 21 (46%) swimming slowly, 2 (4%) still, and 1 (2%) swimming fast

(Table 10). Of other behaviors noted for bowhead whales, 2 (4%) were in cow-calf associations, 2 (4%) were

diving, 2 (4%) were resting, and 1 (1%) was playing with a log (Table 9).

The bowhead whale playing with a log was observed on 24 September in choppy water at 70°30.3 'N.

latitude, 145°15.4 'W. longitude (Appendix B: Table B-1). We circled this whale for at least 10 minutes,

during which time it continued to play intently with the large log (approx. 5 m long by 1 m wide). Play

behaviors included repeatedly pushing the log sideways through the water or pushing it under the water with

its snout. This second behavior was soon punctuated by the splash of the log as it suddenly broke the

surface.

During the first half of October, 8 of 11 (73%) bowheads were initially observed swimming (Table 9). The

greatest proportion (0.60) of directional movement was between west and northwest, with a mean heading

of 258.52°T (Fig. 25). Five (46%) whales were judged to be swimming at medium speed, with 3 (27%)

swimming slOWly, 2 (18%) still, and 1 (9%) swimming fast (Table 10). Of other behaviors noted for bowhead

whales, 2 (18%) were resting and 1 (9%) was dlvlnq (Table 9).

From 16 through 18 October, only one bowhead was observed. This whale was diving (Table 9) and had

a swim direction of 251 °T (Fig. 25).

D. Other Marine Mammal Observations

2. Belukha Whale (Delphinapterus leucas): Although the study area and survey altitude were

designed to record the fall migration of bowhead whales, belukha whales, which undertake a somewhat

parallel migration, were always counted and were considered suitable for selected analyses. Over the Fall

1994 field season, 92 sightings were made for a total of 514 belukha whales (Table 4) during 132.70 hr of

survey effort (Table 3) for a seasonal relative abundance of 3.87 WPUE. Sightings of belukha whales were

distributed between 1400W. and 156°W. longitudes, south of 72°N.latitude (Fig. 26). The positions of most

belukha sightings were between the 100 m- and 2,OOO-misobaths (Figs. 2 and 26). Sizes of pods (or close

aggregations of pods) ranged from 1 to 42 whales, with a mean of 5.59 (SD = 7.25, n = 92). Seventy-three

belukha calves were noted for a calf ratio of 0.142. Belukha whales were observed in association with 0-

to 99-percent sea ice, with a mean of 36.15-percent ice (SD = 35.82, n = 92).

On 31 August, 4 sightings were made for a total of 27 belukha whales (Table 4) during 5.63 hr of survey

effort (Table 3) and a relative abundance of 4.80 WPUE. The first belukha in the Alaskan Beaufort was

sighted at 69°57.1 'N. latitude, 141 °25.4 'W. longitude on 31 August. Sizes of pods (or close aggregations

of pods) ranged from 1 to 14 whales, with a mean of 6.75 (SD = 5.44, n = 4). Five belukha calves were

noted during this period. Belukha whales were observed in association with 1- to 3-percent sea ice, with

a mean of 2.00-percent ice (SD = 1.15, n = 4).

During the first half of September, 31 sightings were made for a total of 159 belukha whales (Table 4) during

34.35 hr of survey effort (fable 3) and a relative abundance of 4.63 WPUE. Sizes of pods (or close

47
Lid

6S;L

<I

<{o

en

.sco

LvL

\\

\\

I_--~LII

I

II

II

I II 1 ""¢- I I~ I I I <14 r 'J I 141 ~ I I <II I - I <I 13<1 I I 1<11

1-- ~<h...L

<I~- -~ : ~<I~~~ I <1<1 <1:1:I<I .:~

I ~~1 <I

~~.I

~ <I ,<I <1/<1

"11-I

f

13

f <I <I

f

f

6vL

I

- _I-- IIIII E

-0

Q) c

Q)0

..co

I....

UJU

.-0o

Q) o

48

C

Q.-o-, N

cO

::::i
aggregations of pods) ranged from 1 to 38 whales, with a mean of 5.13 (SO = 7.89, n = 31). Thirty belukha

calves were noted during this period. Belukha whales were observed in association with 0- to 85-percent

sea ice, with a mean of 21.13-percent ice (SO = 25.01, n = 31).

On 8 September, a dead adult belukha whale was observed floating beside a large chunk of broken floe ice

at 71 °19.9'N.latitude, 148°50.1 'W.longitude. Seven polar bears were on this ice chunk in association with

an area of fresh blood, the obvious remains of a recent kill.

During the second half of September, 44 sightings were made for a total of 269 belukha whales (Table 4)

during 33.37 hr of survey effort (Table 3) and a relative abundance of 8.06 WPUE. Sizes of pods (or close

aggregations of pods) ranged from 1 to 42 whales, with a mean of 6.11 (SO = 7.60, n = 44). Twenty-nine

belukha calves were noted during this period. Belukha whales were observed in association with 0- to 95-

percent sea ice, with a mean of 34.30-percent ice (SO = 33.85, n = 44).

During the first half of October, 13 sightings were made for a total of 59 belukha whales (Table 4) during

43.12 hr of survey effort and a relative abundance of 1.37 WPUE. Sizes of pods (or close aggregations of

pods) ranged from 1 to 16 whales, with a mean of 4.54 (SO = 4.99, n = 13). Nine belukha calves were

noted during this period. Belukha whales were observed in association with 70- to 99-percent sea ice, with

a mean of 88.77-percent ice (SO = 8.83, n = 13).

From 16 through 18 October, no sightings of belukha whales were made.

3. Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus): Over the field season, 44 incidental sightings were made for

a total of 81 bearded seals (Table 4). Eight of these sightings were evenly distributed between 1400W. and

157°W. longitudes, south of the 400-m isobath (Figs. 2 and 27). Bearded seals were sighted on 16 of the

33 flights from 31 August through 16 October (Table 4). Thirty-eight (47%) of the bearded seals were on

the ice when first sighted.

4. Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida): Over the field season, 95 incidental sightings were made for a total

of 379 ringed seals (Table 4). Sightings were evenly distributed between 1400W. and 157°W. longitudes,

mostly south of the 400-m isobath (Figs. 2 and 28). Ringed seals were sighted from 31 August through 17

October, with over 87 percent of these seals observed from 1 through 17 September (Table 4). Thirty-nine

(10%) of the ringed seals were on the ice when first sighted.

5. Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus): No Pacific walruses were sighted during the study.

6. Unidentified Pinnipeds: Over the field season, 12 incidental sightings were made for a total of 19

unidentified pinnipeds (Table 4). Sightings were distributed between 142°W. and 157°W.longitudes, south

of 72°N. latitude (Fig. 29). .

7. Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus): Over the field season, 15 incidental sightings were made for a total

of 32 polar bears (Table 4). Sightings were distributed between 142°W. and 157°W. longitudes, within 60

nm of shore (Fig. 30). Polar bears were sighted from 4 September to 17 October (Table 4). Twenty-eight

(88%) of the polar bears were on the ice when first sighted. Three of the 32 sightings were first identified

by the presence of a kill site.

On 8 September, 7 polar bears were observed on a chunk of broken floe ice in association with a kill site

and a dead belukha whale (see Sec. 111.0.2above).

In addition to the polar bear sightings, 107 sets of polar bear tracks were recorded for which no bear was

present (Table 4). Sightings were distributed between 141 oW. and 157°W. longitudes, with polar bear tracks

fairly ubiquitous west of 146°W. longitude (Fig. 31). Of these sightings, seven were made during September

and 100 were made from 8 through 18 October (Table 4), as heavy concentrations of sea ice covered the

study area (Fig.10).

49
6t~

\ .

_---L _I-- I I . •

•

II

II I I I I,

-----'~.: I •

IIII~II ,

'1-<"--+ I ' ~ I I I I 1

•

II 8j.

III

/.I I . I

I--~~L_~_I II •

I•

I •••

I·· 1L

•

I•

I,

I .•.

-~

',a

r

•

,I

••

.

I~

(fI oc

'Co

l....

I

50

6t~

S;t~ ~'

c

" 'i- ".;.f:"l

0

Q)

.sc

'0 en E 'j 0 U0

<{ Lt~

-

-

-

'0

-

"

Vl••

-

••

0

'E

-

z

0

w ••

-I

0

lD

w 0--1

...J

•

e

•...

(J)

(J)

"It

CD

"'0

(/)

CD

.N

r'.

::::Eo

Q.-om

CDo

"E

j
(J)

L{)

BEAUFORT SEA

I

r'- _ 72

-¢- --- ----:-- - - - -- - -"-

I I ~

I

~

Barrow.

71

71

-¢-

Ul ~ ..•

Harrison

70

LEGEND

-¢- Ringed Seal

0 50 100

I I I I I I I I I I

Statute Mil•• (apprax.)

«

0 <i.. « 69

If) z

«

Alaska ~ 0

.- I'

L{) L{) 0)

L{) f")

f") .- f")

L{) (J) I' L{) .qL{) .q- .q- .q- .q- .-

. Figure 28. Map of Ringed Seal Sightings. Fall 1994
If)

If) 1'0

If)

BEAUFORT SEA

Figure 29. . Map of Unidentified Pinniped Sightings. Fall 1994
53
-

-

-

153

-00

-

U

o

Q.,

[D

CD

Q

.,

'"' :J 151

o

C"

CD

Q

.,

o

., 149

147 »

(")

0

0

(f)

:30..

A

(])

0

::J

14'5

143

U.S.A.

141

\__-+---[=--+-~-+---:--+---;--+---;139

139 .l

CANADA

'I

o..,

~.

{fJ

o

::J

--...

••

../

-'i ••

/ .. -

I I

_ '-. T

_1-- I

r _....I

•• r .J I

••

I

••

---------'~

_I I --

I I

T I

I I

1 I

--1- -\;----

I l

\ \

I \

\ \

"

-.....J

o

..;.

•• I C

-

. /

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

\

\

\

\

141

151

149

.147

145

143
2 arctic foxes (Table 4). Both faxes were observed on shorefast ice west of Cape Halkett on 14 October.

The faxes were in association with 4 polar bears that were feeding on a carcass at 70°55.3 'N., 153°06.5 'W.

longitude (Fig. 32).

55
6id

\

\

_---L-

,

I

I

I

,

-c

o

(f)

.s:

o

Lv ~

E

-0

Q)

c

Q) 0

rn

u

a

L-

..c

.-0

o

Q)

o

r J

I

I

,-

rn

a

c

'C

o

L

I

0 £sa

~-

-

-

-

e"

-

Q.

Q.

:il-

.2-

.!!

•.

- ~

x ~ ~ -

c

0 ~ -

iii

z e w -c

-I

w

o

0--'

..J

<>

~

C

Q.

-o

56
IV. DISCUSSION

A. General Comparisons with Previous Surveys (1979-1993)

Most results of the present study are generally within the range of result values from previous MMS-funded

endangered whale monitoring conducted during September and October (1979-1993) in the Beaufort Sea

using similar survey methods (Ljungblad et aI., 1987; Moore and Clarke, 1992; Treacy, 1988, 1989, 1990,

1991, 1992, 1993, 1994). Prior to Fall 1992, surveys in Block 12 were largely conducted from a modified

Grumman Goose rather than a Twin Otter aircraft. Results for 1994 that were considered notable relative

to previous values are described below.

The general ice coverage along the northern coast of Alaska during the 1994 navigation season was the 19th

mildest in the Arctic Ocean for the 42 years from 1953 through 1994 (USDOD, Navy, Naval Polar

Oceanography Center, 1995).

Cloud cover over most of the study area was considered favorable for surveying in 1994, without recurrent

periods Of "down-to-the-deck" fog as in many previous field seasons.

The 1994 total of 132.70 survey hours was higher than the mean of 129.79 hours (SO = 46.26, n = 7) of

survey time for the years 1987 through 1993.

The number of sightings of bowhead whales (n = 105) and the number of bowhead whales counted (n =

204) during Fall 1994 were the fifth-highest totals for all project surveys (1987-1994).

