Marine mammal acoustic detections in the northeastern Chukchi Sea, September 2007–July 2011

摘要: Abstract Several cetacean and pinniped species use the northeastern Chukchi Sea as seasonal or year-round habitat. This area has experienced pronounced reduction in extent of summer sea ice over last decade, well increased anthropogenic activity, particularly form oil gas exploration. The effects these changes on marine mammal are presently unknown. Autonomous passive acoustic recorders were deployed a wide off coast Alaska from Cape Lisburne to Barrow, at distances 8 km 200 km shore: up 44 each 8 winter. Acoustic data acquired 16 kHz continuously during duty cycle 40 48 min within 4-h period Recordings analyzed manually using automated detection classification systems identify calls. Bowhead ( Balaena mysticetus ) beluga Delphinapterus leucas whale calls detected primarily April through June September December their migrations between Bering Beaufort seas. Summer detections rare usually concentrated Wainwright Alaska. Gray Eschrichtius robustus July October, occurrence decreasing with increasing distance shore. Fin Balaenoptera physalus ), killer Orcinus orca minke acutorostrata humpback Megaptera novaeangliae whales sporadically early fall. Walrus Odobenus rosmarus was most commonly occupying southern edge Hanna Shoal haul-outs near coastal recording stations Point Lay. Ringed Pusa hispida bearded Erignathus barbatus seals occur Sea. seal occurred throughout year but numbers low, likely due low vocalization rates. Bearded peaked May breeding season, much lower August, result reduced calling rates after season. Ribbon Histriophoca fasciata only fall they migrated south study toward These results suggest regular presence mammals year-round, species-dependent spatial density variations.