SIGHTINGS OF BELUGAS AND OTHER MARINE MAMMALS IN THE NORTH WATER, LATE MARCH 1993

Surveys of belugas were flown during March 1993 in Lancaster Sound and the North Water of Baffin Bay. Most belugas were observed along the s hore leads off southeastern Devon Island and in the polynya at the mou th of Jones Sound. Our results confirm other published winter observat ions that belugas regularly occupy the North Water's leads and polynya s in winter. Walruses, narwhals, and bowhead whales were also seen dur ing these surveys; their presence confirms the use of the North Water wintering area by several other marine mammal species.