For September 1994, the relative abundance of bowhead whales in Block 6 of 3.52 WPUE (Table 11) was

slightly higher than for similar values in previous years (1990 value = 3.35 WPUE). Values for relative

abundance in all other survey blocks during September or October 1994 were within the range of values

shown for the years 1979 through 1993 (Table 11).

The central tendencies of bowhead whales counted and the SPUE and WPUE in 1994 show peaks that were

earlier in September than for previous years (1987-1993). The difference in migration timing is being further

analyzed for statistical significance and for comparison with the presence or absence of industry activity,

sighting conditions, etc.

The log-playing behavior noted for one bowhead whale in 1994 has rarely been noted during our previous

surveys (1987-1993).

The sighting of 7 polar bears on a chunk of broken floe ice in proximity to a dead adult belukha whale was

considered unique. The recent kill site on this ice may well have been the remains of a second belukha

whale.

The total number of belukha whales counted in Fall 1994 (n = 514) was the second-highest total number

since the project began (1987-1994). The total number of bearded seals counted incidentally (n = 514) was

higher than for previous values (1987-1993). Totals of other marine mammals sighted were within ranges

established during previous project surveys in the Beaufort Sea (1987-1993).

B. Median and Mean Water Depth at Bowhead Sightings (1982-1994)

The median water depth at 27 sightings of bowhead whales made on randomized line transects in Regions

I, II, and III (combined) (Fig. 2) during September and October 1994 was 40 m. This areawide median depth

was slightly more than the cumulative median depth of 37 m for the years 1982 through 1994 (n = 443).

It was within the range of median areawide depths for previous years (range = 18 to 347 m). The median

water depth of 13 m for Region Iwas less than the cumulative median depth of 21 m for that region. The

57
Table 11

Bowhead Whale Relative Abundance (WPUE) by Beaufort Sea Survey Block

during September and October, 1979-1994

(after Ljungblad et al. [1987], Moore and Clarke [1992),

and Treacy [1988,1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994])

. .

Survey Block Other Other

Canadian Alaskan

Year 2 3 4 5 , 6 7 8 , 9 10 11 12 Areas2 Areas3

•

SEPTEMBER ~.:

1979 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.09 10.08 0.73 0.00 0.00

1980 0.38 0.00 0.00 0.47 0.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1 0.47

1981 0.22 .0.00 0.00 6.13 6.20 0.00. 0.00, 0.00 0.00. 1

0.00 0.32 0.00

1982 6.83 1.35 0.80 0.93 11.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.28 0.00 0.44 48.65 0.00

1983 0.11 0.87 0.61 0.00 0.00 1.51 1.90 0.00 0.36 0.21 0.53 2.28 1

0.00

1984 0.59 1.05 0.18 2.69 3.19, 1.94 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 26.24 17.00 0.00

1985 0.54 0.00 0.00 2.21 1.74 0.39 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.52 0.00

1986 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.94 2.36 0.29 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.45 0.00 7.98 0.00

1987 0.74 0.00 0.00 1.32 0.72 0.31 0.00' 1

0.00 10.00 0.26 0.66 0.33

1988 0.14 0.00 1

0.35 0.48 0.45 0.00 0.00 1 1 1

0.00 1

1989 2.37 0.33 0.00 6.23 0.71 0.33 1.52 1

0.00 0.00 0.73 1

0.00

1990 5.54 0.00 0.72 7.61 18.51 3.35 1.12 0.00 0.00 0.00 1

,63.64 0.00

1991 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.20 1.88 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20.50 0.00

1992 0.45 0.20 0.12 0.73 0.91 1.75 2.48 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.13 1 1

0.00

1993 4.39 0.00 3.03 4.07 2.11 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.93 0.00

1994 0.40 0.00 1.27 1.52 11.55 3.52 0.00 1 1

0.00 0.00 1

0.00

OCTOBER

1979 ·1.58 0.00 3.67 2.35 0.00 1

0.00 0.70 0.00

1980 0.10 1.18 0.35 0.29 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

1981 0.89 0.00 ' 0.52 4.22, 0.00 0.00 0.00 1

0.00 0.00 1 1

1982 0.19 0.00 2.48 0.00 0.70 0.00 1

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.19 1.87 0.46 0.00

1983 0.00 0.00 0.49 0.00 0.00 0.27 2.17 1 1

0.00 0.00 0.75 1

0.00

1984 0.29 0.26 1.24 0.00 1:37 0.00 1

0.00 3.05 2.37 3.70 0.00 •

1985 2.26 0.00 0.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 ; '0.00 0.00 0.00 9.00 0.53 0.00 0.00

1986 1.00 0.38 0:47 0.71 1

0.00 1 1

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.91 10;00

1987 0.19 0.00 2.94 0.62 0.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.71 0.00 0.00

1988 0.18 0;26 1.12 0.12 0.14 0.00 0.00 1

0.00 10.19 1.01 0.00 0.00

1989 1.32 0.00 5.58 0.00 0.00 0.00 .'0.00 1

0.00 0.00 12.98 1

0.00

1990 3.00 0.00 2.14 2.17 1

2.86 1 1

0.00 0.97 0.74 0.00 ,

1991 0.07 2.23 0.27 1.48 4.36 0.00 1.39 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.04 0.49 0.55

1992 0.00 0.68 0.81 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.92 16.35 1

0.00

1993 0.88 0.00 1.78 2.32 2.19 1.24 0.00 0,00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.40 0.00 0.00

1994 0.49 0.00 0.13 0.00 0.00 0.00 1 1 1

0.00 0.00 0.22 1

0.00

. ,

1

No survey effort.

2

Between 1400W. and 141Ow. longitudes north of nON. latitude or east of 140°W. longitude.

3

Between 141 ow. and 157°W. longitudes north of nON. latitude.

58

----.-----
37 m for Region II during 1994 was identical to the cumulative median depth. The 40 m for Region III was

less than the cumulative value (43 m). Bowhead whales were observed in shallower water in Region I for

1994 (13 m) than for any of the previous years, with 1993 (15 m) being the next-shallowest year (Table 12).

To determine whether any of the differences between the median water depth for 1994 and previous years

(Table 12) were statistically significant, these values were tested using the Mann Whitney U test (Zar, 1984).

The median water depth (all 3 regions combined) for the year 1994 showed a highly significant difference

(p < 0.005) when compared to medians for the years 1983, 1989, and 1991. Analysis by region showed no

differences that were highly significant between 1994 and other years in Region I (between 1500W. and

153°30 'W. longitudes) or Region II (between 146°W. and 150°W. longitudes). There was a highly

significant difference (p< 0.005) between 1994 and the median depth for 1983 in Region III (between 141 oW.

and 146°W. longitudes) (Table 13).

The median water depth for the year 1987 (37 m) was considered typical in that it was identical to the

cumulative median (all 3 regions combined) for the years 1982 through 1994 (Table 12). Of the years when

bowheads tended to migrate in water that was deeper than in 1987, the years 1983, 1991, and 1992 showed

highly significant (p <0.005) differences from the 37-m median value. Likewise, of the years when whales

tended to migrate in water that was shallower than in 1987, only the year 1989 showed a difference that was

considered highly significant (Table 13).

A high level of significance (p <0.005) was noted between the 1983 median value (all 3 regions combined)

and the median values for other years except 1991 (Table 13), due to the fact that the 1983 median water

depth of 347 m was greater by far than the median for other years (Table 12). The highly significant

difference (p <0.005) between 1983 and other years was shown, in some instances, in bathymetric Regions

II and III (Table 13).

A high level of significance (p <0.005) was noted between the 1989 median value (all 3 regions combined)

and the median values for other years, except 1986 and 1993 (Table 13), because the 1989 median water

depth of 18 m was clearly much shallower than the median depth for other years (Table 12). Such attained

levels (p <0.005) between 1989 and other years were shown, in some instances, in Region I (Table 13).

Mean water depths were also calculated for Regions I, II, and III. Mean values, although less descriptive

of the apparent "axis" of the migration, were considered more robust for demonstrating significant differences

between years.

The mean water depth at 27 sightings of bowhead whales made on randomized line transects in Regions

I, II, and III (combined) during September and October 1994 was 58.7 m (Table 12). The areawide mean

depth for 1994 (58.7 m) was within the range of areawide mean depths for the years 1982 through 1993

(previous values ranged from 22.7 to 738.9 m). This areawide mean depth was also less than the cumulative

mean depth of 84.5 m for the years 1982 through 1994 (n = 443). Mean water depths of 16.3 m for Region

Iand 41.0 m for Region III during 1994 were less than the cumulative mean depths of 85.1 m and 86.5 m,

respectively, for these regions. The mean depth of 16.3 m in Region Ifor 1994 was nearly as shallow as

in 1993 (16.1 m) and 1989 (16.0 m). The mean depth of 225.7 m in Region II for 1994 was very deep,

exceeded only in 1983 (945.0 m) (Table 12).

Comparison of the means using ANOVA and the Tukey test (Zar, 1984) showed that 1983 was unique

among other years in the spatial distribution of the fall bowhead migration. Differences between the mean

for 1983 and all other years (including 1994) were considered very highly significant (p <0.001) in all three

regions combined and in Regions II and III, thus mirroring differences noted between the 1983 median and

the medians for other years. Differences in mean water depths between all other years, including 1994, were

not considered statistically significant (Table 14).

The reasons for the offshore (deep-water) migratory route of 1983 and the comparatively shallower route

followed in other years may be attributable to general ice cover (see Sec. IV.D). Differences in human

59
Table 12

Central-Tendency Statistics for Water Depth (in meters) at Random Sightings

of Bowhead Whales (September-October), by Year and Region, 1982-1994

Year Region SI1 Median CI2 Mean SD3 Range

1982 I - 8 17 11-457 113.4 176.23 11-457

II 30 27 22-38 30.6 9.03 16-51

III ..§ 40 4 43.4 11.24 29-59

All 3 43 29 22-38 47.5 79.22 11-457

1983 I 9 69 22-2,323 393.7 740.61 22-2,323

II 5 1,289 4

945.0 858.85 53-2,021

III ~ 797 49-1,902 969.7 740.33 49-1,902

All 3 23 347 49-1,737 739.0 783.00 22-2,323

1984 I 15 42 27-69 53.4 41.44 18-178

II 9 38 22-82 43.7 18.73 22-82

III H 48 22-274 90.4 130.05 18-485

All 3 38 43 27-59 64.7 84.12 18-485

1985 I 3 183 4

219.3 221.74 18-457

II 9 31 20-38 30.4 5.00 20-38

III ..1 4 4 4 4

645

All 3 13 31 20-183 76.6 122.13 18-457

1986 I 4 18 4

51.3 69.87 13-156

II 12 17 9-40 60.7 144.79 7-519

III 22 33 ~l 22-48 34.0 13.91 11-57

All 3 38 26 18-44 44.3 83.03 7-519

1987 I 4 20 4

19.2 4.86 13-24

II 9 27 15-38 27.3 7.60 15-38

III 20 41 29-55 49.9 41.38 18-219

All 3 33 37 24-44 40.0 34.54 13-219

1988 I 4 35 4

40.5 15.11 29-62

II 4 44 4

44.7 13.60 29-62

III ..§ ,46 4 90.4 116.40 24-298

All 3 13 42 29-62 61.0 72.17 24-298

1989 I 15 18 9-20 16.0 4.58 9-24

II 1

4 4 4 4

445

III ~

49 .

