Summer Distribution of Bowhead Whales, Balaena mysticetus, Relative to Oil Industry Activities in the Canadian Beaufort Sea, 1980-84

ARCTIC ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
W. John Richardson ◽  
Rolph A. Davis ◽  
C. Robert Evans ◽  
Donald K. Ljungblad ◽  
Pamela Norton
Keyword(s):  
Oil Industry ◽  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus ◽  
Bowhead Whales ◽  
Summer Distribution

Satellite-monitored movements of radio-tagged bowhead whales in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas during the late-summer feeding season and fall migration

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 1168-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce R Mate ◽  
Gregory K Krutzikowsky ◽  
Martha H Winsor
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Water ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
River Delta ◽  
Bowhead Whale ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus ◽  
Bowhead Whales ◽  
Russian Waters ◽  
Summer Feeding

From 30 August to 6 September 1992, we tagged 12 juvenile bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) with Argos satellite-monitored radio tags in the Canadian Beaufort Sea off the Mackenzie River Delta. Eight tags documented [Formula: see text]9820 km of movements between 392 locations during 111 whale-tracking days. The whales did not move in unison. Individual movements and average speeds (1.1-5.8 km/h) varied widely. One whale stayed in Mackenzie Bay for 23.5 d, while the rest stayed an average of only 2.4 d. The majority of locations for all whales were in shallow water: 65% at <50 m depth and 87% at <100 m depth. Seven whales went into water >100 m deep and four were in water >500 m deep. The whale with the longest record traveled [Formula: see text]3886 km to Siberia in 32.5 d, averaging 5.0 km/h. Its westerly route through the Beaufort and Chukchi seas was between 70° and 72°N and primarily in heavy ice ([Formula: see text]90% coverage), which was continuous west of 151°W. This whale's speed was faster, though not significantly, in heavy ice than in more open water. This is the first detailed documentation of the route and speed of a bowhead whale during its fall migration from Canadian to Russian waters.

Presence and behavior of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea in July 2011

Polar Biology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 1851-1856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia L. Christman ◽  
John J. Citta ◽  
Lori T. Quakenbush ◽  
Janet T. Clarke ◽  
Brenda K. Rone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus ◽  
Bowhead Whales ◽  
And Behavior

scholarly journals Observations of Beachcast Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus) in the Southeastern Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf, 1987–2016

2018 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-279
Author(s):  
Lois A. Harwood ◽  
Ellen V. Lea ◽  
Stephen A. Raverty ◽  
Patricia A. Hall ◽  
Erin Linn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
Bowhead Whale ◽  
Grizzly Bears ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus ◽  
Adult Group ◽  
Mature Adult ◽  
Bowhead Whales ◽  
Mature Adults ◽  
Amundsen Gulf ◽  
Summer Feeding

Each spring, most Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus) of the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort (BCB) population migrate to the Canadian Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf for summer feeding. Occasionally, Inuvialuit hunters and others observe beachcast (stranded) or adrift Bowhead Whale carcasses. From 1987 to 2016, 26 such occurrences were recorded. Most (65%) were found by Inuvialuit hunters travelling on the land, with the majority (54%) reported during 2000–2006. Bowhead Whale carcasses were found widely distributed throughout the region, with twice as many in Amundsen Gulf (65%) compared with the southeastern Beaufort Sea (35%). It was possible to measure or estimate standard length for 17 of 26 specimens, and all were either provisional ‘subadults’ (7–9.5 m; n = 10; 59%) or provisional ‘mature adults’ (13–16 m; n = 7; 41%). The cause(s) of mortality was not determined for any of the specimens. Whales in the ‘subadult’ group were likely 1–4 years old, while the ‘mature adult’ group were likely mostly mature animals (~25 y), including some potentially very old (>100 y). There was evidence or direct observation of Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) and/or Grizzly Bears (U. arctos) scavenging at 60% of the carcasses for which presence or absence of bears or bear sign (scats and/or tracks) was reported. It is important to continue to record incidental observations of beachcast Bowhead Whales, as this may enable stranding rates to be evaluated.

scholarly journals Estimating acoustic cue rates in bowhead whales, Balaena mysticetus, during their fall migration through the Alaskan Beaufort Sea

2021 ◽  
Vol 149 (5) ◽  
pp. 3611-3625
Author(s):  
Susanna B. Blackwell ◽  
Aaron M. Thode ◽  
Alexander S. Conrad ◽  
Megan C. Ferguson ◽  
Catherine L. Berchok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus ◽  
Bowhead Whales

Behavior of bowhead whales, Balaena mysticetus, summering in the Beaufort Sea: surfacing, respiration, and dive characteristics

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 1910-1921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Würsig ◽  
Eleanor M. Dorsey ◽  
Mark A. Fraker ◽  
Roger S. Payne ◽  
W. John Richardson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
Interval Number ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus ◽  
Bowhead Whales ◽  
Nursing Mothers

Surfacing, respiration, and dive characteristics are described for presumably undisturbed bowhead whales in the Beaufort Sea during August and early September 1980–1982. The interval between respirations (blow interval) was relatively constant during different activities such as skim feeding at the surface, social interactions, and feeding in the water column. Durations of adjacent surfacings and dives were positively correlated, and number of blows per surfacing was correlated with duration of surfacing. Mean blow interval, number of blows per surfacing, duration of surfacing, and duration of dive were all greater in 1982 than in the previous 2 years, presumably because of increased feeding in the water column in 1982. Blow rates were lower in 1982 than in 1980–1981, possibly due to less socializing in 1982. There was a tendency for increased dive durations in deeper water, but the data were not consistent on this point. In general, calves exhibited short dives and surfacings, especially while nursing. Nursing mothers were inactive and had lower blow rates than other adults.

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