Video-based attendance patterns of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) at the primary nursery haul-out in Oregon 

Summary | Background | Concept | Objectives | Hypotheses | Update | Literature 

Lack of sufficient prey resources can have a direct effect on pinniped attendance patterns resulting in increased foraging durations, less time ashore, and ultimately, reduced pup survival.  One method of inferring the availability and quality of food resources is by examining maternal attendance patterns.  We will use video cameras to record Steller sea lion attendance patterns at Sea Lion Caves, the primary Steller sea lion nursery area in Oregon, and compare to similar studies in Alaska.  Furthermore, this study is timely, as the northern California Current System has recently exhibited dramatic annual fluctuations affecting prey resources for top predators. 

This project is funded by