DOC
United States
Department of
Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Seattle WA 98815
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Environmental
Engineering and Technology
Washington DC 20460
EPA 600 7 80-139
July 1980
Research and Development
Northern
Puget Sound
Marine Mammals
Interagency
Energy/Environment
R&D Program
Report
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into nine series. These nine broad cate-
gories were established to facilitate further development and application of en-
vironmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields.
The nine series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
6. Scientific and Technical Assessment Reports (STAR)
7. Interagency Energy-Environment Research and Development
8. "Special" Reports
9. Miscellaneous Reports
This report has been assigned to the INTERAGENCY ENERGY-ENVIRONMENT
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT series. Reports in this series result from the
effort funded under the 17-agency Federal Energy/Environment Research and
Development Program. These studies relate to EPA's mission to protect the public
health and welfare from adverse effects of pollutants associated with energy sys-
tems. The goal of the Program is to assure the rapid development of domestic
energy supplies in an environmentally-compatible manner by providing the nec-
essary environmental data and control technology. Investigations include analy-
ses of the transport of energy-related pollutants and their health and ecological
effects; assessments of, and development of, control technologies for energy
systems; and integrated assessments of a wide range of energy-related environ-
mental issues.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161.
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NORTHERN PUGET SOUND MARINE MAMMALS
by
Robert D. Everitt, Clifford H. Fiscus, and Robert L. DeLong
\\
National Marine Mammal Laboratory
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
7600 Sand Point Way N.E.
Seattle, Washington 98115
Prepared for the MESA (Marine Ecosystems Analysis) Puget Sound Project,
Seattle, Washington in partial fulfillment of the
EPA Interagency Agreement No. D6-E693-EN
and Program Element No. EHE625-A
EPA Project Officer: Clinton W. Hall (EPA/Washington, D. C.)
NOAA Project Officer: Howard S. Harris (NOAA/Seattle, WA)
This study was conducted
as part of the Federal
Interagency Energy/Environment
Research and Development Program
Prepared for
OFFICE OF ENERGY, MINERALS, AND INDUSTRY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
February 1980
For Sale by tho Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C., 20402
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Completion Report Submitted to
PUGET SOUND ENERGY-RELATED RESEARCH PROJECT
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS ANALYSIS PROGRAM
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORIES
by
National Marine Mammal Laboratory
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Seattle, Washington 98115
This work is the result of research sponsored by the Environmental
Protection Agency and administered by the Environmental Research
Laboratories of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Environmental Research Laboratories do not approve, recommend,
or endorse any proprietary product or proprietary material mentioned in
this publication. No reference shall be made to the Environmental
Research Laboratories or to this publication furnished by the Environmental
Research Laboratories in any advertising or sales promotion which would
indicate or imply that the Environmental Research Laboratories approve,
recommend, or endorse any proprietary product or proprietary material
mentioned herein, or which has as its purpose an intent to cause directly
or indirectly the advertised product to be used or purchased because of
this Environmental Research Laboratories publication.
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FOREWORD
Increased petroleum transfer and refining activities are expected in
northern Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the future, which
will also increase the chance of oil spills into the marine environment.
A study of local marine mammal populations in this region was undertaken
to identify areas of major biological importance. This research was
conducted by the National Marine Mammal Laboratory, NWAFC, Seattle,
Washington of the National Marine Fisheries Service and was a part of a
larger environmental assessment of the area funded by the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency and administered by the Marine Ecosystem Analysis
Puget Sound Project Office, Seattle, Washington (a part of NOAA).
iii
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ABSTRACT
A baseline study of the marine mammals of northern Puget Sound and the
Strait of Juan de Fuca was undertaken from November 1977 to September 1979
emphasizing certain aspects of the biology of the harbor seal, which is the
most abundant marine mammal in these waters. Additionally, abundance and
distribution of 21 species of marine mammals identified in these waters
is presented.
Spring and summer months are the period when marine mammals in these
waters may be most vulnerable to environmental perturbations. Study areas
of importance in descending order are: the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca,
the San Juan Islands (Haro Strait and Rosario Strait), eastern bays and
tideflat areas, and the western Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Of the five species of pinnipeds present, only the harbor seal occurs
throughout the year in significant numbers. The largest numbers of animals
hauled out were counted during the late summer-early fall molting period.
In August 1979, over 2,000 harbor seals were counted, an increase over the
previous year's count (1600) which was attributable to better local survey
conditions. Average annual pup production was more than 19% (estimated
from aerial surveys). Human disturbances, primarily from pleasure boats,
may be responsible for modifying hauling behavior at Protection Island and
other haul sites in the study area.
The California and northern sea lion are both present seasonally,
appearing in the study area in October and departing by June. Less than
300 sea lions (both species) were counted during peak abundance periods.
Fifteen species of cetaceans are documented for these waters, though
most are considered rare or accidental. Of the five common species - gray
whale, minke whale, killer whale, harbor porpoise, and Dall's porpoise -
most appear to occur with greatest frequency in spring and summer months.
The exception to this is the gray whale which is most abundant offshore
during seasonal migrations south (Nov.-Dec.) and north (Feb.-March).
The only mustelid discussed, the river otter, is common throughout the
year in most parts of the study area.
IV
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
FOREWORD iii
ABSTRACT iv
TABLES viii
FIGURES xii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS XV
INTRODUCTION 1
CONCLUSIONS 4
RECOMMENDATIONS 6
METHODS AND MATERIALS 8
Study area 8
Aerial survey 10
Small boat-land surveys 11
Sightings from other sources 11
Tagging 12
Data archival 12
RESULTS 13
SPECIES ACCOUNTS 15
Order; Garnivora 15
River otter (Lutra canadensis) 15
California sea lion (Zalophus californianus californianus). 18
Northern sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) 21
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Page
Northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) 25
Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) 28
Feeding habits 29
Reproduction 32
Distribution 36
Population estimation 36
Washington State Population 42
Harbor seal tagging and marking experiment 42
Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) 44
Order Mysticeti 48
Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) 48
Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) 51
Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) 53
Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) 54
Order Odontoceti 55
Saddleback dolphin (Delphinus delphis) 55
Pacific whiteside dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliguidens) . . 56
Whitehead grampus (Grampus griseus) 56
False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) 57
Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) ... 57
Killer whale (Orcinus orca) 58
Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) 60
Call's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) 62
White whale (Belukha) (Delphinapterus leucas leucas) ... 64
VI
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Page
Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia brevicepg) 54
North Pacific giant bottlenose whale (Berardius bairdii) . 65
Goosebeak whale (Ziphius cavirostris) 65
Beaked whales (Mesoplodon spp.) 65
DISCUSSION 67
Cetaceans 67
Mustelids 70
Pinnipeds 71
REFERENCES 77
Appendix A - Records of marine mammals sighted in study area __ > Q-J
Appendix B - Description of harbor seal sampling units 124
VI1
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TABLES
Number
1. A list of marine mammals reported from the waters of Puget
Sound, the San Juan Island area, and the Strait of Juan de
Fuca 14
2. Number of California sea lions (Zalophus £. californianus)
observed hauled out at all sites in the inland waters of
Washington, by month, November 1977 to December 1979.
Numbers observed include both positive and tentative iden-
tifications. 20
3. Observations of California sea lions (Zalophus c.
calif ornianus) at Port Gardner, Washington, May 1979 20
4. Otoliths of fish recovered from scats and a spewing of
California sea lions (Zalophus c_* calif ornianus) in Port
Gardner, Washington, May 1979 21
5. Number of Northern sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) observed
hauled out at all sites in the inland waters of Washington,
by month, November 1977 to December 1979 23
6. Observations of Northern sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in the
water in northern Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, and the Strait
of Juan de Fuca, November 1977 to August 1979. 25
7. Yearly take of Northern fur seals ( Callorhinus ursinus) by
Indians in Washington waters from 1913 to 1941 27
8. Species of fish identified from otoliths recovered from
harbor seal scat collected on Protection Island, Washington,
1978-1979 30
9. Percentage of occurrence of important prey species represented
in harbor seal scat collected at Protection Island, WA, in
1978-1979 31
10. Harbor seal pupping areas in northern Puget Sound and the
Strait of Juan de Fuca, 1978-1979. The percentage of pups
represented in the total count for each haul out site is
given, as is the maximum count for each site obtained during
the two year survey period 34
viii
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Tables/ cont.
Number
11. Type of disturbance resulting in harbor seals entering the
water from the haul site at Protection Island, June-April
1979. 38
12. Maximum counts of harbor seals obtained during aerial
surveys of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, northern Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands, and the eastern bays, November 1977 to
August 1979, summarized by sampling units 41
13. High counts of harbor seals in Washington waters, 1975-
1979. Counts include pups 43
14. Occurrence of cetaceans described as common in the study
area by geographical regions during the four seasons of
the year 68
15. Relative importance of geographical regions in the study
area to cetaceans 71
16. Seasonal variations of the harbor seal population in the
five regions of the study area expressed as a percent of
total population 75
17. Occurrence of pinnipeds described as common in the study
area by geographical regions during the four seasons of the
year 76
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Appendix A Tables
Number Page
A-l Numbers of Northern sea lions, California sea lions,
and sea lions (species undetermined) at Race Rocks,
British Columbia from December 1978 to December 1979.
Counts from aerial photographs, except October to
December 1979 from vessels 88
A-2 Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys of the
islands, islets, and rocks of the San Juan Wilderness
area, December 1978 through May 1979 89
A-3 Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys of the
islands, islets, and rocks of the San Juan Wilderness
area, June through August 1979 93
A-4 Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys from
northern Puget Sound to Bellingham Bay and the San Juan
Islands (excluding San Juan Wilderness sites), December
1978 through May 1979 96
A-5 Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys from
northern Puget Sound to Bellingham Bay and the San Juan
Islands (excluding San Juan Wilderness sites), June
through August 1979 97
A-6 Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys from
the Strait of Juan de Puca, December 1978 through May 1979. . 98
A-7 Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys from the
Strait of Juan de Fuca, June through August 1979 99
A-8 Sighting reports of northern elephant seals (Mirounga
angustirostris) in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and
the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month 100
A-9 Sighting reports of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus)
in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the Strait of
Juan de Fuca, by month 103
A-10 Sighting reports of minke whales (Balaenoptera
acutorostrata) in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and
the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month 107
A-ll Sighting reports of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in
Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan
de Fuca, by month 112
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Appendix A Tables cont.
Number Page
A-12 Sighting records of Ball's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)
in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the Strait of
Juan de Fuca, by month. 116
Appendix B Tables
Number Page
B-l Counts of harbor seals in Bellingham Bay by MESA Seabird
study observers 127
B-2 Observations of harbor seals in Port Angeles harbor,
1978-1979 132
xi
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FIGURES
Number Page
1. The waters of Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and
the Strait of Juan de Fuca
2. Major geographical regions and local area units in northern
Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca
3. Locations where river otters (Lutra canadensis) were
sighted or trapped in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands,
and the Strait of Juan de Fuca 17
4. Monthly high counts of Northern sea lions (Eumetopias
jubatus) and California sea lions (Zalophus £.
californianus) observed in Washington 1976-1978 24
5. locations of known haul out sites of harbor seals
(Phoca vitulina richardsi) in the study area. ......... 37
6. Observed disturbance of harbor seals at the Protection
Island haulsite, June-August 1979 by (A) day of the
week, and (B) time of day 38
7. Dates harbor seals were marked and tagged at Protection
Island, Washington in 1979 and later resighted 45
8. Locations where elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris)
were sighted in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the
Strait of Juan de Fuca 47
9. Locations where gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were
sighted in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the
Strait of Juan de Fuca (Table A-9) 50
10. Locations where minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
were sighted in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and
the Strait of Juan de Fuca ( Table A-10) 52
11. Locations where harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) were
sighted in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the
Strait of Juan de Fuca (Table A-ll) 61
xii
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Figures, cont.
Number Page
12. Locations where Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli),
were sighted in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and
the Strait of Juan de Fuca (Table A-12) 63
13. Highest monthly counts of gray whales in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and
Washington coastal waters, 1976-79 69
14. Seasonal abundance of Northern and California sea lions
in the study area, 1977-1979; 1977-78 (--), 1978-79 (-),
except Nov. and Dec. 1979 counts which are shown as («r). ... 73
xiii
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Appendix A Figures
Number Page
A-l Locations of islands, islets, and rocks of the San
Juan Wilderness area 122
A-2 Locations of harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) haul
out sites from northern Puget Sound to Bellingham Bay,
the San Juan Islands (excluding San Juan Wilderness sites),
and the Strait of Juan de Fuca 123
xiv
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to express our gratitude to the many people who contributed to
this research effort. Funding was provided by EPA and administered through
the MESA Puget Sound Project Office, Seattle, Washington.
T. Bray, J. Calambokidis, G. Carroll, P. Cole, J. Cubbage, R. Deede,
R. Dickinson, R. Fritzen, P. Gearin, B. Hacker, W. Harrington, S. Hill,
K. Hirsch, S. Jeffries, E. Long, P. McGuire, R. Mercer, C. Peterson, K.
Raedeke, M. Rauzon, D. Rugh, N. Severinghaus, K. Wilson, D. Withrow, and A.
Wolman all participated as observers for one or more of the aerial surveys.
Help with boat surveys was provided by J. Cubbage, T. Coralline, R. Dickin-
son, R. Fritzen, B. Krogman, S. Minzelli, K. Raedeke, M. Dahlheim,
S. Mizrock, J. Francis, G. Antonelis, K. Hirsch, J. Skidmore, S. Jeffries,
U. Wilson, and J. Joyce.
Personnel of the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Olympia, Washington allowed access to Dungeness Wildlife Refuge
and the San Juan Wilderness area. D. Manuwal, S. Speich, T. Wahl, and R.
Taber of the Wildlife Sciences group, College of Forest Resources, Univer-
sity of Washington, Seattle, Washington, provided data from their own work
and stimulating dialogues throughout the planning and implementation of
this study. R. Hirschi, Washington State Department of Game, Seattle,
Washington contributed his expertise. The Moclips Cetological Society
allowed the use of their data and provided logistic support; particular
help was provided by K. Balcomb, J. Boran, and R. Osborne. K. Kenyon and
T. Newby contributed advice and guidance. J. Fitch, California Fish and
Game, and T. Crawford, NMML, identified fish otoliths recovered from scat.
Mr. and Mrs. Corraline, as caretakers of Protection Island, supplied logistic
support and use of island facilities in 1978, and Mr.and Mrs. Davis provided
similar help during the 1979 field season. Mr. and Mrs. Dahlheim provided
the "R.V. Dahlheim" for vessel surveys. Mr. and Mrs. Stirling helped to
make us feel at home on Protection Island.
Help and advice of the staff at the Marine Mammal Division, NWAFC,
Seattle, Washington is gratefully acknowledged. P. Gearin, University of
Washington, was a valuable and competent field assistant in 1979. His
interest and enthusiasm for the project greatly increased our data collect-
ing efforts.
Attempts to capture harbor seals were made by J. Babson, R. Dickinson,
R. Fritzen, P. Gearin, S. Jeffries, E. Long, P. Morley, S. Savage, J.
Skidmore, and the'Stirlings. Their advice and assistance is gratefully
acknowledged.
xv
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I. INTRODUCTION
The Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands vicinity, and Puget
Sound are unique waterways ideal for commercial and recreational use
(Fig. 1). Growth of the human population in this area and continued de-
velopment, however, have caused increasing concern over potential environ-
mental degradation. Recent concern has been focused on the effect of
increasing petroleum transport and associated refining operations on Puget
Sound. The development of Alaska's oil reserves and consideration of
Washington as a point of departure for transshipment of petroleum products
to other areas of the country have also increased the possibility of envi-
ronmental degradation.
In response to these threats, research has begun to document the effects
of certain types of development on the biological resources of Puget Sound
and provide some baseline information. This research, which has been funded
partly by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered
through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Marine
Ecosystems Analysis (MESA) Puget Sound Project Office, is designed to
develop an understanding of the ecosystem of Puget Sound and the Strait of
Juan de Fuca, to compile baseline data for these waters, and to identify
the potential consequences of petroleum transport and transfer operations.
As part of this larger effort, a MESA funded study of the distribution
and abundance of marine mammals in northern Puget Sound and the Strait of
Juan de Fuca was conducted through NOAA's National Marine Mammal Laboratory
(NMML) located at the Northwest and Alaska Fisheries Center (NWAFC), National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Seattle, Washington. The objectives of
this study were to: (1) determine the relative seasonal abundance of each
species of marine mammal in the study area, (2) describe specific locations
used regularly by these populations, and (3) characterize the various
populations and their habits which may increase their vulnerability to
petroleum-related activities.
A description of research activities and data generated in pursuing
these objectives from November 1977 to January 1980 is presented in this
report with our final results and conclusions. Some information, reported
in detail in Everitt et al. (1979), the project annual report for 1977-1978,
is also provided. In that document marine mammals known to occur in the
inland waters of Washington are discussed in considerable detail, including
relevant natural history (e.g., biological description, behavior, reproduc-
tion, feeding habits, and known predators), distribution and abundance
(worldwide and locally), and ecological problems (e.g., fishery interactions
and effects of pollutants or harassment). In addition, literature of the
physiological effects of oil on marine mammals is reviewed in Everitt et
al. (1979).
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BELLINGHAM -
Bellingham Bay
Padilla Bay
WHIDBEY ISLAND
Dungeness Spit
Trf
PORT ANGELES
EVERETT
Puget Sound
Basin
SEATTLE
Bainbridge I.
TACOMA
Southern
Puget Sound
OLYMPIA
49°
48°
47°
124°
123°
Figure 1. The waters of Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and
the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
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An excellent summary of our present knowledge of the direct effects of
oil on marine mammals was prepared by Geraci and St. Aubin (1979). Briefly,
fouling by oil of baleen plates of the Mysticeti and ingestion of oil in all
species of Cetaceans appears to be potentially the most dangerous. Fouling
of fur would endanger the otter and fur seal, and the ingestion of oil and
irritation to delicate membranes of the eye and nasal passages would adversely
affect sea lions and phocid seals.
The indirect effects of oil on marine mammals through changes in
structure of the food web, as pointed out by Simenstad et al. (1979), may
possibly be greater than a direct effect on those marine mammals inhabiting
the study area.
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CONCLUSIONS
Twenty-one species of marine mammals have been reported in northern
Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Marine mammals in these
waters are most abundant and reproductively active—and thus more vulner-
able to oil pollution and harassment—during spring and summer months.
The most significant localities appear to be the eastern Strait of Juan
de Fuca, Haro Strait, and to a lesser degree, Rosario Strait. Major human
activities that would result in large scale disturbance (e.g., major con-
struction operations) in these localities should be timed to avoid these
critical biological times.
Only five of the fifteen species of cetaceans reported in these waters
are considered as occurring regularly; they are the gray whale, minke
whale, killer whale, harbor porpoise, and Dall's porpoise. The gray whale,
and to an unknown degree the minke whale, appear seasonally in small numbers.
Dall's porpoise are present throughout the year and are probably most abun-
dant in spring. The killer whale, numbering at least 80 animals in this
area, and the harbor porpoise, status unknown, are present year-round.
Reproductive activities, calving, and nursing of these two species occur in
spring and summer and represent critical periods in their annual cycle.
During the summer and fall these species are probably most abundant in the
eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait.
Of the five species of pinnipeds found in these waters, only three,
the California sea lion, northern sea lion, and Pacific harbor seal, occur
in significant numbers. Both species of sea lions appear seasonally from
October to May with peak abundance of about 250 animals occurring from
December to March. Nearly all of these animals are regularly found at Race
Rocks, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in the eastern Strait of Juan de
Fuca. The effect of oil and disturbance on sea lions is unknown, but any
adverse effects on so few animals locally would not seriously affect the
two stocks.
The harbor seal is the most abundant marine mammal in the study area
and the only breeding pinniped. Over 55 haul sites, distributed throughout
the study area, have been identified. Location of haul sites may be depen-
dent on a number of factors including freedom from disturbance, seasonally
abundant prey, and the suitability of the site for pupping, reproduction,
and molting. Pups are born from June to August at nearly all sites and
the average reproductive rate (based on aerial survey counts) was 19.8%.
The highest count of harbor seals was 2,179 animals taken in August 1979.
The largest haul out sites and most significant reproduction takes place
in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca. Harbor seals are highly susceptible
to disturbance. The most critical time is during the pupping season when
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disturbance may separate mother-pup pairs. The direct effects of oil on
this species are inconclusive, but would probably be most detrimental dur-
ing the breeding and pupping periods. It is not known if seals displaced
from a habitat (e.g., due to shoreline development or loss of a food
resource) would reestablish themselves in other areas.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Use the harbor seal as a control species to monitor its response to
changes in the ecosystem of the study area.
The most abundant and most easily observed marine mammal in Washington
is the harbor seal. We recommend that an ongoing monitoring program of this
population, in at least a few important areas (Dungeness Bay, Protection
Island, and Minor Island), be instituted. Such a program should consist of:
a. Regular aerial surveys of these sites during the period of maximum
pup production (August) and/or during the molting period when maximum
numbers are expected ashore (August-September). If surveys of the entire
area are not possible (due either to time or budget constraints), partial
surveys could be made emphasizing those sites listed in the preceding
paragraph in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca and the San Juan Islands.
b. On-site evaluation of productivity, activity patterns, effect of
disturbances, and collection of dead animals should continue at the
important breeding site(s). Protection Island and Smith-Minor Islands
warrant the closest scrutiny. Logistically, the population on Protection
Island may be the easiest and least expensive to study. Assuming that
recreational development on Protection Island continues, the (presumed)
loss of Violet Point as a breeding and hauling area should be documented.
c. A tagging program should be continued to answer such important
questions as: proportion of animals ashore (for use in making population
estimates), site fidelity, survival rates, activity budgets, and extent of
movements between haul sites and regions.
d. Analyze fat and muscle tissue of dead seals collected through
stranding network to detect changes in pollutant levels of area.
2. Continued support of photogrammetric studies of local killer whale
populations.
a. There are few populations of cetaceans in the world so accessible
for study at such a minimal cost. Present procedures to collect data from
individually known whales should be continued. Their response to environ-
mental changes in the region could serve as another indicator of the overall
health and vitality of marine organisms of the region.
b. A public response, toll-free telephone line to receive reports of
cetaceans and pinnipeds should be continued (this system, presently
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maintained by the Moclips Ceteological Society, is popularly known as "Whale
Hot Line"). Reports tend to be more frequent and of higher quality when
the system is heavily advertised (Boran et al. 1979), thus continuation of
the system should also include advertising.
3. Observations from ships.
a. The Platforms of Opportunity Program (POP), which collects and
archives marine mammal observations made from cooperating vessels at sea,
should continue and encourage vigilance of observers aboard while passing
through Puget Sound.
b. NOAA vessels that are operating in Washington waters, or become
available for limited, dedicated use, should have a trained marine mammal
observer aboard.
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METHODS AND MATERIALS
A research strategy was devised using several different methodologies
to obtain data on marine mammals in the study area. Direct censusing of
the large populations of pinnipeds, which are easily observed, was under-
taken. Records and observations from published and unpublished sources
provided information on those marine mammals which were not observed
during field activities or are infrequent or rare visitors to the study
area.
Study Area
The research area encompasses the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca
and northern Puget Sound (lat 48° to 49°N and long 122°30'W to 124°50'W),
see Figure 1. The San Juan Archipelago consists of over 180 major and
minor islands, islets, and reefs. Large tideflat areas are found in Padilla,
Skagit, Bellingham, and Samish Bays. Long sand and cobble spits occur at
Protection Island, Dungeness Spit, and Minor Island. A study site was
established on Protection Island.
For the purposes of summarizing species abundance and distribution
data, the study area was subdivided into five geographical regions. More
data were collected on a few species of pinnipeds (California sea lion,
northern sea lion, and harbor seal) than for other marine mammals in the
study area. These species were additionally summarized in 17 local units
of area ( Fig. 2).
A brief description of these regions follows; the numbers in parenthe-
sis refer to one or more of the 17 units established in the study area.
Region I—The western Strait of Juan de Fuca (units 13-16), extends
from Tatoosh Island east to Angles Point on the Olympic Peninsula and from
San Juan Point to Church Point on Vancouver Island. Both U.S. and Canadian
coastlines are included, as are the open waters of the Strait of Juan de
Fuca.
Region II—The eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (units 7, 9-12, 17).
Extends from Angeles Point east to Whidbey Island and from Discovery Island
(British Columbia) east to Deception Pass but south of the San Juan
Archipelago. The British Columbia coastline, islands, and islets from
Bentinck Island to Discovery Island are included, as are the open water
areas. »
-------
Figure 2. Major geographical regions and local area units in
Northern Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
-------
Region III—Haro Strait (units 2-3). Extends from False Bay, San Juan
Island, along the U.S. side of Haro Strait to Point Migley, Lummi Island.
Region IV—Rosario Strait (unit 5). Includes all of Rosario Strait
from Deception Pass to Point Lawrence, Orcas Island.
Region V—Eastern Bays (units 1, 6, 8). Includes all the tidal bays
in northern Puget Sound from Birch Bay to Port Susan. Bays of primary
importance to the present study were: Bellingham, Samish, Padilla, and
Skagit.
Aerial Survey
Aerial survey is the technique most used to census marine mammal popu-
lations (Eberhardt et al. 1979) and is particularly effective for pinnipeds
which haul out on land and are readily visible. During the study, 219.1
hours were flown in 59 flights.i/ Usually two observers (in addition to
the pilot) participated in each flight. The primary observer sat forward
next to the pilot and directed the survey, made visual estimates of numbers
of animals observed, and photographed all groups of pinnipeds or cetaceans
when possible. Other observers sat aft and maintained observation and
location records. Surveys were timed to coincide with monthly low tides.
The entire study area was covered, usually in 2 or 3 days; coastal surveys
were flown at altitudes of 300-500 feet and open water transects at about
700 feet.
Photographs of hauled out animals were taken with a 35 mm single
reflex camera with motor drive unit and 105, 135, or 200 mm lenses with
automatic aperture control. Overlapping photographs were taken if more
than one photograph was required for complete coverage of assembled animals.
High speed Kodak (ASA 200) ektachrome2/ film was used because dark overcast
conditions and high flight speeds (120 mph) required the use of low aperture
stops and shutter speeds of 1/250 of a second or faster. The developed
slides were projected onto a large roll of white paper for counting animals,
and images were marked to avoid duplication. These photographic counts
replaced corresponding visual estimates in the field notes.
Since several days were required to survey the study area each month,
the possibility of an animal occurring on successive days at different sites
I/ Aerial surveys were conducted using a four place Cessna 172 aircraft
chartered from Bison Air, Seattle, Washington from November 1977 to
March 1978, and from Air-Eze Ltd., Seattle, Washington from April 1978
to September 1979.
2/ Reference to trade names does not imply endorsement by the National
Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA.
