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.
Heather Ziel | Searching for Seals in Calm Waters
Gavin Brady and Shawn Dahle search for seals among large ice floes on a calm, sunny day. |
Josh London | Ready to Go
Erin Moreland is ready to go with her capture net nearby in the front of our inflatable boat. |
Heather Ziel | McArthur II Loads Inflatable Boats on a Sunny Day
Gavin Brady and Shawn Dahle prepare their boat to be loaded on the McArthur II. |
Josh London | Scanning for More Seals
Dave Withrow scans the nearby ice for more seals. |
Josh London | UAS Ready to Launch
The UAS is ready and in position on the catapult launcher. The UAS is equiped with a downward looking digital SLR camera. Images from that camera can be used to estimate the number of seals in the area. |
Josh London | NOAA Ship McArthur II Navigating Around Ice
The NOAA Ship McArthur II navigates around ice floes as it positions itself for UAS launch |
Josh London | Resting After Release
A young female ribbon seal rests on the ice floe after attachment of a satellite transmitter and successful release. |
Josh London | Head-Mounted Satellite Transmitter
The epoxy adhesive is nearly set and this sub-adult female ribbon seal will be released. Ribbon seals are pelagic for most of the year and, while at sea, rarely bring more than their head out of the water. Thus, if the tag is small enough, our preference is to attach these transmitters to the head of the seal. The tag will fall off around this time next year when the animal molts. |