4

49.3 ·9.50 40-59

All 3 19 18 13-40 22.7 14.39 9-59

1990 I 3 31 4

29.3 13.58 15-42

II 17 37 29-38 33.6 7.05 15-38

III 68 40 37-48 40.5 10.49 16-60

All 3 88 38 37-38 38.8 10.43 15-60

60
Table 12

Central-Tendency Statistics for Water Depth (in meters) at Random Sightings

of Bowhead Whales (September-October), by Year and Region, 1982-1994

(Continued)

Year Region SI1 Median CI2 Mean SD3 Range

1991 I 0

4 4 4 4 4

II 7 66 4

126.7 100.04 27-274

III ..Q 118 4

132.2 92.05 48-232

All 3 13 66 48-238 129.2 92.42 27-274

1992 I 8 40 13-329 70.3 105.24 13-329

II 3 46 4

119.0 126.44 46-265

III J! 55 44-57 50.2 8.91 29-57

All 3 20 46 37-55 68.6 79.75 13-329

1993 I 12 15 13-18 16.1 2.23 13-20

II 24 29 22-38 30.0 9.58 15-53

III 39 44 27-48 44.3 34.24 9-229

All 3 75 29 24-38 35.2 27.25 9-229

1994 I 3 13 4

16.3 9.45 9-27

II 3 37 4

225.7 335.48 27-613

III 11 40 29-55 41.0 11.87 22-57

All 3 27 40 26-55 58.7 111.58 9-613

Cumulative I 88 21 18-31 85.1 261.25 9-2,323

(1982-1994) II 133 37 29-37 80.6 239.50 7-2,021

III 222 43 40-48 86.5 234.94 9-1,902

All 3 443 37 37-38 84.5 241.18 7-2,323

1 SI = random sightings.

2 CI ~ 99-percent confidence interval.

3 SO = standard deviation.

4 Insufficient sample size.

5 One datum.

61
Table 13

Interyear Correlation (nonparametric) of the Median Water Depths at Random Bowhead

Whale Sightings (September-October) Using the Mann-Whitney U Test, 1982-1994

(Page 1 of 4)

REGION I

1982 1983 1984 1986 1988 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

1983 U'= 64.0

ps 0.10

1984 U'= 81.6 U= 92.6

p< 0.20 P < 0.20

1986 U"= 18.0 U= 14.6 U" = 30.6

p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20

1988 U= 18.0 U= 31.0 U= 46.0 U= 10.0

p> 0.20 p< 0.10 p< 0.20 p> 0.20

1987 U= 18.6 U= 34.6 U= 66.6 U= 9.6 U'= 8.6

p> 0.20 p< 0.02 p< 0.01 p> 0.20 p> 0.20

0> t

I\)

1988 U'= 21.0 U= 23.0 U'= 30.6 U= 8.0 U'= 12.0 U'= 18.0

p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 ,p> 0.20 p< 0.06

1989 U= 78.6 U= 134.0 U= 216.6 u= 39.0 U= 37.0 U= 41.6 U= 60.0

p> 0.20 p< 0.001 p < 0.001 p< 0.10 p> 0.20 . p> 0.20 ps 0.001

1990 U= 13.0 U= 20.0 U= 31.6 U= 7.0 U"= 7.0 U"= 9.0 U= 7.6 U"= 36.6

p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p< 0.20

1991

1992 U'= 39.6 U= 48.6 U= 88.0 U= 18.0 U"= 22.6 U"= 28.6 U= 18.6 U'= 108.6 U'= 16.6

p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p< 0.20 p> 0.20 p < 0.002 p> 0.20

1993 U= 88.0 U= 108.0 U= 178.6 U= 33.0 U= 31.0 U= 34.0 U= 48.0 U= 96.0 U= 28.6 U= 84.6

ps 0.20 p< 0.001 p < 0.001 p < 0.06 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 ps 0.002 p> 0.20 p < 0.20 p< 0.006

1994 U= 18.0 U= 28.0 U= 41.6 U= 8.0 U= 8.6 U= 7.6 U= 12.0 U= 24.6 U= 8.0 U= 21.6 U= 23.0

p> 0.20 P s 0.02 p< 0.06 ps 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 ps 0.10 p> 0.20 ps 0.20 p< 0.10 p> 0.20

Table 13

Interyear Correlation (non parametric) of the Median Water Depths at Random Bowhead

Whale Sightings (September-October) Using the Mann-Whitney U Test, 1982-1994

(Page 3 of 4)

REGION III

1992 1983 1984 1986 1988 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

1983 U'= 43.6

p < 0.006

1984 U'= 38.6 u= 117.0

p> 0.20 p< 0.001

1986 U·. 6.0 u. 8.0 U'= 11.0

p> 0.20 p> 0.20

1988 u· 77.0 u= 196.6 u= 218.0 u· 22.0

p:s 0.20 p< 0.001 p< 0.06 p:s 0.10

1987 u. 64.6 u. 173.0 u. 169.0 u. 19.0 U'= 284.0

p> 0.20 p< 0.001 p> 0.20 p:s 0.20 p< 0.10

('-<

0)

-1:>0 1988 u. 13.0 u= 43.0 u· 38.0 u= 4.0 U·. 70.6 U·. 68.0

p> 0.20 p:s 0.006 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20

1989 u'· 10.0 u. 26.6 U'. 24.6 u. 3.0 U'= 64.0 U'· 41.6 U·· 10.0

p> 0.20 p< 0.02 p> 0.20 p:s 0.10 p> 0.20 p> 0.20

1990 u· 200.6 u= 698.6 u= 672.6 u· 88.0 u'= 948.0 u· 732.0 u= 189.0 u= 164.0

z· 0.68 z· 4.60 z· 1.18 z· 1.88 Z = 1.86 z= 0.61 z· 0.40 z· '1.47

p> 0.20 p< 0.001 p> 0.20 p< 0.10 p< 0.10 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p< 0.20

1991 U'. 26.0 u= 47.6 U·· 68.0 u· 3.0 u· 121.0 u'= 100.0 u'= 24.0 U'= 13.0 U'. 364.0

p:s 0.10 p< 0.02 p> 0.20 p:s 0.001 p< 0.02 p< 0.20 p> 0.20 2= 2.98

p< 0.006

1992 U'. 31.0 u= 74.6 U·. 74.0 u· 9.0 U·. 170.6 u·. 128.0 U'= 31.0 U'= 14.6 U'. 477.& u· 34.6

p< 0.20 p < 0.001 p> 0.20 p< 0.001 p:s 0.02 p < 0.20 p> 0.20 2· 3.47 p> 0.20

p < 0.001

1993 u. 114.6 u= 341.6 u= 338.6 u· 37.0 u'= 620.0 u· 426.6 u· 104.0 u= 84.6 U = 1,384.0 U •. 201.6 u. 271.6

p> 0.20 p < 0.001 .p< 0.20 p < 0.20 z= 1.38 2 = 0.68 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 z· 0.37 p < 0.006 p< 0.001

P < 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20

1994 u. 68.0 u= 182.6 u= 171.0 U = 21.0 U'= 298.6 u= 217.6 u= 68.0 u= 44.6 u'. 747.6 u. 106.6 u= 139.00 U'= 437.6

p> 0.20 p< 0.001 p> 0.20 p :sI 0.10 z= 1.63 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 z· 0.32 p< 0.02 p< 0.01 z· 0.43

p< 0.06 p> 0.20 p> 0.20
Table 13

Interyear Correlation (nonparametric) of the Median Water Depths at Random Bowhead

Whale Sightings (September-October) Using the Mann-Whitney U Test, 1982-1994

(Page 4 of 4)

ALL THREE REGIONS (COMBINED)

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

1983 u'~ 882.0

z~ 5.21

p < 0.001

1984 u'~ 1.138.5 u~ 717.5

z~ 3.04 Z ~ 4.17

p< 0.005 p< 0.001

1985 u'~ 316.5 u~ 249.5 u~ 297.5

Z ~ 0.71 p< 0.001 p> 0.20

p> 0.20

1986 u~ 898.0 u~ 786.0 u= 1.043.0 u= 314.0

z= 0.76 Z = 5.19 z= 3.33 p < 0.20

p> 0.20 p < 0.001 p< 0.001

1987 u'= 798.5 u= 668.5 u~ 809.5 u= 223.0 u'= 760.5

z= 0.93 z= 4.77 z= 2.10 p> 0.20 z= 1.53

p> 0.20 p< 0.001 p< 0.05 p< 0.20

en

(}1 1988 u'= 414.0 u= 245.5 u'= 248.0 u'= 104.5 u'= 356.5 u'= 291.0

z~ 2.60 p< 0.002 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p< 0.02 p< 0.10

p< 0.01

1989 u~ 598.0 u= 417.5 u~ 617.0 u= 198.5 u= 457.0 u= 480.6 u~ 214.0

z= 2.89 p< 0.001 p< 0.001 p< 0.005 p< 0.20 p< 0.002 p< 0.001

p< 0.006

1990 U' ~ 2.473.6 u~ 1.729.5 u~ 1.849.5 u'= 682.5 U' = 2.227.6 U' = 1,717.6 u= 874.6 U' ~ 1.353.0

z~ 2.86 z= 8.10 z= 1.47 z= 1.12 Z ~ 2.95 z= 1.64 Z ~ 1.03 z~ 4.21

p< 0.005 p< 0.001 p< 0.20 p> 0.20 p < 0.005 p< 0.20 p> 0.20 p< 0.001

1991 U'= 603.0 u= 213.0 U'= 373.5 u·~ 134.6 U'= 446.0 U'= 377.0 U'= 135.0 U'= 238.0 U'= 999.0

Z ~ 4.33 P < 0.05 p< 0.01 p< 0.02 p< 0.001 p< 0.001 p :S 0.01 p< 0.001 z= 4.33

p < 0.001 p< 0.001

1992 U'~ 883.0 u= 388.5 U'~ 410.0 U'= 170.5 U'~ 578.0 U'= 470.5 U'~ 150.5 U'= 325.5 U' ~ 1.186.6 u= 193.5

z= 3.88 p< 0.001 p> 0.20 p< 0.10 p< 0.001 p< 0.005 p> 0.20 p< 0.001 z= 2.86 p< 0.01

p< 0.001 p< 0.005

1993 U'= 1,614.6 u= 1,645.5 u= 1.981.0 u= 668.0 U'= 1.580.6 u= 1,381.6 u~ 879.6 U'= 1.007.0 U = 4,200.5 u= 886.5 u~ 1.111.0

Z ~ 0.01 z= 6.72 z= 3.38 z= 0.94 z= 0.95 z= 0.96 Z = 2.25 Z = "2.77 Z ~ 3.00 z- 4.69 z= 3.76

p> 0.20 p< 0.001 p< 0.001 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p< 0.05 p < 0.01 p < 0.005 p < 0.001 p < 0.001

1994 U'- 764.0 u= 523.0 u= 694.6 U'= 190.0 U'= 882.0 U'= 510.6 u= 205.5 U'= 410.0 U'= 1.190.0 u= 293.6 u= 347.0 U' = 1.287.6

z= 2.09 z= 4.13 z= 1.08 p> 0.20 z= 2.24 z= 0.96 p> 0.20 p< 0.001 z= 0.01 p< 0.001 p < 0.05 Z ~ 1.93

p < 0.06 p< 0.001 p> 0.20 p< 0.06 p> 0.20 p> 0.20 p < 0.10

, Insuffioient sample size.
Table 14

Interyear Correlation (parametric) of the Mean Water Depths at Random Bowhead Whale Sightings

(September-October) Using Analysis of Variants (ANOVA) and the Tukey Test, 1982-1994

REGION I'

ANOVA F = 1.600, P > 0.20

Tukey Test:

(1989) (1993) (1994) (1987) (1990) (1988) (1986) (1984) (1992) (1982) (1985) (1983)

16.0 16.1 16.3 19.3 29.3 40.5 51.3 53.4 70.3 113.4 219.3 393.7

REGION II

ANOVA F = 11.586, P < < '0.001

Tukey Test:

(1987) , (1993) (1985) (1982) (1990) (1984) (1989) (1988) (1986) (1992) (1991) (1994) (1983)

27.3 30.0 30.4 30.6 33.6 43.7 44.0244.8 60.8 119.0 126.7 225.7 945.0

(p < 0.001) I

en

en

REGION III

ANOVA F = 26.902, P < < 0.001

Tukey Test:

(1986) (1990) (1994) (1982) (1993) (1989) (1987) (1992) (1985) (1984) (1988) (1991) (1983)

34.1 40.5 41.0 43.4 44.3 49.3 49.9 50.2 64.0290.4 90.4 132.2 969.8

(p < 0.001) I

ALL THREE REGIONS (COMBINED)

ANOVA F = 24.925, P < < 0.001

Tukey Test:

(1989) (1993) (1990) (1987) (1986) (1982) (1994) (1988) (1984) (1992) (1985) (1991) (1983)

22.7 35.2 38.8 40.0 44.3 47.5 58.7 61.0 64.7 68.6 76.6 129.2 739.0

(p < < 0.001) I

, No data for Region I during 1991.

