HDR, Inc. provided comprehensive monitoring services for an in-water pile driving construction project at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Washington. Using highly trained marine species observers, field technicians, and acousticians, we ensured client compliance in the face of complex regulatory requirements.

Marine mammal (MM) monitoring was conducted during in-water pile driving (PD) at Hood Canal, Washington, during fall 2011. Monitoring was performed on construction days, during active-construction (“AC”, defined as 30 minutes prior to, during, and 30 minutes after PD) and non-construction (“NC”, downtime) periods. Baseline surveys were also conducted throughout Hood Canal on days when no PD occurred. Monitoring and baseline surveys occurred over 53 days. Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) recorded 1,207 sightings totaling 2,269 individual MM.

Marine mammal (MM) monitoring was conducted during inwater pile driving (PD) at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Washington in Hood Canal during Fall 2011. Vessel-based monitoring was performed on construction days, during both active-construction (“AC”, defined as 30 minutes prior to, during, and 30 minutes after PD) and non-construction (“NC”, downtime) periods. Baseline surveys were also conducted throughout Hood Canal on days when no PD occurred. Monitoring and baseline surveys occurred over 53 days, during which Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) recorded 1,207 sightings totaling 2,269 individual MM. Species observed included California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), and harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Harbor seals were the most frequently observed MM on construction days (n=782 sightings) and baseline survey days (n=197 sightings). The only cetaceans observed were harbor porpoise (n=68 construction, 34 baseline sightings). Harbor seal sighting rates were lower on construction days than on baseline days (0.73 and 1.80 sightings/observer hour [obs hr], respectively). Likewise, harbor porpoise were sighted less often on construction days than on baseline days (0.13 and 0.31 sightings/obs hr, respectively). On construction days, harbor seal sighting rates were actually higher during AC periods than NC periods (3.31 and 0.23 sightings/obs hr, respectively). This is consistent with MMOs’ qualitative observations that harbor seals (particularly juveniles) appeared to be attracted to PD, and often moved towards the construction area when PD was initiated. On construction days, pinnipeds were most often observed “diving,” “looking,” “sinking,” and “swimming”. During AC, 4% more pinnipeds were observed “diving” vs. NC periods (n=124). On construction days, harbor porpoise were most often observed “traveling”. During AC, 27% fewer harbor porpoise were observed “traveling” vs. NC periods (n=18). Overall, minor behavioral disruptions were observed in relation to PD, and were within “take” numbers in the issued Incidental Harassment Authorization.

This study investigates mixed-species associations among marine mammals in the Southern California Bight, focusing specifically on Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus). Over a six-year period, aerial surveys were conducted to record the frequency and nature of these associations, revealing that Risso's dolphins were the most commonly observed species in mixed interactions. The results indicate a significant decline in the proportion of Risso's dolphins involved in such associations compared to historical records, possibly due to an increase in their relative abundance. The findings underline the importance of monitoring mixed-species associations to understand marine mammal dynamics and ecological interactions.

To meet information needs of the US Navy, Pacific Fleet Environmental, the National Marine Fisheries Service, Marine Mammal Laboratory in collaboration with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted a study of adult male California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) with two objectives: 1) to estimate the number of sea lions that use Navy Facilities in Puget Sound, Washington and 2) to describe how adult male sea lions utilize the waters of Washington as marine foraging areas. To accomplish this, weekly counts of sea lions were conducted at four Navy Facilities in Puget Sound, Washington (WA) to estimate abundance and satellite dive recorders were deployed on adult male California sea lions to obtain data on the proportion of time the animals were hauled out and their distribution and diving behavior as they foraged in inland and coastal waters.

A Distance based visual line-transect survey was designed to gather baseline data on the occurrence, distribution, and population estimations of marine mammals near Silver Strand Training Complex (SSTC) and San Diego Bay (SDB). During the warm and cool season periods between October 2013 and September 2014, seventeen survey days were completed (890.8 km) in SSTC and north San Diego Bay (NSDB). During the course of these efforts, 280 observations were made in the survey areas. Six marine mammal species were sighted, with the predominant species being California sea lions (Zalophus californianus [SSTC, n=132] and NSDB, n=109). Odontocete observations (n=26) were largely comprised of Tursiops truncatus and Delphinus spp. Mysticete whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were sighted in nearshore shallow waters of SSTC during January, February, and April–June.

Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted in the Navy’s Southern California Range Complex during May 2011 – March 2012 to detect the presence of marine mammal and anthropogenic sounds. Highfrequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) recorded sounds between 10 Hz and 100 kHz with nearly continuous temporal coverage at a site near Santa Barbara Island (site M) and at a site west of San Clemente Island (site H). Data analysis consisted of detection of sounds of interest by analyst scans of long-term spectral averages and spectrograms, and by automated computer algorithm detection when possible. Representative sounds are presented in this report, as well as details of the computer algorithms used to detect them.

Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted at two sites in the Navy’s Southern California Range Complex during April 2010 – April 2011. These data provide information on the presence of marine mammals and anthropogenic sound sources. High‐frequency acoustic recording packages documented sounds between 10 Hz and 100 kHz with nearly continuous temporal coverage at a site near Santa Barbara Island (site M) and a site south of San Clemente Island (site N). For this reporting period, 8,099 hours of acoustic recordings were obtained from site M and 7,779 hours of recordings from site N. Data analysis methods consisted of analyst scans of long‐term spectral averages and spectrograms. The data were divided into three frequency bands and each band was analyzed for the sounds of marine mammal species or anthropogenic sources. Representative sounds are presented.

This report summarizes data analysis for deployment of a High Frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) in the southern California (SOCAL) offshore region. The HARP records broadband (10 Hz – 100 kHz) acoustic data, including both marine animal and anthropogenic sound. This report summarizes initial analysis to detect the presence of marine mammals by species as well as the occurrence of naval sonar and other anthropogenic sound events.

This report summarizes data analysis for deployment of a High Frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) in the southern California (SOCAL) offshore region. The HARP records broadband (10 Hz – 100 kHz) acoustic data, including both marine animal and anthropogenic sound. This report summarizes initial analysis to detect the presence of marine mammals by species as well as the occurrence of naval sonar and other anthropogenic sound events.

We conducted 18 aerial surveys in the marine waters around San Clemente Island, California, from October 2008 to July 2013, to obtain both observations of marine mammal behavior and data suitable for developing marine mammal density estimates. The primary platform used was a Partenavia P68-C or P68-OBS (glass-nosed) high-wing, twin-engine airplane. Density and abundance estimates were made using line-transect methods and the software DISTANCE 6.0.

We conducted 18 aerial surveys for marine mammals in the Southern California Bight in the vicinity of San Clemente Island from October 2008 to July 2013. Data were collected to obtain density and abundance estimates, as well as focal behavioral observations of marine mammals. The primary platform used was a Partenavia P68-C or P68-OBS (glass-nosed) high-wing, twin-engine airplane. A total of 76,989 km were flown with 2,510 marine mammal groups sighted. Nineteen marine mammal species were identified. Density and abundance estimates were made using line-transect methods and DISTANCE 6.0 software. Due to limited sample sizes for some species, sightings were pooled to provide 4 detection function estimates for baleen whales, large delphinids, small delphinids, and California sea lions. Estimates were limited to species observed at least 20 times during line-transect effort

The objectives of this TO are to conduct aerial surveys of the study area in order to: 1) provide estimates of seasonal abundance for seals and sea lions, 2) identify seasonal distribution patterns for seals and sea lions, 3) collect data to determine seal and sea lion densities, and 4) provide harbor seal abundance data needed by NMFS to prepare a Stock Assessment Report (SAR) for the Washington inland waters harbor seal stock. Additionally, the atlas showing pinniped haulouts for these waters (Jeffries et al. 2000) has not been updated in 13 years and will be revised as well.

This report summarizes information from 24 U.S. Navy-funded aerial surveys of pinniped haulout sites in the inland waters of Washington State conducted between March 2013 and February 2014 by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted in the Navy’s Southern California Range Complex during March 2012 through December 2012 to detect the presence of marine mammal and anthropogenic sounds. High-frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) recorded sounds between 10 Hz and 100 kHz with continuous temporal coverage at a site near Santa Barbara Island (site M), at a site west of San Clemente Island (site H), and a site southwest of San Clemente Island (site N).

