Research Note Observations of walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in the southeastern Barents and Pechora seas in February 1993 TORE HAUG and H E L L TORMOD NILSSEN Haug, T. & Nilssen, K . T. 1995. Observations of walrus ( O d o b e n w rosmarw rosmarus) in the southeastern Barents and Pechora seas in February 1993. Polar Research 14(1), 83-86. A total of 138 walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus), including 21 cow/calf pairs, were observed during a ship-board survey in the southeastern Barents and Pechora seas 5-17 February 1993. The observations confirm these areas as wintering and nursery grounds for the species. T. Haug and K . T . Nilssen, Norwegian Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculrure, P . O . Box 2511, N-900-7 Trams@, Norway. Introduction The distributional area of the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosrnarus rosmarus) ranges from the central and eastern Canadian Arctic in the Kara Sea, with several more or less well-defined sub- populations or stocks within this range (Reeves 1978; Born et al. 1995). One such subpopulation or stock is confined, at least periodically, to the southeastern Barents Sea and the White and Pechora seas (Belborodov & TimoSenko 1974; TimoSenko 1984; Popov et al. 1990). As surveys to determine distribution and size of walrus populations in the Russian Arctic have not been conducted during the recent years, no comprehensive population figures are available (Born et al. 1995). At different periods of the year in 199C-1993, several expeditions with the objective of catching catch harp seals (Phoca gro- enlandica) for ecological studies were carried out in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters (Nilssen in press). Observations of other marine mammals were recorded systematically during all these expeditions. During an expedition conducted in the southeastern Barents arid the Pechora seas in February 1993 (Nilssen 1995), particularly many walruses were observed. These observations are summarised in this note. Expedition route and dates The expedition used the Norwegian ice-going research vessel R/V JAN MAYEN and was con- ducted along the edges of the pack-ice belt in the southeastern parts of the Barents Sea between Cape Kanin and Novaja Zemlja during the period 5-17 February 1993 (Fig. 1). The expedition began in the areas west of Kolguev (5-7 February), proceeded with activities in the Pechora Sea (8-9 and 11 February, with an inter- mediate trip northwards along Novaja Zemlja on 10 February), and terminated with new opera- tions between Cape Kanin and Kolguev during the period 13-17 February. Whenever daylight permitted, continuous observations of marine mammals (including walruses) were performed both from the wheelhouse and, occasionally, from a barrel on the wheelhouse roof. All animal obser- vations made either by scientists or by the crew of the vessel were recorded systematically. Walrus observations A total of 138 walruses (including 21 cow/calf pairs) were observed during the whole survey (Fig. I , Table 1). During the period 5-7 February, 84 T. Haug & K . T. Nilssen 4 t 7 2 0 0 7 1 0 0 7 0 0 0 6 9 0 0 6 8 0 0 6 7 0 0 B A R E N T S S E A PECHORA S E A GULJAEVSKIE KOSKi RUSSIA 7 2 0 0 ? 1 0 0 7 0 0 0 6 Q O O 6 8 0 0 6 7 0 0 Fig. 1. T h c K \ J.%h M A ’ ~ F ’ ~ surve! track (xilid line) and t h e localltie5 of\valrua ohservations (black dots. indicating pairs of cows,’ calve\. sinplc a n i m a l s o r g r o u p \ of animal\) i n t h e southeastern B a r e n t \ and t h e Pechora seas 5-17 Fehrunry 1993. 13 animals were seen in the area to the west of Kolguev. East and northeast of this island 18 walruses were observed from 8 to I 1 February. Upon return to the areas between Cape Kanin and Kolguev on 12 February. the edge of the pack ice area was contined to areas within Russian territorial waters (1.e.. within 12 nm from the coastline) where no operations by the Norwegian research vessel were permitted. Favourable cur- rent and wind conditions. however. moved the pack ice outside the 1 2 rim limit again. and the expedition was able to carry o n its investigations. During the period 13-17 February, 107 walruses were observed in these western areas. All animals were observed within the pack-ice area. mainly resting on ice-floes. occasionally also swimming in the water. Acoustically recorded depths in the areas of walrus observations were Xb65 rn west of Kolguev. 5@75 m in the Pechora Sea. and 10Ck140 ni west of Novaja Zemlja. The observed calves were small. without visible tusks, and undoubtedly defended by their mothers. Ani- Observations of walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) 85 mals without calves were usually single individ- uals, but a few groups of 3-5 animals also occurred. Discussion According t o Popov e t al. (1990) walruses occur in the southeastern part of the Barents Sea throughout the year, though their numbers are small. T h e February 1993 observations of walrus between C a p e Kanin and Novaja Zamlja pre- sented here are consistent with previous obser- vations stating that the species winters in the southeastern parts of the Barents Sea, in par- ticular the areas between t h e White Sea and the Kolguev Island, where the walruses habitually occur in January-February (Beloborodov & TimoSenko 1974; TimoSenko 1984). Regular occurrences of walruses during spring (March- April) in the White Sea, possibly reflecting an inclination of the animals to return to their former habitat, have been recorded during the past 10- 20 years (TimoSenko 1984; Popov e t al. 1990). T h e southeastern Barents Sea wintering areas of the walruses is coalescent both in time and space with the route of harp seals migrating along the ice edge to their White Sea breeding grounds. TimoSenko & Popov (1990) suggest that this may have contributed t o the movement of certain walruses in t h e White Sea where they have been observed t o kill and feed upon harp seals. par- ticularly pups. The many cow/calf observations indicate that the surveyed areas may serve as nursery grounds for t h e walruses during winter. In aerial surveys in January 1977. several walruses, including females accompanied by small calves o n ice floes with blood spots, were observed between islands of the Guljaevskie KoSki archipelago (Fig. 1); possible habitual whelping of the species on these grounds in late December-early January was suggested (Lukin 1978). From satellite telemetry experiments there is some evidence of a common Svalbard-Franz Josef Land stock of walruses (Gjertz & Wiig 1994). T h e true connection between walruses inhabiting these northern archipelagos and other areas within or adjacent to the Barents Sea (including those wintering in the southeastern Barents and Pechora Seas) is, however, virtually undeter- mined (Born 1984; Born et al. 1995). Little is known about the current status of walruses along the Russian coast. Lukin (1978). from his January 1977 observations, stated that the total number of walruses wintering in the southeastern Barents Sea apparently did not exceed 10CL120 heads. T h e present survey was not designed to estimate the number of walruses; for instance, it did not cover areas within Russian territorial waters. However, it is worth noting that the total number of observed animals (13s) exceeds the wintering stock size suggested by Lukin (1978). Walruses a r e encountered in the southeastern Barents and Pechora seas also during spring and summer. and observations of herds counting approximately 100 animals were made south and west of the VajgaE island in June-July both in 1970,1971 (TimoSenko 1984) and 1988 (Popov e t al. 1990). Acknowledgernents. -Thanks are due to crew and field assistants onboard R/V JAN MAYEN. to S. Hartvedt and L. Olsen for technical assistance, and to 0. Wiig for comments on the manuscript. The harp seal expedition was supported by funding from the Norwegian Council for Research, project no. 1(14511/ 110. References Beloborodov, A . G . & TimoSenko, J . K. 1Y74 (1976): ZaSeitu atlantiEeskogo moria (In defence of the Atlantic walrus). Priroda 1974(3), 97-99 (Tratul. Ser. Mar. Sero. Can. 3 1 B . 7 Born, E. W. 1984: Status of the Atlantic walrus Odobenus rosmarus in the Svalbard area. Polar Reseurch 2 1 1 , s . . 27-45. Born, E. W., Gjertz, 1. & Reeves, R . R. 1995: Population assessment of Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmaru L . ) . Rep. NAMMCO SC Meeting, Copeidragen 31 January- 2 Februaty 1995. 104 pp. Gjertz, I . & Wiig, 0. 1994: Past and present distribution of walruses in Svalbard. Arcric 47, 34-42. Lukin, L. R. 1978: 0 srokach i rajonach SEenki atlantiteskogo moria (Time and regions of whelping of the Atlantic walrus). Ekologija 5 . 1OC-101 (Translated. North Division. N . M. Knipovich Polar marine Fisheries Institute. 2 pp.). Nilssen. K. T. 1995: Seasonal distribution. condition and feed- ing habits of Barents Sea harp seals (Phoca groenlandicu). Pp. 241-254 in Blix, A . S . . Ulltang, 0. & Walloe, L (eds): Whales, seals, fish and man. Elsevier Science BV. Nilssen, K. T . , Ahlqvist. I . , Eliassen. J.-E., Haug, T. Rr Lind- blom, L . 1994: Studies of food avaIlabiljty and diet of harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) in the southeastern Barents Sca in February 1993. ICES CM 1994/N:12. 24 pp. Popov, L . , TimoSenko, J . K . & Wiig, 0. 1990: Review of history and present status of world walrus stocks - Barcnts. Kara and White Seas. Pp. 6-14 in Fay. F. H . . Kelly, B. P. &r Fay, B. A . (eds): T/ie ecology and managemenl of wulrus populations. Report of an International Workshop. 26-30 March 1990. Seattle, Washington. U S A . Marine Mammal Commission Report FBY1-100479. PP.). 86 T . Haiig & K . T . Nilssen Reeves. R . R . IY78: Atlantic walrus (Odohrnus rostnurus ros- murus). A literature survey and status report. US Depr. lnrerior U’ddlije RrA. Rep. 10 4 1 pp TimoSenko. Ju. K. 1984: Concerning the protection and res- toration of the western Atlantic population of the walrus. Pp. lO(k103 i n Yablokov. A. V . ( e d . ) . Marrnr Mu?nmol.~. Nauka. Moscow ( I n Russian. transl. by F H . Fa! 1983). TimoBenko. Ju. K. & Popov. L . A . 1990: On the predatory habits of Atlantic walrus. Pp. 177-178 in Fay, F. 11.. Kelly, B. P . & Fay. B . A . (eds): The ecology m d munngewient of nulrus populariom. Report of an International Workshop, 2G30 March 1990. Seattle. Washington. U S A . Marine Mam- mal Commission Report FB91-100479.