6.1 Discussion of General Effects
transients described in British Columbia waters; however, unlike other transients, that are resighted sporadically, most of the AT1 transients are resighted in Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords every year.In addition, acoustic behavior (Saulitis 1993) and genetics (Barrett-Lennard 2000) indicate...
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.179.3122 http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/assessments/docs/wadeisfeb083B.pdf |
| Summary: | transients described in British Columbia waters; however, unlike other transients, that are resighted sporadically, most of the AT1 transients are resighted in Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords every year.In addition, acoustic behavior (Saulitis 1993) and genetics (Barrett-Lennard 2000) indicate the AT1 group is a genetically distince, socially isolated group of killer whales. Eleven members of the AT1 group have not been seen since the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill; one of these indivduals is know to have died and the rest are presumed dead (Matkin et al. 1999a). Sightings of the remaining individuals in the AT1 group have also declined in the years following the oil spill, and the population of one of their primary pretty species, the harbor seal, has declined in recent years (Frost et al. 1999). The AT1 Transient stock of killer whales was designated as “depleted ” under the MMPA. Therefore, the AT1 Transient stock of killer whales is classified as a strategic stock. At least 11 animals were alive in 1998, but it appears that as of 2004, only 8 individuals may be alive. Therefore, the AT1 group has been reduced to at least 50 % (11/22) of its 1984 level, and has likely been reduced to 36 % (8/22) of its 1984 level. The AT1 Transient stock of killer whales is not listed as “threatened ” or “endangered ” under the Endangered Species Act. |
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