Marine mammal acoustic detections in the northeastern Chukchi Sea, September 2007–July 2011

• DOI: 10.1016/j.csr.2013.07.009
• Publication Date: 2013-07-30T12:17:01Z
• Authors: David E. Hannay; Julien Delarue; Xavier Mouy; Bruce S. Martin; Del Leary; Julie N. Oswald; Jonathan Vallarta
• Keywords: Minke whale; Beluga Whale; Beluga; Shoal; Marine mammal

Several cetacean and pinniped species use the northeastern Chukchi Sea as seasonal or year-round habitat. This area has experienced pronounced reduction in extent of summer sea ice over last decade, well increased anthropogenic activity, particularly form oil gas exploration. The effects these changes on marine mammal are presently unknown. Autonomous passive acoustic recorders were deployed a wide off coast Alaska from Cape Lisburne to Barrow, at distances 8 km 200 shore: up 44 each winter. Acoustic data acquired 16 kHz continuously during duty cycle 40 48 min within 4-h period Recordings analyzed manually using automated detection classification systems identify calls. Bowhead (Balaena mysticetus) beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) whale calls detected primarily April through June September December their migrations between Bering Beaufort seas. Summer detections rare usually concentrated Wainwright Alaska. Gray (Eschrichtius robustus) July October, occurrence decreasing with increasing distance shore. Fin (Balaenoptera physalus), killer (Orcinus orca), minke acutorostrata), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) whales sporadically early fall. Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) was most commonly occupying southern edge Hanna Shoal haul-outs near coastal recording stations Point Lay. Ringed (Pusa hispida) bearded (Erignathus barbatus) seals occur Sea. seal occurred throughout year but numbers low, likely due low vocalization rates. Bearded peaked May breeding season, much lower August, result reduced calling rates after season. Ribbon (Histriophoca fasciata) only fall they migrated south study toward These results suggest regular presence mammals year-round, species-dependent spatial density variations.