Details:

Personal Author:
Goetz, K. T. (Kimberly T.) ; Robinson, P. W. (Patrick William) ; Hobbs, Roderick C. ; Laidre, K. L. (Kristin L.) ; Huckstadt, L. A. ; ... More +
Goetz, K. T. (Kimberly T.) ; Robinson, P. W. (Patrick William) ; Hobbs, Roderick C. ; Laidre, K. L. (Kristin L.) ; Huckstadt, L. A. ; Shelden, Kim E. W. Less -
Corporate Authors:
Alaska Fisheries Science Center (U.S.)
NOAA Program & Office:
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) ; AFSC (Alaska Fisheries Science Center)
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) ; AFSC (Alaska Fisheries Science Center) Less -
Description:
Limited information exists on the foraging behavior of the endangered population of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Cook Inlet, Alaska, especially during the winter months with heavy ice-cover. We used satellite telemetry to record the movement (n = 14) and diving (n = 11) behavior of whales across 3 years (1999-2003), including the winter months. Whales remained in Cook Inlet the entire time they were tracked. Mean dive depths across the entire tracking period ranged from 1.6 (SD ± 2.1) to 6.7 (SD ± 10.4) m and mean dive duration ranged from 1.1 (SD ± 1.3) to 6.9 (SD ± 9.5) minutes. Overall, dives were significantly shorter in the near-shore areas of Chickaloon Bay, Susitna Delta, Knik Arm, Turnagain Arm, and Trading Bay. This type of dive behavior, in combination with significantly slower transit rates suggests that whales are likely foraging in these areas. While belugas tended to prefer shallow inshore waters throughout the year, the presence of sea ice between December and May may prevent access to coastal areas. Preference for pack ice, despite the large proportions of Cook Inlet remaining ice-free, may be an indication of belugas attempting to access coastal areas despite increased ice concentration. With the declining abundance of Cook Inlet belugas, identifying potential foraging areas during ice-covered and ice-free periods is critical to the recovery of this endangered population.
Content Notes:
K.T. Goetz, P.W. Robinson, R.C. Hobbs, K.L. Laidre, L.A. Huckstadt, and K.E.W. Shelden.

"March 2012."

Also available online in PDF.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 35-40).


Keywords:
[+]
Behavior Seasonal Distribution White Whale
Series:
AFSC processed report ; 2012-03
Document Type:
Technical Report
Place as Subject:
Alaska ; Cook Inlet
Alaska ; Cook Inlet Less -
Rights Information:
Public Domain
Compliance:
Library
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:5bb05573327733173adb1f4f099b5737f7a4755ff40e5bc2b73286762de4ec44
Download URL:
https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/4066/noaa_4066_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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