WESTERN GRAY WHALE ADVISORY PANEL. MARINE MAMMAL OBSERVER PROGRAME Marine Mammal Carcass Survey 2007 Preliminary Report Submitted by SEIC

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1 WESTERN GRAY WHALE ADVISORY PANEL WGWAP 3/INF.2 3 rd Meeting 29 October 2007 Agenda Item: 3 ENGLISH MARINE MAMMAL OBSERVER PROGRAME Marine Mammal Carcass Survey 2007 Submitted by SEIC WGWAP 3/INF.2

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4 MARINE MAMMAL CARCASS SURVEY 2007 PRELIMINARY REPORT YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK SEPTEMBER 2007

5 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION SURVEY METHODS Crew-Change Flights Dedicated Survey Flights Flight Survey Equipment Other Survey Activities Onshore Behavioural Team Marine Mammal Observers Response Procedure for Sightings FINDINGS EVALUATION OF SURVEY METHODS CONCLUSIONS S T E Page 2 of 16

6 1. INTRODUCTION Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd (SEIC) has implemented a Marine Mammal Protection Plan to reduce the threat to marine mammals in the area of its operations off the north east coast of Sakhalin Island. In 2006, the Interim Independent Scientists Group (IISG) introduced a recommendation that SEIC also search for and investigate whale carcasses along the north east coast of Sakhalin Island. At their meeting in St Petersburg, April 2007, the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) further specified that recommendation. SEIC partly implemented that recommendation during 2007, and this preliminary report presents the findings of those surveys to date. 2. SURVEY METHODS 2.1 Crew-Change Flights Surveys using existing crew change flights were conducted daily, depending on the weather. On good weather days, the surveys were carried out on every first flight of the day, on each route. There were usually several crew change flights per day between Nogliki and the Piltun area (PA-A and PA-B platforms), and between Nogliki and the Lunskoye area (LUN-A platform). The non-dedicated survey (using existing crew change flights) started on June , and is planned to extend until the end of October A total of 39 flights between Nogliki and the Piltun area and 25 flights between Nogliki and the Lunskoye area took place during the period from June 1 until mid-september (Table 1). Table 1. Numbers of helicopter crew change flights that participated in beach carcass surveys. Month of flights Nogliki - Piltun Nogliki - Lunskoye June July 13 7 August 6 4 September 2 0 Total The flight crew of the helicopters were briefed by Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) on the characteristics of whale carcasses to search for. A special form was provided to the crew to record the location, date, and other details of any carcasses observed from the helicopter. The form also contains information about contact persons that need to be notified in case a whale carcass is observed S T E Page 3 of 16

7 Figure 1. Helicopter MIL-8-MTV. Figure 2. Route of dedicated survey flights S T E Page 4 of 16

8 2.2 Dedicated Survey Flights Three dedicated surveys have been carried out to date: , and These surveys were planned to be carried out monthly, but could not be completed in August because flights from Nogliki airport were cancelled due to a problem with the license. The dedicated surveys were carried out in a MIL-8-MTV helicopter that is normally used for crew transfers (Figure 1). These surveys were conducted with two Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) onboard, and covered the north east coast of Sakhalin from Nogliki to Okha (Figure 2). Specific recommendations by WGWAP for dedicated helicopter surveys were: Flight (ground) speed: knots ( km/hr). Flight altitude: 1500 ft (450 m). Although this is above the optimal height, it should preclude serious disturbance to near-shore living whales as well as nesting birds and hauled-out pinnipeds. The smallest gray whales expected during summer and autumn in this region would be 6-7 m long and they should be at least moderately detectable from 450 m. Flight path: Where the terrain permits, a flight path along the land-side (ca. ¼ mi [0.4 km] from the beach) is preferred. However, it is essential that the beach be kept in sight and therefore in areas such as the Piltun feeding ground, where dunes, hills and cliffs might obscure a high-and-dry carcass, it may be necessary to fly directly along, or just offshore from, the waterline. In this circumstance, it will be especially important to avoid sharp turns and rapid changes in power that cause more sound to enter the water. Flight coverage and regularity: This should follow the guidance given in the reports of the IISG and WGWAP 1 (e.g. expand coverage to include areas north of Piltun Lagoon, entire east coast to be covered at least twice per season, Piltun feeding area to be covered biweekly from July-October). 2.3 Flight Survey Equipment Standard helicopter equipment was used during the surveys, including an accurate radar altimeter, GPS navigation system, headphones, and survival equipment and clothing. In addition, MMOs on the dedicated survey flights were equipped with their own global positioning system (GPS) devices (Garmin etrex Legend Cx) and digital cameras. 2.4 Other Survey Activities Onshore Behavioural Team Members of SEIC s Onshore Behavioural Team study the behaviour of western gray whales from a number of onshore monitoring points located along the north east coast of Sakhalin Island. The team members travel between monitoring stations by vehicle. During their activities, the team members also look out for dead or injured marine mammals. The team is equipped with GPS devices and digital cameras S T E Page 5 of 16