In 2008-2012, fifteen aerial surveys of systematic line-transects were conducted in the Southern California Bight to monitor and obtain baseline data on occurrence, distribution, density, abundance and behavior of marine mammals. Site characteristics at marine mammal locations were analyzed by estimating Resource Selection Functions (RSF) which quantified and described baseline habitat use as a precursor to assessing potential changes in these patterns relative to anthropogenic activities, including Navy exercises. For RSF analyses, characteristics at marine mammal locations were contrasted to characteristics at 35,167 randomly selected “available” locations in the study area. RSFs were estimated via the use-availability approach and predicted probability of species occurrence at all locations in the study area as a function of seven covariate habitat variables. Models for five species (n= 60 fin and 40 gray whale groups, 135 Risso’s and 31 bottlenose dolphin groups, 157 California sea lion groups) were fit for three behavior states (mill, rest/slow travel, medium/fast travel) and all behavior combined to document behavior and habitat associations. Species differed in habitat use and corresponding habitat associations. For example, medium-fast traveling fin whales were significantly associated with deep water over relatively flat basins/plateaus (p=0.0017). Fin whales also had significantly higher probability of using the San Nicolas Basin (p=0.0517). For Risso’s dolphins, rest/slow travel was associated with deeper water (i.e., steep ridges) (p=0.0803). These patterns suggest fast movement across basins and rest/slow travel over ridges. The RSF approach has been successfully implemented for terrestrial systems, quantitatively documenting changes in habitat-use patterns in response to human activities. Results herein illustrate successful application of RSF to pelagic marine mammals, quantitatively considering the role of behavior in habitat selection. Data provide an important 5-year baseline for little-known species to compare potential future changes in habitat selection patterns, assisting in conservation/management decisions in a relatively high anthropogenic use area.

We conducted 18 aerial surveys for marine mammals in the Southern California Bight around San Clemente Island from October 2008 to July 2013. Data were collected to obtain density and abundance estimates, as well as focal behavioral observations of marine mammals. The primary platform used was a Partenavia P68-C or P68-OBS (glass-nosed) highwing, twin-engine airplane. A total of 76,989 km were flown with 2,510 marine mammal groups sighted. Nineteen marine mammal species were identified. Density and abundance estimates were made using line-transect methods and DISTANCE 6.0 software. Due to limited sample sizes for some species, sightings were pooled to provide four detection function estimates for baleen whales, large delphinids, small delphinids, and California sea lions. Estimates were limited to species observed at least 20 times during line-transect effort. For the May-October warm-water season, the estimated average numbers of individuals present were as follows: short-beaked common dolphins (8,520), long-beaked common dolphins (3,314), Risso’s dolphins (1,450), California sea lions (818), bottlenose dolphins (496), fin whales (137), and gray whales (6). During the November-April cold-water season, estimates were: short-beaked common dolphins (15,955), longbeaked common dolphins (6,440), California sea lions (1,454), Risso’s dolphins (993), bottlenose dolphins (290), gray whales (221), and fin whales (140). Several other species were observed for which sightings were too few to estimate numbers present and/or were seen only off effort: blue, Bryde’s, minke, humpback, sperm, Cuvier’s beaked, and killer whales; Pacific white-sided and northern right whale dolphins; Dall’s porpoise; and northern elephant and harbor seals.

The United States (US) Navy uses lookouts (LOs) to detect objects in the water in the vicinity of ships. One class of object that LOs are trained to detect is marine mammals ; this forms an important component of the Navy’s procedures for marine mammal mitigation during training activities . As well as dedications of marine mammals by these LOs, detections of marine mammals may also be made by other members of the ship’s crew such as officers on the bridge (“watchstanders”) or sonar technicians, although acoustic detections require visual confirmation. We refer to these personnel together as the “lookout team” (LT). The primary goal of this project was to determine how effective LTs are at detecting marin

The main text of this report summarizes two aerial surveys conducted in March and May 2013 during fiscal year (FY) 2013 between 01 August 2012 and 31 July 2013 on the United States (U.S.) Navy’s Southern California (SOCAL) Range Complex. In addition, a preliminary report for a third aerial survey conducted in late July 2013 is discussed separately in Appendix G of this report. This was the fifth FY in which aerial surveys were conducted to obtain baseline data on the occurrence and behavior of marine mammals in the SOCAL.

In support of the U.S. Navy’s (Navy) Marine Mammal Monitoring Plan (M3P) in the Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL) (DoN 2009), aerial surveys were conducted by Smultea Environmental Sciences (SES) to monitor marine mammals and sea turtles (MM/ST) during November 2009 in the SOCAL area. This was the fifth such aerial survey in SOCAL conducted by SES or SES/Marine Mammal Research Consultants (MMRC).

This report summarizes three aerial surveys conducted between 31 August 2011 and 31 July 2012 on the Navy’s Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL), and includes results from the first year of deploying sonobuoys from the aircraft to simultaneously monitor both acoustic and visually observed behaviors.

Per the Scope of Work (SOW), this report provides a combined summary of aerial surveys conducted in July and September 2010 in support of the U.S. Navy’s (Navy) Marine Mammal Monitoring Plan (M3P) in the Southern California Range Complex (Figure 1) (SOCAL) (DoN 2009). These were the seventh and eighth such aerial surveys in SOCAL conducted by SES or SES/Marine Mammal Research Consultants (MMRC). Monitoring occurred before, during, after and in conjunction with several Navy Major Training Events (MTEs) involving mid‐frequency‐ active sonar (MFAS).