2 One datum.
activity levels, oceanographic conditions, and the possible indirect effect of heavy ice cover on prey

availability are additional potential factors. Ice cover probably has the greatest potential for interacting with

environmental conditions that, in turn, may have biological significance to migrating bowhead whales (e.g.,

net primary production, availability of leads, water temperature). During 1983, the most severe ice year since

1975 (USDOD, Navy; Naval Polar Oceanography Center, 1995), the bowhead migration was observed in

water almost an order of magnitude deeper than for other years (fable 12).

In general, mean water depths at sightings of bowhead whales were skewed to the deeper (north) side of

the migration axis (median), with cumulative mean values for each region (1982-1994) approximately twice

as great (as deep) as the cumulative medians (fable 12). The reason for the differences between the

median and mean values is unknown but may simply reflect the increasing gradient of the sea floor farther

offshore.

C. Potential Responses of Bowheads to Survey Aircraft

During the 1994 field season, there were no sightings of bowhead whales for which definite responses to

the survey aircraft were apparent. Although it was not possible to determine if any responses would have

been a direct result of overflight by survey aircraft, sudden overt changes in whale behavior were sought.

Such changes included an abrupt dive, course diversion, or cessation of behavior ongoing at first sighting.

D. Potential Effect of General Ice Cover on WPUE (1979-1994)

During September and October (combined) 1994, there were 192 bowhead whales observed during 120.79

hr for a relative abundance of 1.59 WPUE in Survey Blocks 1 through 12. The relative abundance in this

primary study area was 2.71 WPUE during September and 0.17 WPUE during October. The combined

September and October relative abundance of 1.59 WPUE for 1994 was considered representative of the

cumulative relative abundance (1.55 WPUE) found during moderate ice years (fable 15), even though the

following independent criteria dictate that 1994 should be lumped with light ice years.

The years 1980, 1983, 1988, and 1991 were categorized as having "heavy" ice cover during the navigation

season. These 4 years are ranked as having the severest seasonal ice for the years 1979 through 1994 and

show distances between Point Barrow and the five-tenths ice concentration on 15 September ranging from

10 to 25 nm (USDOD, Navy, Naval Polar Oceanography Center, 1995).

The years 1984, 1985, and 1992, categorized as having "moderate" ice cover during the open-water season,

are ranked next in seasonal ice severity for the years 1979 through 1994 and show distances between Point

Barrow and the five-tenths ice concentration on 15 September ranging from 50 to 75 nm (USDOD, Navy,

Naval Polar Oceanography Center, 1995).

The years 1979, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1993, and 1994, categorized as having "light" ice cover

during the open-water season, are ranked as having the least severe seasonal ice for the years 1979 through

1994 and show distances between Point Barrow and the five-tenths ice concentration on 15 September

ranging from 60 to 185 nm (USDODj Navy, Naval Polar Oceanography Center, 1995).

Table 15 shows a low relative abundance of bowhead whales in the primary study area (Survey Blocks 1-12)

during September and October (combined) for years of heavy ice cover (0.46 WPUE), a middle-range value

for moderate ice years (1.55 WPUE), and a high value for light ice years (2.04 WPUE). A Kruskal-Wallis

single-factor analysis of variance by ranks (Zar, 1984) showed that ice-year categories were significantly

related (p <0.05) to annual relative abundance.

Although cumulative values for the three ice-year categories (fable 15) and the Kruskal-Wallis test suggest

a relationship to annual relative abundance, it is clear that WPUE value is not totally dependent on general

ice coverage. While the mean WPUE for heavy ice years (x = 0.46, SO = 0.15, n = 4) appears separable

from other ice-year categories, the SO of the mean WPUE for light ice years (x = 2.17, SO = 1.30, n = 9)

67
68

Table 15

Relative Abundance (WPUE) of Bowhead Whales within the Primary Study Area

(Survey Blocks 1-12) during September and October',

by Year and General Ice Coverage, 1979-1994

September October Total (Sep-Oct)

Year Hours BH WPUE Hours BH WPUE Hours BH WPUE

1979 51.80 60 1.16 79.99 130 1.63 131.79 190 1.44

1980276.41 30 0.39 50.72 12 0.24 127.13 42 0;33

1981 70.28 231 3.29 46.00 54 1.17 116.28 285 2.45

1982 77.91 283 3.63 35.19 29 0.82 113.10 312 2.76

19832101.73 72 0.71 41.48 17 0.41 143.21 89 0.62

1984373.64 216 2.93 63.49 85 1.34 137.13 301 2.19

19853

.67.39 52 0.77 58.22 57 0.98 125.61 109 0.87

\.~

1986 100.21 65 0.65 51.96 35 0.67 152.17 100 0.66

1987 90.07 61 0.68 77.07 76 0.99 167.14 137 0.82

1988264.96 21 0.32 55.49 19 0.34 120.45 40 0.33

1989 69.84 141 2.02 38.61 149 3.86 108.45 290 2.67

1990 54.85 401 7.31 41.37 77 1.86 96.22 478 4.97

1991238.36 9 . 0.23 51.13 40 0.78 89.49 49 0.55

19923104.28 63 0.60 90.52 234 2.59 194.80 297 1.52

1993 87.33 217 2.48 77.89 136 1.75 165.22 353 2.14

1994 67.55 183 2.71 53.24 9 0.17 120.79 192 1.59
Table 15

Relative Abundance (WPUE) of Bowhead Whales within the Primary Study Area

(Survey Blocks 1-12) during September and October 1,

by Year and General Ice Coverage, 1979-1994

(Continued)

Ice Coverage

September

Hours BH WPUE

October

Hours BH WPUE

Total (Sep-Oct)

Hours BH WPUE

Heavy

Ice Years2(I) 281.46 132 0.47 198.82 88 0.44 480.28 220 0.46

Moderate

Ice Years3(I) 245.31 331 1.35 212.23 376 1.77 457.54 707 1.55

Light

Ice Years (I) 669.84 1,642 2.45 501.32 695 1.39 1,171.16 2,337 2.00

1 After Ljungblad et al. (1987), Moore and Clarke (1992), and Treacy (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992,

1993, 1994).

2 1980, 1983, 1988, and 1991 were considered years of heavy ice coverage.

3 1984, 1985, and 1992 were considered years of moderate ice coverage.

69
overlaps that for moderate ice years (x = 1.53, SO = 0.66, n = 3). Likewise, a nonparametric Tukey-type

test (Zar, 1984) for comparing unequal sample sizes showed that while relative abundance in light ice years

was significantly different (p <0.05) from that in heavy ice years, neither of these two categories was

significantly different from relative abundance in moderate ice years. A separate comparison of ice

concentrations at the location of bowhead sightings (1981-1986) with the observability of whales showed

that sighting distance was significantly affected by local ice cover only in 1982 and 1983 (Ljungblad et aI.,

1987).

Even though the study should not be used to estimate total whale population, the relative abundance of

bowhead whales was compared between years to obtain a rough indication of any gross temporal trends.

In order to control one particular bias against extreme variation in ice severity between years, the WPUE was

compared during September, October, and both months combined (Table 15) for only those years of light

ice (1979, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1993, and 1994). The data showed weak tendencies for

bowhead relative abundance to increase from 1979 through 1994, but the correlations were not statistically

significant.

E. Management Use of Real-Time Field Information

The MMS issues various types of permits to industry for gas and oil exploration, including vessel geophysical

permits for on-water exploration using an array of deep-seismic airguns; vessel geological-geophysical

permits for shallow seismic exploration using an airgun; on-ice geophysical permits using VIBROSEIS

technology; both vessel and on-ice geological permits for obtaining core samples; and permits to drill for

gas and oil.

During 1994, MMS issued a single over-ice geophysical (VIBROSEIS) permit to industry for seismic

exploration in the central to eastern portions of the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. These explorations were

permitted from the first part of January through the end of May, prior to the fall migration of bowhead

whales. No open-water geophysical permits were issued in the same general area, and there were no

preliminary activities for site clearance in 1994.

In general, to prevent potential operational effects on subsistence whaling, any geophysical vessel

explorations permitted during the fall follow stringent restrictions--including a provision to stop seismic

operations when whales were visible from the vessel--as the bowhead whale migration progresses through

the area of operations. For any explorations that occur during the fall, daily summaries of survey information

are transferred from the field to Anchorage for use by MMS Resource Evaluation and by NMFS in

implementing areawide permit restrictions on high-energy seismic operations during periods of limited

visibility.

There were no drilling operations in the Beaufort Sea in 1994. In general, during any fall drilling operations,

daily summaries of field information from this survey, and other arctic surveys being conducted concurrently,

are transferred by the MMS Team Leader to MMS Field Operations in Anchorage. The MMS and NMFS

review daily reports to determine the distributional patterns of bowheads in the vicinity of oil and gas industry

activities and the timing of the bowhead whale migration, especially the "end of the migration" past any drill

sites.

Project ice data were transmitted daily to the U.S. Navy-NOAA Joint Ice Center for their use in groundtruthing satellite imagery. In general, sighting data are used by several management groups to monitor the

progress of the overall fall migration of bowhead whales across the Alaskan Beaufort Sea and to determine

the position of their overall migratory corridor relative to shore. Data from previous surveys continue to be

used by MMS in writing Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments and in

interpreting the results of site-specific studies.

71
F. Field Coordinations

lntormatlon summaries were provided to various requesting agencies and private-sector organizations,

including the USDOD Naval Polar Oceanography Center, Washington, D.C., and the Alaska Eskimo Whaling

Commission, Barrow, Alaska. We also coordlnated.wlth NMFS, Anchorage, Alaska, and with Craig George

of the North Slope Borough, Barrow, Alaska, who accompanied our survey flight on 13 October 1994.

"

..

..•-.1'

72
V. LITERATURE CITED

Batschelet, E. 1972. Recent Statistical Methods for Orientation Data. In: Animal Orientation and

Navigation, S.R Galler, K. Schmidt-Koenig, G.J. Jacobs, and RE. Bellevue, eds. Washington, D.C.:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, pp. 41-61.

Brower, W.A., R.G. Baldwin, C.N. Williams, J.L. Wise, and L.D. Leslie. 1988. Climatic Atlas of the Outer

Continental Shelf Waters and Coastal Regions of Alaska, Volume III. OCS Study MMS 87-0013. USDOI,

MMS, Alaska OCS Region, 524 pp.

Chapman, C.F. 1971. Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling. New York, NY: Hearst Books, 640

pp.

Cochran, WG. 1963. Sampling Techniques. New York, NY: J. Wiley, 413 pp.

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. 16 USC 1531-1543.

Estes, J.A. and J.R. Gilbert. 1978. Evaluation of an Aerial Survey of Pacific Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus

divergens). Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada 35:1,130-1,140.

Houghton, J.P., D.A. Segar, and J.E. Zeh. 1984. Beaufort Sea Monitoring Program. In: Proceedings of

a Workshop (September 1983) and Sampling Design Recommendations. Prepared by Dames and

Moore, Seattle, WA, for the OCS Environmental Assessment Program, Juneau, AK, 111 pp.

laBelle, J.C., J.L. Wise, RP. Voelker, RH. Schulze, and G.M. Wohl. 1983. Alaska Marine Ice Atlas. Arctic

Environmental Information and Data Center, University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK, 302 pp.

LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc. 1987. Importance of the Eastern Alaskan Beaufort Sea to

Feeding Bowhead Whales, 1985-86, W.J. Richardson, ed. OCS Study MMS 87-0037. Prepared for

USDOI, MMS, Alaska OCS Region.

Ljungblad, D.K., S.E. Moore, J.T. Clarke, and J.C. Bennett. 1987. Distribution, Abundance, Behavior and

Bioacoustics of Endangered Whales in the Alaskan Beaufort and Eastern Chukchi Seas, 1979-86. OCS

Study MMS 87-0039. Anchorage, AK: USDOI, MMS, Alaska OCS Region, 391 pp.

Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. 16 USC 1361-1407.

