AK-21-04: Bowhead Whale Migration Patterns along the Alaskan Beaufort Shelf During a Period of Rapid Environmental Change

archived

Evolving environmental conditions on the Beaufort Shelf appear to be changing the utilization of the shelf by bowhead whales and the bowhead whale migration path may be shifting farther offshore. This study will examine recent ecosystem changes in the Beaufort Sea and how they may be influencing bowhead whale migration patterns. The study will provide new basic information on hydrography, circulation, and zooplankton prey fields encountered by migrating bowhead whales to improve understanding of the recent behavioral changes of the whales. Specific objectives include: Quantifying the biological and physical environments in the western and central portions of the Beaufort shelf, including upwelling induced introduction of krill through shelf-edge depressions. Assessing the linkages between environmental conditions and physical drivers at local and regional scales. Examining longer-term trends and evaluate whether recent conditions on the Beaufort Shelf will occur more frequently.

High