SEFSC GoMex Oceanic 1992 (199)
NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

A spring marine mammals survey in the Gulf of Mexico was conducted in 1992 by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center to examine the distribution and estimate abundance of cetaceans in United States waters. The survey was taken place along with the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) ichthyoplankton survey in coordination with Minerals Management Service. 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 planned 54 survey days, 20 species were sighted, including: Atlantic spotted dolphin, Blainville’s beaked whale, Bryde’s whale, Clymene dolphin, dwarf sperm whale, dwarf/pygmy sperm whale, false killer whale, Fraser’s dolphin, killer whale, melon-headed whale, pantropical spotted dolphin, pygmy killer whale, Risso’s dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, short/long-finned pilot whale, sperm whale, spinner dolphin, standard bottlenose dolphin, and striped dolphin.

The purpose of this survey is to examine the distribution and estimate abundance of cetaceans in United States waters.

Specific objectives of this survey are:
1. Conduct line transect surveys of marine mammals to study their diversity, distribution and abundance,
2. Collect ichthyoplankton (particularly bluefin tuna eggs and larva) for distribution and abundance determinations,
3. Collect associated environmental data in order to study the factors which may ultimately affect the diversity, distribution and abundance of both ichthyoplankton and marine mammals,
4. Collect biopsy samples of marine mammals for genetic analysis in order to learn about the population structure of selected species, and
5. Collect flying fish (Exocoetidae) samples in order to study their diversity and distribution in the Gulf of Mexico.

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

NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center. 1992. Distribution and abundance of marine mammals in the northern-central and western Gulf of Mexico

NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center. 1992. Cruise Results; SEAMAP Spring Ichthyoplankton Survey; NOAA Ship Oregon II Cruise 92-02 (199)

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
scientific	Species scientific name.