Abstract
The soundscape is an important habitat component for marine animals. In the Arctic, marine conditions are changing rapidly due to sea ice loss and increased anthropogenic activities such as shipping, which will influence the soundscape. Here, we assess the contributors to the summer soundscape in the shallow waters of the Mackenzie River estuary within the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area in the western Canadian Arctic, a core summering habitat for beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas Pallas, 1776). We collected passive acoustic data during the summer over four years, and assessed the influence of physical variables, beluga whale vocalizations, and boat noise on sound pressure levels in three frequency bands (low: 0.2–1 kHz; medium: 1–10 kHz; high: 10–48 kHz) to quantify the soundscape. Wind speed, wave height, beluga vocalizations, and boat noise were all large contributors to the soundscape in various frequency bands. The soundscape varied to a lesser degree between sites, time of day, and with tide height, but remained relatively constant between years. This study is the first detailed description of a shallow summer soundscape in the western Canadian Arctic, an important habitat for beluga whales, and can be used as a baseline to monitor future changes during this season.
Highlights
Introduction to the Tarium Niryutait MarineProtected AreaBeluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas, Pallas 1776) of the Eastern Beaufort Sea compose one of the world’s largest populations of beluga, estimated at approximately 40,000 whales (Niemi et al 2010)
The plan describes the regulatory authority related to the TNMPA in the ISR and the context within broader Oceans Management planning for the Beaufort Sea Large Ocean Management Area (LOMA)
Different zones (Fig. 2) were delineated, and guidelines developed for these zones related to various activities that might affect the well-being of the beluga resource, the harvesting of the resource, or beluga habitat (FJMC 2001)
Summary
The TNMPA management plan supports the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area Regulations (2010). The TNMPA provides important habitat for summer aggregations of one of the world’s largest populations of beluga, the Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga It is an important beluga harvesting and fishing area for Inuvialuit, having supported generations of families from Inuvik, Aklavik, and Tuktoyaktuk. The management plan sets out the first six-year (2013–2018) activity plan with priorities on: (1) consultation and communication about management of the TNMPA; (2) development of a monitoring plan; and (3) stewardship actions such as enforcement, public education, and evaluation. These elements will be critical at this early stage of implementation and to the ultimate success of the TNMPA. Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area Regulations (2010): http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/
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