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Life History Transmitters (LHX) in Steller sea lions: assessing the effects of health status, foraging ability, and environmental variability on juvenile survival and population trends.
A reduction in juvenile Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) survival, linked to reduced foraging efficiency and increased nutritional stress, possibly through depletion of primary prey stocks, has been hypothesized to contribute to the continuing decline of this apex predator in the North Pacific and Bering Sea Ecosystems. To date, this hypothesis has not been tested. As a central part of the Steller LHX project, we will determine survival rates of juvenile Steller sea lions, using long-term, implanted satellite-linked life history transmitters. For the first time, this project will also deliver longitudinal, multi-year dive effort data from individual, free-ranging marine mammals. In a new experimental paradigm, we will directly assess the influences of proximate effects such as condition, health, pollutants and immuno-competence on survival of individual sea lions. This approach represents a departure from the classic regional comparison paradigm, comparing stable and declining populations.
This project is directed by Texas A&M University's Laboratory for Applied Biotelemetry & Biotechnology in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Alaska SeaLife Center, and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game.
Here are pages with additional information on Steller sea lions:
More about Stellers
The NMML/NMFS Steller page
NMFS, Office of Protected Resources Steller page
ADF&G's Steller sea lion page
Another ADF&G Steller sea lion page
NMML/NMFS Online Pinniped Database This is a web-enabled relational database system, now online for Steller sea lion data!
Interview with Dr. Doug DeMaster, Director of the National Marine Mammal Lab / NMFS on Steller sea lion issues.
Science journalist Lee Dye's column on Steller sea lions and our LHX project on ABCnews.com's DyeHard Science.
The LHX Project is sponsored by:
The LHX transmitters are being developed by Wildlife Computers in cooperation with the LABB.
Antennas for testing of LHX prototypes are provided by D&L Antenna Supply Co.
The validation of the LHX concept for the tracking of post-release survival on rehabilitated California sea lions is supported by a grant from the Pollock Conservation Cooperative Research Center.
The LHX project is further supported by the Texas Institute of Oceanography by cost-sharing the purchase of equipment.
LHX Project Principal Investigator:
Co-investigators:
LABB Site map for disability access
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