In May of 2001, the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) conducted an aerial photographic survey of the California coast and the offshore Channel Islands to obtain a minimum estimate of the population of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) living in California. The developed photographs were examined to count the number of harbor seals present and determine the location of each haul-out site by comparison to photos taken in previous surveys. This survey was successful in obtaining nearly complete coverage of all known haul-out areas. The 1995 survey was the last complete coverage. The total county for 2001 is 12,312 harbor seals. This result is the lowest ever recorded by CDFG for a combined count of the mainland and all offshore islands. The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) conducted two surveys in 2002 in an attempt to provide better coverage and to lessen the chances of weather related problems. A total of 16 days were scheduled for aerial surveys from May 19 to July 19, 2002. Total count for Survey 1 was 10,541 harbor seals, while that for Survey 2 was 8,374 harbor seals. Camera problems that produced un-readable film and poor weather conditions prevented a complete assessment by either survey. The lack of complete coverage by either Survey 1 or 2 limited the total number of harbor seals counted. This is especially true in areas where past surveys revealed high concentrations of seals such as the northern Channel Islands and Point Reyes - Sonoma County coast. The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) conducted two aerial surveys in 2003 in an attempt to provide better coverage and to lessen the chances of weather related problems. A total of 20 days were scheduled for aerial surveys from May 25 to July 20, 2003. Complete coverage was achieved in both surveys. This was the first time CDFG conducted these surveys using a digital imaging camera. Total count for Survey 1 was 17,415, while that for Survey 2 was 17,778 harbor seals.

In May of 2001, the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) conducted an aerial photographic survey of the California coast and the offshore Channel Islands to obtain a minimum estimate of the population of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) living in California. The developed photographs were examined to count the number of harbor seals present and determine the location of each haul-out site by comparison to photos taken in previous surveys. This survey was successful in obtaining nearly complete coverage of all known haul-out areas. The 1995 survey was the last complete coverage. The total county for 2001 is 12,312 harbor seals. This result is the lowest ever recorded by CDFG for a combined count of the mainland and all offshore islands. The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) conducted two surveys in 2002 in an attempt to provide better coverage and to lessen the chances of weather related problems. A total of 16 days were scheduled for aerial surveys from May 19 to July 19, 2002. Total count for Survey 1 was 10,541 harbor seals, while that for Survey 2 was 8,374 harbor seals. Camera problems that produced un-readable film and poor weather conditions prevented a complete assessment by either survey. The lack of complete coverage by either Survey 1 or 2 limited the total number of harbor seals counted. This is especially true in areas where past surveys revealed high concentrations of seals such as the northern Channel Islands and Point Reyes - Sonoma County coast. The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) conducted two aerial surveys in 2003 in an attempt to provide better coverage and to lessen the chances of weather related problems. A total of 20 days were scheduled for aerial surveys from May 25 to July 20, 2003. Complete coverage was achieved in both surveys. This was the first time CDFG conducted these surveys using a digital imaging camera. Total count for Survey 1 was 17,415, while that for Survey 2 was 17,778 harbor seals.

In May of 2001, the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) conducted an aerial photographic survey of the California coast and the offshore Channel Islands to obtain a minimum estimate of the population of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) living in California. The developed photographs were examined to count the number of harbor seals present and determine the location of each haul-out site by comparison to photos taken in previous surveys. This survey was successful in obtaining nearly complete coverage of all known haul-out areas. The 1995 survey was the last complete coverage. The total county for 2001 is 12,312 harbor seals. This result is the lowest ever recorded by CDFG for a combined count of the mainland and all offshore islands. The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) conducted two surveys in 2002 in an attempt to provide better coverage and to lessen the chances of weather related problems. A total of 16 days were scheduled for aerial surveys from May 19 to July 19, 2002. Total count for Survey 1 was 10,541 harbor seals, while that for Survey 2 was 8,374 harbor seals. Camera problems that produced un-readable film and poor weather conditions prevented a complete assessment by either survey. The lack of complete coverage by either Survey 1 or 2 limited the total number of harbor seals counted. This is especially true in areas where past surveys revealed high concentrations of seals such as the northern Channel Islands and Point Reyes - Sonoma County coast. The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) conducted two aerial surveys in 2003 in an attempt to provide better coverage and to lessen the chances of weather related problems. A total of 20 days were scheduled for aerial surveys from May 25 to July 20, 2003. Complete coverage was achieved in both surveys. This was the first time CDFG conducted these surveys using a digital imaging camera. Total count for Survey 1 was 17,415, while that for Survey 2 was 17,778 harbor seals.