9 2.4.2 Marine Mammal Observers As part of SEIC s Marine Mammal Protection Plan, MMOs are located aboard various vessels (e.g. crew change boats and construction vessels) engaged in SEIC activities offshore Sakhalin Island. The MMOs main role is to look out for marine mammals and to alert the shipmaster so that collisions can be avoided. In performing these duties, the MMOs also record sightings of dead or injured animals. 2.5 Response Procedure for Sightings In principle, local wildlife trustee agencies are central to response procedures because the responsibility and authority for protecting wildlife lies with those agencies. This means that any response to the finding of carcasses should be conducted with the preauthorization of the relevant agencies. Notwithstanding the responsibilities of the relevant agencies, SEIC may be designated to act on their behalf under certain circumstances. The response procedure during this field season was as follows: 1. Helicopter crew who locate a injured or dead marine mammal shall report this to the aviation manager, who in turn informs the HSES Emergency Response Coordinator (HSES-EC) on duty. 2. The HSES-EC contacts the MMO Coordinator, who in close cooperation with the logistics leader on duty and with the Nogliki camp supervisor, shall arrange transportation of marine mammal specialists to the site. 3. In the case of a dedicated survey, the helicopter shall land at the site of the injured or dead animal. 4. The marine mammal experts shall investigate the carcass or injured animal, including species identification, photo and video work, sex, length, weight, and body condition. Initial coordinates are also checked. 5. After examination of the animal, the findings are recorded on a Marine Mammal Mortality-Injury Form and submitted together with pictures to the MMO coordinator in Yuzhno-Sakhalin. 6. The findings are to be reported to relevant SEIC management and local authorities S T E Page 6 of 16

10 3. FINDINGS No injured animals were found. Table 2 summarises the records of marine mammal carcasses found during 2007 (up to 15 September). No carcasses were recorded during the regular crew change flights. Two stranded mammal carcasses were found during the dedicated helicopter surveys. In addition, one floating, beaked whale carcass was observed by the MMO present on an offshore vessel, and four carcasses were found by the onshore behavioural team. Table 2 Summary of beached and floating marine mammal carcasses found during the 2007 field season Date Species Location Condition Observer(s)¹ 30 Aug 07 Spotted seal East coast, on beach north of PA-B Recently deceased Onshore behavioural team 08 Sep 07 Beluga whale East coast, on beach north of PA-B Recently deceased Onshore behavioural team 08 Sept 07 Cuvier s beaked whale Floating in water near PA-B Moderately decomposed MMO on the crew boat 14 Sept 07 Spotted seal East coast, on beach north of PA-B Recently deceased Onshore behavioural team 15 Sept 07 Spotted seal² East coast, on beach north of PA-B Moderately decomposed Dedicated helicopter survey 15 Sept 07 Beluga whale² East coast, on beach north of PA-B Moderately decomposed Dedicated helicopter survey 19 Sept 07 Spotted seal East coast, on beach north of PA-B Moderately decomposed Onshore behavioural team Notes: ¹ Copies of the Marine Mammal Mortality / Injury Reports are included under Annex A. ² The beluga whale carcass found on September 15 was the same body recorded on September 8 by the onshore behavioural team; the spotted seal carcass was the same body found on September 14 by the onshore behavioural team. After adjustments for double counting, a total of five dead marine mammals were recorded during the 2007 field season, up to mid-september. The locations of these carcasses are indicated in Figure S T E Page 7 of 16

11 Figure 3. Stranded and floated marine mammal carcasses found in EVALUATION OF SURVEY METHODS More carcasses were located by onshore teams than by helicopter surveys. No carcasses were found during 64 regular helicopter flights. Both carcasses that were identified by the dedicated helicopter surveys had been previously reported by onshore teams. It is difficult to conclude a comparison of survey methods on these few data. Observations during crew change flights are opportunistic; pilots may be focussed on the logistics of the trip rather than on surveys. Moreover, the small size of the carcasses found during this period may explain why more were recorded by ground teams than by flight teams. (It should be noted that two whale carcasses were found during 2006 by non-dedicated flights). Dedicated surveys and opportunistic observations by helicopter remain useful in that whale carcasses are relatively easy to identify from the air. Moreover, feedback from the helicopter crew is quick and timely S T E Page 8 of 16

12 5. CONCLUSIONS No dead or injured western gray whales have been found during 2007 to date (mid-september). Similarly, no dead or injured gray whales were found in Carcasses of one Beluga whale, one Cuvier s beaked whale, and three spotted seal have been found in 2007 so far. There was no evidence in any of these cases that cause of death was related to human interaction. The five carcasses found in 2007 to date compares to a total of five carcasses found in 2006, when one Minke whale, one Baird s Beaked whale, one Killer whale, one spotted seal, and one ringed seal were found by ground and air crews S T E Page 9 of 16

