Who is that? Identifying individuals and creating a regional ID catalogue for the harbor porpoise in the Salish Sea
Presentation Abstract
Marine mammals are ideal indicators of the health of the Salish Sea ecosystem. Monitoring of top predators such as the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) through individual photo-identification will provide critical information for marine conservation efforts. However due to their lack of overt markings, small size and evasive behavior, the harbor porpoise has often been overlooked in photo-ID studies. This study conducted primarily land-based photo-ID of harbor porpoises at Burrow’s Pass on the west side of Fidalgo Island, WA, where harbor porpoises are frequently observed, with some additional data from opportunistic transects of surrounding waters. Using a multi-feature identification strategy to categorize and group distinct markings, identification of individual harbor porpoises was found to be successful. Eight categories were identified (with 2-6 descriptors each): (i) Fin Shape, (ii) Fin Size, (iii) Fin Base Width, (iv) Fin Trailing Edge, (v) Peduncle, (vi) Scars/Lesions (left and/or right side), (vii) Pigmentation (left and/or right side), and (viii) Overall Coloration. Data collected since January 2014 revealed over 35 individuals successfully identified using this method, 28% of which have been re-sighted over days, weeks, months and between years. These results demonstrate that identification of individual harbor porpoises is possible, that the various marks used for identification are stable over time, and that there is some degree of site fidelity to the study area. To increase the scope of the work and involve the public, we collaborate with local citizens and local and transboundary research organizations who provide harbor porpoise photographs and sighting data from around the Salish Sea. Through a combination of dedicated research, local outreach and transboundary collaborations we are beginning to create a regional database of harbor porpoise ID, providing data that can reveal currently unknown aspects of this species’ sociality, behavior and life history.
Session Title
General species and food webs
Conference Track
Species and Food Webs
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Poster
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events); posters
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Harbor porpoise--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)--Identification; Harbor porpoise--Counting--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Who is that? Identifying individuals and creating a regional ID catalogue for the harbor porpoise in the Salish Sea
2016SSEC
Marine mammals are ideal indicators of the health of the Salish Sea ecosystem. Monitoring of top predators such as the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) through individual photo-identification will provide critical information for marine conservation efforts. However due to their lack of overt markings, small size and evasive behavior, the harbor porpoise has often been overlooked in photo-ID studies. This study conducted primarily land-based photo-ID of harbor porpoises at Burrow’s Pass on the west side of Fidalgo Island, WA, where harbor porpoises are frequently observed, with some additional data from opportunistic transects of surrounding waters. Using a multi-feature identification strategy to categorize and group distinct markings, identification of individual harbor porpoises was found to be successful. Eight categories were identified (with 2-6 descriptors each): (i) Fin Shape, (ii) Fin Size, (iii) Fin Base Width, (iv) Fin Trailing Edge, (v) Peduncle, (vi) Scars/Lesions (left and/or right side), (vii) Pigmentation (left and/or right side), and (viii) Overall Coloration. Data collected since January 2014 revealed over 35 individuals successfully identified using this method, 28% of which have been re-sighted over days, weeks, months and between years. These results demonstrate that identification of individual harbor porpoises is possible, that the various marks used for identification are stable over time, and that there is some degree of site fidelity to the study area. To increase the scope of the work and involve the public, we collaborate with local citizens and local and transboundary research organizations who provide harbor porpoise photographs and sighting data from around the Salish Sea. Through a combination of dedicated research, local outreach and transboundary collaborations we are beginning to create a regional database of harbor porpoise ID, providing data that can reveal currently unknown aspects of this species’ sociality, behavior and life history.
