Winter Sightings of Marine Mammals in Arctic Pack Ice

Abstract

There is limited information about the winter distribution of some arctic marine mammals. In February-March 1976 six species of marine mammals were sighted in the pack ice of Baffin Bay and Davis Strait. Hooded seals were sighted along the ice edge in February, but in late March adults with pups were seen. Large numbers of narwhals were sighted throughout southern Baffin Bay in a variety of ice conditions, which suggests that this species winters in the pack ice. Belugas, bowhead whales, walrus and ringed seals were occasionally sighted in the pack ice.

Key words: Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, pack ice, marine mammal sightings