Moore, S.E. and J.T. Clarke. 1992. Distribution, Abundance and Behavlorof Endangered Whales in the

Alaskan Chukchi and Western Beaufort Seas, 1991: With a Review 1982-91. OCS Study MMS 92-0029.

Anchorage, AK: USDOI, MMS, Alaska OCS Region, 211 pp.

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 42 USC 4321-4347.

Norton, D. and G. Weller. 1984. The Beaufort Sea: Background, History, and Perspective. In: The Alaskan

Beaufort Sea, P. Barnes, D. Schell, and E. Reimnitz, eds. Orlando, FL: Academic Press, Inc., 466 pp.

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953, as amended in 1978. 43 USC 1331-1356 and 1801-1866.

Treacy, S.D. 1988. Aerial Surveys of Endangered Whales in the Beaufort Sea, Fall 1987. OCS Study MMS

88-0030. Anchorage, AK: USDOI, MMS, Alaska OCS Region, 141 pp.

Treacy, S.D. 1989. Aerial Surveys of Endangered Whales in the Beaufort Sea, Fall 1988. OCS Study MMS

89-0033. Anchorage, AK: USDOI, MMS, Alaska OCS Region, 101 pp.

73
Treacy, S.D. 1990. Aerial Surveys of Endangered Whales in the Beaufort Sea, Fall 1989. OCS Study MMS

90-0047. Anchorage, AK: USDOI, MMS, Alaska OCS Region, 104 pp .

.-

Treacy, S.D. 1991. Aerial Surveys of Endangered Whales in the Beaufort Sea, Fall 1990. OCS Study MMS

91-0055. Anchorage, AK: USDOI, MMS, Alaska OCS Region, 107 pp.

Treacy, S:D. 1992. Aerial Surveys of Endangered Whales in the Beaufort. Sea, Fall 1991. ,OCS Study MMS

92-0017: Anchorage, AK: USDOI, MMS, Alaska OCS Region, 92 pp. '.

Treacy, S.D. 1993. Aerial Surveys of Endangered Whales in the Beaufort Sea, Fall 1992. OCS Study MMS

,r93-0023. Anchorage, AK:' USDOI, MMS, AlaskaOCS Region, J35 pp.

Treacy, S.D. 1994. Aerial Surveys of Endangered Whales in the Beaufort Sea, Fall 1993. OCS Study MMS

94-0032. Anchorage, AK: USDOI, MMS, Alaska OCS Region, 132 pp.

USDOC, NOAA, NMFS. 1982. Endangered Species Act, Section 7.Consultation - Biological Opinion, Oil

and Gas Lease Sale 71 (Diapir Field). 19 May 1982. Washington, D.C.

USDOC, NOAA, NMFS. 1983. Endangered Species Act, Section 7 Consultation - Biological Opinion, Oil

and Gas Leasing and Exploration - Diapir Field Lease Offering (Sale 87). 19 December 1983.

, Washington, D.C .. ,,-,. II ,OJ

• ..~ ":;0. ". ,_ . i,

USDOC, NOAA, NMFS . ..1987. Endangered Species Act, Section 7 Consultation- Biological Opinion, Oil

and Gas Leasing and Exploration - Beaufort Sea Sale 97. 20 May 1987. Washington, D.C.

~ "'" ",1 .~ ~

USDOC, NOAA, NMFS. 1988., Endangered Species Act, Section 7 Consultation - Biological Opinion, Oil

and Gas Leasing and Exploration - Arctic Region. 23 November 1988. Washington, D.C.

- , ,,', "., - '\ " ,.'•... , ,

USDOD, Navy, Naval Hydrographic Office. 1956. Aerial Ice Reconnaissance and Functional Glossary of

Ice Terminology. Hydrographic Office Publication No. 609, 14 pp. .: .

USDOD, Navy.. Naval Polar Oceanography Center-. 1995. U.S. Navy-NOAA Joint -Ice Center, Seasonal

Outlook, Western Arctic Ice, 1995. Washington, D.C., 5 pp.

,.', ~', • -.. x

USDOI, MMS. 1979. State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources; Federal/State Joint Beaufort Sea

Oil and Gas Lease Sale BF, November 7, 1979 (44 FR 64752). .1' ,_

USDOI, MMS .. 1982. Memorandum from Director, BLM, to Secretary ofthe Interior, dated 30 April 1982;

,.. SUbject: Decision on the Modification of the Seasonal Drilling Restriction.

,,<,~:~f -, \?

USDOI, MMS. 1984. Outer Continental Shelf, Diapir Field, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 87, July 23,1984 (49 FR

29726).. •

USDOI, MMS. 1985. Beaufort Sea Planning Area Map (June 1985). Anchorage, AK: USDOI, MMS, Alaska

OCS Region.

USDOI, MMS. 1988" Outer Continental Shelf, Beaufort Sea,.oil and Gas Lease Sale 97, February 12, 1988

(53 FR 4356).

""" ~~;>:'( _~:(: s » , '~ ~

USDOI, MMS. 1991. Outer Continental Shelf Beaufort. Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 124, May 24, 1991 (56

FR 23966).

•• ~••,... . .I ~":- ,~;

USDOI, MMS. 1994. Project Management Plan, MMS Fall 1994 Bowhead Whale Aerial Survey Project, July

1994. Anchorage, AK: USDOI, MMS, Alaska OCS Region, 17 pp.

74
Zar, S.H. 1984. Biostatistical Analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc., 620 pp.

75
APPENDIX A

BOWHEAD WHALE DENSITIES
BOWHEAD WHALE DENSITIES

This appendix presents estimated bowhead whale densities in the Beaufort Sea for the period 31 August

through 18 October 1994. Present survey goals do not include estimation of absolute population

abundance; therefore, raw density values found in this report were not adjusted to account for submergence

of whales, sighting variability, etc., and are presented only for relative visual comparison with similarly

calculated values from previous survey reports. Also, sample sizes for determining density in individual

survey blocks were considered too small to stratify by category (sea state, ice cover, etc.) or to make

statistical correlations having real biological significance.

METHODS

A computer program--DENSITY --was used to calculate raw density estimates for survey blocks previously

shown for the Beaufort Sea (Fig. 1). The program was based on strip-transect methodologies that use only

sightings made on random-transect legs (Estes and Gilbert, 1978) and that were within a predetermined

distance from the aircraft (Hayne, 1949). Distance from the transect line was calculated trigonometrically

from the altitude of the survey plane at the time of sighting and the clinometer angle recorded for each initial

sighting location. Only endangered whale sightings within 1 km of random-transect legs were used to derive

density estimates. The number of sightings made from project aircraft decreased markedly much beyond

that distance, with 69 percent of sightings from the Twin Otter made within 1 km of the trackline. The basic

assumptions for use of this formula, and the degree to which these assumptions were met in the Fall-1994

and previous MMS-funded arctic whale surveys, are incorporated by reference (Ljungblad et aI., 1987:

Appendix B).

RESULTS

Densities by survey block were estimated as the number of bowhead whales per 100 km2(Table A-1).

On 31 August, there were no survey blocks for which more than 10 percent of the area was surveyed. Six

bowheads were observed within 1 km of the randomly generated transect line in Block 5, where only 9.38

percent of the block was surveyed, for an estimated density of 0.67. No bowhead whales were observed

within 1 km of the transect line in other Beaufort Sea blocks during this period (Table A-1).

During the first half of September, over 10 percent of the area was surveyed for Blocks 1, 2, 4, and 5. Of

these blocks, no bowheads were observed in Blocks 1 and 2 within 1km of the randomly generated transect

line, for estimated densities of 0.00 whales per 100 krrr'. Nine bowheads were observed in Block 5, for an

estimated density of 0.41. Three bowheads were observed in Block 4, for an estimated density of 0.27. No

bowhead whales were observed within 1 km of the transect line in other Beaufort Sea blocks during this

period (Table A-1).

During the second half of September, over 10 percent of the area was surveyed for Blocks 2, 4, and 11.

Of these blocks, no bowheads were observed in Blocks 2 and .~1 within 1 km of the randomly generated

transect line, for estimated densities of 0.00 whales per 100 km2• One bowhead was observed in Block 4,

for an estimated density of 0.13. An additional six bowheads were observed in Block 5, where only 9.68

percent of the block was surveyed, for an estimated density of 0.54. Three bowhead whales were observed

within 1 km of the transect line in other Beaufort Sea blocks during this period (Table A-1).

During the first half of October, over 10 percent of the area was surveyed for Blocks 1, 2, 3, 11, and 12.

Of these blocks, no bowheads were observed in Blocks 1, 2, and 11 within 1 km of the randomly generated

transect line, for an estimated density of 0.00 whales per 100 km2• One bowhead was observed in Block

3 and also in Block 12, for estimated densities of 0.03 and 0.05, respectively. No bowhead whales were

observed within 1 km of the transect line in other Beaufort Sea blocks during this period.

A-1
Table A-1

Semimonthly Estimates of Bowhead Whale Densities, by Survey Block, Fall 1994

(strip width = 2 km)

Block No.

(by Semi- Block Transect Percent No. of No. of Density

monthly Area Distance of Area Transect Percent of Transects Whales (Whales/

Period) (km2) (km) Surveyed Time (hr) Total Time Flown Observed 100 km 2)

31 Aug

4 5,714 174 6.09 0.78 27.29 4 0 0.00

5 9,481 445 9.38 2.08 72.58 7 6 0.67

6 8,109 0 0.00 0.00' 0.04 1 0 0.00

7 8,109 1 0.01 0.00 0.09 3 0 0.00

1-15 Sep

1 10,222 765 14.97 3:31 21.53 17 0 0.00

2 6,672 666 19.97 3.02 19.65 17 0 0.00

3 11,475 0 0.00 0.00 0.01 1 0 0.00

4 5,714 556 19.47 2.47 16.10 14 3 0.27

5 9,481 1,106 23.33 5.10 33.22 18 9 0.41

6 8,109" 21 0.53 0.08 0.52 3 0 0.00

7 8,109 1 0.02 0.00 0.03 3 0 0.00

10 10,358 43 0.82 '- 0.18 1.15 8 0 0.00

11 10,358 266 5.14 1.19 7.75 4 0 0.00

16-30 Sep

1 10,222 443 8.68 1.99 12.74 13 1 0.11

2 6,672 705 21.14 3.23 20.71 13 0 0.00

3 11,475 555 9.68 2.50 16.00 11 6 0.54

4 5,714 381 13.35 1.71 10.97 10 1 0.13

5 9,481 414 8.74 1.77 11.34 6 2 0.24

6 8,109 235 5.79 1.06 6.81 7 0 0.00

7 8,109 0 0.01 0.00 0.01 1 0 0.00

10 10,358 5 0.09 0.03 0.17 2 0 0.00

11 10,358 741 ' 14.30 3.31 21.19 12 0 0.00

A-2
Table A

1

Semimonthly Estimates of Bowhead Whale Densities, by Survey Block, Fall 1994

(strip width = 2 km)

(Continued)

Block No.

{by Semi- Block Transect Percent No. of No. of Density

monthly Area Distance of Area Transect Percent of Transects Whales (Whales/

Period) (km2) (km) Surveyed Time (hr) Total Time Flown Observed 100 km 2)

1-15 Oct

1 10,222 533 10.43 2.31 10.17 10 0 0.00

2 6,672 411 12.32 1.85 8.16 10 0 0.00

3 11,475 1,449 25.26 6.56 28.93 22 1 0.03

4 5,714 175 6.13 0.73 3.23 4 0 0.00

5 9,481 39 0.82 0.15 0.66 1 0 0.00

10 10,358 6 0.11 0.02 0.11 4 o. 0.00

11 10,358 1,329 25.66 6.06 26.74 19 0 0.00

12 11,163 1,088 19.49 4.98 21.95 14 1 0.05

12N 11,453 1 0.02 0.00 0.02 3 0 0.00

16-28 Oct

12 11,163 917 16.43 3.97 99.32 14 0 0.00

12N 11,453 7 0.12 0.03 0.68 4 0 0.00

A-3
From 16 through 18 October, no blocks were surveyed over 10 percent of their area and no whales were

observed within 1 km of the transect line in other Beaufort Sea blocks during this period.

~, "

LITERATURE CITED

-

Estes, J.A. and J.R. Gilbert. 1978. Evaluation of an Aerial Survey of Pacific Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus

divergens). Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada 35:1,130-1,140.

Hayne, D.W. 1949. An Examination ofthe Strip Census Method for Estimating Animal Populations. Journal

of Wildlife Management 13:145-157. .~

Ljungblad, DK, S.E. Moore, J.T. Clarke, and J.C. Bennett. 1987. Distribution, Abundance, Behavior and

Bioacoustics of Endangered Whales in the Alaskan Beaufort and Eastern Chukchi Seas, 1979-86. OCS

Study MMS 87-0039. NOSC Technical Report 1177 prepared for USDOI, MMS, Alaska OCS Region, 391

pp. '

A-4
APPENDIX B

DAILY FLIGHT SUMMARIES
DAILY FLIGHT SUMMARIES

This appendix consists of maps for Flights 1 through 33 that depict aerial surveys flown over the study area

from 31 August through 18 October 1994 aboard the Twin Otter aircraft. Daily maps show survey tracks

and the initial position of marine mammal sightings.

A comparison of daily flight maps can be made on a visual basis over the period of the field season to

evaluate ongoing patterns of marine mammal distribution and aircraft coverage. Each map shows the flight

track as a line drawn through position updates recorded on the aircraft computer system. Each animal

sighting is marked with a species symbol on the flight-track plot. The symbols used can be keyed out using

the species legend found on each map. Positional and other data for each sighting of bowhead whales are

summarized in Table B-1. .

B-1
Table B-1

Selected Sighting Data for Bowhead Whales Observed, Fall 1994 ,t

(Page1 of 3)

.

Flight Total No. of Latitude Longitude Sighting Compass Ice Sea Depth

No. Day Whales Calves (North) (West) Cue Behavior Heading (%) State (m)

'.

1 31 Aug1

0 69°47.9' 140°38.4' body rest 50°'

01 31

1 31 Aug1

0 70°03.4' 141°24.3' body rest 180°' ;t

31 40

1 31 Aug

1

0 70°05.5' 141°23.8' body swim 50°

21 40

1 31 Aug

1

0 70°17.7' 141°44.6' body swim 110°'

11 57

1 31 Aug10 70°14.4' 141°44.9' blow dive 220° i1

1 55

1 31 Aug

1

0 70°19.4' 142°22.5' body swim 110°

11 53

1 31 Aug1

0 70°21.0' 142°22.2' body swim 60°

,

1 -,

1 55

1 31 Aug1

0 70°21.6' 142°22.0' body rest 60°

.

:1 '1 55

swim . 1 31 Aug 1 .) 55 0 70°23.5' 142°21.5' splash 70° 1 ·1 2 1 Sep 1 0 70°20.2' 143°45.8' splash swim 50° . 1 _,1' 40 2 1 Sep 1 0 71°06.7' 147°44.5' splash swim 320°' . 50 0 613 3 2 Sep 1 0 70°11.9' 143°15.0' body swim 240° )

-.1 -1

~ 11

3

2 Sep1

0 70°13.7' 143°07.0' body swim 330° l'"

~

1 -1' -. 29

OJ

3

2 Sep1

0 70°15.1

r 143°06.1' body swim 310°

1 ">1" 37

IN

1

3

2 Sep

30 70°10.1 ' 142°41.7' slick swim 60°

1-

1 -, 33

3

2 Sep1

0 70°09.6' 142°39.2' body slap 320°

1

1 '-',29

3

2 Sep1

0 70°10.4' 142°43.1' body swim 240°

1

1

".33

32 Sep

1

0 70°09.6' 142°37.4'

11

290°

1

1 29

32 Sep20 70°09.8' 142°39.3' 240°

11 29

3

2 Sep3

0 70°10.3' 142°41.7' body swim 250° ~1

1

,

33

3

2 Sep

30 70°09.1' 142°36.8' slick swim 260°,

!1

1 -- 29

3

2 Sep1

0 70°07.3' 142°35.5' body swim 310°'- ·1

~

i 1) 27

3

2 Sep1

0 70°06.3' 142°15.4'

1

1

210° .:

1

1 33

3

2 Sep

1

0 70°07.0' 142°12.8' splash swim 230°

:1 ,1 33

3

2 Sep3

0 70°06.9' 142°03.8' body

1

1

11 38

3

2 Sep

3

1 70°06.2' 142°00.3'

1

cow-calf 350°

1-_

1 38

3

2 Sep1

0 70°04.2' 141°52.9'

1

10° 1::

1 29

32 Sep30 70°03.4' 141°53.5' body swim

1

1•

0 29

3

2 Sep2

0 70°03.3' 141°59.1' body

1

360° 1,·6 29

3

2 Sep

80 70°03.3' 142°01.1' body mill

1

1

0 26

32 Sep

2

0 70°02.6' 142°10.8' body swim

1

0 18

3

2 Sep1

0 70°01.4' 142°10.7' body rest 260°

1

0 18

3

2 Sep1

0 70°00.2' 142°09.0' body swim 210°

1

0 22

3

2 Sep21 70°04.0' 141°41.2' blow cow-calf 10° O·

1 29

3

2 Sep2

0 70°02.4' 141°39.1' body swim

1

0

1 31

3

2 Sep

60 70°01.0' 141°39.0' slick swim 350°.

0

1 31
Table B-1

Selected Sighting Data for Bowhead Whales Observed, Fall 1994

(Page2 of 3)

Flight Total No. of Latitude Longitude Sighting Compass Ice Sea De

No. Day Whales Calves (North) (West) Cue Behavior Heading (%) State (

3 2 Sep 4 0 69°58.6' 141°39.5' slick swim 340° 0 1 

3 2 Sep 1 0 70°00.7' 142°04.9' body rest 130° 0 1 

3 2 Sep 1 0 70°02.4' 142°06.2' body swim 30° 0 1 

3 2 Sep 3 0 70°04.5' 142°07.7' body swim 90° 0 1 

7 7 Sep 1 0 70°21.2' 143°20.9' blow swim 40° 0 2 

7 7 Sep 1 0 70°22.9' 143°21.2' body swim 40° 0 2 

9 9 Sep 1 0 69°44.5' 140°05.7' splash swim 220° 0 4 

9 9 Sep 4 0 70°09.1' 140°18.1 ' body swim 330° 0 2 

9 9 Sep 3 0 70°08.5' 140°30.3' , ,

320°02 

9

9 Sep

2

0 70°08.3' 140°27.3' 330°

02 

99 Sep

60 70°07.0' 140°33.2' body , 1

2 

99 Sep1

0 70°05.5' 140°32.5' ,

210°

12 

99 Sep4

0 70°04.8' 140°29.9' 210°

1

2 

9

9 Sep

30 70°04.9' 140°27.4' mill 60°

1

2 

OJ

99 Sep1

0 70°05.4' 140°25.7' body swim 200°

12 

I

Co)

99 Sep4

0 70°04.1' 140°23.7'

,

mill , 12 

9

9 Sep

3

0 70°02.0' 140°23.9' , 0

2 

99 Sep1

0 70°03.6' 140°21.4' body 270°

02 

99 Sep1

0 70°04.4' 140°16.8' slick swim 200°

0

2 

99 Sep

60 70°11.8' 140°17.7' ,

swim 210°

0

2 

9

9 Sep

5

0 70°13.2' 140°18.2' slick ,

190°02 

99 Sep 14

0 70°14.4' 140°18.3' body swim 210°

02 

99 Sep2

0 70°13.5' 140°46.0' body swim 190°

12 

9

9 Sap

1

0 70°08.0' 140°47.3' body swim 270°

12 

9 9Sep2

0 70°03.0' 140°46.5' blow swim 250°

1

2 

99 Sep1

0 70°03.8' 142°08.4' body swim 250°

12 

11 13 Sep

1

0 69°51.4' 140°22.7' slick swim 90°

0

4 

11 13 Sep

1

0 69°54.9' 140°21.3' slick swim 90°

04 

11 13 Sep

1

0 69°55.9' 140°21.5' splash swim 100°

04 

11 13 Sep

1

0 70°08.6' 140°47.8' blow swim 250°

0

4 

11 13 Sep

1

0 70°20.4' 142°17.9' body dive 80°

55 

13 17 Sep

1

0 70°36.1' 149°01.8' body swim 180°

15 

13 17 Sep

60 70°59.4' 152°40.6' blow swim 100°

0

4

13 17 Sep1

0 70°51.1' 151°40.5' body dive 90°

0

4 

15 22 Sep

5

0 70°22.6' 144°18.9' body swim 360°

0

2 

15 22 Sep

2

0 69°44.4' 140°59.6' body swim 280°

0

1 
Table B-1

Selected Sighting Data for Bowhead Whales Observed, Fall 1994

(Page 3 of 3)

Flight Total No. of Latitude Longitude Sighting Compass Ice Sea Depth

No. Day Whales Calves (North) (West) Cue Behavior Heading (%) State (m)

15 22 Sep 1 0 69°43.3' 140°54.1 r body 300° 0 1 24

15 22 Sep 1 0 69°42.7' 140°56.4' body 280° 0 1 24

15 22 Sep 1 0 69°41.9' 140°54.5' body 290° 0 1 18

15 22 Sep 1 0 69°40.3' 140°52.4' body dive 280° 0 1 18

15 22 Sep 1 0 69°38.3' 140°30.1 ' slick swim 240° 0 1 13

15 22 Sep 1 0 69°48.9' 140°25.7' body rest 210° 0 1 29

15 22 Sep 1 0 69°52.2' 140°24.5' body rest 220° 0 1 31

15 22 Sep 1 0 69°53.1' 140°24.3' slick swim 240° 0 1 31

15 22 Sep 1 0 69°59.1' 140°23.5' body swim 230° ,0 1 49

17 24 Sep 1 0 70°27.8' 143°53.2' body swim 170° 0 4 37

17 24 Sep 2 0 70°28.0' 143°55.3' body swim 30° 0 4 37

17 24 Sep 2 1 70°28.3' 143°53.4' body cow-calf 150° 0 4 37

17 24 Sep 3 0 70°28.4' 143°55.2' body swim 60° 0 4 37

OJ

I 17 24 Sep 1 0 70°26.5' 143°55.7' blow swim 60° 0 4 37 .jl>

17 24 Sep 1 0 70°21.2' 143°54.7' splash swim 100° 0 4 35

17 24 Sep 1 0 70°29.9' 144°49.3' body swim 150° 0 4 42

17 24 Sep 1 0 70°29.8' 145°07.3' splash swim 100° 0 4 42

17 24 Sep 1 0 70°29.9' 145°09.8' body swim 100° 0 4 42

17 24 Sep 1 0 70°30.3' 145°15.4' splash log play 1

0 4 42

17 24 Sep 2 0 70°30.9' 145°14.3' body swim 190° 0 4 42

17 24 Sep 1 0 70°32.3' 146°43.6' splash swim 210° 0 3 37

17 24 Sep 1 0 70°27.1' 146°43.4' splash swim 260° 0 3 27

21 29 Sep 1 0 70°29.5' 144°38.1' body swim 300° 50 2 42

21 29 Sep 1 0 70°16.0' 146°16.5' body swim 250° 0 2 15

21 29 Sep 2 0 70°16.9' 146°27.4' splash swim 260° 0 2 15

22 1 Oct 1 0 70°45.4' 151 °14.0' body swim 220° 40 1 16

22 1 Oct 1 0 71°13.1' 152°54.3' body swim 240° 70 2 27

23 7 Oct 1 0 70°55.2' 146°38.1' body dive 150° 95 2 181

23 7 Oct 3 0 70°55.4' 146°37.0' body swim 1

95 2 181

24 8 Oct 2 0 71 °15.0' 154°16.3' body rest 210° 90 1 20

28 13 Oct 1 0 71 °32.6' 156°42.4' blow swim 270° 90 1 144

28 13 Oct 2 0 71 °32.2' 157°32.6' blow swim 240° 20 5 73

33 18 Oct 1 0 65°46.3' 167°57.6' body dive 220° 2 2

1

1 Not recorded
n

L{)

L{)

73

BEAUFORT SEA'

