SEFSC Caribbean Survey 1995
NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

Keith D. Mullin, NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

A Caribbean cetacean survey was conducted in 1995 by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center to examine the distribution and estimate abundance of cetaceans in United States waters, especially in the Caribbean Sea and adjacent North Atlantic.

This dataset contains sightings of not only cetaceans but also other species including sea turtles, fish and shark observed during the ship survey. During the 44 day cruise with 4,274 transect kilometers surveyed, nine cetaceans were identified, including: humpback whale, minke whale, Mesoplodon sp., Ziphiidae, pilot whale, bottlenose dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin, pantropical spotted dolphin, and striped dolphin.

The purpose of this survey is to examine the distribution and estimate abundance of cetaceans in United States waters, especially in the Caribbean Sea and adjacent North Atlantic, which should meet the responsibility under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Specific objectives of this survey are:
1. Collect line transect data to estimate abundance and define the distributions of cetaceans in the northern Caribbean Sea and adjacent Atlantic Ocean,
2. Collect ichthyoplankton samples in an Atlantic swordfish longline fishing area and throughout the survey area,
3. Collect associated environmental data at designated stations,
4. Obtain biopsy samples of skin and blubber from selected cetacean species in United States waters, and
5. Collect data on the distribution and abundance of seabirds and other marine life.

The dataset is accompanied by transect data which are provided as a separate file.

NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center. 1995. Oregon II Cruise 215 (95-01)

Overview

Attributes described below represent those in the original dataset provided by the provider.
Only minimum required attributes are visible and downlodable online. Other attributes may be obtained upon provider's permission unless otherwise noteded below.

The dataset contains information necessary to locate the species sightings observed in the survey. The structure of the dataset was defined by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Note that the dataset is a subset of the larger, complete dataset collected in the survey which includes environmental information. The columns before LineNo are applied to the shapefile only. The following information is not included in the dataset but will be found in the master data. For details, please contact NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Track; Speed; GPS Status; Observers; Wind direction; Weather; Sea state; Swell; Visibility; Turbidity; Sunlight; Water depth; Water color; Water temperature; Sighting angle; Effort status.

Attributes in dataset provided

Attribute (table column)	Description
latitude
longitude
scientific	Species scientific name.