Aerial surveys for marine mammals in Washington and British Columbia inside 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., J.L. Laake, and S.D. Osmek. 1997. Aerial surveys for marine mammals in Washington and British Columbia inside waters. Final report to the National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle, WA 98115.