Science & Data

Each year we conduct aerial surveys of the northern and western coasts of Alaska, in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.

Each year we conduct aerial surveys of the northern and western coasts of Alaska, in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.

This Arctic survey of marine mammals in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas has been conducted every year off the northern and western coasts of Alaska since 1979. A long-term dataset like this is extraordinary because it is both unusual and important. Exact survey dates and boundaries have varied over time, but the study goals, general survey area, and survey methods have stayed remarkably similar. ASAMM is co-managed and conducted by the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and funded and co-managed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

This Arctic survey of marine mammals in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas has been conducted every year off the northern and western coasts of Alaska since 1979. A long-term dataset like this is extraordinary because it is both unusual and important. Exact survey dates and boundaries have varied over time, but the study goals, general survey area, and survey methods have stayed remarkably similar. ASAMM is co-managed and conducted by the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and funded and co-managed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

Deploying equipment in the field.

Building equipment with one eye on hurricanes.

The kids are alright – Bowhead whale calves in the Alaskan Arctic.

Where are the Cook Inlet belugas in winter.

Scientists deploy equipment to listen for whales and sample what they hear.

Keep trying until you get it right - Hexacopter photogrammetry of Cook Inlet beluga whales.