24457 A Dataset of Aerial Survey Counts of Harbor Seals in Iliamna Lake, Alaska: 1984-2013 Data Set Published / External 67180 Alaska Harbor Seal Surveys and Abundance Project Completed 2015-02-03 This dataset provides counts of harbor seals from aerial surveys over Iliamna Lake, Alaska, USA. The data have been collated from three previously published sources (Mathisen and Kline 1992; Small 2001; ABR Inc. Environmental Research and Services 2011) and newly available data from the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center and the Newhalen Tribal Council. The survey years range between 1984 and 2013. Counts are reported as summed totals across all identified waypoints in the lake for each survey date. The NOAA National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML) (Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, USA) conducted aerial surveys of Iliamna Lake between 2008 and 2013. Surveys were conducted as part of annual harbor seal survey effort and in collaboration with local community participants and researchers at the University of Alaska. Surveys were flown using high wing, twin engine aircraft (Aero Commander 680, 690 or a de Havilland Twin Otter). Survey altitude was generally 330 m and at an aircraft speed of 120 kts. Surveys were performed seasonally for most years between 2008 and 2013. Surveys were timed so that one survey was conducted while the lake was mostly frozen (Late March/early April), one during pupping (mid July), and often several during the August molt, when the greatest number of seals typically haul out on shore. Surveys were flown, weather allowing, in the mid- to late-afternoon, when the number of seals hauled out was expected to be highest. Aircraft flight track was recorded by GPS and all seals sighted were digitally photographed using a high resolution digital SLR camera with a telephoto zoom lens (up to 400mm). Time, date, latitude, longitude, and altitude were automatically saved into the image metadata or georeferenced post survey using the GPS track and software. The total number of seals hauled out were counted from the digital photographs and recorded for each identified site. Pups were determined by their smaller size, and close proximity (less than 1 body length; either nursing or laying right next) to a larger seal. Pups were no longer recorded beyond about mid-August when many have been weaned and cannot reliably be distinguished from other non-adult seals. In 2009, a collaborative effort between NMML and researchers from the Newhalen Tribal Council (Newhalen Tribal Council 2009) provided 10 additional surveys and similar techniques were used. The raw survey count data from these surveys was provided to NMML. Aerial surveys were authorized under a Marine Mammal Protection Act General Authorization (LOC No. 14590) issued to the NMML. Between 2005 and 2007, ABR, Inc. Environmental Research and Services conducted a series of aerial surveys for harbor seals in Iliamna Lake (ABR Inc. Environmental Research and Services 2011). In addition, earlier counts from surveys conducted by ADFG (Small 2001) and a 1991 census by Mathisen and Kline (Mathisen and Kline 1992) were incorporated into the dataset to expand the historical reach. Geographic coordinates were provided (or, when not provided, determined based on descriptions or phyiscal maps) for each survey site and these sites were compared and merged with locations identified by NMML. In some cases, sites in very close geographic proximity were combined into a single site. This dataset provides counts of harbor seals from aerial survey data collected in Iliamna Lake, Alaska, USA between 1984 and 2013. Withrow, David E., J.M. London, K.M. Yano, P.L. Boveng 2014. A Dataset of Aerial Survey Counts of Harbor Seals in Iliamna Lake, Alaska: 1984-2013 doi:10.7289/V5H41PCQ https://doi.org/10.7289/v5h41pcq Theme Integrated Taxonomic Information systems (ITIS) Harbor Seal Theme abundance Theme aerial survey Spatial Geographic Names Information System Alaska Spatial Geographic Names Information System Iliamna Lake Alaska Fisheries Science Center Seattle WA USA Data Set CSV Files As Needed Table (digital) The iliamna_totalcounts file provides counts (n=96) and observed weather conditions for each survey date. Both total number of adult seals (adulttotal) and total number of identified pups (puptotal) are provided when available. puptotal is recorded as NA when adults and pups were not distinguished. In these cases, the adulttotal value is presumed to include pups. In addition to the seal count inforamtion, each record includes observed weather variables (airtemp (in ranges of degrees F), windspeed (in ranges of miles per hour), winddirection (cardinal), and descriptive categories for skycondition and precip). The datetime values correspond to local Alaska time. 