Results of Steller Sea Lion Surveys in Alaska, June-July 2017

The Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) conducted aerial-, ship-, and land-based surveys to count Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups (~1 mo old) and non-pups (adults and juveniles ≥ 1 year old) on terrestrial rookery and haulout sites in Alaska in June-July 2017. The occupied aircraft survey team conducted their survey from 27 June to 5 July from southeast Alaska (Dixon Entrance, 132°W) to the Shumagin Islands in the western Gulf of Alaska (161°W). The ship-based survey team, which included the use of an unoccupied aircraft system (UAS), conducted their survey from 22 June to 7 July in the Aleutian Islands between 172°E and 166°W. In addition, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) counted Steller sea lions from land on Round Island in Bristol Bay (eastern Bering Sea). 2017 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) AFSC (Alaska Fisheries Science Center) Submitted Public Domain 1862