10
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and thus being counted twice occurs. This factor cannot be evaluated with-
out an understanding of local movements of animals, which is lacking for
most species of marine mammals, and for the purposes of this study duplicate
sightings were considered negligible.
Small Boat-Land Observations
Occasionally locally restricted boat surveys were conducted using a
16-foot outboard skiff. During surveys at least two observers were on
board, with the boat operator serving as a secondary observer. The primary
observer scanned open water areas, and when in view of hauling areas made
several counts aided by 7x50 mm Bushnell binoculars. The average of these
counts was used as the best estimate of the number of animals present.
Photographs were taken to document habitat type and to create a photo-
catalogue of harbor seal haul out areas (available at NMML).
Land observations were made at Protection Island. Most observations
were made from cliffs overlooking the eastern hauling area (Violet Point),
using a Bushnell 20x45 zoom telescope mounted on a tripod, and from a boat
anchored 50-70 m offshore. The total number of animals was recorded, age
classes noted, i.e., whether adult, immature, or pup, and behavioral notes
were made when practicable. Disturbance of seals on haul sites was recorded.
Notes were also made on weather conditions (visibility, temperature, and
wind speed and direction). Observation times varied, depending on weather
conditions and suitability of observation point, but were never longer than
30 minutes. As conditions allowed, observations were made hourly through a
tidal cycle. Land observations suffered primarily from the difficulty of
approaching harbor seals within viewing distance without disturbing them.
An unknown number of animals may always be out of view from the land, so
such counts may be low.
Sightings From Other Sources
Supplemental data from other sources were invaluable additions to our
own observations. Some records were obtained from published literature and
reports. The Platforms of Opportunity Program (POP), which solicits sight-
ings from NOAA research vessels, and commercial boat operators provided
additional information. Other MESA funded projects, particularly the sea
bird study, collected marine mammal sightings for us, and interviews with
local residents and commerical fishermen produced a few new records. The
Moclips Cetological Society and the general public provided data collected
during the course of an ongoing study of killer whales (Orca survey) which
was partially sponsored by the NMML.
For some species, abundance data were taken from the current status of
the stocks of marine mammals, which appears in the Annual Reports on the
administration of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 for 1978 and 1979
and are cited in the text as NMFS 1978 or 1979.
11
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Tagging
In an attempt to gain insight into activity patterns and local move-
ments of harbor seals on and around Protection Island, a few animals were
captured and marked in 1979. Capturing harbor seals at this location
proved difficult; the most successful technique consisted of "fishing" a
large mesh monofilament gill net set near a kelp bed. The unweighted net
allowed a tangled animal to ris"e to the surface to breath and reduced the
possibility of injury or drowning. No mortalities occurred using this
method. Similar capture techniques have been successfully employed in
Netarts Bay, Oregon (Brown and Mate 1979) and Grays Harbor, Washington
(Everitt and Jeffries 1979).
Once an animal became entangled, the net was hauled to shore and the
animal removed, placed in a burlap head bag, tagged, measured, sexed, and
released. Each animal was double tagged (rear flippers) with monel cattle
ear tags and its pelage was marked with a distinct bright pattern using
"Woolite" Sheep branding liquid. Due to the design of telemetry equipment,
only adult animals could be fitted with ankle bracelets. The radio equip-
ment was produced by Cedar Creek Bioelectronics Laboratory, Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
Tagging operations were discontinued before the onset of the pupping
season to avoid the disturbance of animals on breeding areas. Marked
animals were observed from a land observation point, small boat, and aerial
surveys.
Data Archival
All data collected during aerial, shipboard, and land surveys were
formatted into Environmental Data Service format 027. Data were then
transmitted to the MESA Puget Sound Project Office, Seattle, for eventual
permanent archival with Environmental Data and Information Service
in Washington, D.C.
12
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RESULTS
The marine mammals reported from northern Puget Sound and the Strait of
Juan de Fuca represent three orders (Garnivora, Mysticeti, and Odontoceti).
Research was directed at those species of marine mammals which, from the
literature, are known to have occurred in the inland waters of Washington.
No occurrences of new species were documented during the study period. For
the purpose of this report, we use the nomenclature of Rice (1977), except
for the subspecific spelling of Phoca vitulina richardsi, Shaughnessy and
Fay (1977). Rice (pers. commun.) has corrected the specific spelling of
the Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dallii) to £. dalli. Other mammals that
may on occasion feed in the intertidal area (e.g., mink [Mustela vison])
are not included in this study, which is limited to only those mammals that
are entirely marine or, as in the case of the river otter (Lutra canadensis),
has some segment of its population that is completely marine in the study
area (e.g., San Juan Islands).
A list of marine mammals recorded in the inland Washington waters is
given in Table 1. In addition to those animals listed in Table 1, the
beluka (Delphinapterus leucas) and beaked whales (Mesoplodon spp.) may have
been sighted in the study area and are briefly mentioned in the species
accounts although chances of resighting are considered nil. Those species
described as common are species that either occur throughout the year as
breeding residents or regularly as seasonal migrants; those listed as rare
are species that occur on a regular basis but in low numbers; and those
listed as accidental are species for which only specimen records are known
(often only one) and no recent live sightings have been made (Everitt et
al. 1979).
13
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Table 1.—Marine mammals reported from the waters of Puget Sound, the San
Juan Island area and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Species
Occurrence!/
Order; Carnivora
Family; Mustelidae
River otter (Lutra canadensis pacifica) C
Family: Otariidae
California sea lion {Zalophus californianus c a lifornianus) C
Northern (Steller's) sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) C
Northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) R
Family; Phocidae
Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) C
Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) R
Order; Mysticeti
Family; Eschrichtiidae
Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) C
Family; Balaenopteridae
Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) C
Pin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) A
Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) R
Order; Odontoceti
Family; Delphinidae
Saddleback dolphin (Delphinus delphis) A
Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) R
Whitehead grampus (Grampus griseus) A
False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) A
Shortfinned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) R
Killer whale (Orcinus orca) C
Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) C
Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) C
Family: Physeteridae
Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) A
Family; Ziphiidae
North Pacific giant bottlenose whale (Berardius bairdii) A
Goosebeak whale (Ziphius cavirostris) A
I/ C = Common R = Rare A = Accidental
14
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SPECIES ACCOUNTS
Order; Carnivora
Some members of three families of this order inhabit the marine
environment; included are 37 species, separated into 21 genera (Rice 1977).
Seven of these species have been reported from the offshore, coastal, and
inside waters of Washington: sea otter (Enhydra lutris), river otter
(Lutra canadensis), California sea lion (Zalophus californianus california-
nus), northern (Steller's) sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), northern fur seal
(Callorhinus ursinus), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi), and the
northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris). With the exception of
the river otter, these species are protected in United States waters by
the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the fur seal, in addition, by
the Interim Convention on Conservation of North Pacific Fur Seals*
Six of the species reported from Washington waters have been identi-
fied from Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, or the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
These six species, reported from the study area, are discussed individually
and sighting records are given.
River Otter (Lutra canadensis)
The river otter is a resident of freshwater and marine areas throughout
western Washington and is a commercially valuable fur bearer (Hirschi 1978).
In the San Juan Islands there are some otters that reside entirely in the
marine environment.
The subspecies of river otter found in Washington, pacifica, is one of
the largest of this species and is found from Oregon north along the coast
to southeastern Alaska. Otters of both sexes and all ages are colored in
varying shades of brown on back and sides and are lighter on the under parts.
Adults reach 1.13 m with a tail of 0.38 m and weigh up to 11.4 kg. In the
study area, Hirschi (1978) reports that otter feed on sculpins, flounders,
crayfish, and spawning salmonids.
The river otter is often confused with the sea otter (Enhydra lutris)
as both animals are similar in appearance and can occur in similar habitats.
Kenyon (1969) states that sea otters never occurred with any regularity in
the inland waters of Washington and that the species was eliminated from
coastal Washington by over exploitation in the 19th century. The occurrence
of sea otters in Puget Sound has never been verified, though many river
otters in this area have erroneously been identified as sea otters. Sea
otters were transplanted to Washington in the early 1970's in an attempt to
15
-------
reestablish a population in the state. Jameson (1977) estimates that
presently there are less than 30 sea otters in coastal Washington waters.
Presently, most sightings occur from Destruction Island north to Ozette
Island (NMML files). Kenyon (1969) provided a checklist of characteristics
to separate these two species in the field by describing certain behaviors
of sea otters that do not appear in river otters, including:
1. On the surface, sea otters usually swim belly up with forepaws on
chest while paddling with hind flippers. They float high in the
water.
2. Are clumsy on land, seldom seen on shore except in
isolated Alaskan areas.
3. Eat while floating on their backs, never eating on shore.
4. Sleep (usually) in kelp beds or calm water while floating on its
back.
5. Bear single young which is carried on the mother's chest as she
swims on her back.
River otters are distributed throughout the study area. Hirschi (1978)
reported trapping records and personal observations of otters from northern
Puget Sound, throughout the San Juan Islands, and in the Skagit River system
(Fig. 3). Along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Hirschi reported animals from
the Dungeness area, Port Angeles, and Cape Flattery. During the present
study, sightings of otters were made only in the San Juan Islands. Most of
the new records compiled during this study came from small boat surveys or
personal interviews. Only one observation was made during aerial surveys
when a single otter was observed in the inter-tidal area on the north fork
of the Skagit River on 24 August 1979.
Present data are insufficient for estimating numbers in the study area,
but population trends are being monitored through analysis of trapping data
and population profiles obtained from sampling individuals. Hirschi (1978)
considers the population in western Washington to be reasonably stable at
this time but suggests that a yearly harvest in excess of 600 animals cannot
be sustained. A harvest of this magnitude is rare and when it occurs,
trapping success in years immediately following is reduced.
River otters rely on a still air layer trapped between two fur layers
for insulation, as does the sea otter and northern fur seal (Callorhinus
ursinus)« Oiling of the fur, which would occur if the otter contacted
spilled crude oil, could be fatal since oil greatly reduces the insulative
qualities of their type of fur (Kooyman et al. 1977). A major oil spill
could eliminate this species from the impacted area.
16
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UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON
49°
48°
ieattle
. - 47°
124°
123°
Figure 3. Locations where river otters (Lutra canadensis) were
sighted or trapped in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and
the Strait of Juan de Fuca throughout the year (from Hirschi
1978 and this study).
17
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California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus californianus)
The California sea lion occurs in Washington waters from late fall to
spring. Its range extends along the western coast of North America from
the Sea of Cortez and Baja California, northward to Vancouver Island. It
was first sighted in Washington on islets off the outer coast in 1950
(Kenyon and Scheffer 1962).
The southern California breeding season population numbered about
2,000 animals in 1940 (Bartholomew 1967); the numbers of animals in Mexican
waters was larger although we have no estimates of its size at that time.
The population has rapidly increased since 1940 and present estimates range
from 75 to 125,000 animals (Le Boeuf et al. 1976; Mate 1977). During the
late spring and summer breeding season most animals are found south of
Point Conception, California. In early fall some animals (presumably all
males) move northward, ranging north to southern British Columbia.
Adult male California sea lions can be recognized at all times by their
prominent saggital crest which is light cream in color. The pelage of both
sexes is brown to straw color. The haired portion of the foreflipper ex-
tends down to the first or second digit and the hind flippers are short
compared to the fur seal. When hauled out this species is easily identiifed
by its persistent barking.
California sea lion males attain a length of 2.2 m and may weigh as
much as 275 kg; females are smaller, reaching a length of 1.8 m and a weight
of 91 kg. This species is probably the most commonly displayed marine mammal
in zoos and oceanariums (Cornell and Asper 1976).
Sea lions have been reported from 11 haul sites in Washington and adja-
cent waters (Everitt and Jeffries 1979). Study area haul sites are Sombrio
Point and Race Rocks, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada; Tatoosh
Island, Sucia Island, and a beached barge in Port Gardner, Washington,
although single animals have hauled out occasionally at other locations.
In the study area, this species has been observed with northern sea lions,
although at Port Gardner only a few northern sea lions have been observed.
During the present study we found relatively few California sea lions at
Sombrio Point compared to those observed here during the 1974-75 surveys
(Everitt et al. 1979). Race Rocks is the most important hauling site and
the only one used consistently from month to month ( individual survey
records are presented in Appendix Table A-l). The species occurs seasonally
with peak abundance during the winter months, the first individuals are
observed in October, peak numbers are seen from November to March declining
in April and May, and they are essentially absent from June-September with
few exceptions (Table 2). Low counts in February 1978-1979 were attributed
to poor survey conditions. The exception to these general observations
occurred in May 1979 when up to 108 individuals were observed at Port
Gardner south of the study area.
18
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California sea lions are most abundant and thus most vulnerable to
environmental perturbations during winter. The locality most important to
this species is the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca. Since numbers here are
low, adverse impacts to this seasonal local population of California sea
lions would not affect its status over its entire range in the
North Pacific Ocean.
Everitt et al. (1979) reported no hauling areas for California sea
lions east of Race Rocks in 1978, thus the sighting of a large number of
animals in Port Gardner in the spring of 1979 was of particular interest.
First reports from private citizens in the Everett, Washington area indi-
cated that a large group of unidentified seals had hauled out on a grounded
barge just outside the Everett breakwater about 16 April 1979. These
animals were identified by Everitt as California sea lions on 30 April.
Six field trips were made to the haul site in May to count numbers present
and to collect scat to use in identifying prey species being consumed (1,
3, 7, 12, 15, and 25 May). By 2 June the sea lions had left the Port
Gardner area. The highest count (108 animals) was made on 3 May and prob-
ably was a minimum estimate since a few animals may have gone unobserved
in the water. All animals that could be positively sexed were identified
as males (Table 3).
Fish otoliths retrieved from scat and one spewing were sorted and sent
to John Fitch (California Department of Fish and Game) for identification
(Table 4). The predominant fish, comprising nearly 76% of all otoliths
represented in these collections, was Pacific whiting (hake) (Merluccius
productus). During May 1979 a small fishery for whiting, involving several
boats, was under way in Port Susan. This whiting population may have been
responsible for the animals' stay in the area.
Whiting have been reported as the major food item identified from
Zalophus spewings collected at southeast Farallon Island, California in
April and May, at the time when whiting are beginning to appear on the
Continental Shelf in that area (Ainley et al. 1977). Whiting also appeared
most often in California sea lion scat collected at San Miguel Island,
California which is the northernmost major pupping and breeding island of
this species (Antonelis and Fiscus 1980).
We inferred that California sea lions might occur singly or in small
groups throughout the inland waters of Washington (Everitt et al. 1979) but
the large group of animals which appeared in Port Gardner in the spring of
1979 represents a change in sea lion distribution and perhaps a response to
a local abundance of prey. Large numbers of California sea lions may well
occur annually in Port Gardner in future years.
19
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TABLE 2.—Number of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus
californianus) observed hauled out at all sites in the inland
waters of Washington, by month, November 1977 to December 1979.
Numbers observed include both positive and tentative identifica-
tions. Dashed lines indicate no survey made.
Number observed
Number observed
Date
January
February
March
April
May
June
1977 1978
29
5
51
40
15
0
1979
62
15
47
24
10 Si/
0
Date
July
August
September
October
November
December
1977
•__
—
—
—
—
76
1978
0
0
0
2
0
65
1979
0
0
0
25
296
144
I/ From land observations at Port Gardner, Washington.
TABLE 3.—Observations of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus
californianus) at Port Gardner, Washington, May 1979.
Total (% identified males)
Date
Age class
Adult males
Subadult males
Juvenile males
Unid. sex
3 May 79
49 (50.5%)
26 (26.9%)
11 (11.3%)
11 (11.3%)
12 May 79
25 (31.3%)
27 (33.7%)
4 ( 5.0%)
24 (30.0%)
97 (88.7%)
80 (70.0%)
20
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TABLE 4.—Otoliths of fish recovered from scats and a spewing of California
sea lions (Zalophus californianus californianus) in Port Gardner,
Washington, May 1979.
Prey species
Scatl/
(n=8)
Total
Spewing otoliths
(n=l) No. (%)
Pacific whiting
( Merluccius productus)
Walleye pollock
(Theragra chalcogramma)
Pacific cod
(Gadus macrocephalus)
English sole
(Parophrys vetulus)
Unidentifiable
Total
1
_2
14
13
15
22 (75.9)
3 (10.3)
1 ( 3.4)
1 ( 3.4)
_2 ( 6.9)
29
I/ 47 scat were collected and 8 of these contained otoliths.
Northern Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus)
The northern (Steller) sea lion ranges from the Bering Sea to southern
California (Rice 1977). Adult males attain a length of 3.2 m and can weigh
up to 1,000 kg. Females are smaller, measuring 2.2 m and weighing 272 kg.
Northern sea lions are the largest of the Otariids. When hauled out
with California sea lions they appear to be much larger and dorsally much
lighter in color. This species does not have the knob-like protuberance
( saggital crest) as do adult male California sea lions. In the water this
species may appear almost white in color. Breeding occurs throughout its
range from mid-May to mid-July. The breeding rookeries nearest to Washing-
ton are located at the Scott Islands north of Vancouver Island, British
Columbia and to the south in Oregon; no breeding has been documented in
Washington waters. Coastal islands where such breeding might occur are
either not suitable or subject to washing in stormy weather. The current
population status of the northern sea lion is presently in doubt. Kenyon
and Rice (1961) estimated the world population of this species, based on
surveys and literature to 1960, to be 240,000-300,000 animals. Recently,
21
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Braham et al. (1980) demonstrated a significant (50%) decline in population
in the eastern Aleutian Islands; however, the population status in other
areas has yet to be documented but probably will not show declines of this
magnitude. The population off the California coast has experienced a de-
cline from earlier published accounts and now numbers about 2,200 animals
(Antonelis and Fiscus 1980). Pearson and Verts (1970) estimated the Oregon
population at about 1,000 and Mate (1975) revised this figure upward to
2,000. Kenyon and Scheffer (1962) reported the results of aerial surveys
along the Washington outer coast and north coast of the Olympic Peninsula.
They stated that the Washington population of northern sea lions did not
exceed 500 animals. Pike and Maxwell (1958) reported 11,000-12,000 northern
sea lions in British Columbia with the southernmost breeding rookeries lo-
cated in the Scott Islands (north end Vancouver Island). A concentrated
effort to reduce this population was conducted in the 1960's and the most
recent estimate was about 4,000 during the breeding season (Pike and
MacAskie 1969). These animals congregate at a few breeding rookeries in
the summer and spread out along the coast of British Columbia in the winter.
Smith (1972) estimated that over 1,900 Eumetopias winter off the west coast
of Vancouver Island.
At least 10 haul out sites are known for northern sea lions in Washing-
ton and adjacent waters, and four of these occur in the study area. Two of
these sites are along the southern coast of Vancouver Island, where animals
haul out in large numbers at Race Rocks and Sombrio Point (Smith 1972; Bigg
1973a). This species was first reported utilizing rocks on the northern side
of Sucia Island on 15 December 1971 (M. Petterson pers. commun. to C.H.
Fiscus, 1972). During the present surveys we observed northern sea lions
at the Sucia Island haul site in November and December 1977 and January and
October 1978; no animals were observed here during the 1979 surveys.
Occasionally a few animals are seen hauled out on Tatoosh Island (Kenyon
and Scheffer 1962; and present study). Jeffries (pers. commun.) observed
55 northern sea lions at Tatoosh Island on 22 October 1976.
Smith (1972) reported no more than 160 northern sea lions at Race Rocks
and Sombrio Point in November of 1970. During aerial and land surveys for
California sea lions in the inland waters, Bigg (1973a) also reported the
occurrence of northern sea lions, reporting peak numbers at Race Rocks
during December.
*
Although single animals can occasionally be seen in the protected
waters of Washington at any time of the year, during the present study
northern sea lions first appeared in early fall (September) and were pre-
sent in greatest numbers from late fall to early spring (October to April)
and absent during the summer months (June, July, and August) (Table 5).
22
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TABLE 5.—Number of northern sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) observed hauled
out at all sites in the inland waters of Washington, by month,
November 1977 to September 1979. Dashed lines indicate no survey
made.
Number observed
Number observed
Date
January
February
March
April
May
June
1977 1978
196
155
194
259
11
0
1979
133
134
207
212
66
0
Date
July
August
September
October
November
December
1977
—
—
—
29
197
1978
0
0
59
188
—
150
1979
0
0
0
10
100
152
A small number of northern sea lions are present along the Washington
coast during the summer months (Everitt and Jeffries 1979). The age-sex
composition of this species in Washington is unknown but animals are pre-
sumed to be nonbreeding males and females. The coastal population under-
goes a seasonal cycle similar to that described for the inland waters with
a notable exception; maximum numbers on the coast of about 500 animals occur
in the fall (September - December) and then drop slightly during the winter
months as a result perhaps of a movement of animals to inside waters. Sea
lion counts from inland waters were pooled with that from coastal haul sites,
by month, and the highest monthly count during a 3-year period is used to
demonstrate the seasonal cycle (Fig. 4) which is similar to that described
for the inland waters. The highest count made for our study area was of
259 animals in April 1978.
Observations of northern sea lions in the water throughout the study
area were made regularly during winter and spring months. Animals were
observed in the water near Tatoosh Island on five occasions, although we
saw them hauled out there only twice (Table 6). Middle Channel (near
Cattle Point, San Juan Island) was another location where this species was
regularly observed. The possibility that animals observed in the water may
later be counted on land and included in total estimates cannot be discount-
ed. The data in Table 6 are not included in total population estimates for
this species. Animals were observed in the water through April but not
again until September, coinciding with the decreased abundance of this
species in the study area during late spring and summer.
We have little information on the feeding habits of northern sea lions
in the study area. In other localities they consume a variety of the
smaller flatfishes, whiting, walleye pollock, herring, salmonids, and squid
(Spaulding 1964; Fiscus and Baines 1966).
23
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600 r-
Jan
Mar
May July
Month
Sept
Nov
Figure 4. Monthly high counts of northern sea lions
(Eumetopias jubatus) and California sea lions (Zalophus
c. californianus observed in Washington 1976-1978.
-------
TABLE 6.—Observations of northern sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in the
water in northern Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the
Strait of Juan de Fuca from November 1977 to December 1979.
Date
Mo./Day/Yr.
11/30/77
12/21/77
1/28/78
3/15/78
4/25/78
4/25/78
4/25/78
4/25/78
4/28/78
9/12/78
9/12/78
10/03/78
12/28/78
1/18/79
4/26/79
5/22/79
5/22/79
12/05/79
Number observed
10
10
9
4
1
9
3
1
8
1*
8
6*
8
1
1
1
1
20
Location
Patos I.
Waadah I.
Tatoosh I.
Whale Rks.
Mummy Rks.
Whale Rks.
Trial I.
Dungeness Spit
Tatoosh I.
Tatoosh I.
Tatoosh I.
Tatoosh I.
Tatoosh I.
Pysht River
San Juan Channel
Dungeness Spit
Kayak Point
Tatoosh I.
* hauled out
Northern sea lions are most abundant and thus most susceptible to
environmental perturbations during the winter months when they are most
abundant at Race Rocks in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (Appendix
Table A-2). Numbers of this species are low in the study area relative
to other parts of its range; thus, adverse impacts to this local popula-
tion would not seriously impact the breeding stock along the west coast.
Northern Fur Seal (Callorhinus ursinus)
The northern fur seal has been commercially exploited for many years
and as a result, a great deal of research has been directed towards the
conservation of this species. An international treaty between four nations,
the United States, Canada, USSR, and Japan, calls for cooperative research
and managed harvests of this species.
Like other otariids, northern fur seals are sexually dimorphic with
males in prime condition measuring 2.5 m and weighing 140-280 kg, whereas
females measure 1.7 m and weigh 30-50 kg. Fur seals will probably never
25
-------
haul out in the study area. In the water they can be separated from the
sea lions because they are usually solitary and much smaller, dark (black)
in color with white or gray about the throat which is visible when they
rear up out of the water to observe approaching boats. Their hind flippers
are about twice the length of those of sea lions relative to body size and
the hair (fur) line of the foreflipper stops abruptly at the wrist. Most
of the population of northern fur seals is found on the breeding grounds
from mid-June through early November. Rookeries are found at San Miguel
Island, California, the Pribilof and Commander Islands in the Bering Sea,
and the Kuril and Robben Islands in the Okhotsk Sea (Rice 1977). In other
months, fur seals maintain a pelagic existence in the subarctic waters of
the North Pacific with concentrations along the continental shelf in areas
of abundant feed from the Bering Sea and south to about lat. 32°N in the
east and lat. 36°N in the west. Adult males remain in the northern portions
of the range. Females and immatures occupy all areas of the range. The
present estimate of the northern fur seal population is approximately 1.7
million and this population is distributed among the breeding islands as
follows (NMFS 1980):
Pribilof Islands 1,250,000
Commander Islands 265,000
Robben Islands 165,000
Kuril Islands 55,000
San Miguel Island 2,000
Pelagic sealing, which was most detrimental since pregnant females
formed a major portion of the catch, was banned in 1911 although a provision
of the treaty allowed aboriginal hunting by traditional means ( spears, har-
poons, and from non-motorized craft). An estimated 50,000 fur seals were
taken by British Columbia Indians from 1912-1940, of which approximately
85% of the annual take was from the west coast of Vancouver Island (Pike
and MacAskie 1969). During a 29-year period from 1913 to 1941, over 12,000
fur seals were taken by subsistence Indian hunters in Washington waters,
of which 58% were females (Table 7). These animals were taken from January
through June, primarily from canoes out of Neah Bay, Washington. The
take averaged 436 fur seals per year; however, in the latter years of the
hunt the catch declined as fewer hunters put to sea each year. Most of
the seals were taken in coastal waters from Umatilla Reef to the Strait of
Juan de Fuca and usually 5 to 20 miles offshore.
As a part of the U. S. obligations under the Interim Convention on
Conservation of North Pacific Fur Seals, biologists from NMML and its
predecessor agencies periodically carried out ocean research off the coast
of Washington. As the Makahs Indians had found out before them, they had
26
-------
TABLE 7.—Yearly take of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) by Indians
in Washington waters from 1913 to 1941. Dashed lines (-) indicate
missing data.
Year Male Female Total take
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1
2
-
66
209
251
251
656
-
641
271
606
823
291
95
252
166
131
24
26
23
6
10
2
10
4
-
2
1
90
12
-
313
304
142
303
630
-
462
569
423
883
715
178
456
421
319
141
47
18
17
70
26
35
88
-
26
20
91
14
-
379
513
393
554
1,286
567
1,103
840
1,029
1,706
1,006
273
799
587
450
165
73
41
23
80
28
45
92
30
28
21
Total 4,820 6,708 12,216
Source: Alaska Fisheries and Fur Seal Industries, Bureau of Fisheries, Depart-
ment of Commerce 1913-1919. Alaska Fishery and Fur Seal Industries, Bureau
of Fisheries, Department of Commerce 1920-1938. Alaska Fishery and Fur Seal
Industries, Bureau of Fisheries, Department of Interior 1939-1941. Annual
reports.
27
-------
to go out seaward towards the edge of the Continental Shelf before they
encountered many fur seals. Seals are seasonally abundant in Washington's
offshore waters, making their first appearance in mid-November on their
southward migration and their last in June while northbound. From December
through May, the largest numbers of seals pass through these waters. There
are almost always a few seals present offshore, and when migratory waves
pass through they are abundant for the several days it takes to pass through
Washington waters. Off the Washington coast the principal food of fur seals
includes: herring, squids, salmon, rockfish, anchovy, smelt, capelin, lan-
ternfish, and sauries. Many of these food species are also found in the
protected waters of Washington and would be consumed here also.
During the years of offshore studies, research vessels regularly
transited the Strait of Juan de Fuca and often visited Neah Bay. Three
animals were sighted and two of them collected in March 1961, 11 miles
northeast of Slip Point (lat. 48°20'; long. 124°10') (Fiscus et al. 1961).
In 1958, two tagged yearlings were found in Puget Sound, one in February
and one in March. In 1959, a tagged yearling was found near Neah Bay. A
recent observation was made of a single animal in Haro Strait on 26 January
1978 (R.W. Osborne pers. commun.; Everitt et al. 1979). A few seals,
mostly yearlings, venture into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound
waters every year with most sightings occurring from January through March.
Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi)
The Pacific harbor seal is the most abundant marine mammal found in
Washington waters (Scheffer and Slipp 1944) and the only breeding pinniped
in the state. Harbor seals are fairly easy to locate, counc, and observe
since they tend to haul out for resting and breeding purposes at nearly the
same locations each year, unless that particular habitat is destroyed. This
tendency to utilize traditional sites makes harbor seals ideal for use as an
indicator species for determining effects of short and long term environmen-
tal disturbances in local areas at minimal cost.
The harbor seal occurs in the eastern North Pacific Ocean from the
Bering Sea to Baja California and is considered abundant in most areas of
its range (NMFS 1980). Harbor seals measure 1.25 m to 1.88 m in body length
and weigh up to 110 kg. Pelage varies in color from almost entirely black
to nearly white. Three color patterns occur in the pelage of harbor seals
in Pacific Northwest waters: "black"—black or very dark brown dorsally and
ventrally; "common"—the most abundant form in our waters is bluish gray to
brown dorsally shading to white ventrally, spots on flanks are bluish gray
or brown depending on whether pelage is new or old; and "muddy"—pelage is
mottled with indistinct patterns, dark dorsally shading to lighter gray on
flanks ( Stutz 1967a).
During the present study more new information was collected on harbor
seals than on any other marine mammal in the study area. A detailed dis-
cussion of this species follows.
28
-------
Feeding habits; Use of fish otoliths as an aid to identifying
prey species has been used for many years. Fitch and Brownell (1968) dis-
cussed using otoliths to describe and identify prey species found in the
stomachs of cetaceans. Identification and use of otoliths found in harbor
seal scats to describe prey species was first attempted locally in an under-
graduate study at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (Drager 1977).
An intensive treatment of this technique was applied recently in Puget Sound
by a research group from The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington
(Calambokidis et al. 1978). During the present study scats were collected
opportunistically at Protection Island. Identification of otoliths re-
covered from these scats was made by John Fitch (Calif. Dep. Fish Game)
and all identified prey species are listed in Table 8.
Scat were collected on haul sites on a 'not to disturb1 basis and thus
we had little control over the size of samples collected during each season.
Few scats were collected in spring (March-May) and summer (June-August);
most (77%) were obtained in the fall (September-November). Small sample
sizes (in the spring and summer) made detailed comparisons among seasons
difficult. For example, the three dominant prey items for all seasons—
pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), English sole (Parophrys vetulus), and
Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), probably reflect the larger fall sample.
A few interesting differences among seasons do warrant mention. The fam-
ilies Gadidae (cod) and Pleuronectidae (right-eyed flounders-sole) comprise
82.5% of all recovered otoliths (Table 9). In spring, pleuronectids are by
far the dominant fishes present, representing 92.5% of all otoliths for
that season. This group of fishes are well represented in summer (18.2%)
and fall (36%) but to a lesser degree than in the spring. Cross et al.
(1978) reported that many of the pleuronectids they sampled in sites
throughout northern Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca appeared
regularly in all sample periods suggesting uniformity of abundance through-
out the year and as such pleuronectids may represent important prey
for harbor seals throughout the year. However, seals appear to switch prey
preferences as seasonally abundant fishes move into the area.
During the summer, herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) otoliths are
predominant in scat collections, comprising 54.6% of all otoliths recovered
in that season. A substantial adult herring population congregates near
Protection Island (in the channel between the island and the mainland) in
January and February, and this area is an important nursery site for juve-
nile and immature herring in the spring and summer (Lemberg 1978). In fall,
47% of the otoliths are from gadids, a seasonally abundant group that
appeared in trawl samples from Beckett Point ( south of Protection Island)
most often in fall and winter (Cross et al. 1978).
A run of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) appears in central Puget
Sound in the fall and was encountered during sampling of nearshore fishes at
Beckett Point and Jamestown (Cross et al. 1978). During the fall, otoliths
of this species appeared in limited numbers representing 1.6% of all otoliths
29
-------
TABLE 8.—Species of fish identified from otoliths recovered from harbor seal scat collected on Protection
Island, Washington, 1978-1979.
All
Seasons Spring Summer-
Species
Walleye pollock
(Theragra cha Icogr amma )
English sole
(Parophrys vetulus)
Pacific cod
(Gadus macrocephalus)
Rex sole
(Glyptocephalus zachirus)
Pacific herring
(Clupea harengus pallasi)
Pacific tomcod
(Microgadus proximus
Rockfish
(Sebastes spp.)
Dover sole
(Microstomus pacificus)
Petrale sole
(Eopsetta jordani)
Pacific sanddab
(Citharichthys sordidus)
Staghom sculpin
(Leptocottus armatus)
Pink salmon
(Oncorhynchus qorbuscha)
Sculpin
(Enophrys spp.)
Arrowtooth flounder
(Atheresthes stomias)
Speckled sanddab
(Citharichthys stigmaeus)
Sculpin
(Myoxocephalus spp.)
Shiner perch
(Cymatogaster aggregata)
Sablefish
(Anoplopoma fimbria)
Sand sole
(Psettichthys melanostictus)
Fle.thead sole
(Hippoglossoides elassodon)
Lingcod
(Ophiodon elongatus)
Total Otoliths
I/ One scat contained a
2/ Two scats contained 4
(115
No.
128
114
39
22
21
19
18
14
9
9
8
6
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
42?
lower beak
scat) (12 scat) (14 scat)
% No. % No. %
(30.3) 1 (3.7) 3 (27.3)
(27.0) 10 (37.0)
(9.2)
(5.2) 10 (37.0) 1 (9.1)
(5.0) 6 (54.6)
(4.5) 1 (3.7)
(4.3) 1 (3.7)
(3.3) 1 (3.7)
(2.1) 2 (7.4)
(2.1)
(1.9)
(1.4)
(0.7)
(0.5) 1 (9.1)
(0.5) 1 (3.7)
(0.5)
(0.5)
(0.5)
(0.2)
(0.2)
(0.2)
r> IT
of an octopus (Octopus spp.)
squid beaks (Loligo opalescens) representing 3
FalJ/
(89
No.
124
104
39
11
15
18
17
13
7
9
8
6
3
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
385"
scat)
*
(32.2)
(27.0)
(10.1)
(2.9)
(3.9)
(4.7)
(4.4)
(3.4)
(1.8)
(2.3)
(2.1)
(1.6)
(0.8)
(0.3)
(0.3)
(0.5)
(0.5)
(0.5)
(0.3)
(0.3)
(0.3)
individual squid.
30
-------
TABLE 9.—Percentage of occurrence of important prey species reprsented in
harbor seal scat collected at Protection Island, Washington,
1978-1979.
Prey item
Flounder-sole
( Pleuronectidae )
Cod-pollock
( Gadidae)
Herring
( Clupea harengus pallasi)
All others
All
seasons
38.5
44.0*
5.0
12.5
% Occurrence
Spring Summer Fall
92.5* 18.2 36.0
3.7 27.3 47.0
0 54.6* 3.9
3.7 0 13.1
*Dominant prey item
collected for that season. In consuming larger prey, pinnipeds bring them
to the surface and shake them apart before swallowing; often the head is not
eaten. Thus, larger prey items, such as salmon, may be underrepresented in
scat. This is the first record of the recovery of salmonid otoliths from
harbor seal scat collected in Washington. Otoliths from silver salmon
(O. kitsutch) have been recovered from seal scat collected in Oregon
(Drager 1977).
The major prey items identified from scats in southern Puget Sound har-
bor seals were whiting (Merluccius productus) in the spring and summer, and
temporal variations in its occurrence were demonstrated (Calambokidis et al.
1978). Whiting otoliths were also the most commonly occurring otoliths in
scat from harbor seals at Gertrude Island during collections in the fall of
1979 (J. Skidmore pers. commun.). A pattern of opportunistic feeding on
locally abundant prey by harbor seals seems apparent from these data.
Scheffer and Sperry (1931) made some of the first reports on the prey
species found in stomachs from harbor seals in Washington. Of 100 stomachs
examined, over 90% of the contents were fishes, including Pacific tomcod,
flounder, herring, sculpin, whiting, cod, pollock, and perch. Squid and
octopus comprised less than 6%. Trace amounts of shrimp were also present.
Only two of the stomachs with food held any salmon and 19 of the stomachs
were empty.
31
-------
Fisher (1952) reported on the feeding habits of harbor seals collected
in British Columbia. Important prey items were rockfish, octopus, and
herring. Salmon comprised the largest percentage of total volume of stomach
contents. Fisher suggests that harbor seals are opportunistic feeders and
prey most neavily on seasonally abundant species. Spalding (1964) compared
the feeding habits of pinnipeds along the coast of British Columbia and
found a preference for prey items similar to those found by Fisher. Spald-
ing, sampling throughout the year, found eulachon to be the most important
prey item in the winter. Herring and rockfish comprised most of the stomach
volume in summer. Salmon was of major importance during the fall. Spalding
estimated that the predation on salmon by harbor seals was insignificant
when compared to the commercial catch.
Studies in other areas outside of Washington show major food items to
include pollock, herring, cottids, mackerel, and molluscs (Imler and Sarber
1947; Wilke 1957; Kenyon 1965; Pitcher 1977; Pitcher and Calkins 1977).
Size of prey taken increases with increasing size of the harbor seal
(Spalding 1964).
Many of the studies discussed have shown herring to comprise a major
component of the diet of harbor seals in most areas. Lemberg (1978) re-
ported herring to be particularly abundant in some areas of the eastern
strait during summer, fall, and winter months. One might assume that
herring would be important to local harbor seals (particularly newly weaned
pups) during this time and that loss of this food resource due to large-scale
environmental perturbations may adversely impact survival of local harbor
seals.
Reproduction; In the eastern North Pacific Ocean, harbor seal
pupping occurs progressively later southward from Alaska to Puget Sound
(May-June to August-September) and earlier from the Washington coast to the
southern extent of the range (May to March) (Bigg 1969a). Scheffer and
Slipp (1944) established that on the outer coast pupping begins in May and
suggested that this season may begin one or two months later in Puget Sound.
Newby (1973b) described three distinct pupping periods in Washington waters.
His conclusions, based on personal observations, interviews, and the liter-
ature, put the coastal pupping season as occurring during May, in northern
Puget Sound from late July through August, and in southern Puget Sound
from mid-August to late September. The period for southern Puget Sound,
which was based on the Gertrude Island population, was later confirmed by
Johnson and Jeffries (1977).
Calambokidis et al. (1978) reported similar pupping periods for Puget
Sound and in Hood Canal. They first observed pups in early August in Hood
Canal and southern Puget Sound, observing newly born pups on the Skokomish
Delta in Hood Canal from August until the end of the study period in November
1978. The reason for the protracted pupping season on the Skokomish Delta
is not known.
32
-------
Bigg (1973b) suggested that the range of pupping periods for harbor
seals may be in response to seasonal variations in food resources, and that
local populations may have evolved in response to these differences. Bigg
and Fisher (1975) demonstrated that photoperiod may be a proximate factor
that stimulates estrous and thus reproductive timing in harbor seals, based
on studies of captive animals from two different populations that pupped
at different seasons.
During the present study all haul sites were examined for pups. Pups
were first observed during the last week of June in 1978 and 1979 at Minor
Island. The peak of pupping in the study area was observed in August when
143 pups were counted in 1978 and 240 in 1979. The pupping season lasted
about 11 weeks with the last obvious pups seen in mid-September. Regular
surveys were made along the coastline in the western Strait of Juan de
Fuca but few pups were observed there. Pups were observed on 55 sites
(Table 10), and of these, 27 sites are on wildlife refuges, either in the
San Juan Wilderness areas or Dungeness Wildlife Refuge. These refuges are
administrated by the Nisqually Wildlife System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Olympia, Washington, and public access is restricted. The most
important pupping area in northern Puget Sound is on Minor Island, which
is a part of the refuge system. On 27 July 1978 44 pups were counted (the
season high) at Minor Island, which represented 30.8% of all pups observed
in the study area that year. The entire refuge system, including Minor
Island, accounted for 35% of the maximum pup counts for the study area in
1978. These protected pupping sites will be important sanctuaries for the
harbor seal population as recreational use of land and waterways in the
study area increases.
Table 10 lists the percentage pups comprised of all seals sighted for
each hauling site. Certainly some pups went unobserved or may have been
mistaken as immatures and included in the total count of each locality.
The difficulty of counting pups from the air can be seen by comparing
ground counts taken at Protection Island with aerial estimates. Three
surveys were flown around the island in early August when pups were present.
During surveys flown on 6, 7, and 8 August, 10, 4, and 9 pups, respectively,
were counted. An observer on the ground counted 20, 15, and 19, pups
respectively. Thus the aerial surveys produced counts of less than half
those of the ground observers. Eberhardt et al. (1979) discuss the problems
of estimating total pup productivity from aerial surveys and include such
uncontrollable obstacles as pups obscured by rocks, bushes, and adults.
Reliable estimates of pup production may only be obtainable with use of an
extensive tagging program (Summers and Mountfield 1975). Therefore, an
estimate of productivity based on visual observation is conservative. An
average reproductive rate of 19.8% was found in the study area which is low
when compared to that of other localities. Venables and Venables (1955)
reported a 22% reproductive rate for Phoca vitulina vitulina in the Shetland
and Orkney Islands. Bishop (1967) reported that 32% of the harbor seals
on Tudigak Island, Gulf of Alaska, bore pups. Bigg ( 1969b), working with
Phoca v. richardsi in British Columbia, and Boulva (1975) with Phoca v.
vitulina at Sable Island, Nova Scotia, report similar reproductive rates
33
-------
TABLE 10.—Harbor seal pupping areas in northern Puget Sound and the Strait
of Juan de Fuca, 1978-79. The percentage of pups represented
in the total count for each haul out site is given, as is the
maximum count for each site obtained during the two year survey
period. Dashed lines (-) indicate the site was not surveyed;
(*) indicates no pups were observed.
% Pupsi/
Reference
9
21
24
26
32
35
37
40
42
43
49
50
54
57
62
63
64
65
68
74
76
77
78
80
81
83
84
C
D
E
G
H
I
K
Location
San Juan Wilderness Area^/
Unnamed Island
Mummy Rock
Harbor Rock
Half tide Rock
Sentinel Rock
Ripple Island
L. Cactus Island
White Rock
Skipjack Island
Unnamed Island
Unnamed Islet
Tift Rocks
Flower Island
Pointer Island
S. Peapod Rock
Peapod Rocks
N. Peapod Rock
Eliza Rock
Unnamed Rock
Unnamed Rocks
Minor Island
Matia Island
Puffin Island
Bird Rocks
Williamson Rock
Buck Island
Bare Island
Northern Puget Sound!/
Samish Bay
Padilla Bay
Hat Island
Sinclair Island
Boulder Reef
Point Migley
Barnes Island
1978
.22
*
.50
.06
.12
.06
.15
*
.09
.07
.25
.14
.10
.29
.06
.07
.25
.17
*
.12
.21
*
.05
.07
.50
.08
.08
.12
.10
*
.33
.15
.09
.11
1979
*
.06
*
.33
.09
.25
.20
.10
.06
*
*
.24
*
*
*
.06
*
*
.13
.33
.15
.05
.13
.11
.20
.11
.08
.20
.22
.25
.50
.10
*
*
Maximum
pup count
2
1
1
8
6
5
3
2
5
2
1
5
1
2
1
4
1
1
1
7
44
1
13
8
2
2
4
12
17
1
2
4
7
3
34
-------
TABLE 10.—continued
% Pupal/
Reference
L
M
O
R
S
T
V
W
X
—
2
3
4
5
6
10
11
12
13
17
••
Location
Echo Bay
Sentinel Island
Twin Rocks
Bell Island
Leo Reef
Pear Point
Whale Rock
Protection Island
Marrowstone Island
Skagit Bay
Olympic Peninsula?/
Kulakala Point
Dungeness Refuge
Green Point
Low Point
Deep Creek
Vancouver^/
Chain Island
Trial Island
Race Rocks
Becher Bay
Providence Cove
Boundary Bay
1978
.20
1.00
.13
1.00
.11
.13
.13
.17
.09
-
.10
.15
1.00
*
*
.01
*
.03
*
*
^
1979
.37
*
.15
*
.25
*
*
.17
*
.12
.80
.45
*
.15
.09
.10
.12
.17
.12
.04
.09
# pups
Maximum
pup count
13
1
4
1
2
2
2
29
1
3
4
27
1
6
2
18
6
28
6
6
39
observed
I/ Pup ratio for each haul site was derived by # of adults + immatures
2/ Map reference refer to Appendix Figure A-l
3/ Map reference refer to Appendix Figure A-2
35
-------
of about 20.5%. Pitcher (1977) found a reproductive rate of 18.8% for har-
bor seals in the Copper River Delta, Alaska, and thought that Bishop's
figure may be high due to sampling bias. Calambokidis et al. (1978) found
that 15-19% of the animals sighted in northern Puget Sound in the summer
of 1977 were pups. Thus, as reported by other investigators, birth rates
can vary from 18-32%. It seems likely that the low rates and large vari-
ability observed in the present study may be attributable to difficulty in
assessing this population parameter using only visual observations from
aerial surveys.
Distribution; The harbor seal ranges in the eastern North Pacific
Ocean from Baja, CA north and west to the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea
(Rice 1977). Harbor seals are most frequently found in estuaries and
coastal and inland salt or brackish waters throughout its range. While
primarily a nearshore species, observations of single animals have been
reported up to 50 km from shore (Fiscus et al. 1977). During the present
study, 55 haul sites were observed in northern Puget Sound, the San Juan
Islands, the eastern bays, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The location of
these sites is shown in Figure 5. Fifteen of these sites were observed in
the Strait of Juan de Fuca; three in Admiralty Inlet, eight in Skagit,
Padilla, Samish, Bellingham and Boundary Bays; and the remainder (29) in
the San Juan Islands, adjacent to Haro and Rosario Straits. These 55 sites
are used consistently by harbor seals. Occasionally animals would be ob-
served in other areas but with no predictability. No new haul sites were
found during small boat surveys and we did not survey in Canadian waters
north of Victoria (except for one survey in Boundary Bay in August 1979).
Aerial surveys in Canada, conducted by the National Marine Mammal Laboratory
during 1974-75, identified a minimum of ten haul sites in the Strait of
Georgia and one in Haro Strait that were not surveyed in the present study
(Everitt et al. 1979).
For a haul site to be attractive to harbor seals, it must possess three
characteristics: isolation from unseen approach by land, immediate access
to deep water or channels, and nearness of food resources (Scheffer and
Slipp 1944). Calambokidis et al. (1978) described five categories (sub-
strate) of haul sites, of which four are present in this study area; cobble
or sandy beaches, such as that of Violet Point, Protection Island; rocky
reefs and island ledges exposed at low tides as occur at Puffin Island;
mudflats exposed at low tides which are found at Dungeness Wildlife Refuge
and all the bays in the area; and anchored log booms in Fidalgo Bay, Port
Gamble, and Port Angeles. Examples of these habitat types are depicted in
Everitt et al. (1979).
Population estimation; During the present study, aerial surveys
were made on a monthly basis. All known haul and potential haul sites
were surveyed. Counts of harbor seals obtained during these surveys of
the study area from December 1978 through August 1979 are presented in
Appendix A, Tables A2-7, by haul sites, which are shown in Appendix Figures
Al-2. Observations from land and boat were made at Protection Island to
36
-------
Figure 5. Locations of known haul sites of harbor seals (Phoca
vitulina richardsi) in the study area.
37
-------
determine the best time to survey when maximum numbers of harbor seals
would be ashore. The importance of tidal influence on harbor seal hauling
behavior has been reported often (Scheffer and Slipp 1944; Bishop 1967;
Newby 1971; Johnson and Jeffries 1977; and Calambokidis et al. 1978).
Most of these authorities report that harbor seals haul out on low tides,
although local variations are known to exist. Calambokidis et al. (1978)
demonstrated that high tide haul sites are used in Hood Canal and some
nocturnal haul sites are used in southern Puget Sound regardless of the
stage of the tide.
Preliminary surveys in the study area pointed to low tide haul outs and
surveys were scheduled accordingly. Low and ebb tide hauling behavior has
been reported for Skipjack Island in the San Juan Islands and at Minor Island
(Calambokidis et al. 1978). A unique situation was documented on Protection
Island where observations showed that the highest daily counts most often
occur during the morning ebb tide with time of day also being an important
consideration; animals appeared most likely to haul out from late morning
to midday and least likely in the afternoon (P>.05) (Everitt, 1980).
Disturbance of the haul out site at Protection Island can be attributed
to various sources, although man-caused disturbance is a major contributing
factor in this tendency toward a morning haul out. Disturbance most often
occurred in late morning-early afternoon through late afternoon, and was
also most prevalent over the weekends (Saturday-Monday) when pleasure
boating is greatest (Fig. 6). Continuous daytime observations were made on
42 of the 56 days from 14 June 1979 to 8 August 1979, and 99 disturbances
were recorded for 83% of the sampled days, an average of 2.8 disturbances
per day. Most disturbances (78%) were caused by pleasure boats approaching
the haul site too closely, which resulted in the animals fleeing into the
water (Table 11).
TABLE 11.—Type of disturbance resulting in harbor seals entering the water
from the haul site at Protection Island, June-August 1979.
Source of
disturbance Number Percent
Small boat 77 78
Aircraft
airplane 12 12
helicopter 3 3
Human presence on beach 7 7
TOTAL 99 100
38
-------
5
4
|| 3
II 2
Won Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
Day
24
20
16
~? 12
o
B
0700 0900
1100
1300
Time
1500
1700 1900
Figure 6. Observed disturbance of harbor seals at the Protection
Island haulsite. June-August 1979 by (A) day of the week and
(B) time of day.
39
-------
One might expect more disturbance at Protection Island, which is under-
going development, than at other more isolated areas. However, disturbance
caused by recreational boats has been observed in other areas (particularly
the San Juan Islands) as well. The importance of planning surveys around
morning low tides in northern Puget Sound to insure a greater probability
of observing the maximum numbers of hauled out animals, preferably during
mid-week, seems clear.
Estimates of abundance for P. v. richardsi are difficult to obtain.
Population estimates for the North Pacific area are in excess of 300,000
animals (NMFS 1978), of which most can be found in Alaskan waters. Mate
(1977) estimated 12,000 animals along the West Coast from Washington to
Baja, California, Mexico from surveys that did not include Puget Sound.
Scheffer and Slipp (1944) estimated the Washington population of har-
bor seals at 6,000-10,000 animals. Newby (1973a) assumed the historical
population was nearer to 6,000 and produced evidence of a possible decline
to 2,000 animals, which he attributed primarily to bounty pressure and
habitat loss. Between 1943 and 1960, over 10,000 harbor seals were taken
for bounty in Washington, which is undoubtedly considerably less than the
number actually killed (Newby 1973a). Assuming a 40% loss to unretrievable
animals, the total kill may have actually exceeded 17,000 (Scheffer and
Slipp 1944; and Newby 1973a). In a summary of 9,503 bounty records from
Washington claimed between 1947 and 1960, 3,619 animals (38%) were killed
in the northern Puget Sound area (Johnson and Jeffries 1977).
A minimum estimate of harbor seals in northern Puget Sound in 1972 was
about 600 animals (Newby 1973a), and Johnson and Jeffries (1977) estimated
650 harbor seals in this region in 1975-76. In a more comprehensive census
of this area in 1977, Calambokidis et al. (1979) reported at least 1,200
animals. Newby, Johnson and Jeffries, and Calambokidis et al. estimates
were for approximately the same areas. The Canadian coast (Regions I-II),
some areas in the San Juan Islands (Regions III-IV), the eastern bays
(Region V), and the Strait of Juan de Fuca (Regions I-II), were not con-
sidered in any of these earlier estimates.
Our high count for the study area was taken in August 1979 when 2,179
harbor seals (including pups) were observed during aerial surveys; of this
total, 1,623 were from U.S. haul sites and 556 from Canadian haul sites.
To aid in the presentation of this data, the study area was divided into
17 sampling units (Fig. 2). Monthly counts of harbor seals are summarized
by sampling unit in Table 12. If two surveys were made in the same month
the larger count was used. The lower totals observed from November through
January may be the result of the higher tides encountered during winter
months which may have contributed to the low counts during these periods.
From February through July, 1,000 animals were consistently observed, a
count which may be comparable to the 1,200 reported by Calambokidis et al.
(1978), and may represent the number of animals easily observable at any
one time.
40
-------
TABLE 12.—Maximum counts of harbor seals obtained during aerial surveys of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Northern Puget Sound, the San Juan
Islands and the eastern bays November 1977 to August 1979, summarized by sampling units. Dashed lines (-) indicate the area was not
surveyed; (o) indicate no animals were sighted; location of local units shown in Figure 2. Pup counts are given in ( ) and are not
included in the adult total.
