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In 1976, the National Park Service initiated a study to determine whether increased boat traffic or boating activities were having an adverse impact on humpback whales inhabiting Glacier Bay National Monument during the summer months. In 1978, the whales entered the Bay as usual, but left sooner than expected. The scientists conducting the whale studies believed that the early departure of the whales was precipitated by increased boat traffic in the Bay and, in 1979, the Park Service, in consult

Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) inhabit the inland waters of southeast Alaska, including Glacier Bay during the summer months (June-August). In the years from 1967 through 1977, 20 to 25 individually recognizable whales were observed feeding in Glacier Bay. In 1978, the whales entered the bay but left earlier than expected. In 1979, only a few humpbacks entered Glacier Bay. The limited information available suggests that increased human activity in the Bay may have been responsible, a

Humpback whales are seasonal migrants found in all of the world's oceans. In the North Pacific, humpback whales winter in tropical regions over the shallow coastal shelfs associated with the Hawaiian Islands, Baja California, central Mexico, the Ryukyu Islands, Bonin Islands, and Mariana Islands. They summer in cold temperate regions, also over shallow coastal shelfs, from Point Conception, California, north through Alaska, west through the Aleutians, and south to Honshu Island, Japan. Calving a

The meeting participants agreed that the observed decrease in the number of whales in Lynn Canal in 1974 and Glacier Bay in 1978 may be attributable to a number or combination of factors. Available evidence suggests human activity was at least one of the causes, or served to trigger otherwise "natural events". In Lynn Canal, humpback whales were known to feed on herring ( Clupea harengus pallasi ). In 1974, the year a herring fishery began, the number of humpback whales dropped to one ( Table 1

In the Background and Possible Cause and Effect sections it was stated that insufficient data exist to indicate cause and effect relationships. Data are not sufficient in many areas, e.g.:...

The National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for managing and overseeing the use of Glacier Bay National Monument in support of the objectives defined for the Service, when it was established in 1916; an excerpt from the Act creating the Service in 1916 states that the purpose of the Service is: "To conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for th

Based on available information, vessel activity may have been a factor contributing to the movement of whales from Glacier Bay in 1978 and 1979. Alternatives available to manage vessel traffic (assuming increased traffic has had or will have an adverse effect on humpback whales) include: 1. Total closure of Glacier Bay to all vessels. 2. Closure to all vessels during the whale season. 3. Closure to all vessels during part of the whale season. 4. Total closure to all but certain classes of vessel

Factors that should be considered in making research/management decisions include (1) that the humpback whale is an endangered species; (2) that there are statutory requirements to protect the whales and their habitats; (3) that the cause of the present problem is uncertain; (4) that the purpose of the Monument is to provide for educational, recreational, and scientific experiences; and (5) that limiting access or restricting or closing the Monument to some or all vessel activity could affect co

There are many individuals, groups and organizations interested or involved in finding solutions to problems associated with humpback whales and human activities in Glacier Bay. The need for management planning and research programs has been identified. The identification of interested and responsible organizations is necessary so that cooperative, coordinated planning and research can occur. Hopefully, by developing such plans or projects, minimum resources will be expended to obtain satisfacto

Humpback whales in the North Pacific are migratory, spending the summer months in northern waters including the inland waters of southeast Alaska. Records have been maintained on the number of identifiable humpbacks seen in these waters including Glacier Bay. In 1978, humpbacks departed Glacier Bay after being "in residence" for a far shorter time period than recorded previously; all but three whales left the Bay within 24 hours of entering in 1979. There has been an increase in vessel traffic a

Hale, L. Z. and R. G. Wright, 1979. The Glacier Bay Marine Ecosystem. A Conceptual Ecological Model. U.S. Department of the Interior, NPS, Anchorage Office. 177 pp. Jurasz, C.M. and V. Jurasz. 1979. Ecology of Humpback Whales. Draft final report to the National Park Service....

12 October 1979 (Continued)...

Prior to the rise of modern whaling in the late 1800's, the world population of humpback whales exceeded 100,000, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. The North Pacific population probably numbered roughly 15,000 at the turn of the century. Whaling in southeastern Alaska began in 1907 with the establishment of two land stations. The number of humpback whales at the start of this earliest exploitation is unknown. Consistent catch records are available only for 1912-1922, during which time 185 humpb