Movement Ecology and Behavior of Ribbon and Spotted Seals in the Bering Sea, 2024

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Sampling and Deployment Summary

SPENO Date Species Sex Age Molt Status Mass (kg) Bio-logger Type & Location
SPLASH SPOT6
HF2024_1001 2024-04-28 Ribbon seal Female Pup Pre-molt (lanugo) 17.4 -- --
HF2024_1002 2024-04-29 Ribbon seal Female Adult Pre-molt 71.6 Head Flipper
PL2024_1003 2024-04-29 Spotted seal Female Sub-adult Post-molt 45.2 Nape Flipper
PL2024_1004 2024-05-01 Spotted seal Male Pup Active (lanugo) 20.8 -- --
PL2024_1005 2024-05-01 Spotted seal Male Young-of-Year Active (lanugo) 39.0 -- --
HF2024_1006 2024-05-07 Ribbon seal Male Young-of-Year Post-molt 25.2 Nape --
HF2024_1007 2024-05-09 Ribbon seal Male Sub-adult Pre-molt 73.0 -- Flipper
PL2024_1008 2024-05-11 Spotted seal Female Pup Active (lanugo) 27.0 -- --
HF2024_1009 2024-05-12 Ribbon seal Male Adult Active 66.4 -- Flipper
PL2024_1010 2024-05-13 Spotted seal Male Young-of-Year Post-molt 22.0 Nape --
HF2024_1011 2024-05-13 Ribbon seal Female Young-of-Year Active (lanugo) 28.9 -- --
HF2024_1012 2024-05-17 Ribbon seal Female Adult Post-molt 87.9 Head Flipper
PL2024_1013 2024-05-17 Spotted seal Male Young-of-Year Post-molt 20.6 Nape --
PL2024_1014 2024-05-19 Spotted seal Male Young-of-Year Post-molt 26.3 Nape --
HF2024_1015 2024-05-19 Ribbon seal Female Sub-adult Post-molt 40.0 Head Flipper
PL2024_1016 2024-05-20 Spotted seal Male Young-of-Year Post-molt 18.0 Nape --
PL2024_1017 2024-05-20 Spotted seal Female Sub-adult Active 32.8 Nape Flipper
PL2024_1018 2024-05-21 Spotted seal Male Sub-adult Active 28.0 Nape Flipper
HF2024_1019 2024-05-21 Ribbon seal Male Adult Active 68.8 -- Flipper
PL2024_1020 2024-05-21 Spotted seal Female Young-of-Year Post-molt 20.0 Nape --
HF2024_1021 2024-05-22 Ribbon seal Female Adult Active 79.9 -- Flipper
PL2024_1022 2024-05-22 Spotted seal Female Adult Post-molt 79.6 Nape Flipper
PL2024_1023 2024-05-22 Spotted seal Female Adult Active 114.6 -- Flipper
HF2024_1024 2024-05-23 Ribbon seal Female Adult Active 55.0 Head Flipper
PL2024_1025 2024-05-23 Spotted seal Female Young-of-Year Post-molt 22.0 Nape --

Predicted Movements

Each seal is released with a bio-logger that provides regular updates on movement and behavior. For each seal, the observed locations are used to fit a predicted path. Both the predicted track (line) and the observed bio-logger locations (points) are shown on the map. The ship track of the R/V Norseman II is shown in black and can be toggled on/off using the layer selector in the upper left corner.

Because some of the tracks span the 180 anti-meridian, you may need to re-center and zoom the map to the Bering Sea region.

Haul-out Behavior

Each of the bio-loggers are programmed to report the percentage of time the device was dry for each hour. For example, a seal that was hauled out for an entire hour would report as 100% dry. The hours are shown as UTC hours. To adjust for apparent solar noon, subtract approximately 12 hours.

Dive Behavior

The bio-loggers that are attached to the hair of the nape or head of seals are capable of determining depth through a pressure transducer. This allows for a variety of data products that describe the dive behavior of seals.

Time At Depth from Cumulative Distribution

Here, dive behavior is described as proportion of time at given depths. This relatively new data product transmits a cumulative distribution of time at depth for each 2 hour summary period. The distribution adjusts to accomodate different maximum depths and darker red areas indicate depths where the seal is choosing to spend more time. The grey blocks above indicate proportion of time dry within the summary period.

Time At Depth from Histogram Bins

Two bio-loggers deployed on sub-adult spotted seals (SPENO: PL2024_1003, PL2024_1017) were programmed to collect time at depth information based on pre-defined histogram bins. The depth range encompassed by each bin is courser than with the above cumulative distribution data.

Dive Behavior Records

The two sub-adult spotted seals (SPENO: PL2024_1003, PL2024_1017) were also programmed to provide more detailed information regarding individual dives. For each dive, the start time, end time, and maximum depth are recorded. The subsequent post-dive interval at the surface is also recorded. This is bundled into 5 consecutive dive + post-dive intervals. In addition to providing information on dive depths and dive frequency we can also explore the overall distribution of dive duration.

Oceanographic Temperature Profiles

Approximately two times per day, the bio-loggers will record a temperature profile upcast from the deepest dive during a two hour summary period. This provides unique insight into the oceanography and structure of the water these seals are foraging in.

Satellite Transmissions

This figure provides some diagnostic and performance insights to tag deployments and attachment locations.