gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:17354 eng UTF8 dataset CSV Files Alaska Fisheries Science Center 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 4 Seattle WA 98115 USA https://www.afsc.noaa.gov WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Website Website for this organization information 0700-1700 Pacific Time resourceProvider Koslovsky, Stacie 206-526-6433 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle WA 98115-6349 stacie.koslovsky@noaa.gov pointOfContact 2026-03-04T19:17:17 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata Part 2 Extensions for imagery and gridded data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Bering Sea Helicopter Surveys for Ice-Associated Seals (2007-08) Bering Sea Helicopter Surveys for Ice-Associated Seals (2007-08) publication NOAA/NMFS/EDM 17354 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/17354 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Full Metadata Record View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. information Alaska Fisheries Science Center (206) 526-4000 (206) 526-4004 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 4 Seattle WA 98115 USA afsc.webmaster@noaa.gov https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/alaska-fisheries-science-center WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Alaska Fisheries Science Center Website AKFSC Home Page information 0700-1700 Pacific Time originator http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.stamet.2013.03.001 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Citation URL Digital Object Identifier download https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/Quarterly/amj2007/divrptsNMML3.htm WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Citation URL Online Resource download https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/Quarterly/amj2008/divrptsNMML3.htm WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Citation URL Online Resource download tableDigital In the spring of 2007 and 2008, researchers from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center conducted aerial surveys for ribbon, bearded, and spotted seals in the US sector of the Bering Sea. The surveys were conducted from helicopters based aboard the US Coast Guard icebreakers Healy and Polar Sea. Line transect surveys were conducted between approximately 09:00 and 16:00 (local solar time), which corresponds to the timing of peak seal haul-out probability. By local solar time, we mean that for each 15° of latitude west of 0 degrees longitude, one hour was subtracted; thus, we used UTC minus 11 h for Bering Sea observations which puts the sun overhead at approximately noon at these coordinates. Each flight had two to three observers and was flown at a target altitude of 118m (400 ft) at speeds of 80–95 knots. Only seals hauled out on ice were observed and recorded. The distance from each seal to the helicopter’s track line was calculated using a sighting bar mounted on each observer’s window. In all, 2214 seals were observed during approximately 73 h of survey effort covering 11819 km of survey line on 63 flights. Because ice conditions decayed markedly toward the end of the 2007 surveys, our analysis used only the first 27 flights. The number of ringed seal sightings was low, possibly due to a combination of a preponderance of survey effort away from near-shore areas favored by ringed seals and a greater tendency for ringed seals to be disturbed into the water by the helicopter, and therefore to be missed by observers. The purpose of this data set is to collate sightings data analysis and estimation of abundance and distribution for ribbon, spotted, and bearded seals in the Bering Sea. Despite the fact that bearded, ribbon, ringed, and spotted seals (collectively called ice-associated seals) represent important subsistence resources for the native peoples of northern and western Alaska and are key ecological components of the arctic and sub-arctic marine ecosystems, relatively little is known of their abundances and distributions. Such information is critical for NMFS to fulfill its stewardship mandates described by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA). Cameron, M.F., E.E. Moreland, S.P. Dahle, G.M. Brady, D.E. Withrow, and K.M. Yano (2015): Bering Sea Helicopter Surveys for Ice-Associated Seals. Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. --doi:TBD, contact authors for updated citation details-- completed Cameron, Mike michael.cameron@noaa.gov pointOfContact Koslovsky, Stacie 206-526-6433 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle WA 98115-6349 stacie.koslovsky@noaa.gov custodian notPlanned Alaska Bering Sea theme Geographic Names Information System Bearded Seal Ribbon Seal Ringed Seal Spotted Seal theme Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) abundance distribution line-transect survey theme DOC/NOAA/NMFS/AFSC > Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2017-04-24 publication 8.5 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian 2007-2008 Bering Sea Ice Seal Surveys project InPort otherRestrictions Cite As: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, [Date of Access]: Bering Sea Helicopter Surveys for Ice-Associated Seals (2007-08) [Data Date Range], https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/17354. NOAA provides no warranty, nor accepts any liability occurring from any incomplete, incorrect, or misleading data, or from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading use of the data. It is the responsibility of the user to determine whether or not the data is suitable for the intended purpose. otherRestrictions Access Constraints: The data set is in the process of being archived with the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Once the archival process is complete and verified, the data set will be publicly available. otherRestrictions Use Constraints: User must read and fully comprehend the metadata prior to use. Applications or inferences derived from the data should be carefully considered for accuracy. While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. Acknowledge NOAA/NMFS/AFSC or the specified citation as the source from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these data. Communication and collaboration with dataset authors is strongly encouraged. otherRestrictions Distribution Liability: While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. unclassified NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA/NMFS/EDM 17354 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/afsc/dmp/pdf/17354.pdf WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. information crossReference eng; US biota environment CSV file -180 -165 55 66 Bering Sea sea ice habitat | Currentness: Ground Condition 2008-04-06 2008-04-27 | Currentness: Ground Condition 2007-04-10 2007-05-12 | Currentness: Ground Condition 2007-05-16 2007-06-18 Alaska Fisheries Science Center (206) 526-4000 (206) 526-4004 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 4 Seattle WA 98115 USA afsc.webmaster@noaa.gov https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/alaska-fisheries-science-center WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Alaska Fisheries Science Center Website AKFSC Home Page information 0700-1700 Pacific Time distributor http://www.esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E094/239/suppl-1.php WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link http://www.esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E094/239/suppl-1.php Data are available online as supplemental material associated with the publication: http://www.esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E094/239/suppl-1.php (see "File list" section) download dataset All observers recorded information on the species, group size, and distance from the helicopter track line for each sighting via audio recording. Audio recordings were transcribed and sightings were time-synced and geo-referenced to a GPS track from each flight. otherRestrictions otherRestrictions Access Constraints: no access constraints | Use Constraints: Metadata are subject to revision at any time and information within the metadata record should not be cited without author consent. While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.