SEFSC Gomex Shelf 2000
NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

K.D. Mullin and D.M. Drass, NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

A continental shelf survey in the Gulf of Mexico was conducted in 2000 by the 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 16 survey days, 85 cetacean groups were sighted, including: Atlantic spotted dolphin, bBottlenose dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, and sperm 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,
3. Collect ichthyoplankton samples with bongo and neuston gear for the purpose of estimating abundance and defining the distribution of eggs, larvae, and small juveniles of Gulf of Mexico fishes, particularly king and Spanish mackerel, clupeids, lutjanids and sciaenids,
4. Obtain station associated environmental and oceanographic data throughout the survey area using the SBE 911 plus CTD and the SBE 19 Seacat Profiler, and
5. Collect data on the distribution and abundance of sea turtles, seabirds and other marine life and marine debris encountered during the survey.

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

NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center. 2000. Report of a Cetacean Survey of Continental Shelf Waters of the Northern Gulf of Mexico aboard NOAA Ship OREGON II (Cruise 242)

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.