Weeklong survey turns up treasure trove of marine life in sanctuary off Peninsula

The Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary is doing its job — protecting marine mammals off the shore from Neah Bay to the Copalis River.

Scientists aboard the research vessel McArthur II reported 264 sightings of nearly 3,000 separate whales and dolphins on a weeklong survey this month of the waters, the first such study of the sanctuary.

“It’s one of the most productive areas of the world’s oceans,” said Dr. Karin Forney of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center.

McArthur II tied up Monday at the commercial dock in Port Angeles Harbor to give tours to sanctuary volunteers and brief them on its latest mission.

Leaving Astoria, Ore., on June 4, the McArthur II made sweeps of the sanctuary on east-west paths 10 miles apart and 20 to 60 miles long.

Spotters counted every marine mammal and bird they could see within a swath of about 1,000 feet from the ship.

Keeping ‘big eyes’ out

Spotters with regular binoculars were aided by observers using “big eyes” — 25×150 spotting scopes on McArthur II’s flying bridge. The work lasted in shifts from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“You get really buggy after a while,” said Barbara Blackie, research specialist.

Spotters relayed their information to a computer center below decks. There, scientists edited it nightly.

Details included the species, behavior and — in the case of seabirds — whether they were swimming or flying.

The sightings will be coordinated with oceanographic data such as the water’s salinity, density, temperature and algae content.

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