Population monitoring studies of harbor seals in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, have spanned five decades from the 1970’s to the present (Streveler 1979; Calambokidis et al. 1987; Mathews & Pendleton 2006; Womble al. 2010; Womble et al. 2020; Womble et al. 2021), representing one of just a few sites in in Alaska where such long-term monitoring effort exists. Monitoring methods for harbor seals at terrestrial sites have remained consistent since 1992 allowing for quantifying distribution, abundance, and trend of harbor seals in Glacier Bay National Park. This file includes data includes count data of harbor seals from digital photographs collected during aerial photographic surveys conducted in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in southeastern Alaska to assess the distribution, abundance, and trend of harbor seals at terrestrial and glacier ice sites (McBride Inlet and Tarr Inlet) from 2004 to 2023. Aerial photographic surveys were conducted from May-September, with most surveys occurring during May-June (pupping period) and July-September (molting period). Replicate aerial surveys (2-4 surveys during pupping and molting period) were conducted to increase precision in the trend estimates of harbor seals. If it was not possible to complete at least 4 replicate surveys on different days during one tidal cycle, then surveys were attempted during the second low tidal cycle of the month, weather permitting. From 2004-2025 this project was led by Jamie N. Womble (National Park Service), please contact Jamie if you have questions regarding these data, at jamienwombleak@gmail.com. Please see associated publications for more details. Womble, J.N., Williams, P.J., McNabb, R., Prakash, A., Gens, R., Sedinger, B. and Acevedo, C. (2021). Harbor Seals as Sentinels of Ice Dynamics in Tidewater Glacier Fjords. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, pp.1-16. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.634541/full Blanchet, M.A., Vincent, C., Womble, J., Steingass, S. and Desportes, G., (2021). Harbour Seals: Population Structure, Status, and Threats in a Rapidly Changing Environment. In Oceans (Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 41-63).https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1924/2/1/3 Womble, J.N., Ver Hoef, J.M, Mathews, E.A., Gende, S.M. (2020). Calibrating and adjusting counts of harbor seals in a tidewater glacier fjord to estimate abundance and trends 1992-2017. Ecosphere 11(4), p.e03111. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.3111 Womble, J.N. 2012. Foraging ecology, diving behavior, and migration patterns of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) from a glacial fjord in Alaska in relation to prey availability and oceanographic features. Ph.D. Dissertation. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Blundell, G.M., Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Karpovich, S.A., Gende, S.M., Herreman, J.K. (2011) Use of glacial ice and terrestrial habitats by harbor seals in Glacier Bay, Alaska: costs and benefits. Marine Ecology Progress Series 429:277- 290. https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m429p277.pdf Allen, S.G., Brown, E., Faulkner, K., Gende, S.M., Womble, J. N. (2011) Conserving pinnipeds in Pacific Ocean parks in response to climate change. Park Science 28:48-52. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jamie-Womble/publication/258407609_Conserving_pinnipeds_in_Pacific_Ocean_parks_in_response_to_climate_chnage/links/0f3175372b3ec3667c000000/Conserving-pinnipeds-in-Pacific-Ocean-parks-in-response-to-climate-chnage.pdf Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Mathews, E.A., Blundell, G.M., Bool, N.M., Gende, S.M. (2010) Harbor seal decline continues in the rapidly changing landscape of Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, 1992-2008. Marine Mammal Science 26:686-697https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2009.00360.x?msockid=14da1e5b94b961b802740be595036098 Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Mathews, E.A., Gende S.M. (2015). Status and trend of harbor seals at terrestrial sites in Glacier Bay National Park from