Local
Unit
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Monthly
total
December
1977
0
86
49
58
40
12
164
-
24
183
0
0
1
0
0
0
26
643
1978
_
2
12
15
1
1
47
-
4
102
64
0
0
0
0
0
57
305
January
1978
_
86
90
29
43
23
165
-
6
134
81
0
8
0
0
0
120
785
1979
0
103
134
15
26
2
109
-
26
157
0
0
5
0
0
0
171
748
February March
1978
„
25
103
14
41
1
257
-
10
155
90
0
18
0
0
35
242
991
1979 1978
0
114
178
0
54
15
- 116
0
0 21
181 164
5 90
0
21 9
0
0
0
63 243
270 1004
1979
0
73
123
95
84
51
187
0
16
153
96
0
16
5
0
17
264
1180
April
1978
93
256
60
57
39
74
-
9
149
81
0
7
0
0
20
230
1075
1979
_
101
127
122
35
72
216
0
0
147
35
0
6
7
0
0
192
1060
May
1978
_
150
126
140
44
12
25
0
8
87
35
0
1
0
0
0
335
963
1979
0
313
182
207
81
24
40
0
22
73
107
0
5
0
0
0
227
1281
June
1978
0
46
42
243
(6)
66
27
162
(20)
-
14
71
41
1
2
0
0
2
190
907
(26)
1979
0
270
208
168
172
153
118
(6)
-
16
178
24
0
10
2
0
8
269
1623
(6)
July
1978
_
128
(12)
52
(7)
247
.(10)
65
(2)
35
196
(44)
0
3
17.3
(IS)
45
(3)
2
(1)
2
0
0
9
210
(3)
1107
(97)
1979
_
267
(3)
174
(7)
44
81
(2)
-
151
(14)
-
-
126
16
-
-
-
_
-
-
859
(26)
August
1978
__
245
(20)
102
(8)
355
(31)
197
(21)
119
(15)
206
(17)
10
20
(1)
113
(19)
54
(8)
2
47
0
3
0
145
(3)
1618
(143)
1979
0
248
(26)
189
(16)
157
(26)
168
(15)
146
(32)
194
(18)
24
(3)
26
133
(10)
88
(31)
-
63
(8)
2
0
50
(2)
446
(58)
1934
(245)
September
1978
0
229
(3)
69
188
122
(7)
169
(1)
2
0
31
128
8
2
37
0
0
6
83
1074
(11)
October
1978
_
279
118
348
122
35
155
-
49
223
66
3
3
0
0
42
144
1587
November
1977
—
1
17
.
0
0
0
50
-
-
100
0
0
51
0
0
-
-
219
-------
Johnson and Johnson (1979) have reported an increase in observable
animals during the molting periods when supposed physiological stress
forces more animals to haul out for longer periods. In local waters, the
molt may occur from as early as February to as late as October ( Scheffer
and Slipp 1944; Stutz 1967b) although most of the population is involved
in the molt from July to September (Stutz 1967b). At least one observer
was present on Protection Island from 14 June through 27 September 1979.
The mean weekly count of harbor seals increased significantly in September,
and although it was difficult to accurately determine the stage of an
animal's molt from the observation point, we felt that the greatest numbers
of molting animals were hauling out in September. Mean weekly counts of
harbor seals from June to early September were less than 150, increasing
to over 200 by mid-September. The molting period coincides with our high
area count in August 1978 of 1,761 harbor seals and in August 1979 of 2,179
harbor seals. The lower count in September 1978 is attributed to poor
aerial survey conditions, primarily local fog during 12-14 September 1978.
Foul weather also hindered complete coverage of the study area and thus
lowered counts during December 1978 and February and July 1979. No surveys
were flown in October and November 1979. The increase in numbers of seals
from August 1978 to August 1979 cannot be attributed to an expanding popu-
lation based on present data. Nearly all of this increase comes from the
area bounded by Becher Bay and Discovery Island (Unit #17, Fig. 2) and was
probably the result of better local conditions and/or reduced disturbance.
Assessment of harbor seal population changes based solely on aerial counts
has proved difficult elsewhere in Puget Sound (Calambokidis et al. 1979).
A description and narrative summary of each sampling unit (see Figure 2
for locations) is given in Appendix B.
Washington State Population: Recent counts of harbor seals (most
from aerial surveys) have provided for the first time complete coverage of
the state in a restricted time period. Johnson and Jeffries (1977) surveyed
the outer coast from the Columbia River to Cape Flattery and provided counts
from Gertrude Island (southern Puget Sound). Calambokidis et al. (1979)
extensively surveyed the southern sound and Hood Canal. These efforts,
together with the present study, provide a current minimum abundance esti-
mate of over 7,000 harbor seals for the State of Washington based on counts
which, due to the limitations of these types of surveys (discussed earlier),
can be considered low (Table 13). Previous estimates of the Washington
population were at least 5,000 in 1942 (Scheffer and Slipp 1944), 1,710 for
1965 to 1972 (Newby 1973a), and 5,500 in 1976 (Johnson and Jeffries 1977).
The higher counts in Table 13 may indicate an expanding population although
the magnitude of any increase cannot be assessed with these data. Certainly
these higher counts reflect better survey coverage of the entire state than
earlier investigators were able to accomplish.
Harbor seal tagging and marking experiment; Protection Island was
selected as a location for an "on site" study of the harbor seal in 1978.
Observations of daily and seasonal hauling behavior, timing of pupping and
suckling, reproduction, feeding cycles, and collection of scats to identify
prey species, and observations on molt were among the data recorded. These
42
-------
Table 13.—High counts of harbor seals in Washington waters, 1975-79.
Counts include pups.
Area
Count
Source
Columbia River
Grays Harbor-Willapa Bay
Outer coast
Strait of Juan de Fuca/
northern Puget Sound
Hood Canal
Southern Puget Sound
Washington State Total
400 Johnson and Jeffries 1977
2,700 Johnson and Jeffries 1977
1,300 Johnson and Jeffries 1977
l,623.i/ Present study
732
337
Calambokidis et al. 1979
Johnson and Jeffries 1977,
Calambokidis et al. 1979
7,092
I/ Does not include counts from hauling sites in Canadian waters.
observations were useful, enabling us to relate patterns seen here to
observations throughout the entire northern Puget Sound-Strait of Juan de
Fuca study areas.
A tagging and marking program was initiated in the spring of 1979 to
determine the feasibility for an expanded project encompassing all of
northern Puget Sound. One or more observers were stationed on Protection
Island (from 15 June 1979 to 21 September 1979) to continue studies initia-
ted in 1978 and collect data from tagged and marked animals. The objectives
were to determine the extent of individual movement, describe individual
site fidelity, and to verify hauling patterns. Attempts to capture were
largely unsuccessful as the seals that haul out on Violet Point are ex-
tremely wary and enter the water at the slightest provocation. Five seals
were captured using a gillnet ( 25 cm stretch mesh) without leadline so the
seals could surface, set parallel to the shoreline at the haul site and
about 50 m offshore. Only one seal, a young mature male, was outfitted
with a radio tag as the attachment anklet could not be adapted to fit on
smaller animals. All five animals were tagged with round post monel tags
and marked with bright paint (Woolite Sheep Branding Dye) which was easily
visible from the hillside observation station and from the air. The
painted marks remained recognizable until the onset- of molt in the fall
of 1979.
43
-------
All of the marked animals were resighted at least once after being
tagged and marked (Fig. 7). The animal with attached radio was observed
most frequently as the radio signal alerted the observer as soon as the seal
hauled out and visual search was made immediately. During the period that
the marked animals were being watched on Protection Island, six aerial sur-
veys were flown over the island and adjacent haul sites. No marked animals
were observed at any site other than the Protection Island site during the
flights and marked seals were sighted during 4 of the 6 flights. These
observations suggest that most of the Protection Island harbor seals remain
in the vicinity during the summer breeding months.
Harbor seals are capable of moving considerable distances and if we
wish to add to our present knowledge of this species in the study area, the
next logical step will be to instrument 25 to 30 seals from major haul sites
and set up a series of receivers throughout northern Puget Sound and the
Strait of Juan de Fuca to monitor their movements.
Pitcher and Calkins (in press) conducted extensive radio telemetry
studies with harbor seals in the western Gulf of Alaska. They located 8
tagged seals (a total of 35 were radio tagged) at hauling areas other than
the site of capture. The longest movement was that of a mature female which
was resighted 194 km from the capture site. The other seals (seven) traveled
traveled from 24 km to 74 km from the original site. The rate of travel for
these animals ranged from 19 km/day to 27 km/day. Reports of seal movements
in southern Puget Sound suggest that both long distance movements and site
fidelity can occur in the same local population (Calambokidis et al. 1978).
These authors reviewed recent literature on this subject which indicates
that long distance movements are not uncommon for Phoca vitulina. Everitt
and Jeffries (1979) reported that a harbor seal radio tagged in Grays Harbor
moved to the Columbia River and suggest such movements may be in response to
seasonally abundant prey items.
Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
Northern elephant seals may reach a body length of 4.8 to 5 m, and in
prime condition may average 1800 to 2300 kg; females are smaller, attaining
a length of about 2.5 m and a weight of 900 kg and newly born pups are about
1 m long and weigh about 35 kg (DeLong 1978; NMFS 1979). Adult males are
easily distinguished from females by their long proboscis which they are
capable of inflating. In both sexes the pelage ranges in color from silver
gray to light brown; pups are born with a black natal pelage but assume
adult pelage after the first molt. Young elephant seals have been mistaken-
ly identified as harbor seals on Washington beaches because at 6 to 9 months
of age they are only slightly larger than adult harbor seals; however, the
uniform pelage distinguishes them from the variously and contrastingly
marked light and dark pelage of harbor seals.
Based on rather scant information, the northern elephant seal feeds
primarily on benthic neritic and demersal prey and to a lesser degree on
epipelagic and mesopelagic prey. Antonelis and Fiscus (1980) summarized
44
-------
Seal number
12 o • •• • • » •
34
56
78
910
I I I I I I
10 20 30 10 20 31
|-« June *-\** July H
Figure 7. Dates harbor seals were marked and tagged at Protection
Island, Washington in 1979 and later resighted. Date of capture,
marking and tagging indicated (°) and resighting (•). Seal
number 910 was also radio tagged.
45
-------
what was known about the species of fish and cephalopods consumed by the
northern elephant seal and list five cartilaginous fish, six bony fish, and
nine cephalopods among its prey.
The population had reached a low of about 100 or fewer animals by 1890
as a result of exploitation by sealers and whalers for its oil. The popula-
tion has since recovered and now numbers about 60,000 animals (Le Boeuf and
Bonnell 1978). The species has reoccupied all its former breeding range
which extends from Isla San Benito, Baja California, Mexico north to south-
east Farallon Island, California. Some portion of the population ranges
north in the eastern North Pacific Ocean into the Gulf of Alaska. Most
observations of this species at sea away from its breeding locations are of
solitary animals. In 1977 and 1978, three observations were made of this
species in the eastern Aleutian Islands (Withrow and Everitt unpub. records)
and in 1978 two animals were observed at Midway Island in the northwestern
Hawaiian Islands (Antonelis and Fiscus 1980).
The northern elephant seal has been sighted in the inside waters of
Washington in April, May, August, September, October, and December and from
the offshore waters of Washington and British Columbia during all other
months of the year except November (Everitt et al. 1979; Pike and MacAskie
1969, NMML records). We suspect that some animals may be seen in Washington
waters during all months of the year.
The remains of elephant seals have been found in the middens at Cape
Alava, Washington (Dr. Carl Gustafson pers. commun.); Cowan and Carl (1945)
reported that the Makah Indians encountered them off the Strait of Juan de
Fuca in the spring while hunting fur seals and took them on occasion during
the latter part of the 19th century. Their numbers were so low during the
first half of the 20th century that we have only a few records of the
species from the northern part of its range and the first verified sighting
of the species in Puget Sound was made on 20 April 1963 (Scheffer and
Kenyon 1963). The second record from Puget Sound was that of Craddock
(1969) on 2 September 1968. During the 1970's, elephant seals have been
seen with increasing frequency in the study area.
Most elephant seals sighted in Washington waters have been identified
as males, which were classified as yearlings, subadults and adults. Only
two females have been positively identified, one a small molting tagged
animal that came ashore in Discovery Bay on 10 April 1977 and remained for
several days, and a dead female which beached at Murden Cove, Bainbridge
Island on 24 January 1979 and was salvaged and placed in the collection of
the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington (S. Jeffries pers.
commun.). We have listed all elephant seal sighting records (37) from the
study area in Appendix Table A-8 and the location of sightings is shown in
Figure 8.
Most of the elephant seal sightings reported in the study area have
been made in areas where and when the salmon sport fishery is in progress
or from beached animals. The species has not been reported in southern
46
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UNITED STATES
Vancouver Island
Olympic Peninsula
O Spring (March - May)
• Summer (June - August)
+ Fall (September - November)
• Winter (December - February)
Seattle
^y/Tacoma
49°
48°
47°
124°
123°
Figure 8. Locations where elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
were sighted in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and the Strait
of Juan de Fuca (Table A-8).
47
-------
Puget Sound south of Bainbridge Island, and no records are known north of
the San Juan Islands or the eastern bays. Pike and MacAskie (1969) list
records from Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound but none for the
eastern side of Vancouver Island.
Order Mysticeti
There are 10 recognized species of baleen whales, separated into five
genera and three families in the order Mysticeti (Rice 1977). Seven of
these species have been reported from the offshore, coastal, and inside
waters of Washington: gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), minke whale
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), fin whale
( Balaenoptera physalus), blue whale ( Balaenoptera musculus), humpback
whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the right whale (Balaena glacialis).
All baleen whales are protected in U.S. waters by the Marine Mammal Pro-
tection Act of 1972, and all but the minke whale are protected by the
Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Only four of the seven species reported from Washington waters have
been identified from Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, or the Strait of
Juan de Fuca although it is possible that there may be one record of a
blue whale from Puget Sound. The four species reported from the study
area are discussed individually and sighting records are given below.
Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus)
There are two stocks of gray whales in the North Pacific Ocean—the
western stock, which is found in the Sea of Japan and the Okhotsk Sea, is
nearly extinct and the eastern stock, which ranges from the Gulf of Cali-
fornia northward along the Pacific Coast of the United States and Canada
through the
Bering Sea and into the Chukchi Sea where the largest portion of the popu-
lation spends the summer and fall months (Rice 1977).
Gray whales are sexually mature at about age 8. The mean length of
physically mature males is 13.0 m, of females 14.1 m. The female bears a
single calf once every 2 or more years after a 13-month gestation period.
The calf is about 4.9 m long at birth, and on weaning 7 months later is
about 8.5 m in length (Rice and Wolman 1971; NMFS 1979).
This species is readily identified by its overall mottled gray color
and abundant white barnacle growth, giving it a mottled gray and white
appearance. This species has no dorsal fin, only a low hump which is
followed by a series of knobs along the dorsal ridge towards the tail.
It is the only large whale that regularly travels close to shore, at times
in the outer breakers of the surf. During migration it is frequently
sighted in the entrances of Washington rivers and bays and solitary animals
may venture inside. This behavior pattern is not considered unusual as
they normally enter the shallow bays and lagoons of Baja California to
calve in winter.
48
-------
The eastern North Pacific stock of gray whales was estimated to number
about 15,000 animals prior to exploitation (Henderson 1972). The population
had been greatly reduced in numbers by whalers in the early 19th century and
was finally given complete protection in 1947 (NMFS 1979). By 1967, the
population had responded to the protection given it 20 years earlier and was
estimated to contain about 11,000 animals. Present estimates range from
11,000 to 15,000 and it is thought that the population has stabilized at this
level (Rice and Wolman 1971; Rugh and Braham 1979).
Most feeding takes place on the summer grounds in the Chukchi Sea, with
apparently little feeding on southbound migration or on the wintering grounds
(Rice and Wolman 1971). Gray whales feed primarily on the dense masses of
benthic amphipods although they may occasionally take euphausiids, copepods,
etc., and the smaller schooling fishes that they encounter in the feeding
areas.
In the early 1970s, Ken Balcomb (Moclips Cetological Society) recovered
the remains of many small fish from the throat of a gray whale that stranded
near Moclips, Washington. The fish vertabrae were tentatively identified by
Hiroshi Kajimura and Clifford Fiscus (NMML) as rainbow smelt, Osmerus mordax.
L. Tsunoda pers. commun. (NMML) reported crab zoea Cancer spp. in the
stomach of a young gray whale that stranded and died at Edmonds, Washington
on 20 June 1978.
The gray whale is primarily a coastal animal, being found during most
of the year in shallow coastal waters, often within sight of land. In
Washington waters, virtually the entire population passes northward in March
and April on their way to the Chukchi Sea summer grounds, returning south-
bound in late November to early January on their way to the calving grounds
in the coastal bays and lagoons of Baja California Mexico. There is some
variation in the timing of these migrations in Washington coastal waters,
and a few gray whales have been sighted during most months of the year
(Wilke and Fiscus 1961; Pike and MacAskie 1969; Wahl 1977; Everitt and
Jeffries 1979). A small population is found in summer off the west coast
of Vancouver Island, British Columbia (Hatler and Darling 1974). The loca-
tion and season of the year when gray whales have been sighted in the study
area are shown in Figure 9 and listed in Appendix Table A-9.
In the study area, there has been at least one sighting of a gray whale
during each month of the year. Most sightings were of single animals,
although at least 12 sightings were made of two animals. In 1978 a group
of five was reported off Clallam Bay in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and in
1979 2 sightings, probably of the same group, which may have contained as
many as 15 animals, were made in the entrance to Hood Canal and off Port
Townsend.
Stragglers from the coastal migrations may enter the study area, prob-
ably most frequently during the northbound migration, and some may remain
in these waters for extended periods of time before moving on. The number
of gray whales that enter the study area is presently quite small and
probably numbers less than 25, except in the western Strait of Juan de Fuca
49
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_CANADA_
UNITED STATES
Vancouver Island
Olympic Peninsula
O Spring (March - May)
• Summer (June - August)
+ Fall (September - November)
• Winter (December - February)
49°
48°
Seattle
Tacoma
- 47°
124°
123°
Figure 9. Locations where gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were
sighted in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and the Strait of
Juan de Fuca (Table A-9).
50
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where migrating animals cross the strait from Tatoosh Island, Washington
to Pachena Point Vancouver Island, British Columbia as reported by Hatler
and Darling (1974).
Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
The minke whale is found in all waters of the world. In the eastern
North Pacific Ocean, this species ranges from the ice-free waters of the
Arctic Ocean south to Baja California, Mexico, in summer and in winter
generally from California south to the Equator (NMFS 1979). Minke whales
are the smallest members of the genus Balaenoptera and in the northern
hemisphere do not exceed 10 m in length. They attain sexual maturity at 7
to 8 years of age, when males are about 7.0 m in length, and females are
about 7.9 m in length. Mature females usually bear a single calf every
year.
Minke whales seldom surface more than once or twice before sounding.
Usually the first and only view of a minke whale is that of a small dark
whale with a slightly falcate dorsal fin appearing ahead of the vessel and
quickly submerging with no visible blow. If the observers are fortunate,
they may see one or more minkes cruising a bay or passage, appearing at 10
to 20 minute intervals in their search for prey; again the blows are seldom
visible. Most frequently in springtime this whale may be seen breeching
(jump clear of the water), and at this time the white band across the flip-
per is visible making identification of the species beyond question.
This species was seldom taken by whalers operating out of Washington or
British Columbia stations (Scheffer and Slipp 1948; Pike and McAskie 1969),
and its feeding habits in U.S. waters are unknown; however, in other areas,
euphausiids, copepods, squids, and small schooling fishes have been reported
and these same food items are probably consumed here (Scattergood 1949;
Omura and Sakiura 1956; and Nemoto 1959).
Minke whales inhabit both the offshore waters of the world oceans and
protected waters such as Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the Strait
of Juan de Fuca. In the study area, they are the most abundant baleen
whale reported.
Most observations of this species in the study area (62.2%) were made
during the spring and summer months, although we have sighting records from
all months except February and November. The location and season of the
year when minke whales have been sighted in the study area are shown in
Figure 10 and listed in Appendix Table A-10.
The reduction in number of fall and winter observations may reflect a
reduction in sighting effort rather than a seasonal reduction in numbers,
although some southward migration must undoubtedly occur. In spring and
summer, most sighting reports are from the San Juan Islands area and the
eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca in the vicinity of Partridge, Hein, and
Middle Banks. Boran and Osborne (1978) report that most sightings by the
public are made from April to September.
51
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CANADA^
UNITED STATES
Vancouver Island
Olympic Peninsula
O Spring (March - May)
• Summer (June - August)
+ Fall (September - November)
• Winter (December - February)
Seattle
Tacoma
49°
48°
47°
124°
123°
Figure 10. Locations where minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
were sighted in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the Strait
of Juan de Fuca (Table A-10).
52
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No estimates have been made of the numbers of minke whales in the study
area. Based on sighting reports/ it is most abundant in spring, summer, and
fall; and most observations are of single animals although reports of two
animals occur with regularity. Scheffer and Slipp (1948) summarized the
historical records of this species in Washington waters and Everitt et al.
(1979) listed recent strandings. The species is certainly more abundant in
the study area than in central and southern Puget Sound and is most abundant
in spring, summer, and fall. It is probable that a few minke whales may be
present year-round.
Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
In the eastern North Pacific Ocean the fin whale ranges from the Chuk-
chi Sea south to California in.summer and south into tropical waters in
winter.
Fin whales are second in size only to the blue whale and in the north-
ern hemisphere may reach 23.2 m in length. They are sexually mature at 6 to
12 years. The mean length of mature males is 17.7 m, and females 17.3 m.
The female bears a single calf every 2 to 3 years after a one-year gestation
period. The calf is weaned at about 7 months of age. Mating and calving
occur in winter (NMFS 1979).
Fin whales usually travel in small groups of 2-5 animals. They are
readily recognized by their large size, brownish-gray back and white belly,
and well developed dorsal fin. It is primarily an offshore species, seldom
venturing near land in Washington waters.
The North Pacific population, before it was exploited, was estimated to
be about 44,000 and presently numbers about 17,000 animals. The species is
completely protected in the North Pacific Ocean (NMFS 1979).
Fin whales feed primarily on euphausiids, although they have been
reported to feed on some of the smaller schooling fishes such as anchovy
(Engraulis mordax), small pollock ( Theragra chalcogramma), and capelin
(Mallotus villosus). Simenstad et al. (1979) describes in considerable
detail the prey species consumed by this species.
Scheffer and Slipp (1948) report the fin whale ranked second in numbers
taken off Washington by whalers operating out of the Bay City station from
1911 to 1925 and report it was taken by the Makah Indians in the 19th cen-
tury. It was formerly seen in Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound
(Pike and McAskie 1969) and about the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca
in the mid-19th century by Scammon (Scheffer and Slipp 1948); however, the
heavy commercial harvest has reduced the probability of sighting this
species in these waters.
There are no recent observations from the study area; the two records
reported by Scheffer and Slipp (1948), one in 1915 near Tacoma and one at
Shelton in 1930, remain the only records from inside waters. Since the fin
53
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whale is primarily an offshore species whose numbers are still much reduced
from the pre-exploitation total, there is little likelihood of its occurring
other than as a rare straggler in the study area. Any new sightings are
most likely to occur about the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Humpback Whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae)
The population of humpback whales in the North Pacific Ocean may have
several discrete stocks. In the eastern North Pacific Ocean it ranges from
the Chukchi Sea south to California in summer and south into southern
Mexican waters and Hawaii in winter.
Humpback whales reach sexual maturity at 6 to 12 years of age. Mature
males are about 11.6 m in length, females about 11.9 m. Females rarely
bear calves two years in succession. The mating and calving season is from
October to March in the northern hemisphere. The gestation period is 12 to
13 months; the single calf nurses about 11 months.
Humpbacks usually travel in large groups; before stocks were greatly
reduced it was not uncommon to see groups ranging in size from 25 to several
hundred in northbound migration in the Gulf of Alaska and along the Alaska
peninsula. They are easily recognized by their stocky appearance, stubby,
nondescript dorsal fin, exceedingly long, usually white pectoral fins, and
their habit of breeching and lobtailing.
Before exploitation, population size in the North Pacific Ocean was
about 15,000. The population was heavily hunted in the 20th century by
shore whalers of the United States and Canada and the oceanic fleets of
Japan and the U.S.S.R. This population is now estimated to contain about
850 animals (NMFS 1978), and enjoys complete protection.
The humpback whale feeds primarily on euphausiids but does take some
of the smaller schooling fishes on occasion. The technique known as bubble-
net feeding has been used for trapping prey such as herring in southeastern
Alaska (Wolman 1978). Simenstad et al. (1979) listed four species of
euphausiids and four species of small schooling fishes found in the stomachs
of humpback whales taken in the eastern North Pacific Ocean.
During the period 1911-1925, when whalers operated in Washington waters
from the Bay City station, the humpback formed a major portion of the catch
(Scheffer and Slipp 1948). During the early 1900's, humpback whales were
regularly reported from the inside waters of Washington, including southern
Puget Sound (Scheffer and Slipp 1948). This species, perhaps more often
than any of the other large whales, is regularly found at some seasons of
the year in inside protected waters. It is a resident in summer and early
fall of certain inside waters of southeastern Alaska and Prince William
Sound and as its numbers increase will probably again be regularly seen in
the study area. Recent sightings of this species in Puget Sound were made
off Seattle, Washington in May 1976 (two individuals) and again off Seattle
in September 1-978 (four individuals) (Everitt et al. 1979).
54
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Order Odontoceti
There are 65 recognized species of toothed whales, which are separated
into 34 genera and 5 families, in the Order Odontoceti (Rice 1977). Seven-
teen of these species have been reported from the offshore, coastal, and
inside waters of Washington: striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba),
saddleback dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Pacific whiteside dolphin (Lagenor-
hynchus obliquidens), northern right-whale dolphin (Lissodelphis borealis),
whitehead grampus (Grampus griseus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassi-
dens), short fin pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), killer whale
(Orcinus orca), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Dall's porpoise
(Phocoenoides dalli), belukha (Delphinapterus leucas), sperm whale ( Physeter
macrocephalus), pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps), North Pacific giant
bottlenose whale (Berardius bairdii), goosebeak whale (Ziphius cavirostris),
arch-beaked whale (Mesoplodon carlhubbsi), and the Bering Sea beaked whale
(Mesoplodon stejnegeri). All toothed whales are protected in United States
waters by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and the sperm whale by
the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Of the seventeen species reported from Washington waters, twelve have
been reported from Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands or the Strait of Juan
de Fuca, or adjacent waters. These twelve and the beaked whales are dis-
cussed individually and sighting records are given.
Saddleback Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
The population of the saddleback dolphin in the eastern North Pacific
Ocean ranges from about the California-Oregon boundary south to Costa Rica
and may be composed of at least two separate stocks. This species is the
most abundant cetacean in California waters. Green (in press) estimated a
population of 243,000 dolphins in the California current system; however,
this is probably an overestimate. The center of abundance for this species
is off southern California. We know of only two records of its occurrence
off Washington, one found dead at Pacific Beach, Washington in February
1942 (Scheffer and Slipp 1948) and one found dead at Victoria, British
Columbia, Canada on 8 April 1953 (Guiguet 1954). There have been no strand-
ing reports or sightings of this easily identified dolphin except the two
previously mentioned ones, and in the past 20 years observation effort off
the Washington coast and in the waters of the study area has increased
tenfold with no additional sightings. The saddleback dolphin can be con-
sidered as accidentally occurring in the study area and of no significant
importance to the area's ecosystem.
