Research»

Harbor Seal Remote Video Monitoring

photo © David William Miller

The OASLC, in partnership with the Alaska SeaLife Center, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Alaska Native village of Port Graham, has been supporting research on harbor seals in Aialik Bay to support the restoration of coastal fjord ecosystem. Harbor seals in the western Gulf of Alaska are in decline, including the Kenai Fjords area. Ailiak Bay provides a unique opportunity to observe seals in a tidewater glacier environment with minimal disturbance.

Rather than having observers in the field, where their very presence might disturb or alter seal behavior, a set of remotely controlled video cameras sends a live signal to the Alaska SeaLife Center some 50 miles away. There, researchers can observe and record seal behavior nearly round the clock. One area of interest is how the seals are reacting to interaction with motor vessels and kayaks as tourism in Aialik Bay increases.

Researchers are also looking at the changing availability of icebergs as Aialik Glacier recedes. Seals use the icebergs as safe resting areas, or haulouts, and females often bear and nurse their young on the ice.

Understanding the complex relationships between receding glaciers, human activity, and declining harbor seal numbers requires ongoing research. Use the links at the right to learn more about this study.