Aerial Survey Counts of Harbor Seals in Coastal Alaska (2003-2011)
Data Set (DS) | Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC)GUID: gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:26741 | Updated: April 17, 2024 | Published / External
Summary
Short Citation
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 2024: Aerial Survey Counts of Harbor Seals in Coastal Alaska (2003-2011), https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/26741.
Full Citation Examples
This dataset supports efforts to estimate the abundance and trends in population size of Alaska harbor seals. Annual surveys of harbor seal populations are fundamental to estimation of seal abundance, distribution, and trends, which in turn are essential for stock assessment, conservation, and management. The most feasible approach to determining harbor seal distribution and abundance is to use aircraft to count seals when they haul out of the water and are visible. Harbor seals in Alaska occupy a geographically extensive range from approximately long. 172ºE to 130ºW (over 3,500 km east to west) and from lat. 51ºN to 61.5ºN (over 1,000 km north to south). Estimation of the abundance of harbor seals statewide requires broad-scale aerial surveys and these surveys have been conducted by NOAA Fisheries, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and other collaborators since the early 1980s. This dataset reflects counts of harbor seals from surveys conducted between 2003 and 2011.
This dataset differs from earlier datasets in a few key areas: 1) records generally correspond to a count of the number of harbor seals within a single, geo-referenced digital photo, 2) photographs were not taken when no seals were present so additional analysis of survey effort and flight tracks was required to determine 0 counts.
Distribution Information
-
Note: Dataset migrated by Dan Woodrich (AFSC data management coordinator) on 12/15/2021. Contact: Daniel.woodrich@noaa.gov
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.
Controlled Theme Keywords
biota, environment
Child Items
No Child Items for this record.
Contact Information
Point of Contact
Mike Cameron
michael.cameron@noaa.gov
Metadata Contact
Stacie Koslovsky
stacie.koslovsky@noaa.gov
206-526-6433
Extents
172° W,
-130° E,
61.5° N,
51° S
All coastal habitats (intertidal and offshore rocks and reefs) of Alaska south 61.5 degrees North or Cape Newenham in Bristol Bay
2003 - 2011
Item Identification
Title: | Aerial Survey Counts of Harbor Seals in Coastal Alaska (2003-2011) |
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Short Name: | Aerial Survey Counts of Harbor Seals in Coastal Alaska (2003-2011) |
Status: | In Work |
Abstract: |
This dataset supports efforts to estimate the abundance and trends in population size of Alaska harbor seals. Annual surveys of harbor seal populations are fundamental to estimation of seal abundance, distribution, and trends, which in turn are essential for stock assessment, conservation, and management. The most feasible approach to determining harbor seal distribution and abundance is to use aircraft to count seals when they haul out of the water and are visible. Harbor seals in Alaska occupy a geographically extensive range from approximately long. 172ºE to 130ºW (over 3,500 km east to west) and from lat. 51ºN to 61.5ºN (over 1,000 km north to south). Estimation of the abundance of harbor seals statewide requires broad-scale aerial surveys and these surveys have been conducted by NOAA Fisheries, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and other collaborators since the early 1980s. This dataset reflects counts of harbor seals from surveys conducted between 2003 and 2011. This dataset differs from earlier datasets in a few key areas: 1) records generally correspond to a count of the number of harbor seals within a single, geo-referenced digital photo, 2) photographs were not taken when no seals were present so additional analysis of survey effort and flight tracks was required to determine 0 counts. |
Purpose: |
The purpose of this dataset is to provide a single collection of harbor seal counts from aerial surveys conducted in Alaska between 2003 and 2011. |
Other Citation Details: |
London, J.M., K.M. Yano, D.E. Withrow, J.K. Jansen, S.P. Dahle, H.L. Ziel, G.M. Brady, M.F. Cameron, J.M. Ver Hoef, and P.L. Boveng (2015): Aerial Survey Counts of Harbor Seals in Coastal Alaska (2004-2011). Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. --doi:TBD, contact authors for updated citation details-- |
Keywords
Theme Keywords
Thesaurus | Keyword |
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ISO 19115 Topic Category |
biota
|
ISO 19115 Topic Category |
environment
|
UNCONTROLLED | |
Geographic Names Information System | Aleutian Islands |
Geographic Names Information System | Bristol Bay |
Integrated Taxonomic Information systems (ITIS) | Harbor Seal |
None | aerial survey |
Spatial Keywords
Thesaurus | Keyword |
---|---|
UNCONTROLLED | |
Geographic Names Information System | Alaska |
Geographic Names Information System | Gulf of Alaska |
Physical Location
Organization: | Alaska Fisheries Science Center |
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City: | Seattle |
State/Province: | WA |
Country: | USA |
Data Set Information
Data Set Scope Code: | Data Set |
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Data Set Type: | CSV Files |
Maintenance Frequency: | As Needed |
Data Presentation Form: | Table (digital) |
Distribution Liability: |
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. |
Data Set Credit: | London, J.M., K.M. Yano, D.E. Withrow, J.K. Jansen, S.P. Dahle, H.L. Ziel, G.M. Brady, M.F. Cameron, J.M. Ver Hoef, and P.L. Boveng (2015): Aerial Survey Counts of Harbor Seals in Coastal Alaska (2004-2011). Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. --doi:TBD, contact authors for updated citation details-- |
Support Roles
Data Steward
Date Effective From: | 2024-03-06 |
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Date Effective To: | |
Contact (Person): | Koslovsky, Stacie |
Address: |
7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115-6349 |
Email Address: | stacie.koslovsky@noaa.gov |
Phone: | 206-526-6433 |
Distributor
Date Effective From: | 2015-11-01 |
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Date Effective To: | |
Contact (Organization): | Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) |
