Panel highlights methods gaps: stranding discovery rates, photo‑ID recapture and tagging limitations

During a wide question‑and‑answer period, researchers and audience members pressed on several methodological uncertainties that affect interpretation of recent trends. Cheryl Rosa (U.S. Arctic Research Commission) asked whether increased observer effort and reporting could explain part of the apparent increase in strandings; presenters confirmed reporting probabilities have changed over time and were incorporated into model periods where feasible.

Panelists also discussed potential biases in Granite Canyon counts if portions of the population do not pass the counting station. Josh Stewart said the integrated model gains strength from multiple data streams but still relies on the Granite Canyon time series; panelists urged coordinated mark‑recapture analyses using lagoon photo‑ID catalogs across all three main lagoons and cautioned that photo‑ID coverage is incomplete in some lagoons. Several speakers emphasized satellite tagging limitations (small sample sizes) and the need for expanded, coordinated international effort to resolve redistribution hypotheses and improve model covariates.