Distribution and Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals in the Eastern Chukchi and Western Beaufort Seas, 2016; Final Report

Publication Title: Distribution and Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals in the Eastern Chukchi and Western Beaufort Seas, 2016; Final Report

CSE Reference: Clarke JT, Brower AA, Ferguson MC, Willoughby AL (Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, WA). 2017. Distribution and relative abundance of marine mammals in the Eastern Chukchi and Western Beaufort Seas, 2016; final report. Anchorage (AK): US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. 484 p. Obligation No.: M13PG00006, M16PG00013. Report No.: OCS Study BOEM 2017-078. URL: https://espis.boem.gov/Final%20Reports/BOEM_2017-078.pdf

Abstract: This study funded field activities of the Aerial Surveys of Arctic Marine Mammals (ASAMM) project, including field surveys based in Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska, and Deadhorse, Alaska, and targeting the Northeastern and Southcentral Chukchi and Western Beaufort seas, between 67°N and 73°N latitude, 140°W and 169°W longitude. Bowhead whale sightings in the Western Beaufort Sea in summer 2019 were significantly farther from shore and in deeper water in the East and West regions compared to previous years with light summer sea ice cover. Compared to previous years with light sea ice cover in fall, bowhead whale sightings in the Western Beaufort Sea in fall 2019 were significantly farther from shore and in deeper water in the East and West regions. Median depth in fall 2019 for East and West regions combined was deeper than in any previous year except 1991 and 1992, which were both years when heavy sea ice persisted. Median distance from shore in fall 2019 for East and West regions combined was farther than in any previous years except 1991, which was a heavy ice year.