The U.S National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has been involved
in collaborative Russian/U.S Steller sea lion research for three
decades. Joint U.S. and Russian government projects began marking
Steller sea lions in the Kuril islands in 1989. Most recently,
the NMFS has contracted with NPWC to carry on much of this collaborative
work with Russian scientists.
An unexplained decline in Steller sea lion abundance in the bulk of its range
over more than 30 years has precipitated detailed studies into the species biology
and ecology in different parts of the North Pacific. A considerable portion of
the Steller sea lion population is in the waters of the Russian Far East (link
to Map of Steller Sea Lion Range Northern Pacific). There are several important
Steller sea lion breeding sites (rookeries) in Russia that are of concern. NPWC
supports a number of Russian institutes and organizations in monitoring the abundance
of these Russian Steller sea lions as well as studies on the current condition
of the populations in northwestern Pacific.
In 2002, studies were performed in the Bering Sea on the Commander Islands, the
Kamchatka Peninsula, the Kuril Islands, the northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk,
and on Tyuleny Island near Sakalin Island. NPWC provided support to the Kamchatka
Branch of the Pacific Institute of Geography, Far-Eastern Division, the Russian
Academy of Sciences (KB PIG FED, RAS) and leased two ships to conduct monitoring
studies. In late May a small trawler contracted by NPWC by the name of «Bolsheretsky» (photo)
took researchers and materials needed for the construction of observation stations
to the Kuril Islands. The ship stopped at Antsiferov Island, Lovushki Islands,
Raikoye Island, and Brat Chirpoyev Island (links to each island, its location
map and photos illustrating major operations). Subsequently, the ship took its
team to the Steller sea lion rookeries and haulout sites situated on the eastern
coast of Kamchatka, then onto the Commander Islands and the western Bering Sea
(link to the navigation route, the rookeries and haulouts of Steller sea lions
). Animals were counted, marked, and blood and skin samples were taken from newborn
pups on one of the two Commander Islands, Medny Island, (link, photo, text) and
on Kozlova Cape, Kamchatka Peninsula (link, photo, text). In the course of that
cruise, 500 Steller sea lion feces samples were collected for prey composition
analysis of their diet.
While the ship was underway, the distribution of other species of marine mammals
was monitored. Dall’s porpoises, common porpoises, humpback whales, and
other cetaceans were sighted (link to List of Species and Sighting Map). Weather
and time permitting, the sighted whales were photographed for identification.
Biopsy samples were taken from 16 killer whales to study their population structure
and test for organochlorine pollution.
The medium-sized trawler «Chulym» (photo) was contracted by NPWC
to facilitate the Steller sea lion research in the northern Sea of Okhotsk – at
Jonah Island, Lisyansky Peninsula, Zavyalov Island, and Yamskie Islands (link
to Map of Ship Navigation with the location of major rookeries and haulouts).
Censuses of adult Steller sea lions and pups were taken, and samples were collected
for diet analysis.
Observations on Cape Yugo-Vostocnhy, Medny Island: - NPWC contracted
biologists who conducted field observations from May to August 15, 2002 (80 days).
During that period, data on population dynamics of different age and sex classes
of Steller sea lions were collected. Additionally, studies on the dynamics of
birth and mortality rate of pups during the first months of their life were conducted,
as well as recording the sighting and reproductive status of 80 marked Steller
sea lions. Killer whales nearby were recorded and a new research building was
constructed at the site (photo).
Kuril Islands: NPWC placed contract biologists at four of the Kuril
Islands (link to map) to conduct biological observations of sea lions at those
sites. At each site observation stations were constructed and were manned from
June 2 until July 11, 2002. Twice a day, the abundance and age/ sex composition
of sea lions were estimated; marked animals were located and their status determined.
By season’s end, 485 Steller sea lions that were marked in previous years
on various Russian islands were sighted (links to several photos of marked Steller
sea lions). At all rookeries and haulouts, birth and mortality rates during the
first month of life were determined. When killer whales were sighted in the region
of the Steller sea lion site, they were described and their behavior and interactions
with Steller sea lions were recorded on video (video clip).
Tyuleny Island: In 2002, Seasonal population dynamics of Steller
sea lions were monitored, and the date when marked pups first entered the water
was recorded; the age and reproductive status of other marked sea lions was
determined and recorded Observations initiated in 2002 were followed up in
the spring 2003. The NPWC contracted biologists started observations in May
(links to photos illustrating the arrival of research teams to the Commander
Islands and the Kuril Islandss) and continued to the end of the breeding season
in July. Supported by NPWC, KB, PIG FED RAS leased the small trawler «V.
Timonov» on which the Russian-American research team monitored the distribution
and abundance of Steller sea lions on the Kuril Islands and at the southern
coast of Kamchatka (link to Map of Ship Navigation Route and Summary of Operations).
As in previous years, the number and location of other marine mammal observed
was recorded. Three skin biopsy samples were taken from 3 individuals (from
1 killer whale and 2 from sperm whales), 5 groups of killer whales sighted
along the navigation route were photographed and vocalizations recorded. |
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