Quarterly reports of principal investigators for July-September

OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF ENERGY PROGRAM
JUNEAU PROJECT OFFICE
S P. o. BOX 1808
Semi-Annual Report
RU 68 -- Abundance and seasonal distribution o marine mamma1s in the
Gulf of Alaska
.N EGOA
I. Task Objectives
Provide information on the species of marine mammals from the Gulf of
Alaska, their seasonal distribution, migratory patterns, critical habitats,
and some indication of abundance.
A literature search will be made to provide historic data on whaling and
sealing in the area, catch statistics will be summarized, and records
of historic seasonal distribution and abundance of species will be compiled
where possible.
We will continue to gather data on marine mammal distribution and abundance
from NOAA vessels operating in the expanded area, Unimak Pass to Cross
Sound, and from other vessels of opportunity. Ships officers will be
trained to recognize and make sighting records of all marine mammals seen.
Trained marine mammal observers may be placed on selected vessels
cruising in areas of particular ihterest.
II. Field and Laboratory Activities
1. Ms. Nancy Severinghaus joined the staff 23 September 1975. She will
make a literature search to provide historic data on whaling and sealing in
the northeastern North Pacific Ocean. An annotated bibliography of
published and manuscript reports pertaining to the area will be prepared.
Catch statistics will be summarized.
2. Lt. Roger Mercer has designed data cards and format to reduce marine
mammal observations to data cards for eventual computer printout and entry
into the EDS data base. The program will begin soon after the Data Management
meeting of 16 October.
3. Designated ships officers, on NOAA vessels engaged in OCSEP programs,
were trained to identify marine mammals and record sightings in logs
provided by the Marine Mammal Division, Northwest Fisheries Center.
A. Vessels recording observations during period:
NOAA ship Surveyor Fairweather
Rainier McArthur
Davidson