55
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Pacific Whiteside Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens)
In the eastern North Pacific Ocean this species is found from Baja
California, Mexico northward to Washington and British Columbia in winter
and north into the Gulf of Alaska in summer. It regularly frequents the
waters of the Continental Shelf and slope but has been sighted in large
schools far offshore (NMFS 1978). Pike and MacAskie (1969) report schools
of 200 to 250 animals from Hecate Strait and Fitzhugh Sound from October
to January and suggest an inshore movement in winter and an offshore move-
ment in summer. Cowan and Guiguet (1965) report the regular occurrence of
this species in small numbers from the Strait of Georgia and in the Strait
of Juan de Fuca. Strandings of this species are frequently reported from
the Washington coast (Scheffer and Slipp 1948). The only specimen taken
in the study area was a pregnant female which was taken from the middle of
the Strait of Juan de Fuca off Race Rocks, British Columbia on September
1936 by the research vessel Catalyst ( Scheffer and Slipp 1948). We have a
report of seven Pacific whiteside dolphins seen on 5 September 1975 in
Admiralty Inlet north of Foulweather Bluff. No confirmed sightings were
made of this species during the present study; however, an unconfirmed hot
line report of 200 Dall's porpoise sighted west of Stuart Island in Haro
Strait on 22 March 1979 may have been Pacific whiteside dolphins. Stroud
et al. (in press), commenting on the pod size of Dall's porpoise, state
that of 868 pods observed (3,575 individuals), each was generally comprised
of less than 20 animals and most contained 3 to 5. From recent sightings
(Table A-12) in the study area, we obtained an average pod size of 8.5
Dall's porpoise and a range of from 1 to 28.
The Pacific whiteside dolphin, which may be the most abundant small
cetacean north of California, may reach 2.3 m in length and a weight of 181
kg. It is easily recognized by its dark gray back and shades of light
gray and white making a striped effect on its sides, its prominent recurved
fin, the posterior portion of which is white, and short ill-defined beak
which would be unnoticeable in free swimming specimens. No report was
made on the contents of the stomach of the one dolphin collected in the
study area; however, the stomachs of 11 dolphins collected off the coast
of Washington in 1968 and 1972 included Pacific lamphrey (Entosphenus
tridentatus), salmon, Oncorhynchus spp., (all immature), unidentified
fish, and eight species of squid (Stroud et al. in press). This dolphin
feeds primarily on epipelagic schooling fishes and squids.
We consider this species as rare in the study area and most likely to
be sighted in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Its impact on the ecosystem is
insi gni ficant.
Whitehead Grampus (Grampus griseus)
The whitehead Grampus (Risso's dolphin) is found in the eastern North
Pacific Ocean from British Columbia south to the tropics (NMFS 1978). There
are no estimates of abundance for this species although it has been described
as uncommon but not rare throughout its range (NMFS 1978). It has been
56
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sighted off Washington and British Columbia in April, July, August, Septem-
ber, and October (Everitt et al. 1979, Pike and MacAskie 1969, and Wahl
1977). There are four stranding records: in May 1964, near Prince Rupert
British Columbia; April 1967, Mukkaw Bay, Washington; April 1970, west
coast Vancouver Island, British Columbia; and in March 1975, in the study
area at Port Discovery (Pike and MacAskie 1969, Everitt et al. 1979).
The whitehead Grampus may reach 4. m in length. It is usually sighted
in small groups although one group of 200 was sighted off Washington in
April 1972 (Everitt et al. 1979). It is recognized by its blunt head,
dorsally mottled gray body, with white scars and a white head in adults,
the white presumably extending further back on the body as the animal grows
older, and relatively tall, slightly falcate dorsal fin.
The measurements of the Port Discovery specimen are given in Everitt
et al. (1979) and of the Mukkaw Bay specimen in Stroud (1968). The stomach
of the Mukkaw Bay specimen contained squid remains representing at least
seven different groups (Stroud 1968). This species is primarily an inhabi-
tant of the offshore waters, and we consider the one sighting and stranding
in the study area as an accidental occurrence and of negligible importance
to the area ecosystem.
False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens)
This species ranges the temperate and tropical seas and in the eastern
North Pacific Ocean may rarely move north of California waters. Most sight-
ing records are from southern California southward (NMFS 1978; Scheffer
1978).
Adult animals may reach 1,360 kg in weight and a length of 6.1 m (males)
and 4.9 m (females). The one Washington specimen which was taken in southern
Puget Sound near Olympia on 15 May 1937, sex unknown, was about 5.4 m in
length and weighed 900 kg (Scheffer and Slipp 1948).
The stomach of the Puget Sound specimen contained a few salmon vertebrae.
In other parts of its range it feeds on fish and squid considerably larger
than the prey consumed by the Dall's and harbor porpoises which are resident
in the study waters. The occurrence of the false killer whale is accidental
and of no significant importance to the area ecosystem.
Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)
In the eastern North Pacific Ocean this species ranges from the Gulf of
Alaska south into the tropical seas but is most frequently sighted from
about central California south. The northernmost stranding record of this
species was reported by Orr (1951) of an animal that washed ashore dead near
Kanatak on the Alaska peninsula in 1937. Pike and MacAskie (1969) report
three juveniles, one of which was collected, that were taken in a gillnet by
a salmon research vessel in Lat. 50°N, Long. 145°W, on the night of 29-30
June 1957. In Washington, the first state record is that of a dead pilot
57
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whale which washed ashore near Queets about 1 September 1937 (Scheffer and
Slipp 1948). The only record from the inside waters of Washington is that
of a male 3.05 m in length which was captured alive in Pleasant Harbor,
Hood Canal, in March 1968 and died in captivity 6 days later at Seattle,
Washington; its measurements are given in Everitt et al. (1979). In the
three seasons that the public cetacean reporting system or "Whale Hotline"
has been in operation, pilot whales were reported only in 1978 (Boran and
Osborn 1978); these sightings are listed in Everitt et al. (1979). Pike
and MacAskie (1969) report a similar situation in 1958 which suggests that
only infrequently do pilot whales venture into these northern waters.
Pilot whales grow to 4.6 to 6.7 m in length (NMFS 1978). They are
easily recognized by the bulbous forehead, usually entirely black body,
and broadbased, relatively short dorsal fin, and long narrow pectoral
fins. They are relatively slow moving and usually make a series of short
surface dives before descending for a longer period and usually travel in
pods rather than singly. We consider the short-finned pilot whale to be
rare in the study area and of negligible importance to the area's ecosystem.
Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)
The killer whale ranges the world's oceans north and south to the
permanent ice, being more abundant in colder waters (NMFS 1978). It has
been the object of more controversies and research than any other marine
mammal in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands area, and other
inside waters of Washington and British Columbia.
Killer whales may reach a length of 8.2 m (males) and 7.0 m (females).
Males may weigh as much as 8,000 kg, females about 4,000 kg. The dorsal
fin of the males may reach a length of 1.8 m, while that of the females is
less than half that size. Balcomb et al. (1979b) have observed that juve-
nile whales remain in their pod of birth for at least 6 years and are still
sexually immature. Their observed calving interval for adult females is
one every 3 to 4 years, and they report a birth rate of 12.5%/adult female
per year.
Bigg (1979), using a technique of photographic identification of indi-
vidual killer whales in the waters of British Columbia and Washington,
estimated a summer population of at least 230 individuals (21 pods usually
numbering from 10 to 20 whales). He lists 3 pods, totaling 80 whales, as
year-round residents of the waters of the Strait of Georgia, Puget Sound
the Strait of Juan de Fuca including the San Juan Islands, and coastal areas
off Vancouver Island B.C., and Washington.
Balcomb et al. (1979b) describe studies initiated by the National
Marine Fisheries Service and carried out primarily by Balcomb and his
colleagues since 1976 in Greater Puget Sound, the name he applies to all
protected inside waters of Washington, the northern portion of which is the
area of the present study. Balcomb et al. (1979b) agree with Bigg (1979)
in listing 3 pods as regular inhabitants of the area, being present during
58
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all months in 1978, and having sighting records for 47% of the days of the
year.
Balcomb et al. (1979a) have summarized sighting records gathered by
the Moclips Cetological Society, "Orca Survey hot line," and many hours of
personal observation for the Greater Puget Sound area from 1976 through
1978. Over 1300 sightings of killer whales were made in all areas of these
waters. Sighting observations gathered during this study were regularly
turned over to Orca survey for incorporation into that data base. Balcomb
et al. (1979a), found that the killer whale spends more time in the San
Juan Islands area (31%) than in other parts of the region.
During the years 1961-76 when whales were taken and sold for display
in the world's aquaria, many of the animals comprising the pods that regu-
larly live in adjacent British Columbia and Washington waters may have
been captured on more tha.n one occasion (Bigg and Wolman 1975), Asper and
Cornell 1977). The preexploitation size of the population which spends
some time in the study area may have been about 130. Bigg and Wolman (1975)
report 62 whales captured and removed; most probably from this population.
In 1976, when regular counts began, the population in the study area con-
sisted of 68 animals and by 1979 it had grown to more than 80 animals
through births in the pods (Balcomb et al. 1979a).
Movements of two of the pods inhabiting the waters of the study area
are shown in Everitt et al. (1979). Balcomb et al. (1979a) describe in
detail movements of all pods in the area. Killer whale pathways of impor-
tance in the study area include Haro Strait, the most traveled route between
the Strait of Juan de Puca and the Strait of Georgia; Rosario Strait,
connecting the two Straits, northern Puget Sound and the eastern bays; and
Admiralty Inlet, the gateway to central Puget Sound.
The stomach contents of 10 killer whales taken in the eastern North
Pacific Ocean in recent years (Rice 1968) include: California sea lion,
northern sea lion, elephant seal, harbor porpoise, Dall's porpoise, minke
whale, opah, Lampris regius, Pacific halibut, carcharinid shark, and one
squid. Scheffer and Slipp (1948) list the following as food of killer
whales in Washington waters: harbor seal, greenling, ling cod, salmon, and
squid. Hancock (1965) observed a pod of seven killer whales attack and
kill an adult minke whale (8.4 m long) in Barkley Sound, Vancouver I.,
B.C. on 26 May 1964. When the carcass was recovered the next day it was
found that the killer whales had neatly removed and presumably eaten the
skin from the entire body, the tongue, dorsal fin, and flesh from the
lower jaw.
Scheffer and Slipp (1948) and Balcomb et al. ( 1979a) both describe the
effect of killer whales on salmon schools and comment on their appearance in
certain areas when the salmon runs are in progress. Balcomb et al. (1979a)
state that killer whales predominately eat salmon in the study area and esti-
mate that the whales' hypothetical share of the salmon fishery was 3 to 6%.
They also report on prey items observed by them in the area in recent years
59
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other than salmon as follows: rockfish, cod, salmon, harbor porpoise, har-
bor seal, and elephant seal. Salmon, when present, do form a significant
part of the killer whale's diet. Killer whales do impact the ecosystem,
and must be considered to play a significant role in the study area.
Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
This species ranges from about Point Conception, California, north to
the Arctic Ocean in the eastern North Pacific Ocean, primarily in coastal
waters, although, there are a few records of sightings offshore (NMFS 1978).
The harbor porpoise is a year-round resident of Washington coastal and
protected waters, and is most frequently seen in the entrances of streams,
harbors, and bays. Wahl (1977) regularly sighted the harbor porpoise in
the Grays Harbor, Washington, entrance channel. On file at the NMML are
over 30 sightings of this species in Washington coastal waters. Frequent
sightings of this species have been made in the nearshore waters from Cape
Flattery south to LaPush during all seasons of the year.
The harbor porpoise ranges throughout the waters of the Strait of Juan
de Fuca, the San Juan Islands area, and south into Puget Sound. It has been
sighted in the study area during all months of the year (Fig. 11, Table
A-ll), and its present center of abundance is in the Strait of Juan de Fuca
and the San Juan Islands area. The area about Freshwater Bay west of Port
Angeles may be important to the harbor porpoise in fall and winter. It was
formerly abundant in southern Puget Sound ( Scheffer and Slipp 1948) but is
now seldom seen (Everitt et al. 1979). L. Tsunoda, NMML (pers. commun.)
reported the death of a harbor porpoise in a gillnet in Carr Inlet in
September 1979, the first recent record of this species from southern Puget
Sound.
Harbor porpoise may reach 1.8 m in length and weigh up to 72 kg.
Females are sexually mature at 3 to 4 years of age, the gestation period
is 10 to 11 months, and calves nurse up to 8 months (NMFS 1978). Scheffer
and Slipp (1948) list lengths and weights of 6 adult females from Washington
waters. Lengths ranged from 1.56 to 1.78 m and weighed from 53.9 to 75.2
kg. A male stranded near Poulsbo, Washington on 5 January 1971 was 1.5 m
in length (Everitt et al. 1979). Pike and MacAskie (1969) list a sexually
mature male that measured 1.47 m.
The harbor porpoise is usually shy and inconspicuous and is easily
missed by the casual observer. It is the smallest cetacean found in our
waters, is gray to black dorsally, shading to light gray and white ventrally.
Its low triangular dorsal fin is quite different from the fin of any other
cetacean likely to be seen in the study area. Harbor porpoise can be fre-
quently seen working the tide rips in apparent search for prey.
Although no estimate can be made of the numbers of harbor porpoise in
the study area, it is probably equally as numerous as the killer whale. The
continual incidental take of this species by commercial fishermen in salmon
gill nets is the most serious factor affecting the growth of this
60
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_CANADA
UNITED STATES
Vancouver Island
Olympic Peninsula
O Spring (March - May)
• Summer (June - August)
+ Fall (September - November)
• Winter (December - February)
- 47°
124
123°
Figure 11. Locations where harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
were sighted in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the
Strait of Juan de Fuca (Table A-ll).
61
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population in the study area, although killer whales do take some porpoise
as prey. The part the harbor porpoise plays in the ecosystem of the study
area is unknown; it feeds primarily on the smaller schooling fishes and
may exhibit some migratory behavior in response to seasonal movements of
prey. In Washington waters herring and capelin have been found in their
stomachs (Wilke and Kenyon 1952; Scheffer 1953). It may be sensitive to
pollutants, which could account for the decline of its members in southern
Puget Sound. Its center of abundance lies directly in the vessel traffic
lanes through the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca and into northern Puget
Sound and through the San Juan Islands to Vancouver, Bellingham, and
Anacortes.
Dall's Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)
The Dall's porpoise inhabits the subarctic waters of the North Pacific
Ocean. In the eastern North Pacific Ocean it ranges from the Bering Sea
south to Baja California, Mexico, and is a year-round resident from about
Point Conception, California, north to the Aleutian Islands (NMFS 1978).
It is reported to be one of the most abundant cetaceans in the inside
straits and sounds of Southeastern Alaska (NMFS 1978), and the exposed
straits and sounds of British Columbia (Pike and MacAskie 1969). Pike and
McAskie (1969) stated that this porpoise is abundant in the Strait of Juan
de Fuca but seldom seen in enclosed waters such as the Strait of Georgia.
The Dall's porpoise ranges throughout the study area and south through
Admiralty Inlet into central Puget Sound with a few stragglers occasionally
penetrating into south sound; however, the center of abundance is in the
Strait of Juan de Fuca east to the San Juan Islands (Fig. 12, Table A-12).
This porpoise has been sighted in the study area during all months of the
year. It is more abundant in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca in spring
and summer than it is in fall and winter. It was sighted during vessel
cruises in October, November, and December 1979 in the western Strait of
Juan de Fuca and is probably present there during other months of the year
as well. We have no sightings from the protected waters of Hood Canal or
the waters east of Whidbey Island, which bears out the statement by Pike
and MacAskie (1969) that this species is seldom seen in protected waters.
The species has been sighted in Haro and Rosario Straits, but not north into
the Strait of Georgia during this study. The numbers in groups of animals
reported from various sources during this study ranged from single animals
to 28 and averaged 8.5; however, a group of 200 was reported through the
Orca survey hotline on 22 March 1979 from Haro Strait. We know of no
sighting records of groups this large; Pike and MacAskie (1969), reporting
on group size of 211 groups sighted in the inshore and offshore waters of
British Columbia, listed only three groups that comprised from 50 to 100
animals and stated that approximately half the sightings were of groups
numbering from 5 to 14 animals. We suggest that the large pod reported
from Haro Strait may have been Pacific whiteside dolphins (see additional
comments in that section).
62
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_CANADA
UNITED STATES
Vancouver Island
Olympic Peninsula
O Spring (March - May)
• Summer (June - August)
+ Fall (September - November)
• Winter (December - February)
Seattle
43°
48°
47°
124°
123°
Figure 12. Locations where Call's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)
were sighted in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the
Strait of Juan de Fuca (Table A-12).
63
-------
Jones et al. (1980) examined 611 porpoise in 1979, taken during the
Japanese high seas salmon gillnet fishery in the western North Pacific
Ocean and Bering Sea, and from a sample of 247 males gave a mean size of
males collected as 187 cm, ranging in size from 91 to 218 cm. The heaviest
male weighed 178 kg; the mean size among 385 females collected was 170 cm,
with a range of from 130 to 218 cm. The heaviest female weighed 172 kg.
Sexually mature females ranged in size from 160 to 218 cm.
The Dall's porpoise is one of the easier of the small cetaceans to
recognize with its black upper body and white flanks and belly. Its dorsal
fin is usually black with a white tip, and the tail flukes are usually edged
with white. The distinctive splash that this porpoise makes when swimming
at speed is unlike that of any other cetacean in the area, and when feeding,
the prominant keel just forward of the tail is easily recognized.
The Dall's porpoise feeds primarily on small schooling fishes and
squids in the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones of the ocean and may descend
to the bottom (200 m or less) on occasion to feed on the smaller demersal
fishes and octopods ( Stroud et al. in press). Stroud et al. (in press)
identified eulachon, rockfish (Sebastes spp.), sablefish, flatfish (Pleuro-
nectidae), American shad (Alosa sapidissima), capelin, and the squids,
(Loligo opalescens, Gonatidae, Gonatus sp., and Onychoteuthis borealij apon-
icus) from the stomachs of three porpoise (one of which was collected off
Neah Bay in the Strait of Juan de Fuca) taken in Washington waters. Pike
and McAskie (1969) and Cowan (1944) found herring in the stomachs of five
porpoise taken in British Columbia waters. Many of these same species are
present in the study area (Simenstad et al. 1979).
Dall's porpoise are year-round residents in the study area and although
they may number less than killer whales, they are tertiary carnivores; but
measured by mass alone, they do not impact the ecosystem to the degree that
the killer whale does. This species is subject to incidental take in the
commercial salmon gillnet fishery; two were reported taken in 1978 (Everitt
et al. 1979). It is most abundant in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and spends
much of its time in the vessel traffic lanes.
White Whale (Belukha), DeIphinapterus leucas leucas The white whale
inhabits the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas. In the eastern North Pacific
Ocean this species has been reported south to Yakutat Bay in the Gulf of
Alaska (Calkins and Pitcher 1977). Scheffer and Slipp (1948) report the
sighting of a grayish white whale without a dorsal fin in April 1940 off
point Defiance, Tacoma, and believe that the animal was indeed a white whale
far from its normal range. The chance of this species being reported again
from Washington waters is slight and we do not list it in Table 1. For a
complete description of this species we refer the reader to NMFS (1978).
Pygmy Sperm Whale (Kogia breviceps)
The pygmy sperm whale is found primarily in tropical and subtropical
seas, although stragglers have occurred in the eastern North Pacific Ocean
north to Washington. It is reportedly rare throughout its range (NMFS 1978),
64
-------
In Washington waters it is considered an offshore species. The first
and only coastal record was that reported by Scheffer and Slipp (1948) of
an animal that washed ashore south of Grayland, Washington in May 1942. The
only record from protected waters of Washington is that of an animal that
stranded near Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, in October 1977 (Everitt et al.
1979). The stomach contents from this animal consisted of squids known to
inhabit offshore waters, so there is little likelihood that this animal fed
in the study area. We consider the occurrence of this species in the study
area as accidental and as having no effect on the area ecosystem.
North Pacific Giant Bottlenose Whale (Berardius bairdii)
The North Pacific giant bottlenose whale is found only in the North
Pacific Ocean and in the eastern North Pacific Ocean ranges from the Bering
Sea south to southern California. It is an offshore species which was taken
by whalers in April, May, July, and September off the Washington coast and
from May through September off the British Columbia coast (Scheffer and
Slipp 1948, Pike and MacAskie 1969). Wahl (1977) sighted six of these ani-
mals on 3 October 1976 WNW of Grays Harbor, Washington seaward of the
continental shelf. There are two stranding records from Washington's outer
coast; the first reported was between Queets and Kalaloch in the spring of
1939 (Scheffer and Slipp 1948), the second washed ashore one mile south of
Ocean City in July 1950 (Slipp and Wilke 1953). The only record from the
protected waters of Washington is that of a female 9.25 m in length which
stranded in the study area near Port Townsend 6 December 1962 (Everitt et
al. 1979). This species is described as uncommon but not rare throughout
its range (NMFS 1978); however, there are no sighting records from the
study area and its occurrence here can be considered as accidental with no
impact on the area's ecosystem.
Goosebeak Whale (Ziphius cavirostris)
The goosebeak whale ranges the temperate and tropical seas (Rice 1977).
Strandings of this species are not uncommon in the eastern north Pacific
from the Aleutian Islands south to Baja California, Mexico (Mitchell 1968).
One stranding of this species has been reported from the Washington coast,
just south of LaPush, in February 1972 (Balcomb 1973). There are two records
from the study area, one a badly decomposed adult male which washed ashore
in January 1954 near the Jordan River on the south coast of Vancouver Island,
British Columbia (Pike and McAskie 1969) and one of a skull found above the
beach near Victoria, British Columbia (Cowan and Guiguet 1952). It is
possible that both of the above mentioned specimens could have drifted in
dead from offshore waters. There are no sighting records of this species
from the study area and its occurrence here would be considered accidental.
Beaked Whales (Mesoplodon spp.)
There are no verified records of the Bering Sea beaked whale (Mesoplo-
don stejnegeri) or the archbeak whale (Mesoplodon carlhubbsi) from the study
area and we list these species here, but not in Table 1.
65
-------
Scheffer and Slipp (1948) list two strandings of Mesoplodon from the
Washington coast, one stranded at Waatch River, Mukkaw Bay, in February
1942 and one which stranded near Oyhut and partially recovered on 2 November
1944. Moore (1966) examined most North American specimens and in his
review of the genus identified the Waatch River specimen as M. stejnegeri
and the Oyhut specimen as M. carlhubbsi. In May 1979, a Mesoplodon (later
identified as stejnegeri) was recovered from a beach at Leadbetter Point,
Washington (Scientific Event Alert Network 1979). This specimen, a male
4.3 m in length, was acquired by the University of Puget Sound Natural
History Museum. Pike and MacAskie (1969) list four records for British
Columbia, only one of which (a worn skull) was found on the east coast of
Vancouver Island. They list both species from British Columbia.
Michael Bigg (Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Marine Service,
Environment Canada, Nanaimo, B.C., pers. commun.) was called to investigate
a small whale in Nanaimo Harbor on 5 August 1979. He observed the animal
for several hours and pbtained photographs. The animal, which later made
its way out of the harbor, was tentatively identified as a Mesoplodon spp.
by Bigg. It is probable that whales of this genus do transit the study area
on rare occasions.
66
-------
DISCUSSION
The occurrence of marine mammal species is summarized for five geo-
graphical regions: the Strait of Juan de Fuca (West I, East II) Haro Strait
(III), Rosario Strait and the protected waters of the San Juan Islands (IV),
and the bays east of these islands (V) (Figure 2). The relative seasonal
vulnerability of these species to oil activities is discussed.
The effect of oil activities on the two marine mammal groups (cetacea
and pinnipedia) is difficult to assess given the present state of knowledge
on that subject. For the purpose of this discussion we consider these
animals vulnerable when they are in areas associated with oil activities.
For a review of the known physiological effects of oil on marine mammals
see Everitt et al. (1979).
Cetaceans
It appears from available information (sighting information is scant
for the winter months) that cetaceans (the orders Mysticeti and Odonoceti)
occur with the greatest abundance and frequency in spring and summer months
throughout the study area (Boran et al. 1979). Spring is the period when
migrants moving north may wander into Puget Sound and the numbers of regu-
larly occurring species increase, perhaps in response to increasing
productivity.
Of the 15 species of cetaceans reported in the study area, only 5
(gray whale, minke whale, killer whale, harbor porpoise, and Dall's por-
poise) can be considered common. The remaining 10 species are considered
either rare (3) or accidental (7) and are not expected to occur.in the study
area with any regularity or predictability.
Table 14 summarizes the seasonal distribution and relative abundance
of the commonly occurring cetaceans in the study area by geographical
region. Abundance for all species begins to increase in spring to maximum
numbers in summer and then declines in fall. The exception to this general
observation is the gray whale, which is most abundant in the inland waters
(though in small numbers) during its late fall and early spring migrations
south and north, respectively. Pooled data on gray whales from this study
and aerial surveys conducted on the outer Washington coast (Everitt and
Jeffries 1979) demonstrate the seasonal abundance of these migratory animals
in Washington waters (Figure 13).
The deficiencies of the present cetacean data, which rely heavily on
reports from the public (biased towards maximum recreational months) have
been discussed in other reports (Boran and Osborne 1978; Everitt et al.
1979; Boran et al. 1979). Presently, the absence of a species from any
67
-------
TABLE 14.—Occurrence of cetaceans described as common in the study area by geographical regions
during the four seasons of the year. 0 = species present, + = greatest abundance,
- = not present or known to occur.
oo
Juan de
(West)
Species I
Gray whale (Eschrichtius
robustus)
Minke whale (Balaneoptera
acutorostrata)
Killer whale (Orcinus orca)
Harbor porpoise (Phocoena
phocoena)
Dall's Porpoise (Phocoenoides
dalli)
+
0
0
0
-
-
+
+
0
0
0
0
0
-
0
+
+
0
„ Location
ruca
(East) Haro Strait
II III
0
0_
0
0
+ +
+ +
0 +
0 +
+ +
+ +
+ +
0 +
+ +
0 +
0 +
0 0
+ 0
+ +
0 0
0
Rosario Strait
IV
0
0
-
+
+
0
0
+
+
+
0
0
+
0
0
0
0
0
-
Eastern
bays
V
0
0
0
+
+
0
0
0
0
0
0
+
+
0
0
0
0
0
_
Season
Sp
F
W
Sp
Su
F
W
Sp
Su
F
W
Sp
Su
F
W
Sp
Su
F
W
-------
CD
c
CD
75 r
60
45
30
15
Nov-Dec
Feb-Mar
Jan Mar May July
Month
Sept
Nov
Figure 13. Highest monthly counts of gray whales in Puget
Sound, the San Juan Islands, the Strait of Juan de Fuca,
and Washington coastal waters, 1976-79.
