A Dataset from Bio-loggers Deployed on Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) in Cook Inlet, Alaska (2004-2007)

Between 2004 and 2006 we conducted four harbor seal tagging trips in Cook Inlet during the months of October and May. In total, we captured and released 93 harbor seals, 77 of which were tagged with satellite transmitters. Each transmitter was glued to the hair on the back of the seal using durable epoxy. Fourteen of the seals were also equipped with specially developed transmitters that were attached to one of the rear flippers. Transmissions from the 91 tags resulted in 178,536 location estimates and 310,593 dive and haul-out behavior records. These data formed the basis for the development of novel analysis techniques. Johnson et al. (2008) described a novel continuous-time correlated random walk (CTCRW) method for predicting animal locations from satellite tags. Higgs and Ver Hoef (2011) described a new statistical method for analyzing dive behavior based on dive histogram recordings obtained from satellite tags.

The data files within this dataset represent the 'raw' data obtained from the Wildlife Computers data portal. Each deployment (unique tag id + animal id combination) is provided as a zipped archive. The root folder also includes additional documentation. The various files and detailed column descriptions are described in the 'Spreadsheet-File-Descriptions.pdf' which was downloaded from Wildlife Computers (https://wildlifecomputers.com/support/downloads/). The '00_cookinletpv_get_data.Rmd' file is an RMarkdown file that provides code and documentation of the data retrieval process. The corresponding '00_cookinlet_get_data.hml' file is autogenerated from the RMarkdown file.

Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are an important subsistence resource for the indigenous people of coastal Alaska, as well as key components of the nearshore marine ecosystems. Harbor seal populations in Cook Inlet may be negatively impacted by offshore oil and gas development as well as by climate change. Our ability to predict impacts, however, is limited by inadequate knowledge of seal population structure and foraging ecology.

London, J., Boveng, P. (2019). A Dataset from Bio-loggers Deployed on Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) in Cook Inlet, Alaska (2004-2007). Dataset. https://doi.org/10.24431/rw1k31y

The file 'cookinletpv_get_data.Rmd' is an R/Rmarkdown file that includes more detailed description of the process as well as the source code use.

the external data dictionary for this dataset can be found in the following file: Spreadsheet-File-Descriptions.pdf.

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 intended to be archived with the US Animal Telemetry Network and the Data Observation Network for Earth (DataONE). 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 intended to be archived with the US Animal Telemetry Network and the Data Observation Network for Earth (DataONE). Once the archival process is complete and verified, the data set will be publicly available.

The data set is intended to be archived with the US Animal Telemetry Network and the Data Observation Network for Earth (DataONE). 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.

Data are preserved as comma-separated text files output from tag processing software provided by the tag vendor (Wildlife Computers, Redmond, Washington, USA). The format of these files has changed over the years and use of these data files will require expert knowledge of the various Wildlife Computers tags and programming options. Additional software or code will likely be required to properly interpret the data.

The accuracy of Argos derived location estimates varies. Detailed information on the Argos location estimates, location quality, and location error estimates are available at http://www.argos-system.org/manual/3-location/32_principle.htm#3.2.4_Error_estimation

Sensor errors, drift, calibration, and data transmission errors can all lead to inaccurate values reported for sensor measurements on the device. These data are presented as is with no removal of potentially inaccurate sensor values. Sensible measures should be used to insure the data used in any analysis are biologically reasonable.

Limited quality control procedures have been employed. This dataset is an archive of the processed output from the Wildlife Computers data processing software. These tags were deployed on free-ranging, wild animals in challenging environments. In all cases, additional quality control procedures and evaluation from experts familiar with the tags, programming and species will be required.

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.

Between 2004 and 2007, NOAA researchers captured, instrumented and released 93 harbor seals with satellite-linked bio-logging devices in Cook Inlet, Alaska. All age classes of animals were targeted. Although, there is uncertainty associated with field classification of age in seals. Satellite telemetry devices were attached to the hair of the back of the seals using fast-setting epoxy and, in some cases, to the rear inter-digital flipper webbing with two posts and holes.

All data provided are included as zipped archives that contain a variety of files processed on the Wildlife Computers Data Portal. The specific files included are dependent upon the tag hardware, firmware, and programming options selected. The files and column heading descriptions are provided in the 'Spreadhseet-File-Descriptions.pdf' which was downloaded from the Wildlife Computers web site (https://wildlifecomputers.com/wp-content/uploads/manuals/Spreadsheet-File-Descriptions.pdf) on May 20 2019.

The programming specifications and tag details are provided in either a *.htm or *.rpt file. These are the files created at the time the tag was programmed.

The included '00_cookinletpv_get_data.Rmd' is an R Markdown file that describes the process for downloading and renaming files from the Wildlife Computers Data Portal. The '00_cookinletpv_get_data.html' file is created when this R Markdown file is run