Monitoring the Distribution of Arctic Whales (AK-87-06)

MMS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ONGOING STUDIES

MMS OCS Region:			Alaska (Marine Mammals and Protected Species)
Title:			Monitoring the Distribution of Arctic Whales (AK-87-06)
Total Cost:	$5,000,000				Period of Performance:	FY 1987-2006
Conducting Organization:					Minerals Management Service-Anchorage, AK
MMS Contact:		Chief, Alaska Environmental Studies Section
MMS Needs Addressed This continuing MMS study is needed for decisions on environmental assessment and exploration monitoring for future lease sales, existing leases and upcoming offshore operations in the Beaufort Sea. Also known as the Bowhead Whale Aerial Survey Project (BWASP), this project provides real-time data to MMS and NMFS on each fall migration of bowhead whales across the Alaskan Beaufort Sea for implementing limitations on drilling and geophysical exploration. Project information is used to ensure that planned activities will not have an unmitigable adverse effect on the availability of the bowhead whale to meet subsistence needs.
Description
Background
The MMS has conducted aerial surveys of the fall migration of bowhead whales each year since 1987. Methods are comparable from year to year, based on similar monitoring dating to 1979. Real-time data are used to implement overall seasonal restrictions and limitations on geological and geophysical exploration. The study provides the only long-term database for evaluating potential cumulative effects of oil- and gas-exploration activities on the entire bowhead-migration corridor across the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Project reports compare distances from shore and the water depths used by migrating bowheads. Data are collected in a robust GIS-compatible data structure. The bowhead whale is protected under the Endangered Species Act and is of great importance to Alaskan Natives for cultural and subsistence purposes.
Objectives
Objectives - The primary goals of the project are to: Monitor temporal and spatial trends in the distribution, relative abundance, habitat, and behaviors (e.g., feeding) of endangered whales in arctic waters. Provide annual analyses of long-term, inter-year trends in the distance from shore and water depth of migrating bowhead whales. Provide real-time data to MMS and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on the general progress of the fall migration of bowhead whales across the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Provide an objective area-wide context for management interpretation of bowhead migrations and site-specific study results.
Methods
Aerial surveys, based out of Deadhorse, Alaska, during September and October, monitor the fall bowhead migration between 140°W. and 157°W. longitudes, south of 72°N. latitude. Particular emphasis is placed on regional randomized transects, statistical tests, and power analyses to assess fine-scale shifts in the migration axis of bowhead whales across the Beaufort Sea, and on the coordination of effort and management of data necessary to support seasonal offshore-drilling regulations. The project analyzes migration timing, distribution, relative abundance, habitat associations, swim directions, water depths, and behaviors of whales, as well as ice type and percentage of bowhead sightings. Belugas, gray whales, and polar bears are regularly recorded along with incidental sightings of other marine mammals. Data are also shared with site-specific studies to define bowhead responses to individual oil-industry activities. Incidental oceanographic observations are shared with the National Ice Center and National Weather Service to ground-truth satellite imagery.
Current Status
Planning is currently underway for the 2006 field season that will begin on 30 August. Data analysis is underway and an Annual Report will be submitted before 31 July 2006.
Final Report Due				7/31/2006
Publications				Final Reports include annual summaries for Fall 1987-2000. Recent reports include OCS Studies MMS 95-0033, 96-0006, 97-0016, 98-0059, 2000-066, 2002-014, 2002-061, and 2005-037. Monnett, C. Bowhead Whale Aerial Survey Project. Spoken Presentation at 2005 Alaska Forum for the Environment. Monnett, C., J. S. Gleason, and L. M. Rotterman. 2005. Potential effects of diminished sea ice on open-water swimming, mortality, and distribution of polar bears during fall in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Abstract: Ed., Society for Marine Mammalogy, 16th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Poster. Monnett, C. and J. S. Gleason. 2006. Observations of mortality associated with extended open-water swimming by polar be in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Polar Biology: DOI 10.1007/s00300-005-0105-2. Treacy, S. D., J. S. Gleason, and C. J. Cowles. 2006. Offshore distances of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus)observed during fall in the Beaufort Sea, 1982-2000: an alternative interpretation, Arctic,59(1) Gleason, J. S. C. Monnett, and C. J. Cowles. Abstract submitted to the 2006 meeting of the Wildlife Society, Anchorage, Alaska. 2006.
Affiliated WWW Sites:				Alaska OCS Region Something for Teachers & our younger Friends! Bowhead Whale Aerial Survey Project Something for Teachers & our younger Friends! Bowhead Whale Aerial Survey Project Annual Report 2005-037
Revised date:				March 13, 2006
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