SEFSC Atlantic surveys 1992
NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

K.D. Mullin and R. Ford, NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

An Atlantic Ocean ship survey was conducted by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center in 1992 to study marine mammals and pelagic apex predators. The primary area of operation was in the Blake Plateau area of the Atlantic Ocean between 28 degree and 35 degree North latitude and from the coastal boundary to the Exclusive Economic Zone.

During 28 survey days, at least 10 cetacean species were sighted, including: Atlantic spotted dolphin, Cuvier’s beaked whale, dwarf sperm whale, false killer whale, pantropical spotted dolphin, pygmy killer whale, Globicephala sp., sperm whale, spinner dolphin, and standard bottlenose 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 the daylight hours, following prescribed course transects,
2. Deploy longline fishing gear during the evening hours for the propose of catching and sampling pelagic apex predators (primarily swordfish, other billfish, tunas, and sharks), and
3. Collect associated oceanographic data.

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

NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center. 1992. OREGON II Cruise 92-01 (198)

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	Internal feature number.
longitude
scientific	Species scientific name.