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

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Janet Clarke, Megan Ferguson, Cynthia Christman, Amelia Brower

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  1. 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

  2. Overview COMIDA, 1979-1991, 2008-2012 BWASP, 1979-2012 Collect data on spatial and temporal distribution and behavior of all marine mammal species, and provide information near real-time to stakeholders.

  3. Methods • Line transect aerial surveys • Twin turbine aircraft with bubble windows • Two dedicated observers plus data recorder • Altitude 1000’-1500’ • Bowhead whales, gray whales, belugas Over 540,000 on-effort kilometers flown since 1982, mainly in September and October

  4. 2011-2012 Effort

  5. Similarities of 2011-2012 with Historical Data 1982-2010

  6. Differences between 2011-2012 and Historical Data 1982-2010 Sub-Arctic Cetaceans: 1982-2010: 1 fin whale, 1 humpback whale, 1 harbor porpoise 2011-2012: 5 fin whales, 29 humpback whales, 13 minke whales, 18 killer whales Gray whales: Hanna Shoal Farther offshore between Wainwright and Icy Cape

  7. Similarities between 2011 and 2012

  8. Differences between 2011 and 2012 • 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)

  9. Usefulness and Applicability of ASAMM Project • 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. http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/cetacean/bwasp/index.php

  10. Acknowledgments • BOEM - Jeff Denton and Chuck Monnett • NMML - Phil Clapham, Robyn Angliss, Stefan Ball, and numerous ASAMM observers • Clearwater Air - Andy Harcombe

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