Abundance and Distribution of Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) in Northern Hudson Bay

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Abstract
Aerial surveys for narwhals (Monodon monoceros) were conducted in August 1981, in July 1982, 1983, and 1984, and in March 1983 in the Repulse Bay area between Roes Welcome Sound and Lyon Inlet, north of Southampton Island. About 1300 narwhals were estimated to occupy waters between northern Roes Welcome Sound and Lyon Inlet in July 1982, 1983, and 1984. Narwhals were found throughout the study area but were more concentrated in three areas: northern Roes Welcome Sound, southern Frozen Strait, and, in 1984, Lyon Inlet. Only four narwhals were observed during August 1981 reconnaissance surveys of these areas. No narwhals were seen during the March 1983 survey of Roes Welcome Sound and leads of Frozen Strait. A winter concentration of narwhals observed by others in eastern Hudson Strait was of similar size to that which we observed in July, suggesting that they could be the same stock. If this is so, the northern Hudson Bay narwhals could be distinct from the stock that inhabits Davis Strait and Baffin Bay.

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