Results and insights from operational acoustic monitoring networks in the Chukchi Sea, Summer‐Fall 2006 and 2008.

Abstract

Recordings for marine mammals were collected in the Chukchi Sea in the 2006 and 2008 summer‐fall seasons in proximity to seismic exploration activities. 2006 data were from MARUs off Cape Lisburne, Pt. Lay, Wainwright, and Pt. Barrow, AK. 2008 data were from MARUs in the Burger and Klondike areas. In 2006, belugas, but no bowheads, were rarely detected off Cape Lisburne in July–September. Bowheads, but no belugas, were detected off Wainwright, Lay, and Barrow in September–October, with bowheads very common off Barrow. Seismic airgun sounds were common on distant MARUs off Cape Lisburne, Lay, and Wainwright. There were very few seismic events detected off Barrow and those few were all close to 0‐dB SNR. In 2008, bowheads were more common at Burger than Klondike and occurred mostly during the latter part of the September–October period; belugas were not detected at Burger and only on 6 days early in the period at Klondike; walrus were more common at Burger than at Klondike. In both areas bowhead densities were low‐moderate. Seismic sparker sounds were detected on 7 and 28 days at Burger and Klondike, respectively, with higher received levels at Klondike.