Gulf of Alaska | Mammals UNDERGRADUATE POSTER PRESENTATION
Changing status of harmful algal bloom, disease, and marine debris impacts on Endangered Species Act listed Alaskan marine mammals: Literature review in support of National Marine
Fisheries Service Alaska Region Endangered Species Act Section 7 Presenter: Cassandra Deblois , cassandra.deblois@noaa.gov, NOAA NMFS AKRO Kelly Cates , kelly.cates@noaa.gov, NOAA NMFS AKRO
This literature review was prepared in support of future Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 consultations for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Alaska Regional Office (AKRO) by summarizing new information on how harmful algal blooms (HABs), disease, and marine debris affect marine mammals. New information was evaluated from 2010 to 2022 and examined how impacts from these three areas on ESA listed Alaskan marine mammals have changed over time. Our summary found that HABs are problematic in other parts of the world and are an increasing issue in Alaska and the broader Arctic. Diseases are not currently a prevalent cause of population declines in Alaska, but should continue to be monitored. Marine debris is problematic in Alaska, as plastic and other debris has been increasingly observed, but records of marine mammal interactions with debris are not common. Several data gaps were observed in conducting the literature review, and where appropriate, published literature from other regions is discussed as a proxy for what could be or is occurring in Alaskan waters.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 250
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