Understanding the interactions between cruise ships and humpback whales in and near Glacier Bay National Park
Project ID: J8W07080005
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Washington
Fiscal Year: 2008
Initial Funding: $84,858
Total Funding: $157,580
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Biological
National Park: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Principal Investigator: Klinger, Terrie
Agreement Technical Representative: Gende, Scott
Abstract: Glacier Bay National Park is pressed with the decision of whether or not to allow an increase in seasonal entries of cruise ships into the park. Of particular concern are the potential implications of increases in ship traffic on the humpback whales that utilize the park and adjacent areas. Cruise ships produce underwater noise that may mask communication or disrupt feeding or nursing thereby disturbing vital activities. Cruise ships may also strike and kill humpback whales in park waters.
The overall intent of this project is to estimate how an increase in cruise ship traffic impacts, if at all, the whale population by quantifying the location, frequency (how often), and severity (how close) that cruise ships encounter whales using an observer aboard cruise ships as they cruise waters within and adjacent to Glacier Bay National Park. These data will then be used to generate spatial ‘hotspots’ of ship-whale encounters and generate models relating factors that influence these encounters.
Deliverables: