We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Aerial Surveys of Bristol Bay Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas, in 2016.
- Authors
CITTA, JOHN J.; FROST, KATHRYN J.; QUAKENBUSH, LORI
- Abstract
Beluga whales, (Delphinapterus leucas), of the Bristol Bay stock were counted from 7 to 11 July 2016, during aerial surveys in Bristol Bay, Alaska. These surveys were a follow-up of surveys flown in Bristol Bay in 1993, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2004, and 2005, and used the same methods. Nine surveys were flown during 7-11 July. The total count of belugas per survey ranged from 484 to 1,024 (= 660; CV = 0.26). Correcting the average count for the number of belugas that are diving and not available to be sampled (2.62) and the proportion of calves (1.18) that cannot be seen from the aircraft suggests there are ~2,040 belugas (660 × 2.62 × 1.18) in Bristol Bay. The mean and range of counts made in 2016 is similar to those in 2004 and 2005 suggesting that the population growth observed during 1993-2005 has slowed or ceased. The greatest challenge with how belugas are surveyed within Bristol Bay is the difficulty in counting large groups. Separate counts of large groups had high variance and we suggest future surveys consider photo-documenting groups to determine if groups of belugas can be counted more consistently or using video to adjust for beluga behavior in real-time.
- Subjects
ALASKA; WHITE whale; AERIAL surveys; BAYS
- Publication
Marine Fisheries Review, 2019, Vol 81, Issue 3/4, p98
- ISSN
0090-1830
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.7755/MFR.81.3-4.5