National Marine Mammal Laboratory

Researchers from the AFSC National Marine Mammal Laboratory’s Polar Ecosystems Program spent 29 days (13 May- 11 June 2009) working to improve our understanding of the ecology, distribution, and abundance of seals in the Bering Sea. Bearded, spotted, ringed, and ribbon seals, often referred to collectively as “ice seals,” are seasonally ice-associated species that may be vulnerable to climate change through loss of sea ice. The ice seals found in the Bering Sea during spring have rarely been studied, and there are no current estimates of abundance or comprehensive descriptions of their distribution and habitat use. Further, the ice seals also are critical to the nutritional and cultural sustainability of Alaska Native communities along the Bering Sea coast. A fundamental understanding of these seals’ abundance, distribution, and foraging ecology is essential for NOAA to meet its Protected Resources mandates.

This research cruise on board the NOAA ship McArthur II focused on two key components:

• Locate, capture, sample, and apply satellite-linked tags to ribbon and spotted seals in the marginal ice zone of the Bering Sea, and
• Evaluate the utility of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) technology to improve ice seal abundance and distribution estimates by flying sensor test flights and limited line transect surveys with an Insight A-20 UAS.