PROJECTS

Visual line-transect surveys and passive acoustic monitoring for cetaceans and other marine mammals were conducted to determine species occurrence and to estimate density within Navy’s testing range. National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center and University of Washington, Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean & Ecosystem developed and implemented a quantitative survey design for vessel-based visual and acoustic assessment of cetaceans in Behm Canal and Clarence Strait. Survey design was based on previous cetacean surveys in the area and were designed for maximum effectiveness and efficiency and included strata based on known distributions of key species and environmental features. Photographs of key species were collected as practicable for purpose of stock identification (humpback and killer whales) and for abundance estimation. Incidental sightings of pinnipeds and sea otters will also be collected. Sonobouys were also deployed during the vessel-based survey, and long-term passive acoustic hydrophones were utilized to monitor for year-round detection of rare and/or cryptic cetacean species.