Oil Industry Marine Mammal Ecology Data

Vessel-based marine mammal data are collected as part of a multi-disciplinary environmental program during the open water season from the end of July to early October in the northeastern Chukchi Sea. Biologist observers, assisted by observers from the native communities, record all marine mammals sighted during daylight hours along north-south oriented transect lines.

Besides species information, observers record other environmental data such as behavior, distance and movement of the animal relative to the vessel. The information obtained on marine mammal presence and distribution through visual observations augments the data collected through acoustic call detections. Combining the marine mammal data with information on the physical oceanography and of potential food organisms (plankton, benthos, and fish) contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between marine mammals and their environment.