Spatial components of bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) distribution in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea

Bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) on their fall migration are exposed to oil exploration activities in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. While previous rese arch into the effect of industrial noise on whale behavior and distribution has noted significant responses, this research has often proceeded from a parametric statistical framework. To account for the presence of spatially autocorrelated and intercorrelated data, we propose a suite of spatial anal ysis techniques to assess the distribution of bowhead whales relative to oi l exploration activities. Using random resampling techniques and Mantel tes ts, we analyzed the distribution of bowhead whales around active drilling r igs in 1993. Results from the resampling tests indicated that whales were d istributed farther from the drilling rig than they would be under a random scenario. Results from the Mantel tests indicated that in 1993, the spatial pattern of bowhead whale distribution was highly correlated with distance from the drilling rig, indicating that the presence of the drilling rig res ulted in a significant temporary loss in available habitat. These technique s offer a new perspective on spatial analysis in the marine realm.