69
-------
area is considered tentative until such time as increased effort informa-
tion can verify that absence. Absence from an area may simply indicate
lack of data.
An attempt to show the relative importance of each geographical region
by season can be made by subjectively assigning numerical values to the data
in Table 14. A value of 5 is assigned to regions where a species occurs in
greatest abundance, 3 is given to regions where a species is considered
present but not particularly abundant, and 1 is given to regions where a
species is not known to occur ( a 1 is used rather than a zero since absolute
absence from an area cannot conclusively be demonstrated) (Table 15).
Tallying these numbers for each species by region and by season provides a
"score" which for the purposes of this report indicates the relative impor-
tance of the season or region to cetaceans; the higher the score the greater
the importance to cetaceans.
Considering that little is known concerning behavioral responses to
disturbance, physiological effects of oil, and actual abundance of cetaceans,
a numerical ranking of these areas may seem somewhat futile, but such an
exercise does flag areas as being potentially sensitive for cetaceans. The
eastern Strait of Juan de Puca, Region II, obtained the highest rank for all
seasons, perhaps due to its central location in the study area (most species
entering and leaving the study area must pass through it) and productive
banks (e.g., Partridge, Hein, and Middle Banks), it also ranks highest in
the spring season over the other regions and seasons. All regions ranked
high for the spring and summer months, thus time of greatest vulnerability
for cetaceans is probably in late spring and summer when more species occur
in the study area. For some of the cetaceans reproductive activity (breed-
ing, calving, suckling) occurs during spring and summer in these waters.
Mustelids
The only mustelid considered in this project, the river otter, is
locally abundant in all portions of the study area throughout the year, and
a certain portion of the population in the San Juan Islands utilizes the
marine waterways to move from island to island. Seasonal migrations of
large numbers of river otters are not known to occur and there are no
estimates of their numbers in the study area. Other small mammals that
occasionally feed in the intertidal areas but are never completely marine
(e.g., mink (Mustela vison) were not considered in the study. The sea otter
(Enhydra lutris), often confused with river otters, does not occur in the
study area.
The river otter is particularly vulnerable to oil development during
all seasons in two important ways: (1) habitat loss through increased
shoreline development, and (2) contact with spilled oil which would cause
hypothermia, probably leading to death. A large scale oil spill could
effectively eliminate this species from the impacted area.
70
-------
TABLE 15.—Relative importance of geographical regions in the study area to
cetaceans. Numerical values are based on Table 16 (+ = 5; 0=3;
- = 1).
Season
Area
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
All
seasons
Strait of Juan de Fuca
West I
East II
19
23
.21
21
17
17
11
15
68
76
San Juan Islands
Haro Strait III
Rosario Strait IV
Eastern bays-protected
19
19
21
21
19
17
15
11
74
68
waters V
Total by season
19
99
19
103
15
85
13
65
66
Pinnipeds
The pinnipeds (families Otariidae and Phocidae) are represented in the
study area by five species. Two of these are rare, the fur seal occurring
in low numbers primarily during winter and spring, and the elephant seal in
spring, summer, and fall. Another two species, the California sea lion and
northern sea lion, are seasonally abundant in late fall, winter, and early
spring. One species, the Pacific harbor seal, is a year-round resident and
the only pinniped that breeds in these waters.
The northern fur seal may wander into the western Strait of Juan de
Fuca in the fall and winter months. Actual numbers are not known but are
expected to be low since this species is most abundant offshore. Occur-
rences of fur seals in Haro Strait, Rosario Strait, and Puget Sound are
rare. Fouling of the hair and fur of a northern fur seal with oil would
probably prove fatal. The limited appearance of this species in local
waters precludes any serious damage to this stock related to development
of oil activities in Washington waters.
The elephant seal occurs in insignificant numbers in the study area.
Primary periods of occurrence are spring to fall. This species can probably
be found most often in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, though records exist for
all areas. The large number of sightings from Admiralty Inlet probably
reflects the high density of small boats in that region and not the relative
abundance of elephant seals. Impact to these scattered individuals from an
71
-------
oil spill is expected to be minimal. No rookeries are located in Washing-
ton and thus no breeding habitat would be impacted.
The two species of sea lions (California sea lion and northern sea
lion) occur in the study area simultaneously with both species being most
abundant in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca. Northern sea lions begin
arriving in the study area during post-breeding season movements of animals
off their breeding rookeries in other states or British Columbia and off-
shore Washington haul sites in the fall. Both sexes of northern sea lions
can be found here although no breeding activity has been documented in
Washington. California sea lions (presumably all males) which have come
north from their California breeding rookeries, occur in Rosario Strait
and Haro Strait in limited numbers. A small hauling site is known at Dodd
Narrows near Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island British Columbia (Bigg 1973a)
and recently one was identified in Port Gardner, Washington. Northern sea
lions haul out regularly at several sites in the inside waters of Washington.
Their abundance in the study area is low though usually greater than that of
California sea lions. More animals of both species are found in the eastern
Strait than in other inside waters.
Both northern and California sea lions haul out regularly in season on
Race Rocks and to a lesser degree at Sombrio Point off southeast Vancouver
Island. After a late spring and summer absence both species first appear
at these sites by October. The maximum counts of California sea lions were
taken in December 1977 of 76 animals and in May 1979 of 108. The number
fluctuated at slightly lower levels during January through April, rapidly
declining by the end of May. No California sea lions were sighted in the
study area in June. An unusually large number (108) appeared at Port
Gardner in May 1979, perhaps in response to locally abundant food resources.
Pacific whiting (hake) otoliths appeared most frequently in scat collected
from the Port Gardner hauling site. In November 1979, nearly 300 California
sea lions were counted at Race Rocks from the NOAA research vessel John N.
Cobb. The significance of this count, which is much larger than previous
counts, is unclear but may indicate increasing early seasonal use of the
study area by this species.
Northern sea lions are most abundant from December through March.
Counts for December, January, and March 1977-1979 were about 200 animals.
Lower counts were obtained in February 1978 and 1979 primarily because
foul weather limited complete survey coverage. A rapid decline in the
number of northern sea lions was observed in May, and by June no northern
sea lions remained on the hauling sites.
The seasonal abundance of sea lions in the study area during 1977-79
is shown in Figure 14. Sea lions would be most vulnerable to oil activities
in winter, primarily in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (Region II). The
effect of an oil spill on either species is not completely known; however,
there are no breeding sites in the study area.
72
-------
400 i—
300
c
.o
to
I 200
i_
CD
&
£
100
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Month
Figure 14. Seasonal abundance of northern and California sea lions
in the study area, 1977-1979, 1977-78(—) 1978-79(—), except Nov
and Dec 1979 counts which are shown as circles *.
73
-------
The harbor seal is abundant in the study area throughout the year.
Pupping begins first at Minor Island in late June and lasts about eleven
weeks, ending in early September. Pupping peaks during the month of August.
Important breeding sites are centered in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca
(Region II) at Minor Island, Protection Island, and Dungeness Wildlife
Refuge, and account for at least 42% of the total productivity for the study
area. The San Juan Islands and Rosario Strait (Region IV) rank next in
importance as pupping areas accounting for a minimum productivity of about
30% in 1978.
The abundance of adults and immatures in the study area varies sea-
sonally; it could not be determined if these differences were the result
of deficiencies in survey methodology or represent actual movements of
animals. A preliminary tagging study on Protection Island suggested that
there may be little exchange of animals between rookeries in the summer
months. Differences in the frequency of occurrence of fish otoliths in
harbor seal scat from Protection Island suggests opportunistic feeding on
seasonally abundant prey species. Seasonal movements of large numbers of
harbor seals in response (perhaps) to changing abundances of prey species
has been suggested on the outer coast and to a lesser extent in the western
Strait of Juan de Fuca (Region I) (Everitt and Jeffries 1979). Table 16
lists the relative seasonal abundance of harbor seals (generally in descend-
ing order) as a percentage of the total number counted during aerial surveys.
The eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (Region II) contains the largest percent-
age of the population for any season. The numbers decreased there in fall
and winter corresponding to an increase in outlying areas, particularly the
western Strait of Juan de Fuca (Region I) and Haro Strait (Region III).
The high count for the study area, taken in August 1979, was over 2,000
harbor seals.
The relative abundance of pinnipeds found regularly in the study area
is shown in Table 17. It is clear that the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca
is the most significant region (in terms of numbers) during all seasons of
the year and is particularly vulnerable during the summer reproductive
period for harbor seals.
The harbor seal tends to dominate other marine mammals of the study
area, in terms of available knowledge, accessibility for study, and actual
abundance. This species warrants continued monitoring as development of
the Puget Sound area increases.
74
-------
Table 16.—Seasonal variations of the harbor seal population in the five
regions of the study area expressed as a percent of total
population.
Season
Regions
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Eastern Strait of Juan
de Fuca (II)
Haro Strait (III)
Rosario Strait (IV)
Eastern Bays (V)
Western Strait of Juan
de Fuca (I)
TOTAL
59.9
19.6
8.3
4.0
8.2
100.0
44.4
31.3
16.0
5.2
3.1
100.0
43.1
21.1
23.8
10.0
2.0
100.0
31.6
22.4
26.6
12.3
7.1
100.0
75
-------
Table 17.—Occurrence of pinnipeds described as common in the study area by geographical regions during
the four seasons of the year. 0 = species present, + = greatest abundance, - = not present or known
to occur.
Species
Location Season
Juan de Fuca Haro Strait Rosario Strait Eastern Bays
(West) I (East) II III IV V
California sea lion
(Zalophus c.
calif ornianus )
Northern sea lion
-j (Eumetopias jubatus)
Harbor seal
(Phoca vitulina
richardsi)
- - - - - Spring
- - - Summer
000 - - Fall
+ + + 0 0 Winter
- - - Spring
- - - Summer
000 - - Fall
+ + + 0 0 Winter
+ + + + + Spring
+ + + + + Summer
+ + + + + Fall
+ + + + + Winter
-------
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APPENDIX A
Records of marine mammals, sighted in northern Puget Sound, the San
Juan Islands, the eastern bays, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, 1978-79.
Sighting records and reports prior to October 1978 for some species can be
found in the individual species accounts in Everitt et al. 1979.
The numbers of harbor seals sighted during aerial surveys from December
1978 through August 1979 are given in Appendix A, Tables A-2 - A-7, and the
location of haul sites are shown in Appendix A, Figures A-l and A-2.
87
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Table A-l.—Numbers of northern sea lions, California sea lions, and sea
lions (species undetermined) at Race. Rocks, British Columbia
from December 1978 to December 1979. Counts from aerial
photographs except October to December 1979 from vessel.
Year
day/month
]978
27 December
28 December
1979
18 January
31 January
16 February
19 March
20 March
17 April
26 April
16 May
22 May
21 June
9 July
8 August
7 September
23 October
6 November
4 December
Northern
sea lion
150
94
123
133
134
207
187
212
190
66
1
0
0
0
0
10
100
152
California
sea lion
33
54
62
10
15
38
47
24
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
25
296
144
Species
undetermined
sea lion
8
2
15
4
3
3
14
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
sea lion
191
150
200
147
152
248
248
236
216
66
1
0
0
0
0
35
396
296
88
-------
Table A-2.—Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys of the islands, islets, and rocks of the San Juan
Wilderness area, December 1978 through May 1979. - = locality not surveyed, 0 = no animals present.
Map reference numbers refer to Figure A-l.
Map
reference
number
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
S 10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
Small I.
Unnamed I.
Portress I.
Skull I.
Crab I.
Boulder I*
Davidson Rock
Castle I.
Unnamed I.
Aleck Rocks
Swirl I.
Unnamed Rock
Unnamed Is.
Unnamed Is.
Hall I.
Unnamed I.
Secar Rock
Round Rock
Unnamed Is.
Unnamed Is.
(Mummy Rock
Islets & Rocks
1978
Dec 27
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1979
Dec 28 Jan 18 Jan 31
- - 0
0
0
- - 0
- - 0
0
0
- - 0
0
0
0
0
0
- - 0
0
- - 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Feb 16 Mar 19
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
^ o
Mar 20 Apr 17 Apr 26
- - 0
- - 0
0
0
0
- - 0
0
- - 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
- - 0
0
0
- - 0
- - 0
- - 0
32
- - 0
May 22 May 23
10
0
0
r 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
-------
Table A-2.—Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys of the islands, islets, and rocks of the San Juan
Wilderness area, December 1978 through May 1979. - = locality not surveyed, 0 - no animals present.
Map reference numbers refer to Figure A-l.—^continued.
Map
reference
number
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
Shark Reef
Harbor Rock
N. Pacific Rock
Halftide Rock
Unnamed Is.
Low I.
Pole I.
Barren I.
Battleship I .
Sentinel Rock
Center Reef
Gull Reef
Ripple I.
Shag Reef
L. Cactus I.
Gull Rock
Flattop I.
White Rock
Mouatt Reef
Skipjak I.
Unnamed I.
Clements Reef
Unnamed I.
Parker Reef
1978
Dec 27
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
1979
Dec 28 Jan 18 Jan 31
- - 0
- - 0
- - 0
- - 0
- - 0
- - 0
- - 0
- - 0
0
- - 16
0
0
- - 13
0
24
0
- - 0
- - 12
0
- - 1
0
0
88
- - 0
Feb 16 Mar 19
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
22
0
0
57
0
0
0
0
22
0
0
0
0
44
0
Mar 20 Apr 17 Apr 26
- - 0
0
- - 0
- - 9
0
0
0
- - 0
- - 0
- - 32
0
- - 0
- - 41
- - 0
0
- - 0
0
- - 13
- - 0
29
- - 0
- - 0
89
0
May 22 May 23
0
3
0
31
0
0
0
0
0
16
0
0
51
0
0
0
0
30
0
52
0
0
107
0
-------
Table A-2.—Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys of the islands, islets, and rocks of the San Juan
Wilderness area, December 1978 through May 1979. - = locality not surveyed, 0 = no animals present.
Map reference numbers refer to Figure A-l continued.
Map
reference
number
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
i
67.
68.
69.
The Sisters
L. Sister
Unnamed Islet
Tift Rocks
Unnamed Rock
Turn Rock
Shag Rock
Flower I.
Willow I.
Lawson Rock
Pointer I.
Black Rock
Unnamed Rocks
Brown Rocks
Unnamed Rock
S. Peapod Rock
Peapod Rocks
N. Peapod Rock
Eliza Rock
Viti Rock
Dot I.
Unnamed Rock
Unnamed I .
1978
Dec 27 Dec 28
0
0
0
14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1979
Jan 18 Jan 31 Feb 16
0
0
- 0 -
15
0
0
- 0 -
0
0
0
0
- 0 -
0
0
0 .
0
15
- 0 -
0
0
0
0
0
Mar 19
0
0
0
25
0
0
0
0-
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
50
20
0
0
0
0
0
Mar 20 Apr 17 Apr 26
- - 0
0
- - 0
8
0
0
0
0
- - 0
0
- - 0
0
0
0
0
0
11
0
0
0
- - 0
0
0
May 22 May 23
0
0
0
18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
-------
(O
Table A-2.—Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys of the islands, islets, and rocks of the San Juan
Wilderness area, December 1978 through May 1979. - = locality not surveyed, 0 - no animals present.
Map reference numbers refer to Figure A-l.—continued.
Map
reference
number
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
Low I.
Nob I.
Unnamed I.
Unnamed I.
Unnamed Racks
Smith I.
Minor I.
Matia I.
Puffin I.
Turn I.
Bird Rocks
Williamson Rocks
Colville I.
Buck I.
Bare I.
1978
Dec 27
0
0
0
0
0
0
24
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1979
Dec 28 Jan 18 Jan 31
0
0
0
0
0
000
47 83 109
15
0
0
3
0
0
0
- - 68
Feb 16 Mar 19
0
0
0
0
28
0
187
29
0
0
8
-
0
5
22
Mar 20 Apr 17 Apr 26
0
0
0
0
25
00-
93 216
0
2
0
24 11
0
0
13
12
May 22 May 23
0
0
0
0
40
0
40
37
92
0
42
0
0
37
33
-------
Table A-3.—Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys of the islands,
islets, and rocks of the San Juan Wilderness area, June through
August 1979. - = locality not surveyed, 0 = no animals present.
Map reference numbers refer to Figure A-l.
Map
reference
number
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Small I.
Unnamed I.
Fortress I.
Skull I.
Crab I.
Boulder Is.
Davidson Rock
Castle I.
Unnamed I.
Aleck Rocks
Swirl I.
Unnamed Rock
Unnamed Is.
Unnamed Is.
Hall I.
Unnamed I.
Secar Rock
Round Rock
Unnamed Is.
Unnamed Is.
Mummy Rock
Islets & Rocks
Shark Reef
Harbor Rock
N. Pacific Rock
Halftide Rock
Unnamed Is.
Low I.
Pole I.
Barren I.
1979
Jun 21
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
0
0
0
0
Jun 22 Jul 9
-
0
0
-
-
-
-
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
2 18
0
0
0
0
Aug 6 Aug 7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18(1)-
0
0
0
0
24(8)
0
0
0
0
Aug 8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
25
0
-
-
-
0
0
-
-
93
-------
Table A-3.—Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys of the islands,
islets, and rocks of the San Juan Wilderness area, June through
August 1979. - = locality not surveyed, 0 - no animals present.
Map reference numbers refer to Figure A-l.—continued.
Map
reference
number
31. Battleship I.
32. Sentinel Rock
33. Center Reef
34. Gull Reef
35. Ripple I.
36. Shag Reef
37. L. Cactus I.
38. Gull Rock
39. Flattop I.
40. White Rocks
41. Mouatt Reef
42. Skipjak I.
43. Unnamed I.
44. Clements Reef
45. Unnamed I.
46. Parker Reef
47. The Sisters
48. L. Sister
49. Unnamed Islet
50. Tift Rocks
51. Unnamed Rock
52 . Turn Rock
53. Shag Rock
54. Flower I.
55. Willow I.
56. Lawson Rock
57. Pointer I.
58. Black Rock
59. Unnamed Rocks
60. Brown Rocks
61 . Unnamed Rock
62. s. Peapod Rock
1979
Jun 21 Jun 22
0
44
0
0
14
0
0
0
0
44
0
6
0
0
124
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 20
Jul 9
0
50
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
20
0
47(3)
0
0
96
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Aug 6 Aug 7
0
67(6)^
0
0
8(2)
0
10(2)
0
0
21(6)
0
45(1)
0
0
57
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 32
Aug 8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
—
—
-
-
-
-
-
-
0
-
-
~
_
.^
94
-------
Table A-3.—Numbers of harbpr seals sighted on aerial surveys of the islands,
islets, and rocks of the San Juan Wilderness area, June through
August 1979. - = locality not surveyed, 0 = no animals present.
Map reference numbers refer to Figure A-l.—continued.
Map
reference
number
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
Peapod Rocks
N. Peapod Rock
Elize Rock
Viti Rock
Dot I.
Unnamed
Unnamed I.
Low I.
Nob I.
Unnamed I.
Unnamed I.
Unnamed Rocks
Smith I.
Minor I.
Matia I.
Puffin I.
Turn I.
Bird Rocks
Williamson Rocks
Colville I.
Buck I.
Bare I.
1979
Jun 21
10
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
45
0
118(4)
0
94
0
58
0
0
15
100
Jun 22
28
10
-
0
0
-
0
0
0
0
0
43
0
87(6)
-
-
-
-
-
-
28
-
Jul 9
15
2
0
0
0
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
93(13)
20(1)
103
0
64(2)
0
0
26
47(4)
Aug 6 Aug 7
10 (4J^ 35
0 4(4)
0
0
0
8(1)
0
0
0
0
0
19(3)
0 0
194(12) 122(18)
0
101(13)
0
49(6)
5(1)
0
19(2)
38(3)
Aug 8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
61(7)
-
-
-
—
I/ Numbers in ( ) = pups. They are not included in location total.
95
-------
Table A-4.—Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys from northern Puget Sound to Bellingham Bay and the
the San Juan Islands (excluding San Juan Wilderness sites), December 1978 through May 1979. - = locality
not surveyed, 0 = no animals present. Map reference letters refer to Figure A-2.
Map
reference
letter
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
0.
P.
O.
R.
S.
T.
U.
V.
w.
X.
Y.
Z.
Bellingham Bay
Wildcat Cove
Samish Bay
Padilla Bay
Hat I.
Fidalgo Bay
Sinclair I. (SE)
Boulder Reef
Point Migley
Clark I.
Barnes I.
Echo Bay
Sentinel I.
Satellite I.
Twin Rocks
Bald Bluff
Blind I.
Bell I.
Leo Ree^
Pear Point
De adman I.
Whale Rocks
Protection I.
Marrowstone I.
Colvus Rocks
Port Gamble
1978
Dec 27 Dec 28
-
-
_
-
-
1''
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
21 102
0
1
3
1979
Jan 18 Jan 31
0
_
0
0
0
0
«. o
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
151 157
0
17
9
Feb 16 Mar 19 Mar 20 Apr 17
0
0
0
51 - 26
0
- 0 - 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
27
0
0
0
- 0 - -
10
0 - -
0
181 153 115 147
0 5 - -
08-0
0-30
Apr 26
0
0
46
25
0
-
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
32
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
89
-
-
-
May 33 May 23
0
0
0
21
0
1
3
30
22
0
43
2
0
0
36
0
0
0
24
4
0
0
73
11
8
3
-------
Table A-5.—Numbers of-harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys from northern
Puget Sound to Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands (excluding San Juan
Wilderness sites), June through August 1979. - = locality not surveyed,
0 = no animals present. Map reference letters refer to Figure A-2.
Map
reference
letter
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
T.
U.
V.
W.
X.
Y.
Z.
Bellingham Bay
Wildcat Cove
Samish Bay
Padilla Bay
Hat I.
Fidalgo Bay
Sinclair I. (SE)
Boulder Reef
Point Migley
Clark I.
Barnes I .
Echo Bay
Sentinel I.
Satellite I.
Twin Rocks
Bald Bluff
Blind I.
Bell I.
Leo Reef
Pear Point
Deadman I.
Whale Rocks
Protection I.
Marrowstone I .
Colvus Rocks
Port Gamble
Jun 21
0
0
48
95
0
7
1
0
0
0
52
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
178
-
16
0
1979
Jun 22 Jul 9 Aug 6 Aug 7 Aug 8
0 - -
0 - -
59 (12)-/
76(17)
2 - 4(1)
- - 3 - -
4(2)
54 - 31(3)
_ _
- 0 0 - -
0 25 - -
48(2) 65(13)
- - 0 - -
- - 0 - -
34 - 27(4)
0-0 - -
0-0 - -
0-0 - -
33 - 8(2)
21(5)
0 - -
- - 0 - -
131 126 106(10) 65(4) 133(9)
0 - - 14 -
- - 8 9 -
- - 3
_!/ Numbers in ( ) = pups. They are not included in location total.
97
-------
Table A-6.—Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys from the Strait of Juan de Fuca, December 1978 through
May 1979. - = locality not surveyed, 0 = no animals present. Map reference numbers refer to Figure A-2.
10
oo
MaJ 1978
reference
number Dec 27
Dec 28
1979
Jan 18
Jan 31 Feb 16
Mar 19 Mar 20
Apr 17
Apr 26 May 22
May 23
Olympic Peninsula
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Kiapot Point 0
Hulakala Point 0
Dungeness Refuge 0
Green Point 0
Low Point
Deep Creek
Pillar Point
Seal Rock
Tatoosh I.
0
0
64
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
0 0
0 0
0 5
0 0
18
3
_
_
_
0 0
0 26
70 52
0 0
3
13
0
— ^
0
0
0
21
0
6
0
0
7
0
-
42
35 65
-
5
0
0
0
0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Vancouver Island
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Chain I. 57
Trail I. 0
Race Rocks 0
Becher Bay
Possession Point
Sherringham Point
Jordan R-
Providence Cove
-
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
85
27
27
0
0
0
0
0
14
17
59 12
20
_
_
-
_ _
59 70
2 11
78 134
49
0
0
0
17
52
0
125
15
0
0
0
0
119
0
60 90
18
0
0
0
0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
_
-------
Table A-7.—Numbers of harbor seals sighted on aerial surveys from the Strait
of Juan de Fuca, June through August 1979. - = locality not surveyed,
0 = no animals present. Map reference numbers refer to Figure A-2.
Map
re f erence
number Jun 21
Jun 22
1979
Jul 9 Aug 6 Aug 7 Aug 8
Olympic Peninsula
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Kiapot Point 0
Kulakala Point 0
Dungeness Refuge 24
Green Point 0
Low Point
Deep Creek
Pillar Point
Seal Rock
Tatoosh I. -
-
^
-
0
10
0
2
0
00 00
50 28 5(4)
0 50(14)-/ 60(27) 36(8)
00 00
40(6)
23(2)
- - 0
- - 2
- - 0
Vancouver Island
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Chain I. 0
Trail I. 0
Race Rocks 80
Becher Bay
Possession Point -
Sherringham Point
Jordan R. -
Providence Cove -
153
38
-
25
0
0
0
8
176(18)
54(5) 48(6)
118 167(28)
49(6) 0
- - 0
- 0
- - 0
50(2)
I/ Numbers in ( ) = pups. They are not included in location total.
99
-------
TABLE A-8.—Sighting reports of northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in Puget Sound
o
o
the San
Date
January
1/24/79
April
4/21/63
4/ -/72
4/ 8/73
4/11/75
4/22/75
4/28/75
4/27/76
4/27/76
4/10/77
4/19/78
4/19/79
4/19/79
May
Spring
1970
5/27/70
Juan Islands and the
Time No .
1
1630 1
1
1
1
1
1
1530 1
1743 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.
Location
Murden Cove
Bainbridge I.
1/2 m W of Edmonds
New Dungeness Light
Becher Bay, Vancouver I.
Victoria, B.C.
Point Wilson
Point Wilson
Admiralty Inlet
off Yeoiralt Point
Bainbridge I .
Discovery Bay
Dallas Bank
between Partridge Bank
and Pt. Wilson
N. Foulweather Bluff
Cape Flattery
Edmonds - Possession Point
Comments
dead
(SJJ-2054)
First state record; adult male
#994 (Ano Nuevo)
Male stranded alive , recovered
by Sealand of the Pacific, Ltd
escaped 5/13/73
#2006 (Ano Nuevo)
Subadult male
Subadult male
Present for 3-4 days ;
7' molting female;
#3433 (Ano Nuevo)
Dead, date unknown
#897 (Ano Nuevo)
Source—
S. Jef fries (files)
Scheffer and Kenyon
(1963)
(files)
J.G. Colby (files)
• f
M. Bigg (files)
S. Guill (files)
S. Guill (files)
H.L.
H.L.
