Presentation Details
| Harbor Porpoise Behavior and the Importance of the Kachemak Bay, Alaska Critical Habitat Area Deborah D.Boege Tobin1, 2, 3, Marc A.Webber2, 3, 4, Javin E.Schroeder1, 2, Sara R.Wilhelm1, Shawna L.Jackson1, 2, Teresa M.Becher1, Lauren C.Fliearman1, 2, Bruce A.Schulte3, 5. 1University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), Anchorage, AK, USA.2UAA-Kenai Peninsula College-Kachemak Bay Campus, Semester by the Bay, Homer, AK, USA.3NOAA-UAA ACCS Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Homer, AK, USA.4The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA, USA.5North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA |
Abstract
For ~10 yr, we studied elusive harbor porpoises (HAPO; Phocoena phocoena; NOAA #26643) in Kachemak Bay (KBay) whose behavior has been poorly described in Alaska, despite common nearshore occurrence. Using our research, Captains' logs and citizen science, we present data from HAPO hotspots, incl. habitat use and characterization; HAPO group size and structure, and behaviors (e.g., aerial mating, foraging, pop-splashes). The KBay Critical Habitat Area, home to the largest NOAA NERR, is part of the Cook Inlet beluga whale (CIBW; Delphinapterus leucas) Critical Habitat area although CIBW have rarely been observed here since the 1990s. Reopening KBay to personal watercraft (per 2025 ruling) will cause increased human-wildlife interactions. HAPO calves are regularly documented in KBay, as are long interval re-sightings, and mark evolution. In comparison to the Kenai River, commonly used by CIBW, we expanded our study of HAPO in KBay to investigate if disturbance and varying habitat parameters may affect distribution and behavior, and, using water quality and eDNA, esp. of potential prey and competitor species, are characterizing the suitability of habitat in KBay for HAPO and BEWH.
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