Stranded Marine Mammal Surveys
Principal Investigators | Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Ph.D., NSB-DWM Research Biologist |
Collaborators | |
Funding |
Summary:
Since 2011, NSB-DWM staff have been surveying the beaches near Barrow for stranded live marine mammals or beached carcasses as part of the NSB-DWM marine mammal health research program to establish baseline information about our subsistence species. Our staff survey the beaches during the ice-free summer, collecting samples and data on beached carcasses or live stranded animals. If you see a carcass with a small, silver metal tag attached to it, then the carcass has already been counted. Please leave the tag attached so that the carcass is not double-counted. If you see a carcass without a tag, please contact our office at (907) 852-0350. For live, stranded marine mammals, please call our office or contact the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. We would also like to find people who are interested in surveying beaches in Point Hope and Wainwright. Please contact DWM at (907) 852-0350 for more information on this opportunity. Quyanaq!
Metal tag placed on walrus carcass found on the beach near Barrow
Poster presented at the 2015 Alaska Marine Science Symposium, Anchorage, Alaska
Stranded Findings:
Some of these incidents are found during our beach surveys, and some are brought to our attention by hunters and other community members. You may report findings to us by calling 852-0350 and contacting Raphaela Stimmelmayr.
Publications:
- Sharks and Shark Predation on Ice Seals and Sea Lions:
- Sheffield, G., et al. 2015. Northernmost Stejneger’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon stejnegeri) stranding, Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska. Poster presented at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium, Anchorage, Alaska, January 2015.