I

r- _ 72

--- \

I

- - -- - --

I I \

I

I I \

Barrow. I I \

-t- l

-- \

I 1- - -- \ 71

I

I

\

OJ I -, I

\

I

I

I- _

C1I I \

Harrison

\

LEGEND \ 70 Deadhorse \ •

Bowhead Whale -o Ringed Seal Camden

t:> Belukha Whole \

•

Bearded Seal

a 50 100

I I I I I I I I I I I

Stalule Miles (apprax.) «

0

<i. « 69

()l z

«

Alaska ~

<.)

r-,

L{) L{) Q)

L{) n

n

n

L{) Q) r-, L{) '<:t

L{) '<:t '<:t '<:t '<:t

FLIGHT 1 31 August 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
(J) •

n

73

Harrison

I

I

I

I

II

I

_'\-1I3..e-,L

I

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

72

BEAUFORT SEA

Alaska

69

r- _

------

71

LEGEND

• Bowhead Whale

b. Belukha Whale

• Bearded Seal

o 50 100

I I I I I I I I I I I

-<:>- Ringed Seal

* Unidentified Pinniped

Deadhorse

Camden

70

Stotute Miles (appro x. )

FLIGHT 2 1 September 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
O'l

L() r-,

LO LO oi

L() n n n

L() r» r-, L() ..qL() ..q- ..q- ..q- ..q-

,- 73

BEAUFORT SEA

r- _ 72

--- --- - - - -- - -- \

I I \ \

I I \ \

I I \

\

71 -t-- - - -- -1 \ \

r - I- i- 71 I

\

I

- -

, I

\

111 I

I _ .,

\

I

L. _, \

......•

I II - --\

Harrison I I \

LEGEND \ 70 Deadhorse \

•

Bowhead Whale Camden

-<>- Ringed Seal \

*

Unidentified Pinniped

a 50 100

I I I I I I I I I I

Statute Miles (apprax.)

«

0

<i. « 69

(j) z

«

Alaska ~ 0

r---

L() LO O'l

L() n n

n

L() (J) r--; L() ..qL() ..q- ..q- ..q- ..q-

,-

FLIGHT 3 2 September 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
BEAUFORT SEA

r-'_ 72

---

- - - -- - -- \

I \

I \

I I \

---l I

- \

1.- -,--- \ 71

I

I ,' \

I

I ,_. I, aJ

cb I _ L - - - - -\

Harrison - --

I I \

LEGEND I

\ 70

Do Belukha Whole se Polar Bear \

•

Bearded Seal I

-¢' Ringed Seal

0 50 100

I I I I I I I I I I I

Statute Miles (apprax.)

«

0

<i. « 69

(j) z

«

Alaska ~ 0

L{) (J)

L{) !")

!") r<)

If) (J) I"- If) '<t If) '<t '<t '<t '<t

FLIGHT 4 4 September 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
L17~

617~

--- IIIIII

I

--t

L--- IIII

I

I I

I-I - --\\ I\I

_\ -- IIIII r J co

UJ

I....

I.... o

I

8-9

c

Q)

-0Eo

~uI.... o

.£:

-0o

Q) o

~---_ ';e - ~o

~- :-Q) - jj

Q)

-

"

-

~

-I

0---'

o

..:::L

(f) o«

617~

L17~

\\

\\

\\

\\

I_---L-- I

I

II I I I I I I

1---'----- IIIIIIIIIIIILI

I

I

I

I
en

L{)

L[)

L[)n

L{)

enn

73
BEAUFORT SEA

I

r-_ 72

--- ---

\

I

--- --

- -- I I \

\

I I I I \

Borrow. I I I

\

---t

- --

1 I \

I- I-

---- 1- 71 I \

OJ I -

-

I

I

I

\ 1_., ..• ..• I I I

\

'-- I I \ Harrison

\

LEGEND

\ 70 Deodhorse \

•

Bowhead Whale Camden

•

Bearded Seal

\

-o Ringed Seal 0 50 100 I I I I I I I I I I I

Statute Miles (approx.)

«0

<i.

« 69

If)

z«

Alaska :::l (.)

r--

tD Lf) (J)

tD

n

n

n

tD (J) r--, Lf) "<ltD "<l- "<l- "<l- "<lFLIGHT 7 7 September 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
Lv L

LvL

6v L

- --

----

I

\

\

\

\

____ II

I

I

I

I

\

I

\

I

___I--

I

I

I

I

I

\

\

\

\

I

I

I

I

I

I

I - - - I:.----~,;;;;;;--, C

IV

-0

E

o

~ U l....

o

..t:

-0

o

IV

o

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

L

I

I

I

I

I

c

o·

Ul

·Cl....

o

I

...

o

Q)

(IJ

-

-

a

z

w

o

w

-'

8-12

(J)

co

6v L

o

.sc

(f)

o

« Lv L
BEAUFORT SEA

I

r-_ 72

--- ---

\

I

- --

--- -- I I I \

I I I I \

BarrovJ• I I I

\

---t --

--- -1

\

\ ---

r 1--

- --

I 71 \ I I \ \ I

"1 I I OJ

\

I L-

--

I I I \

(,,)

Harrison

- -- I \

LEGEND

\ 70 Deadhorse \

•

Bowhead Whole -o- Ringed Seal Camden

/::, Belukha Whole

~ Polar Bear

•

Bearded Seal

*

Unidentified Pinniped

a 50 100 I I I I I I I I I I

Slatute Miles (approx.)

4: 0

<i 4: 69

lf1

Z«

Alaska ::J

0

r---

L[) .o (J)

i.D

n

n

n

L[) (J) r-, L[) ..qLO "¢ ..q- "¢

..qFLIGHT 9 9 September 1994

Survey Track and Sightings

BEAUFORT SEA

r-_ 72

--- ---

--- --- --

\ I I \

\ I I I \ I I I \

71 -t

-- --

l

I

\

r ,-

I

\ 71 I I I \

m I

-, I I \

I

..•

C1l I I L

\

Harrison I I \

LEGEND

I

\ 7

Deadhor \

•

Bowhead Whole -¢- Ringed Seal Camden

l::. Belukha Whole

*

Unidentified Pinniped

\

•

Bearded Seal

a 50 100 I I I I I I I I I I

Statute Miles (opprox.)

<{0

<i <{ 

Ul

Z

<{

Alaska

~

(,)

r-,

Lf) L() 

L()

n

n

Lf) OJ r--, Lf) '<t

Lf) '<t '<t

~

'<t

FLIGHT 11 13 September 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
L C;

L

\

\

\\I\IIIItII1ItIIIIIII

L

I

f

I

I .I

C

Ql UEo

~uLo..c __--r Uo

Ql o

L C;L

c0

Ul LL0 ~-

~C;L

I

--

- --- I1-\\

____ I_- I\III \

\

\

I

__I-- III11

--, I

",.

1_r I I

II I- I I I I

--tL_- IIIIII

._-

8-16

(J)

CD

-6tL

VOVNVJ

~

0)

0)

~(fJ L

01C Q).-

..o+J

E~

Q).-

+J(f)

0..

Q)""o

(f)Co

1O

...-.:::t:. ooL

IN~

~Q)

>L

I-:J

I(f) o

--.J

LL
If)

If)

BEAUFORT SEA

72

--- - - - - - - -- \

I \ \

I \ \

I I \

71 - - - -

l \

\

1- -I- I

71

1

I

\

m - I

I

I , I

..•

..•..• I _L \

Harrison - -- I I \

LEGEND \ 70 Oeadhorse \

•

Bowhead Whale 4 Ringed Seal Camden

6 Belukha Whale \

•

Bearded Seal

a 50 100

I I I I I I I I I I I

Statute Miles (opprox.)

«

0

<i. « 69

Ul z

«

Alaska :J 0

p-,

Lf) Lf) ()l

Lf) n

n

n

If) en r-, Lf) ..qIf) ..q- ..q- ..q- ..qFLIGHT 13 17 September 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
(J)

co

- -- - -- I

- --

\

1

\

1

- _I--

I

I

I

I

I

\

\

\

\

_---II

I

I

I

I

\

\

\

\

I

I

I

I

I

I

I --,----

I

I

I

I

I

I I I

I---t-L---

I I

I I

I I

I I

I I

L I

f

f .

I

I

I

ltl

£tl

o

.:::L.

(f)

o

«

Ltl r

I

I6t l I

c

o

(fJ

'-- '--

o

I

~-

-

-

8-18
BEAUFORT SEA

r-_ 72

---

- ----- --

\ I \ I \ I I \

---t--------j

\

r- 1-

- -- 71 I \ I - I \

OJ I

1_.., I \

I

..• L-

_

(0 I I \ Harrison I \

LEGEND

\ 70 Deadhorse \

•

Bowhead Whole Camden

I:> Belukho Whole

\

a 50 ioo I I I I I I I I I I

Siolule Miles (opprox.)

«0

<i.

« 69

{j)

z«

Alaska ::l

0

r-,

L() L() (Yl

L() 10

10 10

L()

m r-, L() '<t

L() '<t "'¢ '<t "'¢

FLIGHT 15 22 September 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
BEAUFORT SEA

I 72

--- -- ------ \

/

I \

/

I \

Barrow. I

\

-

\

,

I

71

\ '

OJ \

I

N

0

\ Horrison - - ~

\

\ 70 Oeadhorse \ LEGEND Camden

\

t:, Belukha Whale

0 50 100

I t I I I I I I I I I

Statute Miles (opprox.) 4:

0

<i. 4: 69

(/l Z

4:

. Alaska ~ 0

r-,

L() .o en

Lf) n

n

n t.D en f'-. t.D -.:t

t.D -.:t -.:t -.:t -.:t

ent.D

FLIGHT 16 23 September 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
BEAUFORT SEA

I 72

--- ---

\

I

--- -- I I \

I I I

\ Barrow. I I

\

71 -t

- -- I \

I' II

71 I I \

o:J I I \ IN I _L

\

...•

. Harrison

\

LEGEND

\ 70 Oeadhorse \

•

Bowhead Whale -¢- Ringed Seal Camden

6 Belukha Whale

\

•

Bearded Seal

0 50 100 I I I I I I I I I I I

Statute Miles (apprax.)

«0

<i

~ 69

(j1

Z

<{

Alaska ::l

0

I'-

LD L[) (Jl

L[)

n

n

n

LD c» I'- L[) "<t

LD "<t "<t "<t "<t

FLIGHT 17 24 September 1994

Survey Track and Sightings

(J)

L()

BEAUFORT SEA

r-- _ 72

--- ------ \

I I \

I I \

I \ \

71 --t I \

r

,- I

71

I I

\

I I \ OJ

I

N I L \

Co) Harrison \ \

LEGEND \ 70 Deadhorse \

f::, Belukha Whale Camden

•

Bearded Seal \

-¢- Ringed Seal

0 50 100

I I I I I I I I I I I

Statuie Miles (apprax.)

<{

0

<i. <{ 69

(j) Z

<{

Alaska ::l ()

r-,

L() L() O'l

L[) n n

n

L() (J) r--, L() ..q.

L() ..q. ..q. ..q- ..q.

FLIGHT 19 27 September 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
0

(J)

so

r-, 6£ ~

----

\

"<:JQ"<:JN"<:JJ

~t ~

YS'n

- --

\

\

\

\

I

\

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

-, I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

L

I

( .

I

I j

f 1

~

<;t~ oi

oi

c

0

~(J)

Q)

..Y

-0 (J)

0)

E

L

Q) 0

0

Q).C

ff) U «

Lt~

..o~

£

IEO)

0

.c

-0

Q)'-

0

-+-,(f)

Q)

0..

0

Q)I:J

6t ~ (f) C

-

,

0

coN..Y

0

~<;~

0

L

~

0 ~

NQ)

1

>

~-

£<;~

L

I- ::J

-

I(f)

-

G

- x

.-J

e

-

a.

LL

a.

0

2-

~

..

"

- s

- :;"

- ~

~

0--' L<;~.

