Marine mammals of the Kola Bay, Barents Sea

Abstract

Despite the fact that publications focused on marine mammals of the Barents Sea are quite numerous, relevant data on their habitat in the Kola Bay area are scarce. The latest work detailing this aspect dates back to 1997. At the same time, protected species of marine mammals (listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation) occur in the bay waters. With the progressive implementation of the Integrated Development of the Murmansk Transport Hub project, the anthropogenic load on the Kola Bay water area may increase multifold. Therefore, research on marine mammals occurring in its waters becomes more and more relevant. This paper provides an updated list of marine mammals registered in the Kola Bay, which is compiled on the basis of published data and observations of the authors.

Keywords

• Kola Bay
• Barents Sea
• marine mammals
• protected species