With the decline of Steller sea lions in western Alaska, there is increased interest in understanding possible relationships between killer whales and Steller sea lions.

We need to understand where killer whales are found, and we are asking for your help.

On March 1 - 7th 2003 please let us know where you went on the water, and if you did or did not see killer whales. Please complete the short questionnaire form by March 8th. It should only take a few minutes and can be filled in on-line or hand written and mailed back to us.

This research is being conducted through the University of British Columbia (a member of the North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium-www.marinemammal.org) with funding from the Cooperative Institute for Arctic Research. It is part of a larger five-year study into killer whale biology in Alaska.

All responses will remain confidential. No personal information will be released in any form. Please be assured that your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may refuse to participate or withdraw at any time. Consent to use your information will be determined by the return of your completed survey form. If you have any concerns with regard to your rights or treatment with this program please contact the Director of UBC Research Services at (604) 822-8598.

Any information you can provide about your sightings of killer whales in Alaskan waters is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration. All results will be posted on this web site www.AlaskaKillerWhales.org.

If you would like to receive a summary of the results and do not have web access, please include your contact information with your completed survey. If you have any questions concerning the killer whale project, please contact Dr. Andrew Trites at (604) 822-8181.

To find out about other killer whale research in Alaska, please visit these sites:

nmml.afsc.noaa.gov

NGOS	North Gulf Oceanic Society www.whalesalaska.org

To find out about Steller sea lion research in Alaska, please visit these sites:

For more detailed information on this particular study, please contact us.

Andrew W. Trites, Ph.D., Director

killerwhale@zoology.ubc.ca

Alaska Killer Whale Count
North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium
c/o 60920 Mary Allen Ave.
Homer, Alaska 99603, U.S.A.

Marine Mammal Research Unit
University of British Columbia
Room 18, Hut B-3
6248 Biological Sciences Road
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6T 1Z4

Facsimile: 604. 822.8180
Telephone: 604. 822.8181