Research study of the reactions of wildlife to boating activity along Kenai Fjords coastline: Final Report to the National Park Service
Murphy EC and Hoover AA. 1981. Research study of the reactions of wildlife to boating activity along Kenai Fjords coastline: Final Report to the National Park Service. Alaska Cooperative Park Studies Unit, Biology and Resource Management Program, University of Alaska. Fairbanks, AK
This report presents the results of a 1979 and 1980 field study of human-induced disturbance on harbor seals, as well as the results of a study of the breeding biology of glaucous-winged gulls in Kenai Fjords National Park. Harbor seal responses to small vessel traffic was variable, with seals leaving floating ice when approached to distances of 3 to greater than 250 m. Age-specific responses of seals to small vessels were documented. Harbor seals approached by aircraft flying at 75 m altitude showed no response, while those approached by planes at 30 m or less altitude fled. Glaucous-winged gull reproductive success was shown to vary between years and within the study colony.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Murphy, Edward; Hoover, A
- Date of Issue
- 1981
- Publisher
- Alaska Cooperative Park Studies Unit, Biology and Resource Management Program, University of Alaska
- Units
- KEFJ
- Keywords
- Abundance, Aialik Bay, Behavior, Distribution, Disturbance, Environmental Impact, glaucous-winged gulls, Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina), Human Impacts, Kenai Fjords National Park, Larus glaucescens, Marine Mammals, Phoca vitulina, Recreation, Sea Birds, Squab Island, Wildlife