Overall, 48% of the variability in sighting rates was explained by the model (R2 = 0.48, df = 55). Subarea had the greatest impact on the model (F = 11.986, df 3, 6, p > F < 0.0001). Sighting rates varied among subareas and time periods ( Fig. 6), being statistically higher in Niaqunnaq Bay in early and mid-July (F = 13.71, df = 3, 6, p > F < 0.0001). Niaqunnaq

Bay sighting rates were 3–4 times higher in all time periods than the other subareas, except for West Mackenzie Bay in late July ( Fig. 6). Within subareas, sighting rates were not statistically different between the three July time periods (F = 0.024, df = 2,6, Selleckchem Compound C p > F = 0.976), and there were no significant interactions (F = 1.671, df = 1, 6, p = 0.146). The PVC analysis revealed multiple and specific geographic locations within each subarea of the TNMPA where the beluga sightings were the most concentrated, by July time period. These focal areas of concentration (Fig. 7) were used to define seven ‘hot spots’ used by belugas in the 1970s and 1980s, within the subareas for each of the

July time periods (Table 3). The ‘hot spots’ were located in each subarea: 2 in Niaqunnaq Bay, 3 in Kittigaryuit (Kugmallit Bay), 2 in Okeevik (East Mackenzie Bay), and 1 in West Mackenzie Bay (Table 3; Fig. 1 and Fig. 7). Selleckchem PLX4032 In Niaqunnaq Bay, the distribution of belugas was similar in the early July and mid-July time periods, with the ‘hot spots’ in two locations: OSBPL9 in the central portion of the subarea (and extending 10–15 km in all directions), and also where the west channel of the Mackenzie River enters Niaqunnaq Bay. This subarea was the most attractive to belugas, including belugas with calves. The distribution of belugas in Niaqunnaq Bay was more dispersed in late July, than in early or mid-July. With lower sighting rates than Niaqunnaq Bay, but similar patterns of clustering, Kugmallit Bay had three ‘hot spot’ areas (Table 3; Fig. 7). The most prominent was located approximately 6 km directly south of Hendrickson Island, in both early and mid-July

(Fig. 7a and b). In mid-July (only), there was also a ‘hot spot’ used by belugas approximately 2 km offshore of Toker Point (Fig. 7b). By late July, the belugas were more widely distributed in Kugmallit Bay (Fig. 7c), and the location of the early July ‘hot spot’ had shifted 8 km to the northeast of its early and mid-July location. In East Mackenzie Bay, there were two ‘hot spots’ revealed by these analyses, one near Rae Island, and a second between Garry and Pelly islands (Fig. 7). In West Mackenzie Bay, there was a single ‘hot spot’ indicated, this being southwest of Garry Island, most apparent during late July (Fig. 7c), but a generally widespread distribution in this subarea in late July.