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Dolphin, Sea Lion and Seabird Aggregations during Foraging and Feeding Activities
Looking at the existing scientific literature it is rare to find any detailed descriptions of dolphin, sea lion and seabird aggregations at sea due to the complexity of following and recording the behavior of these fast-moving and widespread animals from the surface. The Santa Monica Bay is an excellent site for the study of local aggregations between dolphins, sea lions and seabirds due to its relative shelter from open ocean conditions and the presence of three submarine canyons that provide nutrient rich feeding areas due to upwelling.
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| California sea lions “porpoising” offshore in the Santa Monica Bay |
The overlapping of prey and habitat for California sea lions, seabirds and three dolphin species (bottlenose dolphins, short-beaked common dolphins and long-beaked common dolphins) in Santa Monica Bay, offers an opportunity to learn more about these animals and whether either, any or all derive some benefit from association with other species. The LADP study conducted during the years 1997-2001 investigated whether these aggregations were food-based, considering the behavioral ecology of the four marine mammal species during joint activities, and found that sea lions take advantage of the superior ability of dolphins to locate food.
Utilizing a variety of data accumulation methods including photo-identification of individuals, seabird recognition, focal group behavioral descriptions, bioacoustic recording, fish scale collection for prey identification, and correlated surface and underwater video filming, we aim to shed light onto the meaning and dynamics of marine mammal and seabird aggregations.
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| Feeding off Pt. Dume, California |
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LADP researchers
identifying seabird species |
The current phase of this project is to expand upon our previous study to:
- Better understand the behavioral ecology of these species during foraging and feeding activities from the surface and underwater, and gain insight on “who is helping whom and why”
- Investigate the role played by seabirds during search and pursuit of prey and feeding activities of the mixed species groups.
© 2005 Ocean Conservation Society.
All Rights Reserved.
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