THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

477th Meeting

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Lois Harwood

SATELLITE-TAGGING OF BOWHEAD WHALES IN CANADA'S WESTERN ARCTIC : 2007-2010

The bowhead whale is a large, Arctic baleen whale that migrates annually to the Canadian Beaufort Sea for summer feeding. The Bering Sea population comprises more than 90% of the world's remaining bowhead whales, and consists of at least 10,000 animals. A joint US-Canada study is under way to elucidate the migratory movements and patterns of bowhead whales in relation to sea ice, habitat and industry activity. This talk will include a discussion of the life history of the bowhead whale, potential stressors in the Canadian Beaufort Sea, and the process used to deploy satellite-linked tags on bowhead whales through expert participation of skilled Inuvialuit/Inupiat whaling captains.

Lois Harwood was born in Victoria , BC , and obtained her B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Victoria (1979) and her M.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Alberta (1989). After working for four years with the Inuvialuit, she joined the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans in 1992 as a stock assessment biologist and has held that position in Science Sector since that time. Ms Harwood received the FJMC Cooperative Management Award in 2000 and 2003 and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002; was elected a Research Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America in 2004; and received a US Department of the Interior Partners in Conservation Award in 2010.

The meeting will be held in the Astra Lounge on the entrance level of the RCAF Officers Mess, 158 Gloucester Street (just east of Bank Street ), Ottawa . Parking is available on the street and in nearby parking lots. There is a charge of 3.00 for evening use of the parking lot in the same block as the Mess. The meeting begins at 2000 hrs and the bar will be available from 1930 hrs. As always, guests are welcome.

The current Executive and Committee of The Arctic Circle are listed in the attachment.

Next meetings:

Mar 8 Janice Cavell on Sir John Franklin and the Franklin search

Apr 12 Natalia Rybczynski on life in the Arctic before the Ice Age

Apr 28 Annual Dinner