Abstract
The Pacific Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (PacMAPPS) survey occurred from 1 August to 26 August 2021, beginning and ending in Kodiak, AK. Over the course of the survey, a total of 2,330 km of on-effort tracklines were surveys in suitable weather conditions, and a total of 667 sightings of marine mammals were documented (including duplicates and resights). Primary species sighted included North Pacific right, fin, humpback, killer, and sperm whales, and Dall's and harbor porpoise. Pinnipeds and rare birds (e.g., short-tailed albatross) were also recorded opportunistically. A total of 110 sonobuoys were deployed, of which 96 were successful deployments (i.e., sonobuoys transmitted correctly), for an overall success rate of 87.3%. Acoustically detected species were the same as those visually sighted. However, sonobuoys also recorded seismic airguns and vessel noise. A long-term bottom mounted passive acoustic recorder mooring in Barnabas Trough was retrieved and a new one deployed; the instrument recorded for a full year. A total of 20 CTD casts were conducted, and 119 nutrient and 8 salinity samples were collected. Additionally, sea surface temperature, fluorescence salinity, and wind speed were sampled continuously along the survey track, and data on the prey field were collected when possible by the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and EK-80 echosounder.