Population monitoring studies of harbor seals in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, have spanned five decades from the 1970’s to the present (Streveler 1979; Calambokidis et al. 1987; Mathews & Pendleton 2006; Womble al. 2010; Womble et al. 2020; Womble et al. 2021), representing one of just a few sites in in Alaska where such long-term monitoring effort exists. Monitoring methods for harbor seals at terrestrial sites have remained consistent since 1992 allowing for quantifying distribution, abundance, and trend of harbor seals in Glacier Bay National Park. This file includes data includes count data of harbor seals from digital photographs collected during aerial photographic surveys conducted in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in southeastern Alaska to assess the distribution, abundance, and trend of harbor seals at terrestrial and glacier ice sites (McBride Inlet and Tarr Inlet) from 2004 to 2023. Aerial photographic surveys were conducted from May-September, with most surveys occurring during May-June (pupping period) and July-September (molting period). Replicate aerial surveys (2-4 surveys during pupping and molting period) were conducted to increase precision in the trend estimates of harbor seals. If it was not possible to complete at least 4 replicate surveys on different days during one tidal cycle, then surveys were attempted during the second low tidal cycle of the month, weather permitting. From 2004-2025 this project was led by Jamie N. Womble (National Park Service), please contact Jamie if you have questions regarding these data, at jamienwombleak@gmail.com. Please see associated publications for more details. Womble, J.N., Williams, P.J., McNabb, R., Prakash, A., Gens, R., Sedinger, B. and Acevedo, C. (2021). Harbor Seals as Sentinels of Ice Dynamics in Tidewater Glacier Fjords. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, pp.1-16. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.634541/full Blanchet, M.A., Vincent, C., Womble, J., Steingass, S. and Desportes, G., (2021). Harbour Seals: Population Structure, Status, and Threats in a Rapidly Changing Environment. In Oceans (Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 41-63).https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1924/2/1/3 Womble, J.N., Ver Hoef, J.M, Mathews, E.A., Gende, S.M. (2020). Calibrating and adjusting counts of harbor seals in a tidewater glacier fjord to estimate abundance and trends 1992-2017. Ecosphere 11(4), p.e03111. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.3111 Womble, J.N. 2012. Foraging ecology, diving behavior, and migration patterns of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) from a glacial fjord in Alaska in relation to prey availability and oceanographic features. Ph.D. Dissertation. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Blundell, G.M., Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Karpovich, S.A., Gende, S.M., Herreman, J.K. (2011) Use of glacial ice and terrestrial habitats by harbor seals in Glacier Bay, Alaska: costs and benefits. Marine Ecology Progress Series 429:277- 290. https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m429p277.pdf Allen, S.G., Brown, E., Faulkner, K., Gende, S.M., Womble, J. N. (2011) Conserving pinnipeds in Pacific Ocean parks in response to climate change. Park Science 28:48-52. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jamie-Womble/publication/258407609_Conserving_pinnipeds_in_Pacific_Ocean_parks_in_response_to_climate_chnage/links/0f3175372b3ec3667c000000/Conserving-pinnipeds-in-Pacific-Ocean-parks-in-response-to-climate-chnage.pdf Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Mathews, E.A., Blundell, G.M., Bool, N.M., Gende, S.M. (2010) Harbor seal decline continues in the rapidly changing landscape of Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, 1992-2008. Marine Mammal Science 26:686-697https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2009.00360.x?msockid=14da1e5b94b961b802740be595036098 Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Mathews, E.A., Gende S.M. (2015). Status and trend of harbor seals at terrestrial sites in Glacier Bay National Park from

This dataset provides counts of harbor seals from aerial surveys over Iliamna Lake, Alaska, USA. The data have been collated from three previously published sources (Mathisen and Kline 1992; Small 2001; ABR Inc. Environmental Research and Services 2011) and newly available data from the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center and the Newhalen Tribal Council. The survey years range between 1984 and 2013. Counts are reported as summed totals across all identified waypoints in the lake for each survey date. The NOAA National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML) (Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, USA) conducted aerial surveys of Iliamna Lake between 2008 and 2013. Surveys were conducted as part of annual harbor seal survey effort and in collaboration with local community participants and researchers at the University of Alaska. Surveys were flown using high wing, twin engine aircraft (Aero Commander 680, 690 or a de Havilland Twin Otter). Survey altitude was generally 330 m and at an aircraft speed of 120 kts. Surveys were performed seasonally for most years between 2008 and 2013. Surveys were timed so that one survey was conducted while the lake was mostly frozen (Late March/early April), one during pupping (mid July), and often several during the August molt, when the greatest number of seals typically haul out on shore. Surveys were flown, weather allowing, in the mid- to late-afternoon, when the number of seals hauled out was expected to be highest. Aircraft flight track was recorded by GPS and all seals sighted were digitally photographed using a high resolution digital SLR camera with a telephoto zoom lens (up to 400mm). Time, date, latitude, longitude, and altitude were automatically saved into the image metadata or georeferenced post survey using the GPS track and software. The total number of seals hauled out were counted from the digital photographs and recorded for each identified site. Pups were determined by their smaller size, and close proximity (less than 1 body length; either nursing or laying right next) to a larger seal. Pups were no longer recorded beyond about mid-August when many have been weaned and cannot reliably be distinguished from other non-adult seals. In 2009, a collaborative effort between NMML and researchers from the Newhalen Tribal Council (Newhalen Tribal Council 2009) provided 10 additional surveys and similar techniques were used. The raw survey count data from these surveys was provided to NMML. Aerial surveys were authorized under a Marine Mammal Protection Act General Authorization (LOC No. 14590) issued to the NMML. Between 2005 and 2007, ABR, Inc. Environmental Research and Services conducted a series of aerial surveys for harbor seals in Iliamna Lake (ABR Inc. Environmental Research and Services 2011). In addition, earlier counts from surveys conducted by ADFG (Small 2001) and a 1991 census by Mathisen and Kline (Mathisen and Kline 1992) were incorporated into the dataset to expand the historical reach. Geographic coordinates were provided (or, when not provided, determined based on descriptions or phyiscal maps) for each survey site and these sites were compared and merged with locations identified by NMML. In some cases, sites in very close geographic proximity were combined into a single site.