13 ANNEX A МARINE MAMMAL MORTALITY-INJURY REPORTS MARINE MAMMAL MORTALITY - INJURY REPORT, AUGUST 30, 2007 EXAMINER Name: Glenn Gailey Affiliation: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Address: Galveston, TX USA Phone: SPECIES AND LOCATION DETAILS Common name: Spotted seal Genus: Phoca Species: Phoca Largha Site Description: Station 07 (Behavior Team) GPS Coordinates: , Floating? CAUSES (IF KNOWN) Human Interaction How Determined: NO External Exam NO DATE OF INITIAL OBSERVATION Year: 2007 Month: AUGUST Day: 30 CONDITION: 4. Fresh Dead 0000-S T E Page 10 of 16

14 MARINE MAMMAL MORTALITY - INJURY REPORT, SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 EXAMINER Name: Glenn Gailey Affiliation: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Address: Galveston, TX USA Phone: SPECIES AND LOCATION DETAILS Common name: Beluga Genus: Delphinapterus Species: Delphinapterus leucas Site Description: Station 07 (Behavior Team) GPS Coordinates: , Floating? CAUSES (IF KNOWN) Human Interaction How Determined: NO External Exam NO DATE OF INITIAL OBSERVATION Year: 2007 Month: SEPTEMBER Day: 8 CONDITION: 4. Fresh Dead 0000-S T E Page 11 of 16

15 MARINE MAMMAL MORTALITY - INJURY REPORT, SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 EXAMINER Name: Andrey Kukhlevsky Affiliation: Institute of Marine Biology Аddress: Vladivostok, 17 Palchevsky Phone: (4232) SPECIES AND LOCATION DETAILS Common name Cuvier s beaked whale Genus: Ziphius Species: cavirostris Site Description: Carcass was found at 18:50 in vicinity PA-B. GPS Coordinates: Vessel: Sighting conditions: Vessel speed: Vessel activity: 52º55 11 С.Ш. 143º29 54 В.Д. Green Ocean Sea state 2. Visibility 9 km. 0,2 knots Crew carrying Distance to marine mammal: 200 м. Floating? Stranded? Yes No DATE OF INITIAL OBSERVATION: Year: 2007 Мonth: Сентябрь Day: 08 CONDITION: 5. Moderate Decomposition 0000-S T E Page 12 of 16

16 MARINE MAMMAL MORTALITY - INJURY REPORT, SEPTEMBER 14, 2007 EXAMINER Name: Glenn Gailey Affiliation: Texas A&M University Address: Galveston, TX USA Phone: SPECIES AND LOCATION DETAILS Common name: Spotted seal Genus: Phoca Species: Phoca Largha Site Description: North Station (Behaviour Team) GPS Coordinates: , Floating? CAUSES (IF KNOWN) Human Interaction How Determined: NO NO External Examination DATE OF INITIAL OBSERVATION Year: 2007 Month: SEPTEMBER Day: 14 CONDITION: 4. Fresh Dead 0000-S T E Page 13 of 16

17 MARINE MAMMAL MORTALITY - INJURY REPORT, SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 EXAMINER Name: Roman Larin Affiliation: Sakhalin Energy Investment Company, Ltd Address: Building 2, 2nd Floor, East wing, Khabarovskaya str., 56, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia, Phone: 7 (42 42) Mobile: Species and location details Common name: Spotted seal Genus: Phoca Species: Phoca Largha Site description: Sakhalin, east coast. GPS coordinates: , Vessel (if applicable): Sighting conditions: dead whale found by helicopter Floating? Stranded? No Yes Date of initial observation : 2007 September 15 Date of examination: 2007 September 15 Condition: Moderate decomposition 0000-S T E Page 14 of 16

18 MARINE MAMMAL MORTALITY - INJURY REPORT, SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 EXAMINER: Name: Roman Larin Affiliation: Sakhalin Energy Investment Company, Ltd Address: Building 2, 2nd Floor, East wing, Khabarovskaya str., 56, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia, Phone: 7 (42 42) Mobile: Species and location details Common name: Beluga Whale Genus: Delphinidae Species: Delphinapterus leucas Site description: Sakhalin, east coast. Piltun GPS coordinates: Vessel (if applicable): Sighting conditions: dead whale found by helicopter Floating? Stranded? No Yes Date of initial observation 2007 September S T E Page 15 of 16

19 MARINE MAMMAL MORTALITY - INJURY REPORT, SEPTEMBER 14, 2007 EXAMINER Name: Glenn Gailey Affiliation: Texas A&M University Address: Galveston, TX USA Phone: SPECIES AND LOCATION DETAILS Common name: Spotted seal Genus: Phoca Species: Phoca Largha Site Description: South of Station 07 (Behavior Team) GPS Coordinates: , Floating? CAUSES (IF KNOWN) Human Interaction How Determined: NO NO External Examination DATE OF INITIAL OBSERVATION Year: 2007 Month: SEPTEMBER Day: 19 CONDITION: 3. Moderate Decomposition 0000-S T E Page 16 of 16