This dataset contains visual observations of whales taken from research vessel Yushin Maru No.3 in the North Pacific for the International Whaling Commission Pacific Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research (IWC-POWER) Program from 2016-07-02 to 2016-08-30. IWC-POWER cruises in the North Pacific follow the series of IWC/IDCR-SOWER (Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research) cruises that were conducted in the Antarctic since 1978. The 7th annual IWC-POWER cruise was successfully conducted between 02 July to 30 August, 2016 in the central North Pacific (with the dedicated research area located between 20°N-30°N and 135°W - 160°W). Areas of the US EEZ were included within this research area. The cruise was organized as a joint project between the IWC and Japan. The cruise plan was endorsed at the 66a IWC/Scientific Committee (IWC/SC) meeting. Researchers from Japan, US, and Republic of Korea participated in the survey. The cruise had five main objectives: (a) provide information for the proposed future in-depth assessment of sei whales in terms of both abundance and stock structure; (b) provide information relevant to the Implementation Reviews of whales in terms of both abundance and stock structure (e.g., Bryde’s whales); (c) provide baseline information on distribution and abundance for an area of the North Pacific not recently and systematically surveyed for several large whale species/populations, including those that were known to have been depleted in the past, but whose status is unclear; (d) provide biopsy samples and photo-identification data to contribute to discussions of stock structure for several large whale species/populations, including those that were known to have been depleted in the past but whose status is unclear, and (e) provide essential information for the inter-sessional workshop to plan for a medium to long-term international program in the North Pacific. At the pre-cruise meeting, the Captain and crew of the vessel and international researchers agreed on the procedures and objectives of the survey. The survey was conducted using methods based on the IWC/SC guidelines. The predetermined transect lines were completed within the anticipated time schedule. Survey track line coverage was 97.2% within the designated survey area and a total of 2,237.5 n.miles was surveyed in the Passing with abeam closing mode (NSP) and the Independent Observer passing mode (IO). Additionally, 626.2 and 580.1 n.miles were surveyed during transit to and from the research area respectively. Sightings of: Blue (1 school / 1 individual), sei (1/1), Bryde’s (28/32), sperm (32/125), Cuvier’s beaked (2/5), Mesoplodon spp. (2/3), Ziphiidae (7/11), short finned pilot (2/31), pygmy killer (1/16) whales; Risso’s (2/19), bottlenose (1/37), common (8/217), striped (5/378) and spotted (1/133) dolphins were observed during the cruise. Bryde’s and sperm whales were the most frequently sighted large whale species. The Estimated Angle and Distance Training Exercises and Experiments were completed with improvements following SC suggestions. Photo identification data for 12 Bryde’s whales, 2 sperm whales were collected. A total of 23 biopsy (skin and blubber)samples was collected from 1 blue, 1 sei, 16 Bryde’s whales and 5 sperm whales using the Larsen biopsy rifle/darts system. In the case of Bryde’s whale, 3 samples (individuals) were collected from Sub-area 1 (west of 180°E) and 13 samples from Sub-area 2 (east of 180°E). These biopsy samples will enable genetic studies on stock structure to be conducted in contribution to the North Pacific Bryde’s whale Implementation Review to be held at the 2017 SC meeting. A total of 153 objects of marine debris were observed. All survey procedures were in accordance with the guidelines set forth and agreed upon by the SC. The 7th annual cruise of the IWC-POWER program was completed and provided important information on cetacean distribution in an area where no survey had been

