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- July 1, 2025
Beaked whales (Family Ziphiidae; Order Cetacea) are the least well-described group of marine mammals because they conduct very long deep dives, spend little time on the surface where they display cryptic behavior, and are difficult to identify due to the similarity between species. Beaked whales are also known to be susceptible to high-energy sound sources in the ocean (e.g. seismic research, sonars used by military activities).
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- June 1, 2014
This report summarizes information from 24 U.S. Navy-funded aerial surveys of pinniped haulout sites in the inland waters of Washington State conducted between March 2013 and February 2014 by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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- April 1, 2014
During this survey, the visual team surveyed 4,504 kilometers (km) of ‘full-effort,’ which included 349 km of ‘transit-effort.’ There was an additional 375 km of ‘fog-effort’ (transect and transit). Based on total effort, there were 802 sightings (1,998 individuals) of 13 confirmed marine mammal species, with an additional 162 sightings (228 individuals) of unidentified cetaceans and pinnipeds (including those recorded on transit and during off-effort mode).
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- August 5, 2009
Aerial surveys were conducted in conjunction with two US Navy (Navy) Major Training Events (MTE) involving mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS) and explosives in October (Oct) and mid-November (Nov) 2008 in the Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL) off San Diego, California. The purpose of this survey was to monitor potential effects or lack of observable effects of MFAS and explosives on mammals and sea turtles (MM/ST) during a MTE from 17-21 Oct and beginning one day after a MTE from 15-18 Nov.
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- August 6, 2025
The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), NOAA Fisheries, with support from the U.S. Navy, conducted line transect surveys in Behm Canal and adjacent areas in the spring of 2023 and fall of 2024 to obtain estimates of density and abundance of cetaceans and information on marine mammal distribution and occurrence.
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Complete
Characterizing the Distribution of ESA-listed Salmonids in Washington and Alaska
Project Objectives
Use acoustic tagging technology to provide critical information on spatial and temporal distribution of salmonids to inform salmon management, U.S. Navy activity, and Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) conservation. The study seeks to 1) determine the occurrence and timing of salmonids within the Navy training ranges, 2) describe the influence of environmental covariates on salmonid occurrence; and, 3) describe the occurrence of salmonids in relation to SRKW distribution.
Current
Gulf of Alaska Acoustic Moorings and Analysis
Project Objectives
Conduct systematic line transect survey for marine mammals for density estimates; conduct survey to determine ecotype identity of killer whales; analyze existing and newly collected data for seasonal occurrence, abundance, and density of cetacean
Complete
North Pacific Humpback Whale Tagging
Project Objectives
Determine the occurrence, movement patterns, and residency patterns of multiple humpback whale Distinct Population Segments within Pacific Ocean Navy Range Complexes
Current
North Pacific Marine Mammal Species Distribution
Project Objectives
Develop a North Pacific-wide species distribution model for cetaceans
Current
Pacific Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (PACMAPPS) survey
Project Objectives
Identify species of beaked whales, odontocetes, and baleen whales that occur in the surveyed areas; Monitor marine mammal and sea turtle presence, distribution, and diversity in offshore waters; Develop a better understanding of marine mammal distribution, movement patterns, habitat use, population structure, and abundance; Develop reference library of visually-validated acoustic recordings of marine mammals.
Complete
Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Alaska
Project Objectives
Determine the spatial distribution and occurrence of beaked whales, other odontocetes, and baleen whales in offshore areas using bottom-mounted passive acoustic recorders and deep-diving autonomous gliders
Current
Telemetry and Genetic Identity of Chinook Salmon in Alaska
Project Objectives
To use a combination of pop-up satellite technology and salmon genetics to provide critical information on Chinook salmon spatial and temporal distribution in the Gulf of Alaska and along the Washington coast to inform salmon management and U.S. Navy training activities. The study seeks to 1) determine the occurrence, timing, and specific run of Chinook salmon through genetics within the Navy training areas; 2) describe the influence of environmental covariates on Chinook salmon occurrence; and 3) improve the understanding of run-specific timing and geographical occurrence of Chinook salmon as the prey of Southern Resident killer whales in Washington.
Killer Whale Ecotype Study (KWEST) kicks off
July 27, 2026
Research scientists from the University of Washington and NOAA recently departed from Kodiak, AK aboard the R/V Aquila for a 2-month research cruise focused on distinct groups of killer whales, or ecotypes, that hunt different prey and travel in different parts of the Gulf of Alaska.
