Aerial surveys document beluga whale distribution in the Eastern Bering Sea, indicating environmental influences on sightings.
In 2024, we conducted an aerial line-transect survey of the Eastern Bering Sea (EBS) stock of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Alaska, USA. In this survey, a team of observers scanned for marine mammals from bubble windows installed on an Aero Commander aircraft, which flew pre-planned transects. Observers recorded sightings of beluga groups, location of beluga sightings (including perpendicular distance from the aircraft), and environmental conditions thought to influence detection (e.g., turbidity, Beaufort Scale sea state).
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Conn et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: