Monitoring the distribution and movements of
ringed seals in the western Canadian Arctic,
using satellite telemetry 1999-2001

• Project Participants
• Funding From
• Introduction
• Study Objectives
• How were the seals tagged?
• What are the tags like?
• What have we found out so far?
• Overview

Project participants

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), NWT Area

Holman Hunters and Trappers Committee, Holman, NT

ECO Marine Corporation, Garthby, PQ

Funding from

Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans, Oceans Branch

Fisheries Joint Management Committee, Inuvik

World Wildlife Fund Canada, Toronto

Introduction

The ringed seal is an important species in the arctic marine ecosystem, being the main prey of the polar bear, and a major consumer of marine fish and invertebrates. It is important to the subsistence economies of the coastal Inuvialuit communities of Holman, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk and Paulatuk. Ringed seals are harvested for food, dog food and for pelts for handicrafts and clothing.

The Holman HTC and DFO have been studying the condition, growth and reproduction of ringed seals in the Holman area since 1971. Seals taken in the regular harvest are sampled and measured to monitor changes in condition and reproduction as indicators of environmental productivity. However little is known about the distribution, movements and stock structure of ringed seals in this area.

In 1999, the satellite-tagging project was started in the Inuvialuit community of Holman. Four ringed seals were tagged in year one of the project. We hope to apply 10 tags in each of 2000 (Holman) and 2001 (Cape Parry).

Study objectives

• To document the range and movements of adult, adolescent and young of the year ringed seals from the Safety Channel area near Holman, and from the Cape Parry area in Amundsen Gulf, from early summer through to late spring.
• To examine the depth and duration of ringed seal dives, time at surface, and distribution and movements of tagged seals in relation to ice conditions and oceanographic features (depicted in satellite imagery). These data will elucidate important feeding locations within the region, feeding depths (water column vs benthic) and feeding behaviour.
• In a community-based program, to develop and utilize local expertise in the application of satellite tags to ringed seals in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

How were the seals tagged?

Dr. Tom Smith of ECO Marine Corp. has worked on seals in the Holman area since the early 1970's. He coordinated the field aspects of the tagging project, with local expertise provided by Holman seal hunters David Kuptana and Roger Memogana, and geologist Harold Wright. Families were on site and helped too.

They set up camp at Orsokhivik (70 35.97 N latitude; 117 17.67 W longitude) on June 27, 1999. Five 50 yd, large-mesh (9") seal nets were set, and monitored round the clock.

When a seal was caught in one of the nets, Tom, David, Roger and Harold expertly pulled the seal into David's 18 ft Lund boat, and brought it to the work station on shore. The seal was calmed by gently covering its head with a piece of canvas. No anesthetics were used.

It didn't take long for the crew to catch the seals, examine and weigh them, clean the fur on their backs in the spot where the tag would go, and apply the tag with five minute epoxy glue. Total handling time was about 45 minutes per seal. Seals were released at the shore and they were soon on their way.

What are the tags like?

The satellite tags came in two sizes. The smaller of the two sizes is about 10 cm x 10 cm (carrying 2 C cells) and 10 cm x 15 cm (carrying 4 C cells).

The smaller tags were put on the two females and the larger ones on the two males. Each tag contains its own small computer, and has an antenna. When the seal is at the surface, the tag sends a signal to the ARGOS satellite system.

The tags are programmed to continue to transmit until May 2000, at which time they are expected to fall off the seal during the annual moult.

What have we found out so far?

The tags were applied to two adult males (100 kg and 84 kg, respectively), one adult female (52 kg), and one adolescent female (39 kg). Of the four tags, one lasted 10 days, and the other three transmitted for over 5 months. Two are continuing to send signals and are into their sixth month of transmissions.

Their journeys are shown on the maps below. One seal "never left home", while another traveled over 1000 km for the summer months and then returned to the very location where he was tagged.

Overview

Movement of a ringed seal (99 - 21212) - adult female from June 28 to July 6, 1999.	Movement of a ringed seal (99 - 11747) - adolescent female from July 1 to December 6, 1999
Movement of a ringed seal (99 - 5056) - adult male from June 29 to December 6, 1999	Movement of ringed seal (99 - 5092) - adult male from June 29 to November 13, 1999

Credits

Maps: Marta Wojnarowska

Photos: Diane Codere, ECO Marine Corp.

Web Page: Donna-May Glowaicki

For more information, contact:

Lois Harwood
Arctic Science, Stock Assessment
Box 1871
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Canada