SEFSC Gomex Shelf 1998
NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

Keith D. Mullin, Katherine S. Maze, and Carrie W. Hubard, NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

A continental shelf cetacean survey in northern Gulf of Mexico was conducted in 1998 by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center and Minerals Management Service to examine the distribution and estimate abundance of cetaceans in United States waters.

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 6 survey days, 42 cetacean groups were sighted, including: Atlantic spotted dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, and pilot whale.

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. Collect line-transect data to estimate abundance and define distribution of cetacean species in continental shelf waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico,
2. Obtain biopsy samples of skin and blubber from selected cetacean species for genetic and contaminant analysis in order to study the stock structure of Gulf of Mexico cetaceans, and
3. Collect ichthyoplankton samples with bongo and neuston gear for Gulf-wide estimates of abundance, frequency of occurrence, and distribution of larval and small juvenile king and Spanish mackerel, red drum, snappers, and other taxa, and
4. Collect associated environmental data at designated stations in order to define cetacean habitats.

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

NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center. 1998. Report of a cetacean survey of continental shelf waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico aboard NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter (Cruise 001)

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.