Long-distance movements and associated diving behaviour of ringed seals (Pusa hispida) in the eastern Canadian Arctic

Abstract

Animal distribution and movement facilitate energy- and nutrient-transfer within and between regions, thus influencing ecosystem structure and function. Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) have been observed making sustained, extensive migrations (> 1000km) in the western Canadian Arctic, but observations of their movements from the eastern Canadian Arctic are limited. We equipped 12 ringed seals with satellite telemetry tags in Resolute Bay (n = 7; 2012, 2013) and Tremblay Sound (n = 5; 2017, 2018), Nunavut, to monitor their movements, behavioural states, and diving behaviour from late summer until their spring moult. Six tags transmitted into winter and recorded long-distance movements to southeastern Baffin Island, with three seals travelling through central Baffin Bay (3608 ± 315 km; maximum 4226 km), while three travelled along the Baffin Island coastline (3674 ± 655 km; maximum 4872 km). Seals that travelled through central Baffin Bay made shallower dives (25.4 ± 1.1 m) than those that travelled near the coast (100.0 ± 4.1 m, respectively). Results provide new information on the variability, scales, and pathways of movement and diving behaviour of eastern Canadian Arctic ringed seals. This new knowledge can be used to inform spatial conservation and management priorities of this ecologically- and culturally-important species.

Spatiotemporal variation of ringed seal blubber cortisol levels in the Canadian Arctic

“…An additional possible explanation is that, because ringed seals are well-adapted to highly variable and extreme conditions, they are resilient to stressors and are well-equipped to handle low body condition in the spring ( Ferguson and Higdon 2006 ). For instance, they regularly perform extensive long-distance movements ( Teilmann et al 1999 ; Harwood et al 2012 ; Hamilton et al 2015 ; Ogloff et al 2021 ) and energetically expensive molting and fasting phases, where they can lose up to ~60% of their body fat ( McLaren 1958 ; Ryg et al 1990 ; Young and Ferguson 2013 ). As such, low levels of stress during challenging conditions could be an evolved trait of ringed seals and other animals in highly variable environments, allowing them to remain sensitive and responsive to additional stressors, such as predation ( Champagne et al 2015 ).…”

“…In the summer open-water period, ringed seals feed intensively to build their blubber layer in preparation for the winter, when resources are more limited ( Smith 1987 ; Freitas et al 2008 ; Yurkowski et al 2016b ). In autumn, ringed seals continue to forage and can move long distances to overwintering areas ( Harwood et al 2012 ; Ogloff et al 2021 )—at this time, their condition is typically at its highest of the year ( McLaren 1958 ; Young and Ferguson 2013 ). During the winter, foraging strategies shift from pelagic to benthic in some areas ( Young and Ferguson 2013 ), and adult ringed seals establish territories and maintain breathing holes in the sea ice, whereas subadults inhabit pack ice areas or move into open water ( McLaren 1958 ; Kelly et al 2010 ; Crawford et al 2012 ; Harwood et al 2015 ).…”

A feasibility study for the application of climate change vulnerability assessments on species in the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area

“…Therefore, although it is known that some Arctic marine wildlife are in decline, the true damage to many species has not been quantified, and the underlying mechanisms of these disturbances are not yet fully understood (Roff et al, 2021). Even in the relatively well‐studied Eastern Canadian Arctic bioregion, data gaps exist for priority species, such as the charismatic beluga whales ( Delphinapterus leucas ), ecologically valuable Arctic cod ( Boreogadus saida ), and culturally significant ringed seals ( Pusa hispida ) (Breton‐Honeyman et al, 2021; Kessel et al, 2017; Niemi et al, 2019; Ogloff et al, 2021). As marine protection measures often consist of balancing human activities with essential habitat for various marine species, it is important to know which species can tolerate varying degrees of habitat loss or can thrive in multiple areas, and which require a minimum amount of undisturbed area or unique, irreplaceable physical features (Carr, n.d.).…”

Predicting how climate change threatens the prey base of Arctic marine predators

“…Ringed seals expend energy reserves in the spring during the breeding and moulting periods (Young & Ferguson, 2013), and forage intensively to replenish these energy reserves during the open‐water period in the summer and fall (Smith, 1987; Yurkowski et al, 2016). Ringed seals commonly make long movements throughout the open‐water period, primarily to forage (Hamilton et al, 2015; Ogloff et al, 2021; Teilmann et al, 2000). Seal movement is generally reduced by sea ice in the winter as they establish mating territories and maintain breathing holes (Harwood et al, 2015; McLaren, 1958).…”