The Churchill river estuary is habitat for Western Hudson Bay (WHB) beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucus). These beluga occupy the estuary from June to September when they depart for their winter migration to the Hudson Strait. Marine mammals across the Arctic have been observed displaying avoidance tactics to tourism vessels and boating activities, including diving and fleeing. Beluga in the Churchill river estuary however have a unique response to small boats, such as kayak and zodiac whale watching tours, often displaying interactive behavior that is a major draw for ecotourism to the region. An increased open-ice season in Hudson Bay driven by warming temperatures will allow for increased shipping traffic, such as the development of the Arctic Gateway, a transportation route that connects Canadian goods through the port of Churchill. An improved understanding of the relationship between WHB belugas, their habitat, ecotourism, and shipping traffic is required for site-specific population management.

Here, we present methods and initial results for evaluating beluga response to the vessels that share the Churchill river estuary. We used a time-lapse photographic system to identify beluga presence and movements in a small section of the estuary using oblique photos. The distance between beluga and boats will be measured and compared to random distribution. Habitat features associated with beluga presence will be considered as well, incorporating environmental characteristics of tide, time of day, Beaufort Sea state, and whether or not a shipping or tourist vessel is present in the estuary. Greater understanding of beluga estuary use and their interaction with boat traffic will assist in management as anthropogenic activity increases in the Churchill river estuary.