Observing Marine Mammals

By Wyatt Fournier, NOAA Fisheries, on the Northwestern Explorer

Not only has the science crew been busy on deck sorting fish, but our Marine Mammal and Seabird Observer has been recording sightings (or absence of sightings) 12 hours a day. With the Fairweather mountain range in view, it’s not too bad of a job.

Humpback, Fin, and Sperm whales have been sighted multiple times and Steller sea lions and fur seals also came quite close to the boat. One of our trawl sets was delayed by this fur seal as it played around the main wire.

Fur Seal                                                                                                                        Observer

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