MARINE MAMMALS IN THE ENTRANCE PART OF THE KRESTA BAY (ANADYR GULF, THE BERING SEA) IN 2003 AND 2005–2009

The article describes results of the long-term regular coastal observations of marine mammals carried out in the entrance part of Kresta Bay from the western point of Meeskyn Spit Island (Cape Meeskyn) and Village Uelkal in summer and fall seasons in 2003, 2005–2009. The mammals recorded in the area of the observations were: gray whale (n = 466), minke whale (n = 48), humpback whale (n = 5), killer whale (n = 173), beluga (n = 11), largha (n = 694), bearded seal (n = 48), ringed seal (n = 43), ribbon seal (n = 1), Steller sea lion (n = 4), northern fur seal (n = 1), polar bear (n = 10). The most regular species observed in the area mentioned during the period from July to September were largha and gray whales. The small-numbered species such as ringed seal, bearded seal, killer whale and minke whale, were seen quite rarely. There were individual cases of coming northern fur seal, Steller sea lion, ribbon seal, beluga and humpback whale. Different use of the water area by marine mammals associated with later and earlier sea ice breakdown in Anadyr Gulf has been found. In 2007 (early ice breakdown), the number of gray whales, minke whales and killer whales was as 2–4 times as higher comparing to the other years. Dead marine mammals (one bowhead whale, one beluga, 9 larghas, 3 bearded seals, 4 ringed seals) and harvested by native people Chukotka in the entrance to Kresta Bay area in period of observation (14 gray whales, 17 bearded seals, one ribbon seal, one northern fur seal) were recorded.

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