The National Marine Mammal Laboratories' California Current Ecosystem Program (AFSC/NOAA) initiated a long-term marking program of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) at San Miguel Island, California in 1975. A sample of up to 300 pups has been tagged in the foreflippers with various types and colors of tags each year between 1975 and the present. Resighting surveys for marked animals are conducted annually at summer breeding sites. Resightings are also obtained from the public when animals are observed on beaches or in fisheries. The data are used in mark-recapture models to estimate the age and sex specific vital parameters of the population and to describe age and sex specific reproductive behavior and seasonal movements of animals throughout their lives.

Vector datasets of CWHR range maps are one component of California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR), a comprehensive information system and predictive model for Californias wildlife. The CWHR System was developed to support habitat conservation and management, land use planning, impact assessment, education, and research involving terrestrial vertebrates in California. CWHR contains information on life history, management status, geographic distribution, and habitat relationships for wildlife species known to occur regularly in California. Range maps represent the maximum, current geographic extent of each species within California. They were originally delineated at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by species-level experts and have gradually been revised at a scale of 1:1,000,000. For more information about CWHR, visit the CWHR webpage (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR). The webpage provides links to download CWHR data and user documents such as a look up table of available range maps including species code, species name, and range map revision history; a full set of CWHR GIS data; .pdf files of each range map or species life history accounts; and a User Guide.

Vector datasets of CWHR range maps are one component of California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR), a comprehensive information system and predictive model for Californias wildlife. The CWHR System was developed to support habitat conservation and management, land use planning, impact assessment, education, and research involving terrestrial vertebrates in California. CWHR contains information on life history, management status, geographic distribution, and habitat relationships for wildlife species known to occur regularly in California. Range maps represent the maximum, current geographic extent of each species within California. They were originally delineated at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by species-level experts and have gradually been revised at a scale of 1:1,000,000. For more information about CWHR, visit the CWHR webpage (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR). The webpage provides links to download CWHR data and user documents such as a look up table of available range maps including species code, species name, and range map revision history; a full set of CWHR GIS data; .pdf files of each range map or species life history accounts; and a User Guide.

Between 2004 and 2006 we conducted four harbor seal tagging trips in Cook Inlet during the months of October and May. In total, we captured and released 93 harbor seals, 77 of which were tagged with satellite transmitters. Each transmitter was glued to the hair on the back of the seal using durable epoxy. Fourteen of the seals were also equipped with specially developed transmitters that were attached to one of the rear flippers. Transmissions from the 91 tags resulted in 178,536 location estimates and 310,593 dive and haul-out behavior records. These data formed the basis for the development of novel analysis techniques. Johnson et al. (2008) described a novel continuous-time correlated random walk (CTCRW) method for predicting animal locations from satellite tags. Higgs and Ver Hoef (2011) described a new statistical method for analyzing dive behavior based on dive histogram recordings obtained from satellite tags. The data files within this dataset represent the 'raw' data obtained from the Wildlife Computers data portal. Each deployment (unique tag id + animal id combination) is provided as a zipped archive. The root folder also includes additional documentation. The various files and detailed column descriptions are described in the 'Spreadsheet-File-Descriptions.pdf' which was downloaded from Wildlife Computers (https://wildlifecomputers.com/support/downloads/). The '00_cookinletpv_get_data.Rmd' file is an RMarkdown file that provides code and documentation of the data retrieval process. The corresponding '00_cookinlet_get_data.hml' file is autogenerated from the RMarkdown file.