The survey has been widely acclaimed as a model of success for benign studies of
cetaceans using photo-identification methods, and it has yielded detailed information
about virtually every individual killer whale in the population, as well as the social
structure, dynamics, and status of the population. The continuance of this research is
of exceptional importance for the future management of activities within the Greater
Puget Sound ecosystem as it is increasingly utilized, exploited, and affected by those
activities. Approximately one half of the natural runs of the prominent prey species
(salmon) are imminently threatened with depletion or extinction, and alternative prey
species (bottomfish) are sometimes heavily contaminated with toxic substances.
Monitoring the status and dynamics of the top predators is the most effective and
realistic method of determining whether these profound environmental perturbations
are adversely affecting them.
The "resident" population of the killer whales in Greater Puget Sound increased
from 68 in 1976 to 91 in 1992 (following a ten-year period of direct exploitation
in which more than 50 whales were removed by live capture and incidental mortality).
The pre-exploitation level of approximately 100 whales is the presumed current carrying
capacity of the habitat; BUT, the key factors regulating this number must be known and
are a primary objective of this study:
-
what is the birth rate?
- which whales are giving birth?
- what is the mortality rate?
- which whales are dying?
- are there discernible factors affecting either which relate to environmental
circumstances for which data is available or determinate?
- what are the sociobiological parameters?
- are they changing? etc.
Research Objectives
During each season of field operations the specific questions investigated are:
- Which individual whales are present and photodocumented?
- Which individual females have produced new offspring?
- What is the status of previous years' offspring, and how much have they changed in
appearance and behavior?
- Which whales associate with one another, and to what degree?
- Which whales are apparently missing from the population?
- When do the whales occur in the study area, and how long do they stay?
- What are the ambient factors which may be objectively evaluated
(fisheries data; number, proximity, and activity of vessels; environmental data; acoustic data; etc.) and correlated with any or all of the above?
Collectively, the answers to these questions fit into the long-term characterization
of the "vigor" of the population of killer whales which inhabits Greater Puget Sound.
The long-term goal of this characterization, together with analysis of correlated
factors, is to insure that this vigor shall not diminish in the face of human
demographic developments in their habitat.
Methods
The field methods to be used in this project are photographic, observational, and
acoustic. The first involves photodocumentation of all individual whales encountered
during daily vessel surveys (weather permitting) - this is accomplished by volunteers
and staff using 35mm still cameras with telephoto lenses and high-speed black and white
film. Photo-processing and analysis is accomplished at a shore-based research facility
on San Juan Island.
While aboard the research vessels, volunteers and staff will take note of whales seen
and other observations (prey, vessels in area, weather, location, etc.). These and
the data on photographs taken will be entered into a computer at the research facility
at the end of each field day.
Acoustic recordings will be made during vessel surveys and from hydrophones linked to
the research facility for correlation with behavior, and for inclusion in the database
of a concurrent study on acoustics of killer whales.
Volunteer Assignments
Volunteer assignments will be dependent upon the plan for each day's activities
(which depend upon the weather and occurrence of whales). Up to six volunteers
can accompany each research vessel to assist in photography, vessel handling,
behavioral and correlated observations, and note-taking. Research vessel operations
will take place as often as possible, and all volunteer will be able to participate.
During times when research vessels are not in operation, volunteer will participate
in identifying individual whales from photographs, entering data into the computers,
routine maintenance of the vessels and equipment, and visual and acoustic watches at
the research facility.
One volunteer each day will be assigned on a rotating basis to assist with meal
preparations and serving. Everyone (staff included) will participate on a rotating
basis in dish washing and routine cleaning of the research facility and living
accommodations.
Useful skills for volunteers are photographic processing, computer literacy, and boat
handling.
On average, each team might expect to see killer whales on one or two occasions during
a ten-day stay. There may also be sightings of minke whales, Dall's porpoises, harbor
seals, harbor porpoises, and many species of marine birds.
Field Training
Staff members will brief volunteers on photo technique, vessel operation and safety,
and the Plan of each day's activities. Informal talks will be held concerning research
findings to date, killer whale biology and status worldwide, and other species of
marine mammals and birds in the study area.
Volunteers will also be briefed upon arrival concerning expectations and responsibilities
of both staff and volunteers for the research activities and the living conditions.
Application of Results
Several major publications are in preparation concerning the research results of the
past decade: a scientific paper has been presented by Bigg, Olesiuk, Ellis, Ford,
and Balcomb (1990); and a popular book on the resident whales has been published
(Ford, Ellis, and Balcomb 1994). Numerous other scientific and popular articles have
already been published concerning these and other whales. Zoologists, sociobiologists,
population dynamicists, resource managers, educators, naturalists, and whales will
benefit from the research.
The Project |
Research Objectives |
Methods
Volunteer Assignments |
Field Training |
Application of Results
|