Address: |
7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 4 Seattle, WA 98115 USA |
Email Address: | afsc.webmaster@noaa.gov |
Phone: | (206) 526-4000 |
Fax: | (206) 526-4004 |
URL: | https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/alaska-fisheries-science-center |
Business Hours: | 0700-1700 Pacific Time |
Metadata Contact
Date Effective From: | 2024-03-06 |
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Date Effective To: | |
Contact (Person): | Koslovsky, Stacie |
Address: |
7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115-6349 |
Email Address: | stacie.koslovsky@noaa.gov |
Phone: | 206-526-6433 |
Originator
Date Effective From: | 2015-11-01 |
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Date Effective To: | |
Contact (Organization): | Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) |
Address: |
7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 4 Seattle, WA 98115 USA |
Email Address: | afsc.webmaster@noaa.gov |
Phone: | (206) 526-4000 |
Fax: | (206) 526-4004 |
URL: | https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/alaska-fisheries-science-center |
Business Hours: | 0700-1700 Pacific Time |
Point of Contact
Date Effective From: | 2024-03-06 |
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Date Effective To: | |
Contact (Person): | Cameron, Mike |
Email Address: | michael.cameron@noaa.gov |
Extents
Currentness Reference: | Ground Condition |
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Extent Group 1
Extent Group 1 / Geographic Area 1
W° Bound: | 172 | |
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E° Bound: | -130 | |
N° Bound: | 61.5 | |
S° Bound: | 51 | |
Description |
All coastal habitats (intertidal and offshore rocks and reefs) of Alaska south 61.5 degrees North or Cape Newenham in Bristol Bay |
Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 1
Time Frame Type: | Range |
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Start: | 2003 |
End: | 2011 |
Access Information
Security Class: | Unclassified |
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Data Access Policy: |
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. |
Data Access Procedure: |
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. |
Data Access Constraints: |
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. |
Data Use Constraints: |
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. |
Metadata Access Constraints: |
no metadata access constraints |
Metadata Use 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. |
Distribution Information
Distribution 1
Download URL: | https://console.cloud.google.com/storage/browser/_details/nmfs_odp_afsc/MML/PEP/Aerial%20Survey%20Counts%20of%20Harbor%20Seals%20in%20Coastal%20Alaska%20%282003-2011%29.csv |
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Distributor: | |
Description: |
Note: Dataset migrated by Dan Woodrich (AFSC data management coordinator) on 12/15/2021. Contact: Daniel.woodrich@noaa.gov |
Data Quality
Quality Control Procedures Employed: |
Data represented in this dataset are the result of a culmination of multiple observations, data collection protocols and spatial analysis. Through the process various checks are performed to insure data are of the highest quality. These include, but are not limited to: collection of geographic coordinates with high resolution GPS units, high resolution navigational systems on board the aircraft, the use of high resolution DSLR cameras and quality lenses, synching camera time with GPS provided time, and counting of photographs on large, high quality screens with modern software. Despite these quality control checks, users of these data must understand the data are often collected under challenging field conditions and additional processing and testing must be done before these data can be used appropriately. |
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Data Management
Have Resources for Management of these Data Been Identified?: | No |
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Approximate Percentage of Budget for these Data Devoted to Data Management: | Unknown |
Do these Data Comply with the Data Access Directive?: | No |
Is Access to the Data Limited Based on an Approved Waiver?: | No |
If Distributor (Data Hosting Service) is Needed, Please Indicate: | not needed, planned for NCEI-MD |
Approximate Delay Between Data Collection and Dissemination: | unknown |
If Delay is Longer than Latency of Automated Processing, Indicate Under What Authority Data Access is Delayed: |
data are not automatically processed |
Actual or Planned Long-Term Data Archive Location: | NCEI-MD |
Approximate Delay Between Data Collection and Archiving: | unknown |
How Will the Data Be Protected from Accidental or Malicious Modification or Deletion Prior to Receipt by the Archive?: |
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. |
Lineage
Lineage Statement: |
Data collection and processing protocols were updated and improved on a nearly annual basis during the 2003-2011 period. For example, aerial survey observers transitioned from using paper maps and rudimentary GPS units to using advanced GPS units and moving map software on laptop computers for in-flight navigation and data recording purposes. 35 mm film cameras were replaced by digital SLR cameras with new, higher-resolution models being added every few years. And the seal counting process transitioned from projecting slides on a white board to using computers with photo-processing software and high-resolution monitors to mark and count individual seals. In most cases, records within this dataset represent seal counts within a single, geo-referenced photograph taken by a trained observer during dedicated aerial surveys for harbor seals. |
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Catalog Details
Catalog Item ID: | 26741 |
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GUID: | gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:26741 |
Metadata Record Created By: | Josh London |
Metadata Record Created: | 2015-08-31 18:09+0000 |
Metadata Record Last Modified By: | Cynthia Christman |
Metadata Record Last Modified: | 2024-04-17 22:41+0000 |
Metadata Record Published: | 2024-04-03 |
Owner Org: | AFSC |
Metadata Publication Status: | Published Externally |
Do Not Publish?: | N |
Metadata Last Review Date: | 2022-05-05 |
Metadata Review Frequency: | 1 Year |
Metadata Next Review Date: | 2023-05-05 |