0HBKAP eng; USA utf8 dataset dataset Dr. Tamara McGuire Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project 907-306-8842 Anchorage Alaska UNITED STATES resourceProvider 2023-09-13 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) cetacean from 2022-04-18 to 2022-10-16 Tamara McGuire tamaracookinletbeluga@gmail.com principalInvestigator John McClung mcclungj@icloud.com collaborator "1. Dedicated photo-id surveys were conducted from small vessels and from shore March through December 2022 in Cook Inlet, Alaska. Survey effort was focused in Upper Cook Inlet, primarily in the Susitna River Delta (defined here as the area between the Beluga River and the Little Susitna River), Knik Arm, Chickaloon Bay, Fire Island, the Kenai River Delta (defined as the area between the Kasilof River and Nikiski) and Turnagain Arm. Survey schedules varied according to those combinations of season, location, and tide that provided the greatest likelihood of detecting whales. Established general survey routes were followed, although deviations were made depending on where beluga groups were encountered. Surveys lasted approximately six hours, although the exact duration of surveys depended on hours of daylight, tidal conditions, if whale groups were encountered, and size and behavior of whale groups. 2. Vessel-based surveys were conducted from the R/V Lucinda Lee, a 6 m (20 ft) Silver Marine Phoenix® powered by a 4-stroke 150 hp Yamaha motor. The research vessel usually carried one skipper and one observer/photographer. Vessel position was recorded with a Garmin™ GPS (Global Positioning System) Map 76C. A whale group generally was only approached once per survey and usually followed in the manner described by Würsig and Jefferson (1990): the research vessel approached slowly, parallel to the group, and matched group speed and heading in order to obtain images of lateral sides of individuals while minimizing disruption of the group. Researchers noted the position of whales relative to the vessel and GPS-logged tracks of the vessel were used to estimate approximate whale group positions. The majority of the vessel-based surveys were centered around low tide. 3. Shore-based surveys were conducted from observation stations along Turnagain Arm and at the mouth of Eagle River in Knik Arm. Photo-id surveys along Turnagain Arm generally began three hours before high tide, based on results from previous research that indicated that this was when belugas were most likely to be present (Markowitz and McGuire 2007). When beluga whales were seen, the observer attempted to follow them along Turnagain Arm as they moved with the tide or remained in one area if whales stayed here milling or if several groups of whales travelled by the turnout. Most photographs were taken from sites where whales approached closest to shore and that afforded relatively easy vehicle access. Shore-based surveys of the Eagle River Flats of Knik Arm were conducted from the north shore of the mouth of the river by a team of observers led by Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER), with invited participation by a CIBW Photo-ID team member. The survey was scheduled around the low tide, as this provided the greatest likelihood of detecting whales at this location (Funk et al. 2005, McGuire et al. 2008, JBER 2010). Observers were stationed at the mouth of Eagle River and had views of Eagle Bay and Eagle River. 4. Land-based surveys in the Kenai River Delta were conducted from sites overlooking the mouth of the Kenai River or the Port of Kenai dock. 5. Standardized data forms were used to record beluga whale sightings. " Related Funding Agency: US DOC; NOAA; National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Suggested Author List: McGuire, T., J. McClung and A. Willoughby. 2023. Photo-identification of Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska. Summary of Field Activities and Whales Identified in 2022. Professional Scientific Services Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-Identification, contract number AB-133F-17-CN-0145_P20004 project Related Projects and/or Programs cetacean theme Data Types camera instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS in situ obstype Observation Category eng; USA oceans environment -151.7259 -149.0064 60.8371 61.3095 2022-04-18 2022-10-16 true cetacean (EA) dataset dataset Parameter or Variable: cetacean (measured); Units: EA; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: camera.