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Impact of Ecotourism on Harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ) behavior in Pedersen Lake, Kenai Fjords National Park

Impact of Ecotourism on Harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ) behavior in Pedersen Lake, Kenai Fjords National Park. Caroline Jezierski School of Fisheries and Ocean Science University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Anne Hoover-Miller Alaska SeaLife Center Seward, Alaska. Brenda Norcross

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Impact of Ecotourism on Harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ) behavior in Pedersen Lake, Kenai Fjords National Park

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  1. Impact of Ecotourism on Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) behavior in Pedersen Lake, Kenai Fjords National Park Caroline Jezierski School of Fisheries and Ocean Science University of Alaska, Fairbanks Anne Hoover-Miller Alaska SeaLife Center Seward, Alaska Brenda Norcross Institute for Marine Science University of Alaska, Fairbanks

  2. Ecotourism • Largest & fastest growing industry • Natural & cultural based • “No-take” concept • Low impact • Increased pressure on natural places

  3. Study Area Glacial lake in Kenai Fjords National Park Access via a tidally influenced stream

  4. Harbor Seals • Population declined 80% in the past 25 years • Increased reliance on glacial ice in Pedersen Lake

  5. Disturbance • Humans can alter animal behavior • Impact of sea kayak tourism on harbor seal behavior • Past studies indicate non-motorized vessels can have greater impact

  6. Objectives Add photo • Determine if the frequency of harbor seals abandoning ice increases in human presence • Develop paddling recommendations • Determine if education helps minimize disturbance

  7. Data Collection • 2004- archive tapes from remotely operated cameras • 2005- 10 days in field, recording via cameras • 2006- 28 days in field, recording via cameras

  8. HS Behavior Monitoring Field & remote observation protocol 5 3 4 Select focal group Identify seals by location on iceberg 6 2 1 Record behavior every 10 sec for 20 min Photo: OASLC- HS Fact Sheet

  9. Behaviors Data sheet example Resting (0) Alert (1) Abandoning (2) Out of view (0) Break in observations (0) Grooming (0)

  10. Kayak interactions

  11. Preliminary Results

  12. Impact of Tide The frequency of seals abandoning ice does not vary significantly with tide level. (p<0.70) 2006 Data • Observations collected at all tide stages • Kayak & walker observations concentrated during high tide

  13. Impact of Time of Day The frequency of seals abandoning the ice does not vary significantly with time of day. (p < 0.30) 2006 data • Observations collected during all times of day • Kayak & walker observations concentrated during the afternoon

  14. Comparisons Among Years • Overall % of seals abandoning • the ice varies significantly with years.(p < 0.001) N=335 N=1094 N=1048

  15. N=263 N=43 N=29 N=673 N=382 N=39 N=563 N=372 N=113 For ALL years, the presence of sea kayakers and walkers has a significant effect on the frequency of harbor seals abandoning the ice. significant for all years (p 0.001)

  16. Education Pre-season local guide training Presented results from summer 2005 Offered paddling recommendations

  17. Paddling Recommendations Choose a path with the least number of seals hauled out Observe seal behavior Maintain distance Place iceberg between you and seals

  18. Education Results The frequency of seals abandoning the ice varies significantly with mitigation training (p<0.001) The frequency of seals abandoning the ice varies significantly whether a trip is guided or not (p<0.001) The frequency of seals abandoning the ice does NOT vary significantly when humans are absent and when guides with mitigation training are present (p<0.5)

  19. Summary YES, humans have an impact on harbor seal behavior BUT, education can be effective in minimizing this disturbance

  20. Acknowledgments Kayak info & support: Dave and Wendy Kayak Adventures Worldwide Graduate Committee: Brenda Norcross- UAF Anne Hoover-Miller- ASLC Lori Polasek- UAF/ASLC Kate Wynne- UAF MAP agent Funding sources: OASLC (2005 +) EVOS (2005 +) Francis Fay Memorial Scholarship (2005-2007) Ken Turner Memorial Scholarship (2006-2007) UAF SFOS TA (2004-2005) SeeMore Wilderness Systems staff Field equipment: NPS/OASLC SSL project HS project Stats help: Dan Hennen Protocol Support: Brendan Kelly- UAS Beth Matthews- UAS Tom Smith- USGS Laura Boren Interns: Kristi Heffron Morgan Sternberg Rebecca Pearce Field Volunteer: Sarah Schoen Jacob Knight Transport to field site: Greg Spencer Justin Jenniges Field Prep: National Park Service (NPS) Peter Armato- Director OASLC Jim Pfeiffenberger- Education OASLC Jim Ireland- Head L.E. Ranger Shelley Hall & Meg Hahr- permits Mike Tetreau- bear safety Ian Martin- bear safety CJ Rea- Education Specialist

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