IAP-24-106

Mapping Arctic Marine Mammals: understanding the distribution of species in a rapidly changing north

Enhancing our understanding of the distribution and behaviour of marine mammals and their potential exposure to emerging human activities in the Arctic is essential for helping to establish and enhance conservation measures in a jurisdictionally complex, and rapidly changing ocean. Data for mapping anthropogenic activities including commercial marine traffic in the Arctic is now more comprehensive but rarely provides an understanding of where vessels are interacting with marine mammals, the nature of these interactions, or specific details about the animals they are encountering.

Collecting information on the presence and distribution of Arctic cetaceans is particularly difficult in their remote and vast Arctic habitat (Charry et al., 2021). The Arctic Ocean covers over 14million km2 and is frequented by many species of cetaceans including three endemic species; the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), beluga (Delphinapterus leucas), and narwhal (Monodon monoceros) of which there are different recognised stocks and populations (Hague and McWhinnie, 2024). There are also several species of ice associated pinnipeds including the ringed seal, bearded seal and walrus that have a circumpolar distribution but partition their use of sea ice habitats through direct habitat selection or seasonal migrations (Laidre et al., 2008).

A limited daylight period and open water season in conjunction with the cryptic behaviour of many species that are predominantly submerged alongside the significant resource costs associated with Arctic field work mean that for many Arctic marine mammals we still have limited data and a poor understanding of their movements and how environmental changes are impacting them (Fretwell et al., 2023). Thus, the ability to collect data from opportunistic platforms and alternative sources, such as vessels seasonally transiting during ice-free periods or from satellite imagery, presents an opportunity for researchers, Arctic operators, managers and policy makers to develop a better understanding of cetacean movements within areas that lack survey effort.

This project will collaborate with Arctic expedition operators to conduct on-ship surveys for evaluating marine mammal distribution and document whale-vessel interactions to evaluate the nature of the potential impact. The knowledge gained from these surveys will be used in combination with existing data on Arctic marine mammal distributions and maritime activities to help improve understanding of where spatial conflicts are currently occurring, and also consider how this might change in the future. In addition, this research will explore the utility of using satellite imagery to supplement other sources of data (e.g., ship, land and aerial surveys) for Arctic cetaceans.

References
Charry B, Tissier E, Iacozza J, Marcoux M, Watt CA (2021) Mapping Arctic cetaceans from space: A case study for beluga and narwhal. PLoS ONE 16(8): e0254380. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254380
Fretwell, P., Cubaynes, H., and Shpak, O., (2023). Satellite image survey of beluga whales in the southern Kara Sea. Marine Mammal Science. 39(4): 1204-1214 https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13044
Hague, E., and McWhinnie, L., (2024) Narwhal, beluga and bowhead whale responses to marine vessel traffic: a systematic map. Marine and Coastal Management. 255: 107251 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107251
Laidre, K., L., Stirling, I., Lowry, F., et al., (2008) Quantifying the sensitivity of Arctic marine mammals to climate induced habitat change. Ecological Applications, 18(2): s97-s125 https://doi.org/10.1890/06-0546.1

This project will provide the candidate with the opportunity to develop skills and experience in several different methods used for capturing and evaluating data on marine mammals including:
*Ship-based marine mammal surveys will capture georeferenced visual sightings data and document vessel interactions. This data will be used to map marine mammal distributions and hotspots, develop species distribution models (in-combination with other sightings data resources; e.g., Williams et al (2006)) and these in turn will be used to better understand areas of spatio-temporal overlap with vessels.
*AIS (Automated identification System) data analysis – satellite automatic identification system data for Arctic Vessels will be used to understand spatio-temporal trends in vessel traffic operating within Arctic waters. Analysis of vessel types and time spent within areas recognised as important marine mammal habitat will be explored and combined with data from ship-based surveys to evaluate potential management options (e.g., McWhinnie et al., 2021).
*Satellite imagery- very high-resolution optical satellite images will be used to map cetacean detections, as well as boats. Standardised methods to review satellite imagery will be used (Cubaynes et al. 2023), following recommendations from the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee correspondence group on ‘Using satellites to study whales’.

During the course of their studies the researcher will spend consecutive field seasons onboard HX Expedition vessels conducting ship-based surveys. This time will also provide them with the chance to work with industry leaders to identify opportunities for minimising risks to Arctic cetaceans and importantly the opportunities to interact with Arctic community members to consider how local knowledge and ways of knowing can help inform their research approach and methods i.e., constraining temporal or spatial exploration of satellite imagery.

They will also benefit from a having a multi-disciplinary team of supervisors based at different IAPETUS institutions and will spend time with each during periods where their specific expertise will benefit the candidate. For example, it is expected that during processing of satellite imagery the candidate will spend time at BAS to ensure they have sufficient support and training from JJ and HC. They will also have the opportunity to regularly interact with DFO scientist who will provide both access to data and analytical support, thus ensuring that research outputs are impactful and able to inform and shape policy and management measure they implement across the Canadian Arctic.

References
Cubaynes, H. C., Clarke, P. J., Goetz, K. T., Aldrich, T., Fretwell, P. T., Leonard, K. E., and Khan, C. B., (2023). Annotating very high-resolution satellite imagery: A whale case study. MethodsX, 10: 1012040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2023.102040
McWhinnie, L., O’Hara, P., Hilliard, C., et al., (2021). Assessing vessel traffic in the Salish Sea using satellite AIS: an important contribution for planning management and conservation in southern resident killer whale critical habitat. Ocean and Coastal Management. 200: 105479 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105479
Williams, R., Hedley, S. L., and Hammond, P. S., (2006). Modelling distribution and abundance of Antarctic baleen whales using ships of opportunity. Ecology and Society, 11(1): 1-28. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26267776

Year 1

Oct- Nov 25: Student induction and PhD start up training courses
Nov- April 26: Review of literature and draft introduction, cetacean survey training (if required), data identification and collation, obtain formal ethics approval, prepare for first survey season, identify and refine research question(s) and objectives
May- Sep 26: Undertake sea surveys for year 1

Year 2

Oct- Dec 26: Analyse data post survey, explore approaches for spatial analysis, make decisions on coverage areas and obtain satellite imagery
Jan- April 27: Placement at BAS to receive training on satellite imagery analysis, draft publication(s)
May- Sep 27: Undertake sea surveys for year 2, draft publication(s)

Year 3

Oct- Dec 27: Analyse data post survey, finalise spatial analysis approach(es), undertake satellite imagery analysis, finalise publication(s)
Jan- April 28: Consider how satellite imagery and vessel survey data can be integrated or complement each other, shorter visit to BAS to finalise analysis approach, conference presentation
May- Sep 28: Undertake sea survey for year 3, submit publication(s)

Year 3.5

October- Dec 28: Analyse post survey data and finalise imagery analysis and remaining publication drafts, present research at conference
Jan- March 29: Finalise thesis submission and submit final publications, present findings to case partners and collaborators

Candidate will receive formal training in at sea cetacean surveys (if they do not already have certification) https://orca.org.uk/training/marine-mammal-surveyor; https://orca.org.uk/training/marine-mammal-surveyor . They will also receive training from supervisory institutes and professional bodies on GIS spatial analysis (HWU, ESRI) and satellite imagery processing and analysis (BAS). They will be supported to undertake MOOC’s and other relevant training certifications during the course of their PhD alongside other skill development such as HWUs PGCert Learning and Teaching course for researchers considering a career in academia. The appointed researcher will be encouraged to identify their training needs as they undertake this project and the supervisory team will support them in obtaining any additional skills they identify during this research project.