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. Withrow, David E., J.M. London, K.M. Yano, P.L. Boveng 2014. A Dataset of Aerial Survey Counts of Harbor Seals in Iliamna Lake, Alaska: 1984-2013 doi:10.7289/V5H41PCQ N/A Airplane N/A 28199 iliamna_totalcounts Published / External Data Table Yes CSV file containing counts of harbor seals in Iliamna Lake adulttotal integer 5 No No Active total number of adult harbor seals counted; when puptotal is NA, this value may include pups puptotal integer 5 No No Active total number of harbor seal pups counted NA pups were not distinguishable at the time of the survey airtemp numeric 5 No No Active recorded air temperature numeric F windspeed numeric 5 No No Active recorded wind speed numeric miles per hour winddirection numeric 5 No No Active recorded direction of the prevailing wind numeric cardinal skycondition varchar2 255 No No Active categorical description of sky condition precip varchar2 255 No No Active categorical description of precipitation Data Steward 2024-03-06 Person Koslovsky, Stacie stacie.koslovsky@noaa.gov 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle WA 98115-6349 206-526-6433 Distributor 2015-11-01 Organization Alaska Fisheries Science Center AFSC afsc.webmaster@noaa.gov https://ror.org/01h7fye62 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 4 Seattle WA 98115 USA (206) 526-4000 (206) 526-4004 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/alaska-fisheries-science-center AKFSC Home Page Online Resource 0700-1700 Pacific Time Metadata Contact 2024-03-06 Person Koslovsky, Stacie stacie.koslovsky@noaa.gov 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle WA 98115-6349 206-526-6433 Originator 2015-11-01 Organization Alaska Fisheries Science Center AFSC afsc.webmaster@noaa.gov https://ror.org/01h7fye62 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 4 Seattle WA 98115 USA (206) 526-4000 (206) 526-4004 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/alaska-fisheries-science-center AKFSC Home Page Online Resource 0700-1700 Pacific Time Point of Contact 2024-03-06 Person Cameron, Mike michael.cameron@noaa.gov -154.94 -154.214 59.7512 59.5281 Range 1984-08-06 2013-08-07 Unclassified Data as described can be accessed via the National Center for Environmental Information (doi:10.7289/V5H41PCQ) Data as described can be accessed via the National Center for Environmental Information (doi:10.7289/V5H41PCQ) 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 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; Cite as: Withrow, David E., J.M. London, K.M. Yano, P.L. Boveng 2014. A Dataset of Aerial Survey Counts of Harbor Seals in Iliamna Lake, Alaska: 1984-2013 doi:10.7289/V5H41PCQ; There are no metadata access constraints There are no metadata use constraints https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/download/123188 https://noaa-fisheries-afsc.data.socrata.com/Species/A-Dataset-of-Aerial-Survey-Counts-of-Harbor-Seals-/dfm6-zu9q csv (comma-separated values) CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) http://dx.doi.org/10.7289/V5H41PCQ Online Resource Digital Object Identifier https://data.nodc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/iso?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0123188 Online Resource NCEI Landing Page This dataset represents a collection of various sources, time periods, research objectives and techniques. Please refer to the original data sources for quality control procedures specific to the original data collection and analysis. Reasonable efforts were made to insure consistency and accuracy in creating the combined dataset presented here. This included but was not limited to verification of date-time values, positional coordinates and reported counts. Yes Unknown Yes No not needed unknown N/A NCEI-MD unknown 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. Between 2005 and 2007, ABR, Inc. Environmental Research and Services conducted a series of aerial surveys for harbor seals in Iliamna Lake (ABR Inc. Environmental Research and Services 2011). In addition, earlier counts from surveys conducted by ADFG (Small 2001) and a 1991 census by Mathisen and Kline (Mathisen and Kline 1992) were incorporated into the dataset to expand the historical reach. Geographic coordinates were provided (or, when not provided, determined based on descriptions or phyiscial maps) for each survey site and these sites were compared and merged with locations identified by NMML. In some cases, sites in very close geographic proximity were combined into a single site. Aerial Surveys of Harbor Seals in Southern Bristol Bay, Alaska, 1998-1999 in Harbor Seal Investigations in Alaska, Annual Report. NOAA Grant NA87FX0300, 71–83. Small, Robjert J., Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 2001-03-15 Range 1998 1999 Chapter 16. Wildlife and Habitat, Bristol Bay Drainages in Pebble Project Environmental Baseline Document 2004 Through 2008. ABR Inc. Environmental Research and Services, The Pebble Partnership 2011-07-26 Range 2004 2008 http://www.pebbleresearch.com/download/ Harbor Seals in Iliamna Lake, Bristol Bay, Alaska. Report JCFOS 9204. Mathisen, Ole A., and Thomas C. Kline. Juneau Center for Fisheries; Ocean Sciences, University of Al 1992-04-17 Range 1984 1991 Iliamna Harbor Seal Survey Counts Newhalen Tribal Council. PO Box 207 Newhalen, AK. Discrete 2009 28199 Entity gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:24457 Josh London 2015-04-16T15:58:30 SysAdmin InPortAdmin 2026-03-04T19:17:17 2024-04-03 Alaska Fisheries Science Center AFSC 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 4 Seattle WA 98115 USA https://www.afsc.noaa.gov 0700-1700 Pacific Time 1001 Public No No 2022-05-05 1 Year 2023-05-05