A. Barrie (files)
J. Sweat (files)
S. Wilson (files)
S. Wilson (fi: s)
(files)
Seattle PI(2' ay
1970)
-------
TABLE A-8.—Sighting reports of northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in Puget Sound,
the San
Date
May
5/24/72
5/ 7/76
5/15/76
5/30/77
5/ 5/78
5/ 7/78
5/13/79
5/13/79
5/16/79
5/16/79
5/16/79
5/29/79
July
7/72
August
8/27/75
8/26/77
Juan Islands and the
Time No.
1
1420 1
2015 1
1200 1
1150 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1-2
1530 1
1
Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month
Location
Sequim Bay
N. of Slip Point
Speiden Channel
Blake ly Rock, off
Bainbridge I.
2 mi. N. of Foulweather
Bluff, Whidby I.
Violet Point,
Protection I.
Waadah I.
N. Picnic Point
Neah Bay
Pt. Townsend
Active Pass
1/2 mi. W. Point Roberts
N . Edmonds
Turn Point, Stuart I.
1/4 mi. W. of Smith I.
- - continued.
Comments
#1207 or #1067 (Ano Nuevo)
Subadult male
Subadult male
12-15' length, sex?
Hauled out on spit near
harbor seals
dead
eating dogfish
Adult' male
Observed w/fish in mouth
Source!/
(files)
H.L.
H.L.
A. Barrie
R. Murphy
(files)
(POP)
M. Pitherick (POP)
P . Gearin
POP
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
G. Kelsey
Game
(files)
(files)
J.E. Mandaville( files)
C. Linden
(files)
-------
TABLE A-8.—Sighting reports of northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands
Date Time
September
9/2/60" 1730
9/10/79
° October
10/8/75 1935
10/26/78
10/25/79
10/26/79
December
12/78
and the
No.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
strait of Juan de Fuca, by month. — continued.
Location Comments
1.5 mi. NW of Edmonds Adult male; second Washington
record
North of Golden Gardens
N. of Kingston Point Adult male
E. of Pilot Point Adult male
off Koitlah Point
Admiralty Inlet Adult male
N. Meadow Point
Source—
Craddock (1969)
B. Patten (files)
E. Osterhaug (files)
E. Long (POP)
R. Everitt (files)
R. Everitt (files)
S. Wilson (files)
I/ From the files of the National Marine Mammal Laboratory (files), from the Platforms1of
Opportunity Program (POP), from Orca survey - Hotline (H.L.), from Washington Department of Game (Game).
-------
TABLE A-9.—Sighting reports of gray whales .(Eschrichtius robustus) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.
Date
January
1/7/77
1/2/78
1/20/78
1/20/78
1/24/78
1/6/79
1/12/79
1/26/79
February
2/2/78
March
3/30/76
3/1/78
3/2/78
3/3/78
3/4/78
3/5/78
3/9/78
3/10/78
3/25/78
3/8/79
3/9/79
3/9/79
3/10/79
3/10/79
Time
-
1340
PM
PM
1600
_
1610
-
-
-
1040
-
-
-
-
1530
1230
0900
1200
1300
1630
0930
1200
No.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Location Comments
Green Point
Elliott fi-ay, pier 69
Rich Passage, Bainbridge I.
Sinclair Inlet
Tacoma Narrows
off Alki Point heading south
Port Angeles
north of Ketron I.
,
Port Gamble
Clam Bay, Rich Passage tentative I.D.
Port Gamble
Port Gamble
Port Gamble
Port Gamble
Port Gamble
Wing Pt . , Bainbridge I .
Point Defiance
off Edmonds
Liberty Bay
Bainbridge I .
Bolin Point
Agate Pass
Bangor
Source—
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
Game
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
POP
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
-------
TABLE A-9.—Sighting reports of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.—continued.
Date
April
4/24/77
4/26/77
4/30/77
4/2/78
4/9/78
4/9/78
4/9/78
4/14/78
4/6/78
May
i_j -. , . r i
o 5/14/77
*" 5/15/77
5/23/78
5/24/78
5/24/78
5/24/78
5/26/78
5/ /78
5/6/79
5/9/79
5/29/79
June
6/15/77
6/1/78
6/1/78
6/24/78
6/24/78
6/24/78
6/28/78
6/22/79
Time
PM
-
-
-
0630
1230
-
-
-
-
2145
0600
1400
1530
0800
-
-
1500
1730
-
-
1800
0830
0835
0900
0930
1400
No.
2
2
1-2
1
1
5
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
Herd
15
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Location
Budd Inlet
Eld Inlet
Budd Inlet
Green Point
Hammersley Inlet
5 mi. n. Clallam Bay
Colvus Passage, Vashon I.
Port Angeles
Point Wilson
Hammersley Inlet
Hammersley Inlet
Elliott Bay
Green Point
Bush Point
Alki
Commencement Bay
Dungeness Spit
Hood Canal
Port Town send
Neah Bay
Hammersley Inlet
Point No Point
Possession Point
Chuck anut Bay
Chuckanut Bay
Chuckanut Bay
Viti Rock, Lummi I.
San Simeon point, B.C.
Comments Source—
H.L.
Tentative I.D. H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
J.Brueggeman (files)
files
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
heading east Game
H.L.
H.L.
tangled in gillnet T. Gornall (files)
and released
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
tentative I.D. H.L.
(files)
-------
TABLE A-9.—Sighting reports of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.--"continued.
o
Ul
Date
July
7/11/76
7/1/78
7/2/78
7/8/78
7/22/79
7/29/79
August
8/14/76
8/24/76
8/29/76
8/29/76
8/31/76
8/29/78
8/3/78
8/5/78
September
9/2/76
9/3/76
9/3/76
9/3/76
9/5/76
9/6/76
9/12/76
9/9/77
9/9/77
9/10/77
9/14/78
9/8/79
9/10/79
Time
1200
1010
1240
-
0830
1500
2100
1600
1100
1400
1200
1413
AM
—
1045
1000
1130
1315
AM
0609
0730
-
-
-
-
-
-
No.
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
Location
Partridge Point, Whidbey I.
Sinclair Inlet
Point No Point
Hale Passage Lummi I .
£. of Tatoosh J.
Green Point
Bush Point
Victoria, B.C.
Elliott Bay
Robinson Point
Carr Inlet
Seal Rock E. of Neah Bay
Three Tree Point
Off Tacoma
Dalco Passage
Dana Passage
Budd Inlet
Hunter Point
Olele Point, Oak Bay
S. Fox I.
Three Tree Point
Rich Passage
Sinclair Inlet
Sinclair Inlet
Neah Bay
Neah Bay
Elliot Bay
Comments Source—'
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
G. Harrv (files)
H.L.
tentative I.D. H.L.
tentative I.D. H.L.
tentative I.D. H.L.
tentative I.D. H.L.
tentative I.D. H.L.
resting at surface (files)
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
dead (files)
H.L.
H.L.
-------
TABLE A-9.—Sighting reports of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Puca, by month.—continued.
Date'
October
10/12/76
10/13/78
10/14/78
10/12/79
10/13/79
• 10/15/79
10/20/79
10/21/79
November
11/8/77
December
12/4/76
12/16/78
Time
1535
-
1400
1130
0930
1030
1100
1700
-
-
1015
No.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Location Comments
Poverty Bay
Dungeness Spit
Friday Harbor
Vashon Island
Port Washington Narrows
Silverdale
Bremerton
Port Washington Narrows
Ediz Hook
Gooseberry Point, Lummi Point
Elliot Bay
Source—
H.L.
(files)
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
I/ From the files of the National Marine Mammal Laboratory (files, from the Platforms of
Opportunity Program (POP), from Orca Survey - Hotline (H.L.), from Washington Department of
Game (Game).
-------
TABLE A-10.—Sighting reports of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the
Date
January
1/27/78
March
3/29/78
3/11/76
3/8/79
April
4/22/76
4/29/76
4/10/78
o 4/14/78
4/15/78
4/22/78
4/30/78
4/30/78
4/12/78
4/25/79
May
5/1/76
5/7/78
5/31/78
5/31/78
June
6/2/76
6/2/76
6/14/76
6/17/78
Time
1035
0748
-
1345
1427
1830
1400
1600
1400
1730
0930
1300
1345
1610
1400
1300
2000
1505
1520
1115
1200
No.
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1-2
1-2
1
1
1
2
Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.
Location Con
Gig Harbor
Andrews Bay
Nisqually R. dea
Cattle Point
Hein Bank
Salmon Bank
Tacoma Narrows
Shaw I . , San Juan Channel
N. Camano I.
Sandy Point, Waldron I.
Cattle Pass
Cattle Pass
Partridge Bank
S. of Sucia I.
Cattle Pass
Boundary Pass
Possession Point
Sachet Head, Whidbey I.
Partridge Bank
Partridge Bank
Hein Bank
Hein Bank
I/
Source—
H.L.
H.L.
S. Jeffries (files)
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
(files)
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
-------
TABLE A-10.—Sighting reports of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorflstrata) on Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.—continued.
Date
July
7/6/65
7/7/63
7/7/65
7/8/65
7/8/65
7/9/65
7/9/65
7/9/65
7/9/65
7/10/65
7/11/65
7/12/65
7/14/65
o 7/2/76
00 7/2/76
7/25/76
7/28/76
7/29/76
7/30/76
7/4/78
7/15/78
7/15/78
7/17/78
7/19/78
7/19/78
7/19/78
7/19/78
7/19/78
7/8/78
7/17/78
7/21/78
7/22/78
7/23/78
7/25/78
7/29/78
Time
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1005
1507
1500
1105
0925
0600
1430
1400
1630
-
0912
0955
1130
AM
PM
0930
1500
1610
1828
1350
0900
1230
No.
1
2
3
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
3
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1-2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
Location Comments
W. San Juan I.
San Juan Channel
San Juan Channel, Shaw I.
San Juan Channel
San Juan Channel
San Juan Channel, Turn I.
N.. San Juan Channel
Speiden Channel
Griffin Bay to Cattle Point
San Juan Channel
Partridge Point
San Juan Channel
San Juan Channel
S.W. Smith I.
Haro Strait
S. Haro Strait tentative I.D.
Cattle Point
Speiden Channel tentative I.D.
off Friday Harbor tentative I.D.
Ebbey Landing
Skipjack I.
E. Smith I.
Limestone Point, SJI
Partridge Bank
Speiden Channel
Possession Point
Speiden I .
Partridge Bank
Andrews Bay
Speiden I.
Middle Bank
Salmon Bank
Hein Bank
Pile Point
Salmon Bank
Source-
discus & Kajimura(1965)
Fiscus & Kajimura(1965)
Fiscus & Kajimura(1965)
Fiscus & Kajimura(1965)
Fiscus & Kajimura(1965)
Fiscus & Kajimura(1965)
Fiscus & Kajimura(1965)
Fiscus & Kajimura(1965)
Fiscus & Kajimura(1965)
Fiscus & Kajimura(1965)
Fiscus & Ka j imura ( 1965)
Fiscus & Kaj imura (196 5)
Fiscus & Kaj imura (1965)
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
This study
This study
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
-------
TABLE A-10.—Sighting reports of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month. —continued.
o
10
Date
August
8/5/76
8/9/76
8/10/76
8/14/76
8/14/76
8/17/76
8/24/76
8/24/76
8/29/76
8/3/77
8/5/78
8/8/78
8/9/7 Q.
8/12/78
8/29/79
8/23/79
September
9/2/76
9/5/76
9/5/76
9/6/76
9/6/76
9/9/76
9/10/76
9/10/76
9/10/76
9/10/76
9/11/76
9/13/76
9/14/76
9/16/76
9/17/76
Time
1835
2100
1120
1600
1820
1040
1730
2030
1200
1359
1400
0930
0810
1430
1615
PM
1547
1840
1900
0700
1430
1217
0655
0912
1100
1130
1411
1345
1600
1330
1700
No.
1
1
1
T
J_
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
Location
Speiden Channel
W. Jones I.
Salmon Bank
E. Sucia I.
W. Matia I.
W. Smith I.
W. Shaw I.
N. Barnes I.
Speiden Channel
Partridge Bank
Whale Rocks
Andrews Bay
Sidney I.
Blakely I.
Hein Bank
West Strait
President's Channel
Speiden Channel
Kellet Bluff
Hansville
Waldron I.
N. James I.
off Bremerton
Middle Point, Rich Passage
James I.
E. Middle Point
Battleship Rock
E. Deception Pass
Speiden Channel
Speiden Channel
W. Speiden I.
Comments
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
Source—
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
(files)
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
W. Pearson (files)
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
-------
TABLE A-10.—Sighting reports of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month. —continued.
Date
September
9/17/76
9/20/76
9/20/76
9/21/76
9/24/76
9/25/76
9/27/76
9/29/76
9/30/76
9/10/77
9/10/77
9/1/78
9/2/78
£ 9/4/78
0 9/4/78
9/5/78
9/11/78
9/12/78
9/17/78
9/17/78
9/18/78
9/18/78
9/22/78
9/27/78
October
10/2/76
10/4/76
10/5/76
10/8/76
10/16/76
10/20/76
Time
(cont.)
1950
1300
1540
1745
1300
1648
1300
1500
1250
1340
1354
1328
1210
1545
1735
1819
1145
1900
1300
1920
1500
1600
1147
1800
1345
1825
0900
1845
1715
1310
No.
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2-3
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Location
N. Speiden I.
N. Speiden I.
Hansville
Limestone Point , S JI
W. Smith I.
N. Henry I.
Speiden Channel
S. Waldron I.
N. Speiden I.
Griffin Bay
off Lime Kiln Point
Deadman's Cove
Hein Bank
Hein Bank
Hein Bank
Deadman's Cove
Ripple I.
Griffin Bay
Point No Point
Lawrence Point
Edmonds
Cattle Pass
Andrews Pav
Turn Point
Point No Point
N.E. Speiden I.
Hansville
Point No Point
Point No Point
S.W. Jones I.
Comments
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
Source—
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
(files)
(files)
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
tentative I.D.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
-------
TABLE A-10.—Sighting reports of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.—continued.
H
H
H
Date
Time
No.
Location
Comments Source—
October ( cont . )
10/1/78
10/1/78
10/6/78
10/6/78
10/8/78
10/9/78
10/19/78
10/19/78
10/21/78
10/25/78
10/23/79
10/23/79
10/23/79
December
12/20/76
12/7/78
12/9/78
12/9/78
12/26/78
0700
1630
1345
1045
0940
-
-
1640
1651
1630
0746
0820
0825
1425
1200
1500
1500
1600
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Eagle Point
Speiden Channel
Speiden I.
Andrews Bay
Andrews Bay
Turn I.
Jones I.
Turn I.
Cactus I.
Upright Channel
Yellow I.
North of Sentinel I.
Northwest of Speiden I.
W. Hat I.
Turn I.
Mud Bay
Pear Point
Iceberg Point
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
This study
This study
This study
tentative I.D. H.L.
H.L.
H.L
H.L.
H.L.
I/ From the files of the National Marine Mammal Laboratory (files)
from Orca survey - Hotline (H.L.)
or
-------
TABLE A-ll.—Sighting reports of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.
Date
January
1/26/78
•1/10/80
February
2/26/78
2/18/78
2/4/79
March
3/10/78
3/16/78
3/16/78
April
4/3/76
4/25/76
4/28/76
4/2/77
4/3/78
4/23/78
4/29/78
4/30/78
May
5/1/76
5/5/76
5/6/76
5/7/76
5/15/76
5/23/76
5/7/78
5/8/78
5/19/78
5/29/78
5/29/78
5/23/79
Time
1052
1212
1500
-
—
-
-
—
1015
1207
1809
-
1830
1810
1630
1000
1635
1411
1608
1053
1926
1320
1030
-
1240
1300
1530
—
No.
8
3
10
2
2
4
1
2
7
20
1
2
1
3-5
7-15
4-5
1
1
4
2
4
5
1
8
1
3
2
?
Location Comments
S.W. Matia I. feeding, tide rips
Lat 48° 17. 8 'N, Long 10 miles NW of
123°17.7'W Dungeness Lt.
Bellevue Point , SJI
Green Point
Deception Pass
S. Shaw Is.
Pillar Point
Freshwater Bay
Peapod Rocks
Sandy Point, Waldron I.
Dungeness Spit
Gooch I. , B.C.
Andrews Bay, S.J.I.
Sandy Point, Waldron I.
Limekiln Point, San Juan I.
Limekiln Point, San Juan I.
San Juan Channel
Sister Rks. , Clark I.
Peapod Rks
Off Port Angeles
McCracken Point
Boiling Reef
Cattle Pass
Burrows I..
Bird Rocks, Rosario St.
Middle Bank
Iceberg Point
W. Barnes I.
Source—
This study
This study
H.L.
Mesa
Game
Mesa
Mesa
Mesa
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
Mesa
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
Game
-------
TABLE A-ll.—Sighting reports of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.—continued.
Date
June
6/7/76
6/7/76
6/7/76
6/18/76
6/22/76
6/27/76
6/27/76
6/2/78
6/4/78
6/4/78
6/11/78
6/30/78
6/3/79
6/9/79
July
7/3/65
7/6/65
7/6/65
7/6/65
7/6/65
7/7/65
7/8/65
7/8/65
7/9/65
7/9/65
7/9/65
7/9/65
7/9/65
7/10/65
7/10/65
7/10/65
7/10/65
7/11/65
7/11/65
7/12/65
7/13/65
Time
1440
1607
1645
1710
1231
1706
1725
1500
0930
-
1650
2000
1300
0930
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
No.
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
4
1
2
5
3-5
3
1
4
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
4
8
1
2
Location
Presidents Channel
Peapod Rocks
Rosario Boint
Battleship Rock
Speiden Channel
Patos I.
Boiling Reef, Saturaa I.
Rosario St.
Andrews Bay* SJI
Burrows I-
Andrews Bay/ SJI
Andrews Bay, SJI
West Bank
Turn I-
Waldron I.
Point Francis
Bellingham Channel
Bird Rocks
Boulder I.
San Juan Channel
Speiden Channel
N.E. Speiden I.
San Juan Channel
E. Speiden I.
W. Speiden I.
Pile Point, SJI
Griffin Bay
Rosario Strait
Cypress I.
Bellingham Channel
Eliza I .
Clark Point, Guemes I.
Rosario Strait
Point Hammond, Waldron I.
Boundary Bay
Comments Source—
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
Mesa
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
Fiscus & Kajimura (1965)
ii
M
H
ii
M
ii
ii
ii
ii
"
ii
H
H
ii
H
ii
ii
ii
ii
ii
-------
TABLE A-11.—Sighting reports of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.—continued.
Date
July
7/14/76
7/14/76
' 7/1/78
7/16/78
7/21/78
7/21/78
7/22/78
7/22/78
7/23/78
7/27/78
7/27/78
7/29/78
August
8/1/76
8/31/76
8/6/77
8/14/77
8/17/77
8/3/78
8/3/78
8/4/78
8/6/78
8/7/78
8/8/78
8/8/78
8/16/78
8/16/78
8/30/78
8/31/78
Time
1504
1605
1500
1530
2020
1510
1700
-
0944
-
1806
1825
1405
1650
-
-
-
0745
0830
-
-
2020
0900
1930
-
-
1745
1725
NO.
1
1
3-5
3
1
2
3
3-5
3-4
1
7
2-4
1
1
2
2
2
5
4
1
1
8-10
5
5
1
1
4-6
4-5
Location Comments
Skipjack I.
Waldron I.
Bird Rocks
S. Peapod Rocks Tentative I.D.
Partridge Bank
Pile Point, San Juan I.
Devil's Head Tentative I.D.
Johnson Point
N. Protection I.
Shilshole Bay, Puget Sound
Patos I., Boundary Pass, SJI
Samish Bay
Mid-Channel
Turn Point, Stuart I.
Discovery I.
Rosario Strait
False Bay, Haro Strait
Turn Point, Stuart I.
Apple Tree Cove, Puget Sound
Point Roberts
Birch Bay
Andrews Bay, San Juan I.
Andrews Bay, San Juan I.
Pile Point, San Juan I.
Pillar Point
N. Sequim Bay
False Bay, San Juan I.
Limekiln Point, San Juan I.
Source—
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
This study
H.L.
H.L.
Game
This study
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
Mesa
Mesa
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
Mesa
Mesa
H.L.
H.L.
-------
TABLE A-ll.—Sighting reports of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.—continued.
H
H
Ul
Date
September
9/2/76
9/15/76
9/19/76
9/20/76
9/5/77
9/6/77
9/10/77
9/12/77
9/6/78
9/11/78
9/11/78
9/12/78
9/13/78
9/14/78
9/24/78
October
10/5/76
10/3/78
10/5/78
10/5/78
10/24/79
10/25/79
November
11/8/79
December
12/8/77
Time
1253
1209
1300
1215
-
-
1310
-
1608
1835
0920
-
1832
-
1914
1245
1925
0915
1730
0832
1727
1630
0936
No.
1
2
2
1-2
5
2
1
2
2-3
2
1-2
3
3
1
2-3
2
3
3-4
2-3
2
2
20
1
Location Comments
S . San Juan I .
N.E. Waldron I.
Hein Bank
Monarch. Hd . , Saturna I .
Turn Point, Stuart I.
James I.
Cattle Point
Cattle Point
Deadman's Cove, San Juan I-
Deadman ' s Cove , San Juan T •
Freshwater Bay
Pillar Point
Deadman's Cove, San Juan I.
Protection I.
Deadman's Cove, San Juan I.
Middle Bank
Limekiln Point, San Juan I.
Andrews Bay, San Juan I.
Andrews Bay, San Juan J.
E. of Port Angeles
W. of Ediz Hook
NW Port Angeles
Bird Rocks
Source—
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
(files)
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
(files)
Mesa
H.L.
Mesa
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
This study
This study
This study
This study
I/ From the files of the National Marine Mammal Laboratory (files), Orca survey - Hotline (H.L.),
Washington Department of Game (Game) and the MESA Marine Bird Project (Mesa).
-------
TABLE A-12.—Sighting reports of Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.
Date
January
1/12/78
. 1/19/78
1/7/79
1/26/79
1/8/80
1/10/80
February
2/17/78
2/11/79
2/22/79
March
3/17/77
3/16/78
3/16/78
3/8/79
3/10/79
3/11/79
3/31/79
3/31/79
April
4/5/76
4/5/76
4/8/76
4/8/76
4/21/76
4/26/76
4/27/76
4/27/76
4/29/76
4/29/76
Time
-
-
1230
-
1335
1056
1700
0945
1415
0930
-
-
1345
1300
0930
0900
1730
1330
1420
0730
1015
1500
1910
1425
1440
1105
1755
No.
6-8
2
6
6-8
2
1
1
8
11-15
5
2
6
many
20
3
5
20-25
6-10
20
15
10
5
3-4
2
8
4
5
Location Comments
Anderson I.
Thatcher Pass
Penrose Point
Ketron I-
W. of Partridge Bank
Off Ediz Hook
Lopez I.
Port Townsend
Marrowstone Point
Budd Inlet
Tatoosh Island, Strait of Juan de Fuca
Dallas Bank
Cattle Point
NW Henry I. feeding
Sunset Point
Andrews Bay, S>IT
N. Waldron Is.
S.E. of Chain Is.
5 mi N of Pt. Angeles
E of Ediz Hook
E of Pt. Angeles
E of Saturna I .
Hall I. (near Lopez I.)
Iceberg Point Bow ride
Iceberg Point Bow ride
Strait of Juan de Fuca
Salmon Bank
Source-
Game
Mesa
H.L.
H.L.
This
This
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
Mesa
Mesa
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
study
study
-------
TABLE A-12.—Sighting reports of Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.—continued.
Date
April
4/1/78
4/10/78
4/10/78
4/14/78
4/23/78
4/25/78
May
5/12/76
5/18/78
5/20/78
5/26/78
5/29/78
5/30/78
5/31/78
5/27/79
5/27/79
June
6/1/78
6/3/78
6/4/78
6/4/78
6/4/78
6/6/78
6/11/78
6/17/78
6/20/78
6/23/78
6/25/78
6/3/79
6/14/79
6/16/79
Time
-
-
-
-
-
1020
1900
1320
1445
2100
AM
PM
0800
1050
1720
1030
1530
0600
0830
2000
-
1836
2000
1500
1045
1100
1030
1830
1345
No.
1
2
4
13
2
4
8
5
2-4
2
3
6
3^6
3+
3
2
2
5-
2
4-5
5
1
6-7
4
2-4
2
3-5
15
7
Location Comments
Point Wilson
Peapod Rock
Barnes I.
Off "A" Buoy, Strait of Juan de Fuca
1/2 mi N Sucia I.
Partridge Bank
1/2 mi E of Sucia I.
Partridge Bank
Thatcher Pass
Point No Point
Middle Bank
Race Rocks, Strait of Juan de Fuca
Scatchet Head, Whidbey I.
NW Smith I feeding
Point Lawrence
Steilacoora
Johnson Point
Johnson Point
Andrews Bay , SJI
San Juan Channel
Marrowstone I.
Johnson Point
Possession Point
Point Wilson
Marrowstone I.
Possession Point
NE Orcas I .
N. Limekiln Point
Andrews Bay , SJI
Source-
Mesa
Mesa
Mesa
H.L.
H.L.
This study
H.L.
This study
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
P. McGuire (files)
P. McGuire (files)
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
-------
TABLE A-12.—Sighting reports of Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.—continued.
03
Date
July
7/7/76
7/18/76
7/20/76
7/23/76
7/29/76
7/31/76
7/6/77
7/29/77
7/6/78
7/9/78
7/13/78
7/17/78
7/18/78
7/19/78
7/19/78
7/21/78
7/22/78
7/25/78
7/27/78
7/29/78
7/31/78
7/31/78
7/29/79
7/30/79
August
8/7/76
8/11/76
8/17/76
8/18/76
8/28/76
8/29/76
8/29/76
8/29/76
8/29/76
Time
1030
1000
1700
1530
1300
0900
-
-
1430
1400
0700
1500
1800
1237
1335
0745
0800
2000
1036
1415
-
1500
-
—
1508
1400
1015
1600
1610
1550
1630
1645
1655
No.
2
6
2
6-8
2
5
6
15
6-7
3-4
10-20
6
2
2
6
1
3
8-15
1
3
20
1
6
6
3
4
4
2
1
3-5
1
2
2
Location Comments
W. Smith I. Tentative I.D.
Lagoon Point, Whidbey I. Tentative I.D.
E. Patos I. Tentative I.D.
N.W. Smith I.
Admiralty Inlet
Point Jefferson
Carl Bay
-
Admiralty Inlet
Point No Point
Possession Point
Admiralty Point
Off Mukilteo
S. Race Rocks
S. Useless Bay
Mitchell Bay, SJI
Off Edmonds
Case Inlet
N.E. Dungeness Refuge
Bush Point
Double Bluff
Case Inlet
Appletree Point
Appletree Point
Point No Point Tentative I.D.
Off Richmond Beach Tentative I.D.
Cattle Point, SJI Tentative I.D.
Point No Point Tentative I.D.
