Beluga whale and spotted seal use of a coastal lagoon system in the northeastern Chukchi Sea

Abstract

Emphasis was on the 170km long Kasegaluk Lagoon, known to be regularly used by both species during the open-water season. Belugas Delphinapterus leucas were seen on every survey during 3-14 July 1990 and 4-16 July 1991, with numbers ranging from 7-1212. Whales sometimes arrive as early as 22 June and leave the area by late July. The presence of nearshore gravel beds and warm, low-salinity water, probably combine to make this region important as a place for belugas to molt. Spotted seals Phoca largha occur in the area from mid-July through early November. They haul out on particular spits and shoals near Utukok Pass, Akoliakatat Pass, and Avak Inlet. Numbers were variable but exceeded 1000 on many days in July, August, and September. Telemetry data suggest that the maximum count of about 2200 represents only a small portion of the total number of seals frequenting Kasegaluk Lagoon. -from Authors