Alaska Steller Sea Lion Food Habits Data 1990-2009

This data set contains Steller sea lion diet data based on analysis of scats collected during summer (May-September) and winter (November-April) rookeries and haulouts in Alaska during 1990 to 2009. Prey items from 87 prey taxa were identified using hard parts including bones, otoliths, and cephalopod beaks. Frequency of occurrence was calculated for 375 site-year-season combinations, and used in the analysis published by Sinclair et al. (2013). This dataset includes the thirteen primary prey taxa (frequency of occurrence >= 5%) identified in the Sinclair et al. (2013) study.

The primary purpose of this data set is to identify species and sizes of Steller sea lion prey in Alaska and used for analyses supporting ESA Section 7 consultation Biological Opinions of Alaskan groundfish fisheries in 2002 and 2014. The analysis of these data were published by Sinclair et al. (2013).

Cite the dataset as: Alaska Ecosystems Program. 2019. Alaska Steller sea lion food habits data 1990-2009. https://console.cloud.google.com/storage/browser/_details/nmfs_odp_afsc/MML/AEP/Alaska%20Steller%20Sea%20Lion%20Food%20Habits%20Data%201990-2009.csv

and also cite the original publication: Sinclair, E. H., D. S. Johnson, T. K. Zeppelin, and T. S. Gelatt. 2013. Decadal variation in the diet of Western Stock Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFSAFSC-248, 67 p.

National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML)

Alaska Ecosystems Program (AEP)

CSV file includes frequency of occurrence prey species data measured from Steller sea lion scats collected onshore at sites in Alaska.

In child table

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.

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Communication and collaboration with data set authors is strongly encouraged prior to use.

Connect to the dataset page at the NOAA Fisheries Open Data Portal through the link below.

There are no legal restrictions on access to the data. They reside in public domain and can be freely distributed. User must read and fully comprehend the metadata prior to use. Applications or inferences derived from the data should be carefully considered for accuracy.

Cite the dataset as: Alaska Ecosystems Program. 2019. Alaska Steller sea lion food habits data 1990-2009. https://console.cloud.google.com/storage/browser/_details/nmfs_odp_afsc/MML/AEP/Alaska%20Steller%20Sea%20Lion%20Food%20Habits%20Data%201990-2009.csv

and also cite the original publication: Sinclair, E. H., D. S. Johnson, T. K. Zeppelin, and T. S. Gelatt. 2013. Decadal variation in the diet of Western Stock Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFSAFSC-248, 67 p.

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. Communication and collaboration with data set authors is strongly encouraged.

None.

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.

Original data maintained in a Microsoft SQL Server database, with custom-build data entry and editing software; the data query was exported to a CSV file.

Sample and prey identification information is checked against hardcopy paper forms.

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.

See Sinclair et al. (2013) for sample collection and processing descriptions. Processed sample information is electronically entered, and all prey parts are identified and/or measured in-house or by a contractor, then recorded onto a hard-copy paper form. The prey part information is then electronically entered into the database.