Silver Spring, MD – Scientists from NOAA Fisheries have completed the first comprehensive aerial survey of ice seals across their entire geographic range in U.S. waters, flying more than 24,000 miles over sea ice in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas. Conducted during spring 2025, this groundbreaking effort marks a significant step in monitoring and managing these vital Arctic wildlife populations.
The survey, which spanned from April 4 to June 10, 2025, off the coasts of western and northern Alaska, targeted four key species: bearded seals, ringed seals, spotted seals, and ribbon seals. These ice seals, so named for their reliance on seasonal sea ice as a resting and pup-rearing platform, were particularly visible during their annual molting period. Molting involves shedding the top layer of skin to reveal new fur, drawing seals out onto the ice in large numbers and creating an optimal window for aerial counts.
Advanced technology powered the mission, including multispectral camera systems equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time detection of seals hauled out on the ice. Researchers from NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center and the University of Washington’s Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies collaborated on the project. Their work aligns with the Alaska Ice Seal Research Plan, developed annually alongside the Alaska Native Ice Seal Committee’s Co-management Working Group.
This data is essential for informed decision-making on co-management of subsistence harvests by northern coastal Alaska Native communities, conservation efforts, and permitting activities that may impact seals or their habitats in the Arctic ecosystem. Seals play a crucial role in these communities and marine food webs.
The team deployed two specialized NOAA aircraft—a Twin Otter and a King Air—from bases in Nome, Bethel, Kotzebue, Utqiagvik, and Deadhorse. Flight paths were meticulously planned each night using current satellite imagery to adapt to shifting sea ice conditions. Despite frequent poor weather grounding flights, the researchers completed 58 missions over 68 days, covering 39,663 kilometers—equivalent to 24,645 miles, nearly the Earth’s circumference.
Aircraft maintained altitudes of 1,000 to 1,200 feet, capturing thermal and high-resolution color images across a 400- to 500-meter swath beneath. An experimental ultraviolet camera on one plane tested potential for spotting polar bears. The haul exceeded 1.5 million image sets, totaling over 26 terabytes of data. In-flight AI analyzed thermal imagery instantly, pinpointing seals via heat signatures and prioritizing images for storage, vastly streamlining post-processing.
Imagery revealed detailed scenes: breathing holes used by ringed and occasionally spotted seals, tracks marking their movements, and pups nestled near adults. Thermal views highlighted a newborn bearded seal pup and its mother against the cold ice floe. The systems also detected polar bears, caribou, foxes, and birds, showcasing their broad utility.
For instance, on April 4, 2025, the first flight from Nome traversed Saint Lawrence Island to the central Bering Sea ice edge. Sea ice concentrations varied markedly—from early April’s dense cover to June’s retreat—as documented in University of Bremen data.
With fieldwork wrapped, analysts are now poring over the terabytes. Biologists classify thermal detections and speciate color images. A new thermal model for the King Air’s cameras boasts over 90 percent seal detection rates in preliminary tests. After quality controls, statistical models will yield abundance estimates and distribution maps.
This survey advances sustainability in Arctic resource management amid dynamic ice habitats, supporting federal oversight of fisheries and wildlife. For example, the permit under NMFS No. 23858 authorized all imaging, ensuring ethical practices.
The effort underscores NOAA Fisheries’ commitment to innovative science for marine mammal protection, blending cutting-edge AI with traditional knowledge from co-managers.
For more information, visit NOAA Fisheries.