2017 Results of Steller Sea Lion Surveys in Alaska
July 26, 2017
The Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) conducted aerial, ship, and land-based surveys to count Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups and non-pups on terrestrial rookery and haulout sites in Alaska in June to July 2017.
The Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) conducted aerial-, ship-, and land-based surveys to count Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups (approx. 1 mo old) and non-pups (adults and juveniles ≥ 1 year old) on terrestrial rookery and haulout sites in Alaska in June to July 2017. The occupied aircraft survey team conducted their survey from June 27 to July 5 from southeast Alaska (Dixon Entrance, 132°W) to the Shumagin Islands in the western Gulf of Alaska (161°W). The ship-based survey team, which included the use of an unoccupied aircraft system (UAS), conducted their survey from June 22 to July 7 in the Aleutian Islands between 172°E and 166°W. In addition, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) counted Steller sea lions from land on Round Island in Bristol Bay (eastern Bering Sea).