This dataset contains visual and sonobuoy observations of whales taken from research vessel Yushin Maru No.2 in the Bering Sea for the International Whaling Commission Pacific Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research, IWC-POWER, Program from 2017-07-03 to 2017-09-25. IWC-POWER cruises in the North Pacific follow the series of IWC/IDCR-SOWER (Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research) cruises that were conducted in the Antarctic since 1978. The 8th annual IWC-POWER cruise was conducted between 03 July and 25 September, 2017 in the eastern part of the Bering Sea. The entire research area was within the US EEZ. The survey was conducted aboard the Japanese R/V Yushin-Maru No.2. The cruise was organized as a joint project between the IWC and Japan. The cruise plan was endorsed at the 67a IWC/Scientific Committee (IWC/SC) meeting (IWC, 2017a). Researchers from Japan, the US and IWC participated in the survey. The cruise had five main objectives: (a) information for the in-depth assessments of North Pacific sei, humpback and gray whales in terms of abundance, distribution and stock structure; (b) information on the critically endangered North Pacific right whale population in the eastern Pacific; (c) completion of coverage of the northern range of fin whales following on from the IWC-POWER cruises in 2010-12; (d) baseline information on distribution, stock structure and abundance for a poorly known area for several large whale species/populations, including those that were known to have been depleted in the past but whose status is unclear; (e) essential information for the development of the medium-long term international programme in the North Pacific in order to meet the Commission’s long-term objectives. At the pre-cruise meeting, the Captain and crew of the vessel and international researchers agreed on the procedures and objectives of the survey. The survey was conducted using methods based on the guidelines of the IWC/SC. The acoustic survey was introduced for the first time to acoustically monitor for the presence of marine mammals, with particular importance for detecting and locating North Pacific right whales. Survey trackline coverage was 71.9 % (planned distance of 2,183.7 n.miles) of the original trackline with a total of 1,571.0 n.miles in the Passing with abeam closing mode (NSP) and the Independent Observer passing mode (IO). Additionally, 228.3 n.miles were surveyed during transit between Japan and the research area. Sightings of: fin (145 schools / 198 individuals), humpback (136/165), common minke (17/20), gray (15/22), North Pacific right (9 /18, including 2/3 duplicates), and sperm (25/33) whales were observed during the cruise. Fin and humpback whales were the most frequently sighted large whale species. Gray whales were sighted early in the survey, north of 64oN. There were no sightings of blue or sei whales during the cruise. The Estimated Angle and Distance Training Exercises and Experiments were completed. Photoidentification data were collected for: 15 North Pacific right (12 unique individuals, 3 duplicates), 14 gray (all unique), 55 fin, 34 humpback (32 unique individuals), 1 minke and 56 killer whales. These data are preliminary, pending further processing and photo-identification confirmation. The majority of North Pacific right whales were sighted at the western edge of Bristol Bay and in the middle of the critical habitat. Five of the nine right whale sighting were detected and localized using acoustics. A total of 60 biopsy (skin and blubber) samples was collected from 28 fin, 18 humpback, 9 gray, 3 North Pacific right and 2 killer whales using the Larsen sampling system. A total of 240 sonobuoys were deployed, for a total of 841 monitoring hours. Species detected include fin whales, detected on 46.7% of sonobuoys (112 buoys), killer whales (49 buoys, 20.4%), sperm whales (44 buoys, 18.3%), and right whales (38 buoys 15.8%), followed by humpback whales (23 buoys, 9.6%) and gray whales (4 buoys,

This dataset contains results of in-depth visual assessments of North Pacific sei, humpback, and gray whales collected from the research vessel Yushin-Maru No. 2 in the Bering Sea for the IWC Pacific Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research, IWC-POWER, Program. Data are in PDF. This dataset is U.S. State Department Marine Research Science U2018-002 submitted as part of the World Data Service for Oceanography.

Whale data were collected using visual observations and other instruments in the Arctic Ocean from aircraft. Data were collected from 02 August 1979 to 18 October 1982 by the US Navy; Naval Ocean Systems Command as part of the MMS Studies program. Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard Marine Mammal Sighting and Census (F127) format. The F127 format is used for data from field observations of marine animals. Data may be reported either for individual, random sightings or for sightings made as part of systematic ship or aircraft surveys along specified tracks. These data provide information on animal population densities and distributions, activities, migratory routes and breeding locales. Cruise or survey information, start and end positions, start and end times, and platform speed, direction, and altitude are reported for each observation or series of observations. Position, date and time are reported for each sighting location, along with a code indicating presence or absence of animals and, if present, their distance to the observer, shoreline, and ice edge and heading direction. For each sighting location, animal sighting data are reported by species for all observed species. Species identification, total number of individuals, and counts by age group (adults, subadults, juveniles, unknown) may be reported in summary for all animals sighted or by subgroups distinguished by sex, behavior, markings, or other characteristics. A text record is available for comments.

Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) survey and sightings data from 1993 - 2014 collected by the National Marine Mammal Laboratories' California Current Ecosystem Program (AFSC/NOAA) personnel. Gray whales surveys were conducted along the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and British Columbia, Canada. Gray whales were counted and photographed during the surveys. This dataset contains the survey data for the sighted whales, survey effort, and photo logs from the surveys. This dataset does not contain the photographs or identifications of individual whales.