Sightings of Belugas and Other Marine Mammals in the North Water, Late March 1993

Surveys of belugas were flown during March 1993 in Lancaster Sound and the North Water of Baffin Bay. Most belugas were observed along the shore leads off southeastern Devon Island and in the polynya at the mouth of Jones Sound. Our results confirm other published winter observations that belugas re...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:ARCTIC
Main Authors: Richard, P.R., Orr, J.R., Dietz, R., Dueck, L.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1998
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/64095
Description
Summary:Surveys of belugas were flown during March 1993 in Lancaster Sound and the North Water of Baffin Bay. Most belugas were observed along the shore leads off southeastern Devon Island and in the polynya at the mouth of Jones Sound. Our results confirm other published winter observations that belugas regularly occupy the North Water's leads and polynyas in winter. Walruses, narwhals, and bowhead whales were also seen during these surveys; their presence confirms the use of the North Water wintering area by several other marine mammal species. En mars 1993, on a effectué des relevés aériens dans le détroit de Lancaster et dans l'Eau du Nord située dans la baie de Baffin. La majorité des bélugas ont été observés dans les chenaux longeant la banquise fixe le long du sud-est de l'île Devon et dans la polynie à l'embouchure du détroit de Jones. Nos résultats confirment d'autres observations publiées sur l'utilisation régulière par les bélugas des chenaux et polynies de l'Eau du Nord en hiver. On a également observé des morses, des narvals et des baleines boréales durant ces relevés, ce qui confirme l'utilisation de l'Eau du Nord comme aire d'hivernage pour plusieurs autres espèces de mammifères marins.