SEFSC GoMex Oceanic 1994
NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

A spring marine mammals survey in Gulf of Mexico was conducted in 1994 by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center to examine the diversity, distribution and estimate abundance of marine mammals in United States waters. The survey was aimed at meeting the responsibilities under the provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The survey was taken place along with Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP). In addition, it was conducted in coordination with the Japanese vessel Shoyo Maru and a larval transport survey in the Florida Keys.

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 survey, at least 18 species were sighted, including: Atlantic spotted dolphin, Clymene dolphin, Cuvier’s beaked whale, dwarf sperm whale, dwarf/pygmy sperm whale, false killer whale, humpback whale, killer whale, melon-headed whale, northern right whale, pantropical spotted dolphin, pygmy sperm 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. Complete a line transect survey of the study area for marine mammals during daylight hours,
2. Collect ichthyoplankton with bongo and double neuston trawl gear for estimates of abundance of eggs, larvae and small juveniles, particularly those of bluefin tuna,
3. Obtain associated environmental and oceanographic data,
4. Record data on marine life, seabirds and debris encountered during line transects,
5. Obtain marine mammal biopsy samples for analysis, and
6. Collect tar samples encountered during neuston sampling SEAMAP stations for analysis.

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

NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center. 1994. Cruise Results; Marine Mammal Survey and Spring Southeast Are Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) Ichthyoplankton Survey; NOAA Ship Oregon II Cruise OT-94-01 (209)

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.