Alaska Phocid Morphometrics

Polar Ecosystems Program research projects focus primarily on abundance, trends, distribution, health and condition, and foraging behavior of phocids (harbor, bearded, ringed, spotted, and ribbon seals) in Alaska. This database represents a collection of morphometrics obtained from all of these species across a variety of research projects. Morphometric data were collected from seals that were captured and sampled in the north Pacific, Bering and Chukchi Seas, in 2004-2012, 2014, 2015. There are also morphometric data from ribbon, spotted, and bearded seals that were collected during a research cruise in 1991. Data collected include lengths, girths, mass, and blubber thickness.

The purpose of this dataset is to store all morphometrics data collected from various Polar Ecosystem Program research projects. To fulfill its stewardship mandates described by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, NMFS is required to have information on these species, including abundance, population trend, and extent of interactions with fisheries, seasonal movements, and distribution and harvest pressures. A long-term dataset of morphometrics of harbor, ribbon, spotted, bearded, and ringed seals in Alaska is an important resource. Baseline numbers for seal morphometrics that provide a reference point could be significant considering recent concerns about the effects of a changing climate on seal populations in Alaska.

London, J.M., S.P. Dahle, J.K. Jansen, M.F. Cameron, H.L. Ziel, G.M. Brady, E.E. Moreland, D.E. Withrow, and P.L. Boveng (2015): Alaska Phocid Morphometrics. Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. --doi:TBD, contact authors for updated citation details--

While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

The data set is in the process of being archived with the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Once the archival process is complete and verified, the data set will be publicly available. Acknowledge NOAA/NMFS/AFSC as the source from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these data. Communication and collaboration with dataset authors is strongly encouraged prior to use.

The data set is in the process of being archived with the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Once the archival process is complete and verified, the data set will be publicly available.

The data set is in the process of being archived with the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Once the archival process is complete and verified, the data set will be publicly available.

User must read and fully comprehend the metadata prior to use. Applications or inferences derived from the data should be carefully considered for accuracy. While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. Acknowledge NOAA/NMFS/AFSC or the specified citation as the source from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these data. Communication and collaboration with dataset authors is strongly encouraged.

no metadata access constraints

Metadata are subject to revision at any time and information within the metadata record should not be cited without author consent. While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

Oracle

Not applicable.

Morphometric measurements are made by trained individuals who use standard wildlife techniques. Multiple checks on measurements are conducted to confirm data. Data are reported at the highest precision and accuracy possible given the nature of measuring live phocids in often challenging environments and weather conditions. Data forms are reviewed by more than one person before data are finalized and entered into a database. Field data forms are scanned and stored as digital files for reference.

data are not automatically processed

IT Security and Contingency Plan for the system establishes procedures and applies to the functions, operations, and resources necessary to recover and restore data as hosted in the Western Regional Support Center in Seattle, Washington, following a disruption.

This dataset includes morphometric data for Alaska phocids (harbor, ribbon, spotted, bearded, ringed seals) that were collected during research trips from 1991-2015. Morphometric data collected during this time period include standard length, curvilinear length, axillary girth, maximum girth, hip girth, mass, and blubber depth. Morphometric data were recorded from measurements made on free-ranging, wild animals, with the exception of the data from 1991. In 1991, the research cruise collected specimens for a scientific collection, so those morphometric data were taken from dead animals.