Results of Steller Sea Lion Surveys in Alaska, June-July 2016

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 haul-out sites in Alaska were conducted by the MML in June-July 2016. The manned aerial survey was conducted from 23 June to 11 July from the western Gulf of Alaska (158°W) to the Delarof Islands in the central Aleutian Islands (179°W). The ship-based survey, which included the use of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), was conducted from 23 June to 6 July in the Aleutian Islands between 172°E and 166°W. In addition, Steller sea lions were counted from land on Round Island in Bristol Bay by Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) and on Ugamak Island in the eastern Aleutian Islands by MML. 2016 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) AFSC (Alaska Fisheries Science Center) Submitted Public Domain 1862