Observations on the Ice-Breaking and Ice Navigation Behavior of Migrating Bowhead Whales (Balaena Mysticetus) near Point Barrow, Alaska, Spring 1985
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During a four-day period from 28 April to 1 May 1985, we observed bowhead whales breaking up through sea ice in order to breathe. Our observations were made from grounded sea ice approximately 10 km northeast of Point Barrow, Alaska, during the spring bowhead migration (14 April to 10 June). From acoustic and visual data, it was estimated that 665 whales passed the observation perches during this four-day period. However, only 117(17%) whales were seen. The remaining whales either passed underneath the ice or were beyond the range of the visual observers. Whales used their heads, in the area of the blowholes, to push up against the ice (18 cm maximum thickness) and fracture it, creating a hummock of ice in which they were able to respire. Often during such breathing episodes, even at distances of only several hundred meters, the animal was not seen but its blows were clearly audible to the visual observers. Acoustic tracking of whales showed they avoided a large multi-year ice floe seaward of the observation perch. We hypothesize that bowheads use their calls to assess the thickness of ice in their migratory path. In assessing their calls, we suggest the whales can avoid areas where the ice is too thick to break through (to breath) and/or too thick to provide clearance for them to swim beneath.Key words: Balaena mysticetus, Point Barrow, bowhead whale, ice breaking, behavior, sea ice, singer, acoustic, anatomy, census
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Iñupiat argued these estimates undercounted whales, because bowhead could push up under the ice to surface and breathe.
“But Iñupiat argued these estimates undercounted whales, because bowhead could push up under the ice to surface and breathe (George et al., 1989).”
From Institutional navigation of oceans governance: Lessons from Russia and the United States Indigenous multi-level whaling governance in the Arctic (2022) · cites this paper as George et al., 1989
The Introduction (page unavailable) says Iñupiat hunters knew bowheads could break sea ice to breathe and that earlier population estimates assumed whales would not migrate through closed leads. The Ice-Breaking Behavior section (page unavailable) reports that ice obscured whales from visual observers. The paper does not say that Iñupiat argued the estimates undercounted whales. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThese 1970s bowhead population estimates were inaccurate without inclusion of Indigenous science and knowledge.
“However, these 1970s bowhead population estimates were inaccurate without inclusion of Indigenous science and knowledge (George et al., 1989).”
From Institutional navigation of oceans governance: Lessons from Russia and the United States Indigenous multi-level whaling governance in the Arctic (2022) · cites this paper as George et al., 1989
The Introduction (page unavailable) says that estimates made from 1977 to 1984 assumed whales would not migrate through the census area when the lead was closed, while Inupiat hunters had long known bowheads could break ice to breathe. The Ice-Breaking Behavior section reports that acoustic observations later revealed whales migrating under heavy ice, undermining that assumption. The paper does not establish that the estimates were inaccurate specifically because Indigenous knowledge was excluded. (LLM, conf=0.84)
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Research works printed but not linked: 9
- ALBERT, T.F., MIGAKI, G., CASEY, H.W., and PHILO, L.M. 1980. Healed penetrating injury of a bowhead whale. Marine Fisheries Review BRAHAM, H.W., FRAKER, M.A., and KROGMAN, B.D. 1980. Spring migration of the western arctic population of bowhead whales. Marine Fisheries Review 42(9-10):36-45.
- CARROLL, G.M., and SMITHHISLER, J.R. 1980. Observations of bow- head whales during spring migration. Marine Fisheries Review CARROLL, G.M., GEORGE, J.C., LOWRY, L.F., and COYLE, K.O. 1987. Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticefus) feeding near Point Barrow, Alaska during the 1985 spring migration. Arctic 40(2):105-110.
- GEORGE, J.C., CARROLL, G.M., TARPLEY, R.J., ALBERT, T.F., and YACKLEY, R.L. 1987. Report of field activities pertaining to the spring 1986 census of bowhead whales, Balaena mysticetus, off Point Barrow, Alaska with observations on the subsistence hunt. Report International Whaling Commission 37:301-308. 42(9-10):92-96. 42(9-10):80-85. 36~293-298.
- MILLER, R.V., RUGH, D.J., and JOHNSON, J.H. 1986. The distribution of bowhead whales, Balaena mysticetus, in the Chukchi sea. Marine Mammal Science 2(3):214-222.
- NATIONAL MARINE MAMMAL LABORATORY. 1985. Unpubl. aerial survey field notes from Spring 1985. National Marine Mammal Labora- NERINI, M.K., BRAHAM, H.W., MARQUETTE, W.M., and RUGH, D.J. tory, Building No. 4, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. 1984. Life history of the bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus. (Mamma- lia: Cetacea). The Journal of Zoology (London) 204:443-468.
- RUGH, D.J., and CUBBAGE, J.C. 1980. Migration of bowhead whales past Cape Lisburne, Alaska. Marine Fisheries Review 42(9-10):46-50.
- SLIJPER, E.J. 1979. Whales. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press. 511 p.
- WURSIG, B., DORSEY, E.M., FRAKER, M.A., PAYNE, R.S., and RICHARDSON, W.J. 1985. Behavior of bowhead whales, Balaena mys- ticetus, summering in the Beaufort Sea: a description. Fishery Bulletin
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York, A. M., Zdor, E., BurnSilver, S., Degai, T., Monakhova, M., Isakova, S., Petrov, A. N., & Kempf, M. (2022) · Earth System Governance · doi:10.1016/j.esg.2022.100154 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
- Authors
- George, J. C., Clark, C., Carroll, G. M., & Ellison, W. T.
- Affiliations
- North Slope Borough (US)
- Cornell University (US)
- Venue
- ARCTIC
- Published
- 1989-01-01
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 1
- ISSN
- 0004-0843 (ISSN-L)
- 1923-1245
- OpenAlex
- W1998169757
- Cited by
- 81
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 1.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- ARCTIC (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Marine animal studies overview
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Avian ecology and behavior
- Keywords
- bowhead whale, ice breaking, ice navigation, spring migration, sea ice, acoustic tracking, vocalizations, multi-year ice, Point Barrow
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