Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower

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Broad-Scale Aerial Surveys of Marine Mammals in the Western Beaufort and Northeastern Chukchi Seas, 2011-2012 Results from the ASAMM Project Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower

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Broad-Scale Aerial Surveys of Marine Mammals in the Western Beaufort and Northeastern Chukchi Seas, 2011-2012 Results from the ASAMM Project. Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower. Overview. COMIDA, 1979-1991, 2008-2012. BWASP, 1979-2012. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower

Page 1: Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower

Broad-Scale Aerial Surveys of Marine Mammals in the Western

Beaufort and Northeastern Chukchi Seas, 2011-2012

Results from the ASAMM Project

Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower

Page 2: Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower

BWASP, 1979-2012COMIDA, 1979-1991, 2008-2012

Collect data on spatial and temporal distribution and behavior of all marine

mammal species, and provide information near real-time to stakeholders.

Overview

Page 3: Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower

Line transect aerial surveys Twin turbine aircraft with bubble windows Two dedicated observers plus data recorder Altitude 1000’-1500’ Bowhead whales, gray whales, belugas

Methods

Over 540,000 on-effort kilometers flown since 1982, mainly in September and October

Page 4: Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower

2011-2012 Effort

Year Total Hours

Transect Hours

Total Kilometers

Transect Kilometers

2009 333 146 72,275 30,326

2010 276 133 64,458 27,255

2011 394 189 100,180 40,006

2012* 550 269 135,187 54,929* preliminary totals

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Similarities of 2011-2012 with Historical Data 1982-2010

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Differences between 2011-2012

and Historical Data 1982-2010

Gray whales: Hanna Shoal Farther offshore between Wainwright and Icy Cape

Sub-Arctic Cetaceans: 1982-2010: 1 fin whale, 1 humpback whale, 1 harbor porpoise2011-2012: 5 fin whales, 29 humpback whales, 13 minke whales, 18 killer whales

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Similarities between 2011 and 2012

Page 8: Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower

Gray whale calves – 67 (2012) vs. 18 (2011) Walruses – no land haulouts (2012) vs.

earliest documented haulout (mid-August 2011)

Bowhead whales frequently observed feeding east/southeast of Pt. Barrow (2012) vs. none (2011)

Bowhead whales in Chukchi Sea in September and October (2012) vs. few (2011)

Differences between 2011 and 2012

Page 9: Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower

Large survey area ◦ Encompasses areas both near and far from those of

current interest to oil and gas industry. Long-term study

◦ Enables analysis of marine mammal distribution, occurrence and habitat preference over several years; but also allows distinctions between individual years that would not be evident if surveys were sporadic or inconsistent.

Collaborations with researchers from other agencies, (field work and year round).

Provides near real-time information to interested stakeholders.

Usefulness and Applicability of ASAMM Project

http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/cetacean/bwasp/index.php

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BOEM - Jeff Denton and Chuck Monnett NMML - Phil Clapham, Robyn Angliss, Stefan Ball,

and numerous ASAMM observers Clearwater Air - Andy Harcombe

Acknowledgments