Observation: 4:24 PM, On the community of Wales beach (Village Creek) near the Wales Kingikmiut School we are spotting dead baby spotted and ringed seals washing up on the beach with no signs of lesions or signs of gun shots. They looked like they have washed in after high tide last night to day before. Most appear to have been eaten by seagulls or ravens. The ice has just went out the past couple of weeks with the change in seasons and summer on the rise. The past couple of days we have seen 35 to 40 degree weather. The ice was seen breaking up by sea surf and can see that the ice has gotten rotten in most areas up the beach. The growth of seals and other sea mammals are a great food resource to our community and this is the first time I have seen baby seals wash up in front of the village.
LEO says: It is possible that the early and rapid retreat of the ice has resulted in tough conditions for young seals. This observation was shared with Hajo Eicken and Olivia Lee from the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Sea ice conditions have been unprecedented with low ice conditions providing a shortage of haul out locations for young seals. More information on ice conditions based on local hunters’ reports and the National Weather Service can be found at the SIWO webpages: http://www.arcus.org/search-program/siwo. This observation demonstrates how networking between local observers and topical experts (in this instance on sea ice), along with the use of satellite imagery, is helping raise understand about the connections between changing climate, changing environment and impacts for wildlife and the people who depend on wildlife for subsistence. Mike Brubaker
Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program Consult: (2014-06-19) Gay Sheffield, MAP Agent writes, "In Nome we have reports of 20 seal pups (3 dead and scavenged, 17 live) - primarily ringed (Pusa hispida) seals, some spotted (Phoca largha) seals, and several unidentified. Pups have been alert with no sign of disease of distress and have been using the beach to rest. Pups hauling out on the beaches of Nome can occur any spring but the number of reports is elevated this year and most likely due to the early timing of the ice retreat this spring. It would be very helpful to have a veterinarian examine these animals to determine the cause of death." Source: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Arctic Research Center Consult: June 27, 2014. Dr. Hajo Eicken and Dr.Olivia Lee. Olivia writes: In addition to the early shorefast ice retreat observed around Wales this year the extent of the northward retreat by early June appears to be greater compared to recent years (see images for 2013 and 2014). Instead of melting in place, potential pup resting platforms on ice were reduced by wave action and high temperatures causing open water conditions that are more typical of ice conditions in late June.
NWS Sea Ice Image, June 4, 2013
NWS Sea Ice Image, June 4, 2014
This post has been archived on the LEO Ice (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206109945277656893915.0004cd8aa67d2ebf8718f) map, the LEO Seal (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=206109945277656893915.0004e0aa614066f6d25ce&msa=0) Map, and the LEO Bering Straits (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=206109945277656893915.0004e0aa614066f6d25ce&msa=0) Map.
Resources:
Alaska SeaLife Center — Stranding Network is a group of dedicated volunteers and organizations that help support rescue, stranding and rehabilitation efforts statewide. Participating organizations include the Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the North Slope Borough, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Alaska Southeast, as well as representatives from native communities and oil companies.
NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Regional Office — Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network was created to provide a consistent framework in which to collect and compile data about marine mammal strandings throughout the entire state. The network is composed of state and federal wildlife and fisheries agencies, veterinary clinics, Alaska Native organizations, academic institutions, and individuals who respond to or provide professional advice on handling strandings. The Protected Resources Division (PRD) is responsible for implementing marine mammal conservation and recovery programs under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in close coordination with the State of Alaska and other partners.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game — Dead or Distressed Marine Mammals - Reporting a Dead Marine Mammal, if you wish to report a dead, distressed, or stranded marine mammal, you should first call the relevant federal management agency. If you are not able to reach the federal agency, you can try contacting the nearest office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Observations From Members 