SWFSC Marine Mammal Survey, Delphinus 2009, Cruise 1640

Original provider:
NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC)

Dataset credits:
NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC)

Abstract:
The 2009 "Ecosystem Survey of Delphinus Species" research survey focused on the two species of common dolphin, <I>Delphinus delphis</I> and <I>D. capensis</I>, found off southern California, USA, and Baja California, Mexico. The primary objective was to provide information to improve conservation and management plans for these species. The project used a multidisciplinary approach. For both <i>Delphinus</i> species, data were collected to estimate abundance, pregnancy and birth rates, timing of reproduction, gene flow, and
contaminant concentrations. Oceanographic data were collected to characterize habitat, and data on distribution and abundance of seabirds, prey fishes, and squids were collected to further characterize the ecosystem in which these dolphins live. Photographs of dolphin schools were taken from a NOAA Twin Otter aircraft while the survey was being conducted. The aerial photographs will provide count and measurement data to calibrate observer
estimates of school size and to estimate timing of reproduction and birth rates. This research will facilitate understanding population demography of these species in an ecosystem framework. Essential information about the primary focal species, <i>D. capensis</i>, will greatly increase our knowledge about this coastal species and the geographic extent of a Mexico-U.S. transboundary stock. For additional information about the Delphinus cruise, please see http://swfsc.noaa.gov/prd-delphinus.aspx.

Original provider:
美国国家海洋和大气管理局（NOAA）西南渔业科学中心（Southwest Fisheries Science Center, SWFSC）

Dataset credits:
美国国家海洋和大气管理局（NOAA）西南渔业科学中心（Southwest Fisheries Science Center, SWFSC）

Abstract:
2009年"真海豚属生态系统调查"研究聚焦于美国加利福尼亚南部及墨西哥下加利福尼亚近岸海域的两种普通海豚——*Delphinus delphis*与*D. capensis*。其核心目标是为改进这两个物种的保护与管理方案提供科学依据。项目采用多学科研究方法，针对两种真海豚属物种收集了种群丰度、怀孕率与出生率、繁殖时间规律、基因流及污染物浓度等数据；同时采集海洋学数据以刻画栖息地特征，并收集海鸟、猎物鱼类及头足类的分布与丰度数据，进一步解析这些海豚所处的生态系统。调查期间，通过NOAA双水獭飞机拍摄海豚群的航拍照片，这些照片将提供计数与测量数据，用于校准观察者对海豚群规模的估计值，并推算繁殖时间规律与出生率。本研究有助于在生态系统框架下理解这些物种的种群统计学特征。关于主要研究对象*D. capensis*的关键信息，将大幅提升我们对这一近岸物种及墨西哥-美国跨界种群地理范围的认知。更多关于真海豚属调查航次的信息，请访问http://swfsc.noaa.gov/prd-delphinus.aspx。