Survey Report for the 1997 Aerial Surveys for Harbor Porpoise and Other Marine Mammals of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia Outside Waters

We report the methods and the preliminary results of August/September 1997 aerial surveys for marine mammals that occupy the outside coastal waters of Oregon, Washington and southern British Columbia. Estimates of abundance of harbor porpoise and other marine mammals will be computed using data from these surveys and summarized in subsequent reports by the National Marine Mammal Laboratory. Encounter rates, frequency distribution of group size, and other important summary information required for abundance estimation are provided for the most commonly seen species: harbor porpoise, Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) and Dall’s porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli). On-effort and off-effort sighting distributions for the less common species are also illustrated and summarized.

Citation:

Calambokidis, J., S. Osmek, and J.L. Laake. 1997. Survey Report for the 1997 Aerial Surveys for Harbor Porpoise and Other Marine Mammals of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia Outside Waters. Pages 77-97 in Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act Implementation Program 1997. AFSC Processed Report 98-10. National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, WA.