Abstract not found

1.1.1 Proposed Action.............................................................................................. 4

Thirty-eight aerial surveys of beluga or white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) were conducted in Bristol Bay, Alaska, during six different years between 1993 and 2005. Belugas were sighted mainly close to shore in the upper parts of Nushagak and Kvichak bays, as well as along the coast between these bays and in the lower parts of major rivers. Data from 28 complete counts made in good or excellent survey conditions were analysed for trend. Counts ranged from 264 to 1,067. The estimated rate of increase over the 12-year period was 4.8%/year (95 % CI = 2.1%-7.5%). Such a rate of increase suggests that either the population was below the environmental carrying capacity in the early 1990s or, alternatively, that factors that had been limiting population increase were alleviated after that time. A review of possible changes in human-caused mortality, predation and prey availability did not reveal a single likely cause of the increase. Among the factors that could have played a role are recovery from research kills in the 1960s, a modest decline in subsistence removals and a delayed response to increases in Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) abundance in the 1980s. The positive growth rate for this population shows that in recent years there has been no substantial negative impact of human or natural factors, acting either alone or in combination, and there is no need for changes to the current management regime.

Authorization (MA) under Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Section

ASRC Energy Services (AES) proposes to conduct a marine survey program during the 2008 open-water season on various Minerals Management Service (MMS) Outer Continental Shelf lease blocks in the Chukchi Sea of Alaska. AES submits this revised request for an IHA from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) pursuant to Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 16 U.S. Code 1371 (a)(5), to allow non-lethal takes of whales and seals incidental to offshore marine survey operations. As stated in the AES submission to your office dated January 22, 2008, the proposed Chukchi Sea shallow hazards and site clearance surveys will commence during the open-water season from mid-July to the end of November. If ice conditions are favorable, AES may seek authorization to mobilize to the Chukchi Sea in late June. However, it is likely that ice conditions will preclude mobilization, as well as survey activities, until July. The timing and locations of the survey activities are designed to avoid conflict with the subsistence hunts for marine mammals in the Chukchi Sea by residents of the communities of Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, and Barrow. As part of the revised request for IHA, a Plan of Cooperation (POC) has been developed in

Dear Mr. Lecky: ASRC Energy Services (AES) is presenting a second submittal to request an lncidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for the non-lethal taking of whales and seals incidental to offshore marine survey operations, pursuant to Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 16 U.S. Code 1371(a)(5). The revisions in the'attached document specifically address Questions No. 6 "Numbers of Mammals to be Taken " and No. 7, "Impacts of the Activity, " by presenting more recent scientific literature that more accurately addresses concerns regarding potential impacts to marine mammals by the proposed survey activities. In addition, AES requests that all future references to the company as an applicant be as follows: ASRC Energy Services (AES). The Federal Register notice dated Monday April 28, 2008 states that the applicant is Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) Energy Services (AES). This is not the legal name for the entity known as AES.

[197] highlights The Bering Sea experienced four years with low sea ice cover and extraordinarily warm summers (2002-2005), followed by four years with some of the heaviest sea ice cover since the early 1970s and cold summers (2006-2009). During the warm period, integrated water column temperatures were elevated, bottom temperatures were higher, and the cold pool over the southeastern shelf was small and not as cold as in the cold period. During the cold period, integrated water column temperatures were anomalously low, bottom temperatures were below the long term mean, and the cold pool consisted of cold,-1.7 ºC water that extended across most of the Middle Shelf Domain with cool waters extending to Bristol Bay and the Alaska Peninsula. Water column stratification varied spatially, and was sometimes stronger in the warm years and sometimes stronger in the cold years, depending upon location. Net primary production and surface chlorophyll were positively affected by a

[143] highlights Despite some colder than average years, the overall effects of a preponderence of years of relatively warm surface temperatures during the last three decades were particularly apparent in coastal areas in the Gulf of Alaska during the focus period. Rapid recession of most glaciers, emergence of new coastal land and displacement of tide lands in response to the loss of glacial mass, larger than usual swings in precipitation, freshwater runoff, winds, and coastal storms in the last few years are all consistent with the effects of climate change anticipated in coastal Alaska. Marine areas showed the effects of a move from very warm to very cold conditions. Pronounced annual changes in widely used indicators of climate and ocean conditions emphasized the instability of atmospheric and oceanographic conditions during the focus period. Warm years in 2003 – 2005 were followed by cold years in 2007 – 2008. Although sea surface temperatures in 2004 and 2005 were among the warmest on record, the water column in the north central Gulf

British Columbia, and has extensive experience studying northern fur seals and Steller sea lions. A copy of his CV is attached. Curriculum Vitas for the Co-investigators listed in this application are on file with the office of Protected Resources. All research, and contracts awarded for research under this permit, will be supervised by the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigators.

and has extensive experience studying northern fur seals and Steller sea lions. A copy of his CV is attached David Rosen, Ph.D. is a research scientist at the Marine Mammal Research Unit, and is in charge of the captive Steller sea lion research 1 IV. program. His graduate work was on the behavioral ecology and ecophysiology of pinnipeds. He has worked with captive pinnipeds for over 20 years. A copy of his CV is attached. Drs. Trites and Rosen have developed a world class facility at the Vancouver Aquarium for studying pinnipeds in captivity, and have a strong record of producing and publishing timely research findings. Dr. Trites will oversee the northern fur seal research program as the Director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit. Dr. Rosen will be responsible for carrying out the individual proposed experiments, either directly or via supervised technicians and graduate students.