Project Objectives

Conduct marine mammal in-water vessel-based line transect surveys in the Puget Sound basin to: 1) Record data on all marine mammal species seen with the study area, with a focus on the killer whale (Orcinus orca) and the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). 2) Identify the seasonal occurrence and abundance/density of cetaceans within the study area. 3) Identify the effects of environmental variables on the distribution and abundance of species in the study area.

Project Objectives

1) Determine the occurrence of bull trout within and near the boundaries of the NWTT; 2) Determine the spatiotemporal occurrence of killer whale and baleen whale in the NWTT; 3) Characterize the occurrence of endangered fish species within the NWTT

Project Objectives

Develop a North Pacific-wide species distribution model for cetaceans

Project Objectives

This 12‑month integrated pilot project combines three complementary components: (A) shore‑based theodolite monitoring of harbor porpoises, (B) high‑bandwidth passive acoustic monitoring and soundscape characterization, and (C) suction‑cup multi‑sensor tag deployments on Bigg’s (transient) killer whales. Together, these data streams will quantify occurrence, movement, diving, and behavioral context for these two key species in relation to the local soundscape—including operational signals near the Dabob Bay Range Complex (DBRC) and the Bangor Trident Base. Results can provide an empirical foundation and inform the study design of future cetacean behavioral response studies (BRS) in Hood Canal.

Project Objectives

This project was jointly funded through NAVSEA and the NUWC Keyport NISE program to address the Navy’s need for multi-year data on harbor porpoise occurrence and spatiotemporal distribution patterns in Hood Canal using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM).

Project Objectives

Compile green sturgeon tag and receiver data and analyze historical data for occurrence, distribution, and seasonality in Puget Sound and the Straits of Juan de Fuca

Project Objectives

1) Conduct aerial surveys during four seasonal periods within the inland Puget Sound Survey Area to assess potential differences in seasonal distribution, numbers, and behavioral state patterns of marine mammals; 2) Collect data to estimate densities of marine mammals in the inland Puget Sound waters for species with sufficient sightings; 3) Estimate abundance for each marine mammal species seen an adequate number of times; 4) Document the distribution and habitat use of each species observed; 5) Document and describe behaviors seen without performing focal follows.

Project Objectives

Determine the occurrence, movement patterns, and residency patterns of multiple humpback whale Distinct Population Segments within Pacific Ocean Navy Range Complexes

Project Objectives

To determine the abundance and habitat use of California sea lions that haul out at Navy facilities and forage in testing and training areas

Project Objectives

Determine the at-sea distribution of endangered Guadalupe fur seals and whether they travel through or utilize the offshore waters of the Southern California Range Complex and Northwest Training and Testing area

Project Objectives

1) Identify and classify Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) detections from acoustic recorders and satellite tag tracking; 2) Develop a model to estimate the seasonal and annual occurrence patterns of southern resident killer whales relative to offshore Navy training ranges. 3) Characterize occurrence of anthropogenic sounds in potential SRKW habitat. 4) Develop state space habitat model for SRKW prey, based on fall Chinook salmon tagged released from California to British Columbia between 1977 and 1990 to estimate seasonal distribution along the west coast.

Project Objectives

With acoustic telemetry, determine 1) the location of green sturgeon detections within Washington, 2) the season for specific habitat use (e.g., estuaries; coastal waters), 3) the frequency an animal moves between coastal and estuarine waters, and 4) the range of each tagged animal.

Project Objectives

Use acoustic tagging technology to provide critical information on spatial and temporal distribution of salmonids to inform salmon management, U.S. Navy activity, and Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) conservation. The study seeks to 1) determine the occurrence and timing of salmonids within the Navy training ranges, 2) describe the influence of environmental covariates on salmonid occurrence; and, 3) describe the occurrence of salmonids in relation to SRKW distribution.

Project Objectives

Conduct visual line-transect surveys and passive acoustic monitoring for cetaceans, and other marine mammals, to determine species occurrence, and to estimate density within Navy’s testing range. Acoustic monitoring devices will be deployed during the vessel based survey, and long-term passive acoustic hydrophones will be monitored for year-round detection of rare and/or cryptic cetacean species.

Project Objectives

Identify species of beaked whales, odontocetes, and baleen whales that occur in the surveyed areas; Monitor marine mammal and sea turtle presence, distribution, and diversity in offshore waters; Develop a better understanding of marine mammal distribution, movement patterns, habitat use, population structure, and abundance; Develop reference library of visually-validated acoustic recordings of marine mammals.