Nearshore beluga aerial surveys in Darnley and Franklin Bays, July 2023 and August 2024 / by K. Ovitz, K. Scharffenberg, F. Wolki, J. Illasiak, R. Lee, M. Lim, D. Whalen, L. Loseto, and the Paulatuk Hunters... : Fs97-6/3709E-PDF

"This report presents findings from collaborative research investigating nearshore Eastern Beaufort Sea (EBS) beluga whale activity in Darnley and Franklin Bays. EBS belugas, estimated at 38,500 individuals, play a critical role in the Arctic marine ecosystem and remain an important traditional food for Inuvialuit, the Inuit of Canada's Western Arctic. Although the EBS beluga population has been the focus of extensive research elsewhere within its range, there has been limited systematic investigation into beluga activity in Darnley and Franklin Bays despite the prior encompassing a marine protected area designated in part to protect belugas. As part of an ongoing research effort using remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS) to study belugas, helicopter-based beluga distribution surveys were implemented in July 2023 and August 2024 along the coast of Darnley Bay, including the Anguniaqvia Niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area (ANMPA), and along parts of Franklin Bay. These are the first manned aerial surveys documenting nearshore beluga activity in these areas during the open-water season. Thirteen groups of belugas were observed, with group sizes ranging from 1 to more than 150 individuals. Surveys revealed the presence of large groups of belugas in areas not previously documented and provided insight into the use of specific coastal sites by EBS belugas. These findings enhance our understanding of the spatial ecology of belugas within our study area and underscore the utility of using manned aerial surveys to complement ongoing beluga research and monitoring efforts in nearshore habitats"--Abstract, page v.

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