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Spatial and social connectivity of fish-eating “Resident” killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the northern North Pacific

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Abstract

The productive North Pacific waters of the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea support a high density of fish-eating “Resident” type killer whales (Orcinus orca), which overlap in distribution with commercial fisheries, producing both direct and indirect interactions. To provide a spatial context for these interactions, we analyzed a 10-year dataset of 3,058 whale photo-identifications from 331 encounters within a large (linear ~4,000 km) coastal study area to investigate the ranging and social patterns of 532 individually identifiable whales photographed in more than one encounter. Although capable of large-scale movements (maximum 1,443 km), we documented ranges generally <200 km, with high site fidelity across summer sampling intervals and also re-sightings during a winter survey. Bayesian analysis of pair-wise associations identified four defined clusters, likely representing groupings of stable matrilines, with distinct ranging patterns, that combined to form a large network of associated whales that ranged across most of the study area. This provides evidence of structure within the Alaska stock of Resident killer whales, important for evaluating ecosystem and fisheries impacts. This network included whales known to depredate groundfish from longline fisheries, and we suggest that such large-scale connectivity has facilitated the spread of depredation.

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Acknowledgments

This work would not have been possible without the help of an amazing Captain and friend, the late Atle Remme. We are grateful to many scientists and crew who participated in the survey efforts and contributed photographs to our study. Paul Thompson, John Ford, Kim Parsons, Phil Clapham and two anonymous reviewers provided useful comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript. Dedicated field efforts were supported by NOAA’s Steller Sea Lion Research Initiative, with specific funding from the National Marine Mammal Laboratory, the North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium and the Alaska SeaLife Center. Research was conducted under permits 545-1488-03, 782-1510, 932-1489-05 and 782-1719 issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA

    Holly Fearnbach, John W. Durban, Janice M. Waite & Paul R. Wade

  2. School of Biology, University of Aberdeen, Lighthouse Field Station, George Street, Cromarty, Ross-shire, IV11 8YJ, Scotland, UK

    Holly Fearnbach

  3. Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA

    John W. Durban & Jay Barlow

  4. Center for Whale Research, 355 Smugglers Cove Road, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250, USA

    David K. Ellifrit

  5. North Gulf Oceanic Society, 3430 Main Street, Suite B1, Homer, AK, 99603, USA

    Craig O. Matkin

  6. Auke Bay Laboratories, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 17109 Pt Lena Loop Rd., Juneau, AK, 99801, USA

    Chris R. Lunsford

  7. School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 17101 Pt Lena Loop Rd., Juneau, AK, 99801, USA

    Megan J. Peterson

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  1. Holly Fearnbach
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Correspondence to Holly Fearnbach.

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Communicated by U. Sommer.

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Fearnbach, H., Durban, J.W., Ellifrit, D.K. et al. Spatial and social connectivity of fish-eating “Resident” killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the northern North Pacific. Mar Biol 161, 459–472 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-013-2351-0

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