Marine Mammal Occurrence, Distribution and Behavior in the Inland Waters of Washington from Aerial Surveys
- Behavior
- Natural history
Abstract
The inland waters of Washington State are inhabited regularly by 10 species of marine mammals. Updated and comprehensive information regarding marine mammal occurrence, distribution, and behavior in the area is critical when addressing local anthropogenic impact, management, and conservation concerns. We conducted a total of 16,198 km of observation effort during systematic line-transect surveys from a high-wing, twin-engine airplane throughout Puget Sound in all 4 seasons during 2013 to 2016, and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and San Juan Islands area during summer 2014 and spring 2015. Ten marine mammal species were confirmed across 5772 groups of an estimated 10,673 individuals sighted, including some seasonal patterns of occurrence. The most commonly sighted species in terms of individuals were Harbor Seals (n = 8012), Harbor Porpoises (n = 2168), California Sea Lions (n = 238) and Steller Sea Lions (n = 77). The most common behavior states documented across species among the total 5670 groups were rest (73%) and medium travel (16%); probable foraging was observed among 13 groups (0.2%) and included Gray Whale foraging pits in tidal mudflats. Potential behavioral reactions to the aircraft were rare (0.3% of total individuals), primarily by Harbor Seals and Harbor Porpoises. Results of these surveys represent the most comprehensive up-to-date information available on marine mammal occurrence, distribution, and behavior across seasons in the Puget Sound region.
Smultea, M.A., Jefferson, T.A. and Lane, R.S., 2022. Marine mammal occurrence, distribution, and behavior in the inland waters of Washington from aerial surveys, 2013–2016. Northwestern Naturalist, 103(2), pp.118-135.
natural history
Related Publications
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Harbor porpoise\/cropped-images\/harbor-porpoise-by-bill-keener-c-the-marine-mammal-center-309-73-1207-943-1610670087.jpg","alt":"Harbor porpoise surfacing in the water","title":"The Sex Life of Harbor Porpoises: Lateralized and Aerial Behavior","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/the-sex-life-of-harbor-porpoises-lateralized-and-aerial-behavior","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Other species\/cropped-images\/stejnegers-beaked-whale-photo-c-marc-webber-0-0-949-742-1618440217.jpg","alt":"Stejneger's beaked whales","title":"Stejneger's Beaked Whale Strandings in Alaska, 1995\u20132020","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/stejnegers-beaked-whale-strandings-in-alaska-1995-2020","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Misc\/Graphics\/cropped-images\/marine-mammals-of-the-world-book-cover-wide-graphic-201-0-882-689-1618448911.jpg","alt":"Marine Mammals of the World book cover","title":"Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/marine-mammals-of-the-world-a-comprehensive-guide-to-their-identification","label":null}
Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Other species\/cropped-images\/striped-bass-shutterstock-754-2-4392-3430-1651011006.jpg","alt":"school of striped bass","title":"Seasonal Movement Patterns and Habitat Use of Striped Bass","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/seasonal-movement-patterns-and-habitat-use-of-striped-bass","label":"Research Paper"}
Related News
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Hawaiian monk seal\/cropped-images\/hms-wild-photo-1-c-noaa-pifsc-hmsrp-35-0-1270-992-1759760452.jpg","alt":"A Hawaiian monk seal rests on its side on a sandy beach.","title":"Where Do Hawaiian Monk Seals Live? And Other \u2018\u012alio Holo I Ka Uaua Trivia","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/where-do-hawaiian-monk-seals-live-and-other-ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua-trivia","label":"News Update","date":"2025-10-06 00:00:00"}
Where Do Hawaiian Monk Seals Live? And Other ‘Īlio Holo I Ka Uaua Trivia
October 6, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Elephant seals\/cropped-images\/es-hoffman47927-photo-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-124-0-1270-992-1748384535.jpg","alt":"An An elephant seal\u2019s face with long black whiskers and wide eyes emerges from the water. ","title":"Adaptations of the Deep: Seal Whiskers and Eyes","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/adaptations-of-the-deep-seal-whiskers-and-eyes","label":"Patient Update","date":"2025-05-28 02:00:00"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Humpback whale\/cropped-images\/humpback-whale-sea-lions-photo-c-bill-hunnewell-102-0-1270-992-1743014972.jpg","alt":"A California sea lion jumps out of the ocean next to a humpback whale showing its tail and another whale showing its back.","title":"What is the Loudest Animal on Earth? And Other Animal Trivia","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/what-is-the-loudest-animal-on-earth-and-other-animal-trivia","label":"News Update","date":"2025-03-26 07:00:00"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Guadalupe fur seal\/cropped-images\/gfs-wild-photo-by-marc-webber-193-0-1270-992-1739906952.jpg","alt":"A Guadalupe fur seal floats in the water with its flippers raised. ","title":"Your Visual Guide to Sea Lion and Seal Behavior","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/your-visual-guide-to-sea-lion-and-seal-behavior","label":"News Update","date":"2025-02-18 02:00:00"}
