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Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) and killer whale (Orcinus orca) co-occurrence in the U.S. Pacific Arctic, 2009–2018: evidence from bowhead whale carcasses

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Abstract

Imagery and sighting data on bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcasses documented from 2009 to 2018 during aerial surveys in the eastern Chukchi and western Beaufort seas have provided evidence for killer whale (Orcinus orca) predation on bowhead whales of the Bering–Chukchi–Beaufort Seas stock. The Aerial Surveys of Arctic Marine Mammals (ASAMM) project provides information on distribution, behavior, and relative density of marine mammals. ASAMM surveys large areas of bowhead whale and killer whale summer and autumn habitat and offers consistent information on bowhead whale carcasses. Thirty-three bowhead whale carcasses were documented in July–October, from 2009 to 2018. Carcasses were distributed across the eastern Chukchi and western Beaufort seas from 141.6° W to 168.1° W and 68.9° N to 72.0° N. Carcass sighting rates (carcasses/1000 km) varied by month, year, and region. Statistical results suggest an alternating series of high and low annual carcass sighting rates. Eighteen bowhead whale carcasses having injuries consistent with probable killer whale predation were photo-documented: four each in 2016 and 2018, three each in 2013 and 2015, two in 2012, and one each in 2010 and 2017. Four carcasses, two in 2015 and one each in 2013 and 2018, were likely whales struck and lost during aboriginal subsistence hunting. Cause of death could not be determined for 11 carcasses. This study is the first systematic inquiry into non-harvest related mortality of bowhead whales in the U.S. Pacific Arctic and provides multi-year evidence for killer whale predation on bowhead whales in this portion of their range.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for and co-management of the Aerial Surveys of Arctic Marine Mammals (ASAMM) project were provided by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Alaska Region under Interagency Agreements M07RG13260, M11PG00033, M16PG00013, and M17PG00031 with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), and supported by Cathy Coon, Jeffrey Denton, Carol Fairfield, and Chuck Monnett (BOEM Contracting Officer Representatives). The ASAMM project was co-managed by the Marine Mammal Laboratory, AFSC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where support was provided by Robyn Angliss, Phillip Clapham, Mary Foote, Nancy Friday, Ben Hou, Stuart Pascua, Monte Pascual, and Kim Shelden. At the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, support was provided by Amy Kennedy, Katie Luxa, Christy Sims, and administrative personnel. We give additional gratitude to the field biologists who collected these data; NOAA Aircraft Operations Center and Clearwater Air, Inc., pilots and mechanics for keeping ASAMM airborne; the Bureau of Land Management and Aviation Management Division for real-time flight following; and Mike Hay (Xera GIS) for providing our programing support. We sincerely thank Craig George (NSB DWM), Gay Sheffield (University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska Sea Grant), Janice Waite (NOAA), and two anonymous reviewers for providing valuable feedback on this manuscript. The scientific results and conclusions, as well as any views or opinions expressed herein, are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of NOAA or the Department of Commerce.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, Seattle, WA, USA

    Amy L. Willoughby, Janet T. Clarke & Amelia A. Brower

  2. Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, Seattle, WA, USA

    Amy L. Willoughby, Megan C. Ferguson, Janet T. Clarke & Amelia A. Brower

  3. School of Fishery and Aquatic Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Megan C. Ferguson

  4. Department of Wildlife Management, North Slope Borough, Utqiaġvik, AK, USA

    Raphaela Stimmelmayr

  5. Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA

    Raphaela Stimmelmayr

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  1. Amy L. Willoughby
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Willoughby, A.L., Ferguson, M.C., Stimmelmayr, R. et al. Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) and killer whale (Orcinus orca) co-occurrence in the U.S. Pacific Arctic, 2009–2018: evidence from bowhead whale carcasses. Polar Biol 43, 1669–1679 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-020-02734-y

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