SC/69A/ASW/02  

Document Number

SC/69A/ASW/02

Full Title

Subsistence harvest of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) by Alaskan Natives during 2022

Author

Kayla Scheimreif, John J. Citta, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Rita Acker, Perry Anashugak, Andrew L. Vonduyke, Todd L. Sformo, Brian T. Person, Frances J. Olemaun, Leandra Sousa, Nicole Wojciechowski, And J. Craig George

Authors Summary

In 2022, 68 bowhead whales were struck during the Alaskan aboriginal subsistence hunt, of which 53 were landed. Harvest efficiency was similar to that of recent years. Of the harvested whales, 26 were females and 27 were males. Six females were likely mature (based on body length), two of which were pregnant.

Publisher

IWC

Keywords

Publication Year

2023

Abstract

In 2022, 68 bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) were struck during the Alaskan aboriginal subsistence hunt, of which 53 were landed.  The total number of whales struck and the number landed in 2022 was higher than the averages for the previous 10 years (2012-2021: mean struck = 58.6, SD = 11 and mean landed = 46, SD = 8.61; respectively).  The efficiency (# landed / # struck) of the hunt (78%) in 2022 was consistent with the average for the past 10 years (2012-2021: mean of efficiency = 79%; SD = 0.053).  Spring hunts are logistically more difficult than autumn hunts because of difficulty in accessing open water, and changing sea ice thickness and dynamics.  The hunting efficiency during spring is usually lower than in autumn, which was the case during 2022.  In 2022, the efficiency of the spring hunt (68%) was lower than the previous 10-yr average (2012-2021; mean spring efficiency = 71%; SD = 0.10). The efficiency of the 2022 autumn hunt (93%) was the same as the average autumn hunting efficiency over the past ten years (2012-2021; mean autumn efficiency = 93%; SD = 0.08). Fifteen whales were struck and lost in 2022.  Of those 15 whales, three were lost due to equipment malfunction (e.g., harpoon failure), six whales were lost when they swam into or under the ice, four whales sank, and one whale was lost for an unknown reason. Of the harvested whales, 26 were females and 27 were males. Based on total length (≥13.7 m in length), six of the females were presumed mature. One whale was pregnant with a midterm male fetus that was 1.7 m long, and another was pregnant with a fetus estimated to be 1 m long.