I

I

I

I

I

I I

--tL_-_

I

I

I

I

I

.,

Lt~ r

I

I6t ~ I

o

r-,

8-24
~t

~

Lt~

6t~

m

co

- --

----\

\

\\\I\IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIL

I

I

I

I

I

\

\\\

____ I-IIIII \ I\

I

__1--

-,

..q-

<:;t~ (J)

(J)

e

0

T"'""" Cf)

Q)

..:::L

u

(J)

E

Cf)

L

c:

0

0

Q).-

~u

«

Lt~

..o-+-'

L

E~

0

..cu

Q).-

0

-+-,U1

Q)

DO

Q)""O

6t~ (/)

c0

(J)

N..:::Lo

~<:;~

0L

le ~ 0 ~

U1

N

Q)

·CL

>

0

§-

£<:;~

L

I

I- :::J

-

I(/)

-

0

-

~

.-.J

-

0-

1.L

0-

:il-

~

'" 00 0 "

s:s

~

"0

"

0

~

'"

0

0

s:

-

iii

z

;t0

w CD

-

<:! w

0......J

-'

• II r I I I I- I I I I

--tL_- IIIIII

8-25
BEAUFORT SEA

I 72

---

-- --

- --

\

I I I I \

I I I I \ I I I

\

71 --t

- -- -1

I

\

I I- I- I

71

I I I I \ I - " I

tn I \ I

I\) I L

\ 0) Harrison I I \

LEGEND I \ 70 Deadhorse \ •

Bowhead Whale -<>- Ringed Seal Camden

""

Belukha Whole\

•

Bearded Seal

a 50 lOa I I I I I I I I I I

Statute Miles (cpprcx.)

<:( 0

<i. <:( 69

lfl

Z

r\ <:( I',

Alaska ::l

0

I'

LD i£) (}J

i£)

n

n

n

io

~ (}J I' i£) "<t

i£) "<t "<t "<t "<t

FLIGHT 221 October 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
Lt~

6t ~

\

\

\

\

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

,

I

I

I

I

L

I

(

I

I

I

- --

- --

\

\

\

\

_II

I

I

I

I

-\-

\

I

\

I

__I--

I

I

I

I

I

m

to

c

Q)

u

E

o

u

c

o

.~r--------

'--

o

I

B-27

-

-

<:)

z

w

8

-'

o

.:::L

(f)

o

<{ Lt ~

I

I

I I

I II I

I I

---r-L_-

I

,

I

I

I

I

6t ~
L{)

L{) n

L{)

BEAUFORT SEA

------

Harrison

LEGEND

-¢- Ringed Seal

* Unidentified Pinniped

Deadhorse

Camden • Bowhead Whole

t:. Belukha Whole

• Bearded Seal

o 50 100

I I I I I I I I I I

Slalute Miles (apprax.)

Alaska

I

I

I

I

II

I

L

I

01

n

72

\

\

\ ~

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

71

70

«

o· <i. « 69

(j) z

«

::l 0

01

n

n

.q-

.qL{)

L{) n

L{)

FLIGHT 24 8 October 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
«

<i 0

« 69

~.

z

«

Alaska ::> 0

())

n

n

()) f'- L() ~

L()

~ ~ ~

~

L()

L() n

L()

BEAUFORT SEA

I

I

I

l

\-

I

I

I

I

I

\

I

I

-II

I

L

I

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

\

71

-,

Harrison

LEGEND

Oeadhorse

Camden • Bearded Seal

.¢- Ringed Seal

* Unidentified Seal

o 50 100

I I I I I I I I I I I

Statute Miles (opprox.)

.o

Lf) n

L()

FLIGHT 25 10 October 1994

Survey Track and Siqhtinqs

73

72

71

70
BEAUFORT SEA

72

- -- - -- \

I I

\

I I

\

I I

\

l I

\

1·- - =--j

\ I

,. 71

"

..

- ~

1

I

\ I_

I

I

I

I

I I

- - -- \

I I \

I

\ 70 Decdhor se

\ Camden Bay

I

<!:

<i. 0

<!: 69

lJ) Z

<!:

Alaska :) 0

c»

n

n

(J) -I"- LO "<t- LO "<t- "<t- "<t- "<t-

(J)

LO

LO

LO n

LO (J) ..

"<t-

.

\

Harrison

LEGEND

/), Belukha Whale * Unidentified Seal

• Bearded Seal

-<> Ringed Seol :

a 50 100

I I I II I I I I I

Siotute Miles (apprax.)

FLIGHT 26 11 October 1994

Survey Track and Sightings

O'l .

n

73
c»

0

co

N

r-, 6£L

r-,

n

r-,

r-,

6£L --- - -

---

\

\ \

VoVNV'J Lid

Lt L

\ \

YS'n

\ \

\ \

I

£tl

\ _---1----1

-

£tL

I I

I

I I

I

I 1

I

gtL I

~

~

I

I

gtL (J)

I I

I

(J)

V) I

- -..., ---

c

0

~Cf)

QJ

.x:

LtL I

I

-0 Cf)

(J)

E-.... I

r

J

E 0

LC

I

Q).-

~

0

...o+-'

I

I

~u «

Lt l

a

1

IO.£:

I

1- O'

+-,.01

6t L

~

I

.c O(f)

I

I

-0

I

0

0

QJ

~

I

I

I

0

-0

I

-

--tL_--

6t L NC

lg L ~

~O

, I

I

/

.:x

0

I

I

0

I

/

lg L L

~

I

I c

L I

0

r--...~

Ul

NQ)

I

I-

>

IL

I

0

§- £gl ~:J

I

I

-

I(f)

-

0

I

-

~

~

f

-

0-

u,

a.

:5- ~

"'

"

- ~

- ~

-

.s

VI

-I

0--'

or-,

8-31
BEAUFORT SEA

r-c- _ 72

--- --- - - -- \

I I

\

I 1 \

I I

\

- - - - l I

-»

- --

- \

-, ') ,

1,- \- 71 I - \

[: I

I

OJ

..,

I

I

I \ c.>

I L \

I\)

- Harrison - -

I I \

LEGEND I

\ 70 Deadhorse

\ •

Bowhead Whale se Polar Bear

Camden •

Bearded Seal *

Unidentified Pinniped \

-o- Ringed Seal

0 50 100

, I I I I I I I I I I

Statute Miles (apprax.) «

0

<i. « 69

(j) z

«

Alaska :::> (,)

LO en LO n

n

n LO m r-, LO '<t LO '<t '<t '<t '<t

n

LO

73

FLIGHT 28 13 October 1994

Survey Track and Sightings
72

\

\

\

\

\

\ 7.1

\

\

\

\

\ 70

\

\

«

<i 0

« 69

If) z

«

Alaska :J ()

c»

n

1'0

c» I' LO ..qLO "<t ..q- ..q- ..qm

LO

LO

LO n

LO

BEAUFORT SEA

r--,---.__ _ _ _

71

I \

I \

I I

------l I

r--I 1-----1-

I I

I_

I I \

'-_I -L

I \

Harrison

LEGEND

-¢- Ringed Seal

'X' Polar Bear

* Unidentified Seal

Deadhorse

Camden Bay

o 50 100

I I I I I I I I I 1

Statute Miles (approx.)

.o

Lf) n

LO

FLIGHT 29 14 October 1994

Survey Track and Sightings

oi

n
L t L

StL

LtL

6t L

L S L

t--~--.~--

. I

\ \

\ I

\ \

\ I

_---1----1--

I I

I I

I I

I I

I

- --

\

\

\

\

I

i

I

I

I

I

1---'

1 I

1 I

1 1

I I

I I

I I I

I - - t- L - .~

I I

I I

I I

I I

I I.

L - I

I

e ( •

,

"

,

i >

I

1-

, -I

r

c

Q)

u

E

Q) 0

f/l U La

.r::

u

a

Q)

o

c

a

f/l

LLa

I

0)

to

..Y. o

(f)

o

«

8-34

~-

-

-

0)

to
- -

- --

\

\ \

\

VOVNV'J

~l'~

ll'~

\ \

I

YS'n

\ \

\

\ \

I

~1'l

I _L _l--

~1'l

---

I 1

I

I I

I

I 1

I

g1'l I

~

~

1

1

g1'~ en

I I

1

en

It) I

- -,- --- ---

c

0

~ (f)

I

(J)

.sc (J)

L1' l

1

-0 (f)

s, E

L C

1

I

r

0

Q).-

~

0 L l' l

...Q+-'

I

1 ~o «

0

1

s;

O..r:::

I

1- 0

+-,.en

61' l

~

I

..c U(J)

I

I

-0

I

0

0

(J)

~

I

I

I

0

"'D

I

--t-L61' ~ CDC

lg l ~

~o

I

I

I

I

.s:

U

I

I

0

I

I

lg l L

lI

c

c-,

L

0

~

(JJ

nQ)

ggl

'~

>

'-

lI

0 ~-

~g ~ I- ::J

J:

I

I(J)

-

c..')

I

- x

.-J

I

-

~

LL

a.

~

:5- '"

0

.!?

"

~ -

::;

6gl

(f) "

"

"

-

'C !D

~

n

"

0

Cl

'C ~ -

iii

r-,

~ "

z " -

w " "

~

c»

ro 0..

w..J

• :x

o--...J

r-;

(J)

co

8-35
Lt~

6t~

c»

co

- --

- --I

\

\

\

\

- __- I-IIIII \

I\I

__I-- II,II o

.sc

(f) o«

\

\

\\III,II

,---" I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I --tL- I I I I I I I I I

·l

/-......:::::--_-+=-='-

f ,

I-I c

Q) uEo

~uLo

.r::: u

_--l..L-J0

Q) o

rJ

c0

(JJ LL0 ~- I

.;--

xe

-

0-

0-

\

•

s.

~- :::

"6

~

-

jj

Q)0 .;

l/l

'"

-

ID

U

~

~

<:>

Q)

-

0>

0

Z .~ "6 w D.- -I

'-' 0::: W

-' -<r

~

0----'

._ . r:---

Lt~

6t~
'it u.s. GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE: 1995 - 689-122 I 21401 REGION NO. 10

8-37
GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AC

ANOVA

alternating current

analysis of variance

BlM Bureau of Land Management

C

CI

Celsius

confidence interval

ElT

ESA

emergency location transmitter

Endangered Species Act

FMS

FR

Flight Management System

Federal Register

GPS Global Positioning System

hr

HP

hour

Hewlett -Packard

km kilometer

m

MDC

MMS

meter

Mobile Datacom Corporation

Minerals Management Service

n

NOAA

NOS

NOSC

NMFS

nm

sample size

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Notice of Sale

Naval Ocean Systems Center

National Marine Fisheries Service

nautical mile

OAS

OCS

OCSLA

Office of Aircraft Services

Outer Continental Shelf

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act

P

RDSS

probability

Radio Determination Satellite System

SD

SPUE

standard deviation

sightings per unit effort (number of whale sightings counted per hour)

T true heading

USC

USDOC

USDOD

USDOI

U.S. Code

U.S. Department of Commerce

U.S. Department of Defense

U.S. Department of the Interior

WPUE whales per unit effort (number of whales counted per hour); relative abundance
The Department of the Interior Mission

As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility

for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering

sound use of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity;

preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places;

and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses

our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best

interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care.

The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities

and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration.

The Minerals Management Service Mission

As a bureau of the Department of the Interior, the Minerals Management Service's (MMS)

primary responsibilities are to manage the mineral resources located on the Nation's Outer

Continental Shelf (OCS). collect revenue from the Federal OCS and onshore Federal and Indian

lands, and distribute those revenues.

Moreover, in working to meet its responsibilities, the Offshore Minerals Management Program

administers the oes competitive leasing program and oversees the safe and environmentally

sound exploration and production of our Nation's offshore natural gas, oil and other mineral

resources. The MMS Royalty Management Program meets its responsibilities by ensuring the

efficient, timely and accurate collection and disbursement of revenue from mineral leasing and

production due to Indian tribes and allottees, States and the U.S. Treasury.

The MMS strives to fulfill its responsibilities through the general guiding principles of: (1) being

responsive to the public's concerns and interests by maintaining a dialogue with all potentially

affected parties and (2) carrying out its programs with an emphasis on working to enhance the

quality of life for all Americans by lending MMS assistance and expertise to economic

development and environmental protection.