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Project Description

Each year since 1987, Minerals Management Service (MMS) has conducted the Bowhead Whale Aerial Survey Project (BWASP), documenting the fall migration of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) through the Beaufort Sea north of Alaska. Information from this study is used by the MMS for pre- and post-lease analysis and documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for Beaufort and Chukchi Sea Lease Sales. Starting in 2007, BWASP has been conducted through NMML. Key BWASP objectives are: (1) provide real time data to MMS and NMFS on the general progress of the fall migration of bowhead whales across the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, for use in implementing overall limitations on seasonal drilling and geological/geophysical exploration; (2) monitor temporal and spatial trends in the distribution, relative abundance, habitat, and behaviors of whales in the study area; (3) analyze the sighting data for interyear differences and long-term trends in the distance from shore and water depth at which whales migrate; and (4) provide an objective context for management interpretation of the overall fall migration of bowhead whales and site-specific study results.

Issues & Justification

The MMS-funded Bowhead Whale Aerial Survey Program (BWASP) is a continuation of MMS surveys conducted since 1987. The intent of BWASP is to provide information needed for decisions on environmental assessments and petroleum exploration monitoring for activities in the Beaufort Sea. This study helps identify areas of interest to migrating and feeding bowhead whales. In years with active offshore seismic-vessel or drilling operations, BWASP provides real-time data to MMS and NMFS on the timing of the fall migration of bowhead whales across the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. This information helps implement overall limitations on offshore drilling and geological and/or geophysical exploration. Project information is used to ensure that planned activities will not have an immitigable adverse effect on the availability of the bowhead whale to meet subsistence needs by causing whales to abandon or avoid hunting areas. Information is needed each year to monitor the migration of bowhead whales past active seismic, drilling, construction, and production operations. Information from this study is also needed to support NEPA analysis and documentation for Beaufort Sea Lease Sales.

This Interagency Agreement between MMS and NMML to conduct BWASP comes under NMFS authority through the following: Economy Act, 31 U.S.C. 1535; Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1881a; Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531; Marine Mammal Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. 1346.

NMML is providing assistance to MMS by coordinating and conducting the BWASP surveys starting in 2007. NMML will also be involved in data processing, analysis, and write-up of these efforts. Project funds will support a project manager and assistant at NMML, and two or three observers will be contracted for field work. In-kind support will be provided to this project by NMML staff contributing their labor to this project at no cost.

Goals

  • Determine the annual fall migration of bowhead whales, significant inter-year differences, and long-term trends in the distances from shore and water depths at which whales migrate
  • Monitor temporal and spatial trends in the distribution, relative abundance, habitat, and behaviors (especially feeding) of endangered whales in arctic waters
  • Provide real-time data to MMS and NMFS on the general progress of the fall migration of bowhead whales across the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, for use in protection of this Endangered Species
  • Provide an objective wide-area context for management understanding of the overall fall migration of bowhead whales and site-specific study results
  • Record and map beluga whale distribution and incidental sightings of other marine mammals
  • Determine seasonal distribution of endangered whales in other planning areas of interest to MMS

Methods

MMS has designed systematic, annual surveys to determine the distribution and migratory timing of bowhead whales in the Beaufort Sea. The program has been based on a design of random field transects within established geographic blocks overlapping or near Beaufort Sea oil lease areas. These aerial surveys have focused on waters over the continental shelf between 140‹,øW and 157‹,øW longitude and south of 72‹,øN latitude (Monnett and Treacy 2005). The survey aircraft has been a de Havilland Twin Otter Series 300 in previous surveys. The aircraft is equipped with two bubble windows behind the cabin bulkhead and one bubble window on the aft starboard side, providing excellent viewing opportunities. The pilot and copilot seats provide good forward and side viewing. Hand-held clinometers provide angle of inclination to each sighting. The three observers and two pilots are linked through headsets, allowing commentary to be recorded. The aircraft's maximum time aloft under normal survey load may be extended to approximately 8 hr through the use of a supplemental onboard fuel tank. Survey dates are 30 August to 20 October each year.
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