Abstract
Bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) migrate west parallel to the north coast of Alaska during the late summer and autumn. In 2000, BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. (BPXA), Anchorage, AK, began constructing its Northstar oil production facility on an artificial gravel island 5 km seaward of the natural barrier islands in the Beaufort Sea, AK, and a few kilometers inshore of the southern edge of the migration corridor of bowheads. Construction of Northstar continued during the 2001 bowhead migration season. Oil production and gas injection began in late 2001 and continue. Gas turbines operate continuously on the island to generate electricity. During the summer and autumn, vessels, helicopters, and since 2003 a hovercraft travel to and from Northstar.
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Acknowledgments
We thank BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc., Anchorage, AK, for active participation in design and implementation of the project as well as financial support. Alaska Clean Seas, Anchorage, AK, was very helpful in providing vessels. For advice on design and interpretation as well as encouragement, we thank the peer/stakeholder group including representatives of US National Marine Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, MD; Department of Wildlife Management and Science Advisory Committee, North Slope Borough, Barrow, AK; Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, Barrow, AK; US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, Washington, DC; and various external reviewers. Also, we thank the many additional participants from Greeneridge Sciences Inc., Santa Barbara, CA; LGL Alaska, Anchorage, AK; LGL Limited environmental research associates, King City, ON, Canada; and WEST Inc., Cheyenne, WY.
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Richardson, W.J., McDonald, T.L., Greene, C.R., Blackwell, S.B., Streever, B. (2012). Distribution of Bowhead Whale Calls Near an Oil Production Island With Fluctuating Underwater Sound. In: Popper, A.N., Hawkins, A. (eds) The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 730. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7311-5_67
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7311-5_67
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