Partridge Bank
Dungeness Spit
3 mi NE Port Angeles, Strait of Juan de Fuca
4 mi NE Port Angeles, Strait of Juan de Fuca
Off Crescent Bay, Strait of Juan de Fuca
Sourc
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
This
This
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
This
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
^
study
study
study
S. Knapp (files)
S. Knapp (files)
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
-------
TABLE A-12.—Sighting reports of Call's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.—continued.
Date
October
10/24/79
10/25/79
10/25/79
10/25/79
10/25/79
10/25/79
November
11/30/78
11/6/79
11/6/79
11/8/79
11/8/79
11/8/79
11/8/79
11/8/79
December
12/4/79
12/5/79
12/5/79
12/5/79
12/5/79
Time
0840
0755
1457
1520
1549
1625
1357
1250
1300
0600
1039
1433
1435
1605
1425
0955
1208
1210
1522
No.
5
1
8
4
3
3
2
6
2
2
4
19
9
6
4
4
1
4
1
Location Comments
W. Angeles Point, Strait of Juan de Fuca
W. Tatoosh Island
W. Pillar Point "
E. Pillar Point "
Twin River "
Tongue Point "
N. Cape Flattery "
Neah Bay "
Koitlah Point "
Tatoosh Island "
Tatoosh Island "
E. Pillar Point
E. Pillar Point "
E. Crescent Bay "
Neah Bay
NW Kydaka Point
E. Pillar Point "
E. Pillar Point
Off Dungeness Spit
Source—
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
This study
I/ From the files of the National Marine Mammal Laboratory (files), Orca survey - Hotline (H.L.),
Washington Department of Game (Game), and the MESA Marine Bird Project (Mesa).
-------
TABLE A-12.—Sighting reports of Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) in Puget Sound
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by month.—continued.
to
o
Date
September
9/7/76
9/16/76
9/19/76
9/29/76
9/1/77
9/4/77
9/5/77
9/5/77
9/10/77
9/23/77
9/6/78
9/7/78
9/9/78
9/10/78
9/10/78
9/12/78
9/12/78
9/18/78
9/19/78
9/24/78
9/25/78
9/29/78
October
10/15/76
10/13/76
10/2/78
10/3/78
10/4/78
10/6/78
10/7/78
10/12/78
10/16/78
10/20/78
10/31/78
Time
1945
1144
1515
1600
-
-
-
-
-
-
1000
1815
0900
1700
1000
1500
-
1500
1149
1200
1740
1600
1605
-
1400
1430
1630
AM
PM
1130
1055
-
-
No.
1
1-2
2
3-6
1
5
6-7
4
3
6-10
6-8
4-5
6
6-8
6
6-7
3
5
5+
5-7
2
4-5
3-4
6
4
3
2-3
5-6
6-7
2
3
2
6
Location Comments
Discovery I.
W. San Juan I.
Middle Bank
Double Bluff, Whidbey I.
Smith I.
Admiralty Inlet
Point No Point
Langley Point, Fidalgo I.
Thatcher Pass
Possession Head
Bush Point
Eagle Hbr.
Picnic Point
2 mi off Point No Point Bow ride
Picnic Point
Jefferson Head
Neah Bay
Edmonds
Useless Bay
Possession Point
N. Edmonds feeding
Alki Point
Bush Point , Whidbey I .
Double Bluff, Whidbey I.
N. Tatoosh I Strait of Juan de Fuca
N. Freshwater Bay
NE Mar rows tone I.
Cowichan Bay
Shilshole Bay
Vashon I.
S. Bush Point
Port Gardner
Point Wilson
Source—
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
W.B. McAlister (files)
H.L.
H.L.
(files)
H.L.
H.L.
Mesa
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
(files)
H.L.
H.L.
(files)
(files)
(files)
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
(files)
(files)
(files)
-------
TABLE A-12.—Sighting reports of Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) in Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Puca, by month.—continued.
to
H
Date
August
8/16/77
8/17/77
8/25/77
8/3/78
8/4/78
8/4/78
8/4/78
8/4/78
8/4/78
8/5/78
8/5/78
8/6/78
8/6/78
8/12/78
8/12/78
8/12/78
8/13/78
8/16/78
8/17/78
8/17/78
8/18/78
8/19/78
8/23/78
8/26/78
8/28/78
8/28/78
8/8/79
8/6/79
8/25/79
Time
-
-
-
1700
0630
0800
1318
1325
1345
1100
1930
0710
0845
-
1130
1530
1230
-
1100
1615
1113
1537
2045
1600
1130
1500
-
-
1630
No.
10-12
1
10-12
8-12
3-5
2+
12-16
4-8
2-3
5-6
6-7
5-6
-
*
6-7
1
-
1
20-30
-
2
-
5-6
10
2
8-28
6
1
6-8
Location Comments
Protection I.
Burrows Bay
Admiralty Inlet (Skunk Bay)
Hartstene I.
Double Bluff
Possession Point
Marrowstone I.
Marrowstone I.
Marrowstone I.
Scatchet Head
Port Williams
Point No Point
Double Bluff
Double Bluff
Columbia Beach
W. Smith I-
Hein Bank
Dungeness Spit
Bush Point
Discovery I-
Harney Channel
Discovery I.
Admiralty Inlet (Bush Point)
Scatchet Head
Kellet Bluff
Henderson Bay
Eagle Hbr.
Shaw L dead in gillnet
Off Shilshole
Source—
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
Mesa
H.L.
H.L.
This study
H.L.
R.L. DeLong
H.L.
H.L.
H.L.
(files)
C. Gallup (files)
L. Jones (files)
T. Gornall
(files)
-------
STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA
NOTE: NUMBERS ADJACENT TO ISLANDS
RE
VOL. 4O NO. 172 SEPT. 4. 1875
VOL/41 NO. 147 JULY 29. 1970
Figure A-l. Locations of islands, islets, and rocks of the San Juan
Wilderness area.
122
-------
Figure A-2. Locations of Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) haul out
sites from northern Puget Sound to Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands
(excluding San Juan Wilderness sites) and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
123
-------
APPENDIX B
A description of harbor seal sampling units in northern Puget Sound,
the San Juan Islands, the eastern bays, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
See Figure 2 for location of units.
124
-------
A narrative summary of each sampling unit, expanded from the 1977-78
data presented in Everitt et al. (1979) to include 1979 data, is included
in Appendix B. Numbers in parenthesis refer to sampling unit. See Figure 2
for location.
Cherry Point to Point Roberts (Unit 1)
No hauling sites are known in this unit from the literature or the pre-
sent study. Since this unit borders population concentrations immediately
to the south, undoubtedly some harbor seals can be expected to forage here,
although to what extent is unknown. Tidal areas in Lummi Flats produce
suitable habitat for harbor seals and they might be expected to occasionally
haul out there.
Bordering the northern limit of this unit (U.S.-Canadian Border) is
Boundary Bay (Figure 1), a tideflat area included in a specimen collecting
program reported by Bigg (1969b). During the present study one aerial
survey was flown over this bay during a low tide on 6 August 1979. A total
count of 424 harbor seals plus 39 pups was made by visual and photographic
means, which represents the largest single concentration of harbor seals at
any one haul out in northern Puget Sound surveyed to date. Undoubtedly,
these animals forage south of Boundary Bay into U.S. waters.
Patos Island to Lummi Island (Unit 2)
Important hauling sites are found on Sucia Island, Matia and Puffin
Islands, Barnes Island, and on an offshore islet near Point Migley, Lummi
Island. Harbor seals were observed on Clark Island in the fall and winter
months.
At Sucia Island two areas are utilized. North of the main island is an
unnamed islet which is a part of the San Juan Wilderness Area (map reference
number 45, Figure A-l). A second location in Echo Bay (map reference L, Fig-
ure A-2) is utilized irregularly during the winter and spring months. How-
ever, animals were regularly seen at this second site only during the summer
breeding season and fall molting season, and this was the only site where
pups were observed near Sucia Island. Wilson (1973) suggests that pups are
commonly born on "nursery sites" away from the non-breeding population and
this may be the use made of the Echo Bay site. Harbor seals all but abandon
Matia Island in summer, shifting to Puffin Island which was little used in
winter and spring. There is a possibility that harrassment of the Matia
Island haul site caused by increased recreational use of the Marine State
Park at the west end of the island may be responsible for this movement. A
minimum of 26 pups were produced in this area in August 1978. A maximum
count of 279 harbor seals in this unit was made in October 1978. This unit
accounted for 12.8% of the population in the entire study area in August
1979. As mentioned previously, the highest counts of the year in the study
area are obtained in August during the harbor seals' annual molt.
125
-------
Haro strait (Unit 3)
This unit includes six hauling sites from Skipjack Island to Sentinal
Island. No concentrations of seals are known along the west side of Henry
Island or San Juan Island, though they occur there singly in the water and
a few harbor seals occasionally haul out in Andrews Bay (R. Osborne, pers.
commun.).
All of the hauling sites are in the San Juan Wilderness system, which
affords some measure of protection to these animals, except on Sentinal
island where animals occasionally haul out instead of, or in addition to,
its offshore rocks, which are a part of the system. Most of the harbor
seals in Haro Strait are found on the islands and reefs north of Sentinal
Island. Few pups were observed here during aerial surveys; however, during
a small boat survey on 30 September 1978 at least 20 weaned pups were
observed. Total pup production in Haro Strait was probably higher since
older pups may have been mistaken for immature animals.
The high count for this unit was 208 animals obtained in October 1978.
Haro Strait accounted for 9.8% of the maximum population estimate for the
entire study area in August 1979.
San Juan Islands (Unit 4)
This unit includes the interior waters on either side of Haro and
Rosario Straits. Nine hauling sites are found here, most animals being
observed south of Lopez Island where disturbance from pleasure craft may
be minimal. A group of 50 animals was monitored near Dinner Island by Mr.
and Mrs. D. Ward of Bellevue, Washington, who kindly provided us with
information on that area.
All hauling sites except Twin Rocks (East Sound, Orcas Island) are
protected as part of the San Juan Wilderness Area. The location where the
most pups (21) were born in the San Juan Islands was on the unnamed rocks
off Dinner Island (map reference number 74, Figure A-l). Suckling was
observed apart from the nonbreeding animals at this site (M. Ward pers.
commun.).
The high count of harbor seals obtained for Unit 4, including pups,
was 386 in August 1978. Unit 4 contained 8.1% of the high count for the
study area in 1979.
Rosario Strait (Unit 5)
Five hauling sites were located in Rosario Strait during this study,
including Williamson Rocks in Burrows Bay, although animals were observed
there only in August; four to six harbor seals are seen in Burrows Bay
throughout the year (D. Lively, pers. commun.). Of the five sites, all of
which are part of the San Juan Wilderness Area, Bird Rocks and Peapod Rocks
126
-------
are the most important, animals being observed at these rocks on all sur-
veys. Our observation during the past 3 years suggests that seasonal
movement may occur into and out of Rosario Strait. A maximum count of 197
harbor seals was made in Rosario Strait in August 1978. Unit 5 contained
8.7% of the maximum population counted in 1979. Some pupping occurs on the
Rosario Strait haul sites; the largest number counted during a single survey
was 21 in August 1978.
Bellingham Bay to Padilla Bay (Unit 6)
This unit includes Guemes and Cypress Islands and Fidalgo Bay, in addi-
tion to the larger bays. Seven hauling sites are located here. Of these,
only Eliza Rock is a part of the San Juan Wilderness Area. Tide flats in
Samish and Padilla Bays are isolated from most boat traffic and perhaps as
a result are the most important locations in terms of number of animals
hauling out. In Fidalgo Bay, seals were observed hauling out on anchored
log booms.
Most of the animals in Unit 6 were found in Padilla Bay. The irregu-
larity of occurrence in Samish and Bellingham Bays suggest that seals may
move into and out of these bays from other areas, perhaps following
fluctuating food resources.
The highest count obtained in this unit was 169 in September 1978. The
August 1979 count of 140 in Unit 6 represents 7.6% of the total for the
study area. Pupping occurs in Area 6 mostly in Padilla and Samish Bays; in
1979, 32 pups were observed.
Regular observations of seabirds were made from a fixed point in
Bellingham Bay by observers of the MESA funded seabird project (S. Speich,
pers. commun.). Harbor seals were regularly reported during these observa-
tion periods in greater numbers than we observed from the air (Table B-l)
indicating greater use of Bellingham Bay than our data implies. The highesl
count reported by these researchers was 57 on 6 September 1978 coincident
with the molting period.
Table B-l.—Counts of harbor seals in Bellingham Bay, Washington by MESA
seabird study observers (S. Speich, pers. commun.).
Date No. of animals
9 February 1978 5
9 March 1978 1
4 May 1978 1
31 May 1978 7
18 July 1978 23
10 August 1978 40
6 September 1978 57
3 November 1978 15
127
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Smith-Minor Islands (Unit 7)
Smith Island and Minor Island are a part of the San Juan Wilderness
Area administered by the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Olympia, Washington. Access is strictly controlled. An automated
Coast Guard lighthouse stands on the western side of Smith Island, and an
automated light and horn are located on the east end of Minor Island. A
few harbor seals haul out on the offshore rocks and beaches of Smith Island
but the major haul site is on Minor Island. At extreme low tide it is
possible to walk across a spit from island to island. Minor Island is a
low, narrow island of sand, gravel, and cobblestone. The highest eastern
end remains above the water at all times whereas the part extending toward
Smith Island may be partially awash during high storm tides.
Seals haul out on either side of Minor Island west of the light, al-
though during the pupping season females with newly born pups were most
often observed near the light; the animals were apparently unaffected by
the regular blast of the horn.
The harbor seal population at Smith-Minor Islands has increased since
the observations of Newby (1973a) during 1965-72 when he counted-estimated
the population to be 150 animals. In 1977, Calambokidis et al. (1978)
obtained their highest count (245) in August. Our highest count during
the 1978-79 surveys was 257 in February 1978. In August 1979, we counted
222 animals (194 adults and immatures, 18 pups), a number that compares
favorably with the August 1977 count of Calambokidis. In 1978, Smith-Minor
Islands produced 25.8% of the pups seen in the entire study area.
During our surveys of Smith-Minor Islands we saw the first harbor seal
pups on 27 June in 1978 and 22 June in 1979. We saw the largest number of
pups (44) here in July 1978 and the last obvious pup on 29 August 1978.
No last day data were obtained in 1979. Pupping and suckling lasts from
late June into September at Smith-Minor Islands.
The average number of animals seen by season for all surveys ( regard-
less of the influence of tide and weather on the counts) is: fall - 117;
winter - 148; spring - 109; and summer - 171. Differences between any one
survey may be attributable to varying environmental conditions; however,
the data does suggest a reasonably stable population throughout the year.
Smith-Minor Islands have been a part of the National Wildlife Refuge
system since 1915 and require a special use permit from the USFW before
visits can be made. Despite this protection uninformed people still land
on the islands, overfly them below legal minimum altitude and otherwise
disturb nesting birds and harbor seals. During our aerial surveys we noted
disturbances to seals as follows. On 23 and 25 May 1978, aerial surveys
were flown over the islands. Many small sport fishing boats were observed
close to the islands. No seals were hauled out and only about 25 were seen
in nearby waters. On 21 July 1978, during a small boat survey of the
islands, we observed hauled out harbor seals at Minor Island flee into the
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water when a sport fishing boat ventured too close in to the island; on 14
September 1978, two people were observed on Minor Island. No seals were
seen on or near Minor Island and only two in the water near Smith Island.
In August 1979, 10% of the entire study area population was found here.
Skagit Bay to Port Susan (Unit 8)
Includes the protected waters from Deception Pass southeast to Port
Susan and southwest to Rocky Point, Whidbey Island. Aerial surveys were
flown through this area infrequently, usually when local fog on the western
side of Whidbey Island forced our approach to northern Puget Sound from the
eastern side.
During a small boat survey from Deception Pass to Goat Island on 26
May 1978, three harbor seals were observed in the water near Hope Island.
No seals were seen in Skagit Bay on boat surveys made 27 May and 3 to 4
September 1978. Ten harbor seals were observed hauled out on the southern
tide flats in Skagit Bay in August 1978 during an aerial survey. In August
1979, 24 adults and 3 pups were seen in this same area indicating that some
pupping occurs here.
There are probably more harbor seals in this area than our surveys
revealed. Ninety seals were reported in Skagit Bay from yearly observations
(1970 to 1972) (Newby 1973a). Calambokidis et al. (1978) reported 14 harbor
seals in Skagit Bay on 23 October 1977. Victor Yoshino (pers. commun.)
reported that a small group of harbor seals (3-5) are regularly seen near
Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, Washington. In August 1979, 1.2% of the entire
study area population was found here.
Point Wilson to the Hood Canal Bridge (Unit 9)
Extends from Point Wilson on the Quimper Peninsula south to Port Gamble
Bay and includes both sides of Marrowstone Island. Three hauling sites were
found in this area; unnamed rocks off the western side of Marrowstone Island,
Colvus rocks, and anchored log booms in the southern end of Port Gamble.
During aerial surveys on 12 September and 14 October 1978, 28 and 36
seals, respectively, were hauled out on rafted logs in Port Gamble; all were
in molt. The inclusion of these counts into the Unit 9 summary resulted in
the highest total estimates for October (49) and September (31) 1978.
Reports from local residents at Cape George, Washington suggest that some
harbor seals can be found in Port Gamble year-round.
Harbor seals were observed regularly on Colvus Rocks from December to
March. From April to July the only observations made were of two animals on
23 May 1978, and one on 28 June 1978. On 18 August 1978 nine animals were
observed, and seals were regularly seen through October. These observations
suggest seasonal movements away from these rocks in the spring and summer.
The western side of Marrowstone Island was not surveyed until March 1978;
however, from then until the conclusion of aerial surveys, seals were regu-
larly seen at this haul site.
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In August 1979, 29 harbor seals were counted in Unit 9 representing
1.3% of the entire count in the study area for that month.
Protection Island (Unit 10)
Located off the entrance to Discovery Bay, Protection Island ranks
second in importance as a harbor seal haul site in the study area (Minor
Island is first). Seals haul out almost exclusively on Violet Point
(southern spit), although when disturbed some animals may move to Kanem
Point on the southwestern end of the island (see figure 16, pg. 73 in
Everitt et al. 1979).
During the pupping season, females with newly born pups usually haul
out on the northern side of Violet Point, west of the main group of seals.
This site was abandoned by the time of weaning. The first pups were ob-
served by the third week of July, and newly born pups were seen until
early September, a pupping and suckling period lasting about 6-8 weeks.
Calambokidis et al. (1978) reported their highest count of seals on
Protection Island in September 1977. During the present study the highest
count we obtained (223 animals) was made in October 1978 of which at least
60% were in molt. In August 1979, the month of the highest count for the
entire study area, 133 harbor seals were counted here representing 6.9% of
the total for the study area. The most pups that were counted here during
1978 and 1979 was 30 taken from land in August 1979.
Protection Island is presently undergoing commercial development.
Except for a portion of the western end (including Kanem Point) which is
state-owned and managed as a wildlife sanctuary, the island is subjected to
severe human pressure. Disturbance of harbor seals was most evident during
summer weekends when the island is most heavily used by lot owners and small
boat traffic in surrounding waters is greatest. A summary of data gathered
on disturbance was presented earlier in the harbor seal section of the re-
port. In addition to the threat of disturbance posed to harbor seals on
Protection Island, a large number of sea bird colonies may also be in
jeopardy. Manuwal et al. (1979) reported Protection Island as the principal
seabird nesting site in northern Puget Sound, providing nesting habitat for
90% of the seabirds of the area.
Dungeness to Sequim Bay (Unit 11)
Unit 11 extends from Sequim Bay north to and including all of the
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. During aerial surveys of Dungeness Bay,
the coastline south to Kiapot Point (entrance to Sequim Bay) was surveyed.
These surveys were not usually carried out very far into Sequim Bay. Of
the few small boat surveys to Dungeness, Sequim Bay was examined as time,
fuel reserves, and weather allowed. Five boat surveys were made in Unit 11
(March, April, July, and August 1978 .and August 1979). Only two regularly
used haul site's were found in Unit 11. The first is located usually on
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the southern side of Dungeness spit near the entrance to Dungeness Bay and
a rarely used site off Kulakala Point. Seals were regularly observed in
Dungeness Bay but few regularly haul out in the bay itself.
On only one occasion were harbor seals observed inside Sequim Bay. On
15 March 1978 an estimated 35 seals were seen in the water inside Kiapot
Point. Considering the proximity of Sequim Bay to large harbor seal popula-
tions at Protection Island and Dungeness Bay Refuge, we expect some animals
regularly enter this bay. Conversations with local sport fishermen indica-
ted that it is not uncommon to see single harbor seals inside Sequim Bay.
Calambokidis et al. (1978) reported 36 harbor seals hauled out on the tide
flats off Kulakala Point in September 1977. During the present study
animals were seen near this point in all seasons, usually in the water.
Hauled-out seals were observed on 28 January 1978. Pups were observed only
once, on 19 July 1978, when two mother-pup pairs were seen together in the
water.
The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge (Dungeness Bay) represents an
important sanctuary for harbor seals. Animals were most often observed in
the water east of Graveyard Spit. The regular presence of small pleasure
boats in the locality may limit daytime hauling activity here. The highest
count for the Dungeness Bay locality was made during an aerial survey in
May 1979, when 107 harbor seals were counted. The expanse of shallow water
and shoals limited the effectiveness of boat surveys in the Refuge.
Pups were first seen at Dungeness on 27 July 1978. The highest count
of pups (31) was made on an aerial survey in August 1979. The last identi-
fiable pups were observed the last week of August. The number of pups
observed here in 1979 rates Dungeness (Unit 11) as important to the repro-
ductive success of harbor seals in northern Puget Sound as are Smith-Minor
Islands and Protection Islands.
Of the total count for August 1979 for the entire study area, this unit
accounted for 4.6% of the harbor seal population.
Angeles Point to Green Point (Unit 12)
Stretches from just west of Dungeness to Angeles Point, (west of Port
Angeles, Washington). Single harbor seals were seen in the water from June
through August during aerial surveys of this unit. Two pups were sighted
in the unit during our surveys, one with its mother was hauled out near
Angeles Point and the other was sighted in the water near Green Point.
Because of restrictions to low flying aircraft near Port Angeles, no
surveys were made in the immediate vicinity of the town.
In Port Angeles harbor, seals haul out on rafted logs in a pulp mill
holding area in the eastern end of the harbor. Harbor seals were observed
at this location during point censuses of seabirds conductd by the MESA
seabird project (S. Speich, pers. commun.). Additional observations of this
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area were made during surveys from the NOAA research vessel John N. Cobb in
the fall and winter, 1979 (Table B-2). Counts indicate that over 40 harbor
seals are resident in this area during the fall (molting) season.
Table B-2.—Observations of harbor seals in Port Angeles Harbor, 1978-79.
Date
No. of animals
Source
6 April 1978
25 August 1978
15 September 1978
29 November 1978
24 October 1979
25 October 1979
8 November 1979
6
18
28
43
22
17
5
J. Brueggeman, U of W
S. Speich, MESA
S. Speich, MESA
S. Speich, MESA
John N. Cobb
John N. Cobb
John N. Cobb
Pillar Point to Angeles Point (Unit 13)
Harbor seals in this unit, which includes Freshwater Bay and Crescent
Bay, were observed to haul out in three general areas: Low Point, Deep
Creek, and Pillar Point. The offshore rocks, exposed at low tide near Low
Point, were the locality most heavily utilized.
Harbor seals were observed here at all seasons, although they were in
greatest abundance from late August through November. Increased haul out
during the molt may partially account for the abundance of seals here in
fall; however, it seems more likely that they follow schooling fishes into
this area, which are abundant here in the fall.
The August 1979 count of 63 harbor seals in this unit represents 3.3%
of the estimate for the entire study area that month. Pups were observed
here only in August 1979 (8 pups), verifying usage of Unit 13 for pupping
and breeding activities.
Neah Bay to Pillar Point (Unit 14)
This unit extends from Pillar Point to Koitlah Point, (west of Neah
Bay). It was surveyed monthly during all survey periods. The only harbor
seals observed were a small group that occasionally hauled out on Seal Rock
located about 2 miles east of Neah Bay. Two harbor seals were observed
here in August 1979.
Cape Flattery - Tatoosh Island (Unit 15)
Cape Flattery and Tatoosh Island were the westernmost limit of the MESA
study area. Harbor seals were observed in this unit only once. On 19 August
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1978, three seals were seen hauled out on rocks offshore from Tatoosh
Island. As many as 2,000 harbor seals are found on the outer coast of
Washington from Destruction Island to Cape Flattery (Johnson and Jeffries,
1977).
During a series of aerial surveys of the Washington coast north of
Grays Harbor in 1976-77 performed under contract for NMML, observers regu-
larly saw harbor seals hauled out on most suitable rocks and islets from
Fuca's Pillar south to Ozette Island, with the largest number being seen
at the Cape Alava-Ozette locality. No pups were seen at Tatoosh Island
during that study. Observations of single animals were regularly
made at Tatoosh Island through the spring and summer months in 1979
(D. Boersma, pers. commun.).
Cervantes Point to Sooke Bay (Unit 16)
This unit includes the coastline along the southwestern end of Vancou-
ver Island, British Columbia. The only location where harbor seals were
observed hauling out was on offshore rocks near Providence Cove and
immediately east of Sombrio Point. The highest count for these two haul
sites was 50 taken in August 1979, representing 2.6% of the seals observed
in the entire study area. In June and July 1978, a few single harbor seals
were observed off Possession Point, Sherringham Point, and the Jordan River
in the water. Two pups were observed in Unit 16 in August 1979.
Becher Bay to Discovery Island (Unit 17)
Extends from Becher Bay to Discovery Island, British Columbia, and in-
cludes Race Rocks, Chain Islets, and Bentinck Island which are the three
most commonly used hauling sites. Other localities where harbor seals were
observed are Trial Island and small islets in Becher Bay.
The numbers of harbor seals at Race Rocks increased in the spring and
summer from a low in the fall and winter. The spring-summer increase
corresponds to the decrease in numbers of sea lions at Race Rocks in the
spring, and their increase in fall suggests that competition for hauling
space may limit the numbers of harbor seals that are here in winter.
Chain Islets are a series of tidal rocks and islets off Victoria, B.C.
A sizable population of harbor seals resides here throughout the year. A
concentration of seals (high count was 144 in July 1978) this close to a
major metropolitan area is unique in the study area. No more than three
pups were ever observed in this unit at any one time; however, aerial
surveys tend to underestimate numbers of pups since their small size often
makes them difficult to spot. If pups were produced here in any number,
we would expect to observe them more frequently This unit may contain a
higher percentage of non-breeding animals than elsewhere in the study area
or may suffer a higher pup mortality or reproductive dysfunction, perhaps
associated with the close proximity to large human populations.
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The highest count of harbor seals for this unit (446) was taken in
August 1979 and represented 23.1% of all seals counted in the study area,
the highest percent of the total for any unit.
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