In support of the U.S. Navy’s (Navy) Marine Mammal Monitoring Plan (M3P) in the Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL) (DoN 2009), aerial surveys were conducted by Marine Mammal Research Consultants (MMRC) and Smultea Environmental Sciences (SES) to monitor marine mammals and sea turtles (MM/ST) during June and July 2009 in the SOCAL area.

Aerial surveys were conducted in conjunction with two US Navy (Navy) Major Training Events (MTE) involving mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS) and explosives in October (Oct) and mid-November (Nov) 2008 in the Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL) off San Diego, California. The purpose of this survey was to monitor potential effects or lack of observable effects of MFAS and explosives on mammals and sea turtles (MM/ST) during a MTE from 17-21 Oct and beginning one day after a MTE from 15-18 Nov.

From 2013 to 2016, we conducted systematic line-transect aerial surveys in 8 sub-regions of Puget Sound encompassing inland waters of Washington State. U.S.-funded surveys were conducted year-round and focused on estimating seasonal in-water density and abundance of marine mammals, particularly harbor porpoises and harbor seals

Seasonal systematic aerial surveys of Puget Sound.

Marine mammal seasonal density, abundance, behavior and habitat-use patterns were monitored off southern California 2008-2012 during 15 aerial surveys for the U.S. Navy. Line-transect, scan sampling, and focal follows occurred using video/photography. During 65,238 km of effort (99% Beaufort ≤4), ~190,310 individuals were seen in 2,151 groups (19+ species). Behavior differed significantly by species, depth, slope, aspect, survey sub-region (east or west of San Clemente Island (SCI)), time of year/day, and calf presence. Group size and maximum nearest-neighbor distance (in body lengths) generally increased with body size. Group size was significantly larger with calf presence for Risso’s, common, and bottlenose dolphins. Group size increased significantly across the year among Risso’s but decreased for common dolphins. Risso’s were 13x more likely to rest and significantly less likely to fast travel/be surface active than commons. Resource Selection Function analyses showed that fin whales were significantly more likely to be found west vs. east of SCI, and medium-fast travel predominated over basins vs. rest/mill/slow travel over steep slopes. Density was highest for short-beaked common dolphins followed by long-beaked commons, California sea lions, Risso’s, gray whales, bottlenose dolphins, fin, humpback and blue whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Calves occurred in 5% of 331 mysticete sightings.

In 2008-2012, fifteen aerial surveys of systematic line-transects were conducted off Southern California to obtain baseline data on occurrence, distribution, density, abundance and behavior of marine mammals (MM). Site characteristics at MM locations were analyzed by estimating Resource Selection Functions (RSF) to quantify and describe baseline habitat use as a precursor to assessing potential changes in these patterns relative to anthropogenic activities, including U.S. Navy training exercises. For RSF analyses, habitat characteristics at MM locations were contrasted to characteristics at 35,167 randomly selected “available” locations in the study area. RSFs were estimated via the use-availability approach and predicted probability of species occurrence at all locations in the study area as a function of seven covariate habitat variables. Models (n = 60 fin and 40 gray whale groups, 135 Risso’s and 31 bottlenose dolphin groups, 157 California sea lion groups) were fit for three behavior states (mill, rest/slow travel, medium/fast travel) and combined to document behavior/habitat associations. Species differed significantly in habitat use and corresponding habitat associations based on behavior. Medium-fast traveling fin whales were associated with deep water over flat basins/plateaus (p=0.0017). Fin whales also preferred the San Nicolas Basin (p=0.0517). Risso’s dolphins rested/slow traveled more in deep vs. shallow water (p=0.0803). Overall, resulting habitat-use patterns demonstrate fast movement across basins and rest/slow travel over ridges where upwelling is most likely to occur. The RSF approach quantitatively demonstrates the importance of considering behavior and social context in habitat selection and use.

In order to train with mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS), the United States (U.S.) Navy has obtained a permit from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and a Biological Opinion under the Endangered Species Act. The Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL) Monitoring Plan, implemented in January 2009, was developed with NMFS to comply with the requirements under the permits. The monitoring plan and reporting requirements provide science-based answers to questions regarding whether or not marine mammals are exposed and react to Navy MFAS.

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), NOAA Fisheries, with support from the U.S. Navy, conducted line transect surveys in Behm Canal and adjacent areas in the spring of 2023 and fall of 2024 to obtain estimates of density and abundance of cetaceans and information on marine mammal distribution and occurrence.