Surveys for gray whales, Eschrichtius robustus, near Cape Caution, British Columbia, summer 2003

The Coastal Ecosystems Research Foundation conducted several surveys for gray whales on the southern Central Coast of British Columbia during the summer of 2003. Three surveys were conducted in CERF’s usual study area near Cape Caution, and three along the west coast of Calvert Island. Additional shorter surveys were also conducted of the Rivers Inlet / Smith Sound region north of Cape Caution. A total of 50 animals were identified from the pigmentation on their flanks. Twelve of these were new to the area in 2003. All but three were photographed. The animals not photographed (due to a camera malfunction) were identified visually by an experienced observer. Twelve animals were identified in the Cape Caution area by Cascadia Research, only one of which had not also been identified by CERF crews. A shift in habitat use was observed. Animals were observed regularly feeding off the west coast of Calvert Island for the first time since CERF began its research in the area in 1994. Also for the first time since 1994, no animals were observed feeding off Allison Harbour in June and July. They returned to North Bay and Allison Harbour in August. Overall, the home range size of individual animals increased from about 4 nautical miles in 2002 to about ten in 2003

Obstacles and Opportunities of Using a Mobile App for Marine Mammal Research

This study investigates the use of a mobile application, Whale mAPP, as a citizen science tool for collecting marine mammal sighting data. In just over three months, 1261 marine mammal sightings were observed and recorded by 39 citizen scientists in Southeast Alaska. The resulting data, along with a preliminary and post-Whale mAPP questionnaires, were used to evaluate the tool’s scientific, educational, and engagement feasibility. A comparison of Whale mAPP Steller sea lion distribution data to a scientific dataset were comparable (91% overlap) given a high enough sample size (n = 73) and dense spatial coverage. In addition, after using Whale mAPP for two weeks, citizen scientists improved their marine mammal identification skills and self-initiated further learning, representing preliminary steps in developing an engaging citizen science project. While the app experienced high initial enthusiasm, maintaining prolonged commitment represents one of the fundamental challenges for this project. Increasing participation with targeted recruitment and sustained communication will help combat the limitations of sample size and spatial coverage. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of early evaluation of the educational and scientific outcomes of a citizen science project, so that limitations are recognized and reduced

Obstacles and Opportunities of Using a Mobile App for Marine Mammal Research

This study investigates the use of a mobile application, Whale mAPP, as a citizen science tool for collecting marine mammal sighting data. In just over three months, 1261 marine mammal sightings were observed and recorded by 39 citizen scientists in Southeast Alaska. The resulting data, along with a preliminary and post-Whale mAPP questionnaires, were used to evaluate the tool’s scientific, educational, and engagement feasibility. A comparison of Whale mAPP Steller sea lion distribution data to a scientific dataset were comparable (91% overlap) given a high enough sample size (n = 73) and dense spatial coverage. In addition, after using Whale mAPP for two weeks, citizen scientists improved their marine mammal identification skills and self-initiated further learning, representing preliminary steps in developing an engaging citizen science project. While the app experienced high initial enthusiasm, maintaining prolonged commitment represents one of the fundamental challenges for this project. Increasing participation with targeted recruitment and sustained communication will help combat the limitations of sample size and spatial coverage. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of early evaluation of the educational and scientific outcomes of a citizen science project, so that limitations are recognized and reduced

Using Citizen Science to Study the Impact of Vessel Traffic on Marine Mammal Populations

Marine mammal research is ideal for citizen science efforts since most studies require extensive data collection and the animals have an inherent appeal that can attract motivated participants. Major threats include incidental mortality from fisheries bycatch and vessel strikes, pollution, noise, and climate change. While marine mammal research can benefit greatly from the use of citizen science, many researchers in the field are reluctant to embrace this approach. Typical concerns relate to the accuracy and validity of the data, but these can be addressed with well-formulated programs and sufficient training. An important consideration for any citizen science project is recruitment and retention of volunteers. Citizen scientists help in all aspects of data collection, data entry, and preliminary analysis. The research group is often split into teams with a few citizen scientists per researcher to expand our coverage.https://inspire.redlands.edu/oh_chapters/1085/thumbnail.jp

Drag and energetics of swimming in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus)

This thesis presents the first hydrodynamic investigation of swimming in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Passive drag was calculated from "deceleration during glide" measurements. A total of sixty-six glides from six juvenile sea lions yielded an average drag coefficient (referenced to total wetted surface area) of 0.0056 at an average Reynolds number of 5.5 x 10⁶. The drag values indicate that the boundary layer is largely turbulent at these Reynolds numbers, which are past the point of transition from laminar to turbulent flow. The position of maximum thickness (average = 0.344) was lower than for a "laminar" profile, and supports the idea that there is little laminar flow. Steller sea lions in this study were characterized by an average fineness ratio of 5.55; the streamlined shape helps to delay flow separation, which reduces total drag. In addition, turbulent boundary layers are more stable than laminar, thus separating further back on the animal. The average glide velocity of the individual sea lions ranged from 2.9-3.4 m/s, or 1.2-1.5 body lengths/s. These speeds are very close to the predicted swim velocity of 1.4 body lengths/s, based on the minimum cost of transport for California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Efficiencies of swimming were calculated based on drag data and preliminary metabolic measurements. Aerobic efficiencies were calculated to reach 13-17% at a swimming velocity of 3.6 m/s. Metabolic costs of swimming were also predicted based on the power required to overcome the measured drag, with assumed efficiencies from literature values. Both approaches yielded very similar metabolic rates and aerobic efficiencies. The metabolic rate was determined to be approximately 29 ml O₂min kg for a Steller sea lion swimming at 2.0 m/s, and 45 ml 0₂/min kg at a velocity of 3.5 m/s. Drag measurements provide a means to estimate the energetic costs of swimming over a range of natural velocities. This approach has applications for the modeling of pinniped energy budgets which are a necessary component of research projects aimed at investigating the decline of the endangered Steller sea lions.Science, Faculty ofZoology, Department ofGraduat

Prey Preference of the North American River Otter (Lontra Canadensis) Evaluated According to Optimal Foraging Theory

Prey preference of the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) was studied in a captive population and evaluated according to optimal foraging theory. Live sunfish (Lepomis spp.), brown trout (Salmo trutta), and crayfish (Cambaridae spp.) were released in a pool, and the search, chase, and handling/eating times of two otters were recorded. When provided with choice of sizes, otters showed a significant preference for catching and eating large prey first. When given a choice of species, otters significantly preferred to catch and eat brown trout first; this preference remained when offered dead prey. Using the rate of energy intake, the preference for brown trout was expected as it provided significantly more energy per unit time, but size preferences only fit predictions after metabolic rate was incorporated, as an otter expends more energy chasing prey in the water than when eating on land. The net energy gained was significantly greatest for large prey in all the size trials and for brown trout in the species trials. Captive river otters exhibit prey preferences that match our predictions based on optimal foraging theory, which can provide insight into dietary habits of wild otter populations

Whale mAPP: Citizen Scientists Contribute and Map Marine Mammal Sightings

No abstract availablehttps://inspire.redlands.edu/oh_chapters/1012/thumbnail.jp

Hydrodynamic drag in steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus)

Drag forces acting on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) were investigated from \u27deceleration during glide\u27 measurements. A total of 66 glides from six juvenile sea lions yielded a mean drag coefficient (referenced to total wetted surface area) of 0.0056 at a mean Reynolds number of 5.5x10(6). The drag values indicate that the boundary layer is largely turbulent for Steller sea lions swimming at these Reynolds numbers, which are past the point of expected transition from laminar to turbulent flow. The position of maximum thickness (at 34 % of the body length measured from the tip of the nose) was more anterior than for a \u27laminar\u27 profile, supporting the idea that there is little laminar flow. The Steller sea lions in our study were characterized by a mean fineness ratio of 5.55. Their streamlined shape helps to delay flow separation, reducing total drag. In addition, turbulent boundary layers are more stable than laminar ones. Thus, separation should occur further back on the animal. Steller sea lions are the largest of the otariids and swam faster than the smaller California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). The mean glide velocity of the individual Steller sea lions ranged from 2.9 to 3.4 m s(-)(1) or 1.2-1.5 body lengths s(-)(1). These length-specific speeds are close to the optimum swim velocity of 1.4 body lengths s(-)(1) based on the minimum cost of transport for California sea lions

Obstacles and Opportunities of Using a Mobile App for Marine Mammal Research

This study investigates the use of a mobile application, Whale mAPP, as a citizen science tool for collecting marine mammal sighting data. In just over three months, 1261 marine mammal sightings were observed and recorded by 39 citizen scientists in Southeast Alaska. The resulting data, along with a preliminary and post-Whale mAPP questionnaires, were used to evaluate the tool’s scientific, educational, and engagement feasibility. A comparison of Whale mAPP Steller sea lion distribution data to a scientific dataset were comparable (91% overlap) given a high enough sample size (n = 73) and dense spatial coverage. In addition, after using Whale mAPP for two weeks, citizen scientists improved their marine mammal identification skills and self-initiated further learning, representing preliminary steps in developing an engaging citizen science project. While the app experienced high initial enthusiasm, maintaining prolonged commitment represents one of the fundamental challenges for this project. Increasing participation with targeted recruitment and sustained communication will help combat the limitations of sample size and spatial coverage. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of early evaluation of the educational and scientific outcomes of a citizen science project, so that limitations are recognized and reduced