AMAPPS Southeast Aerial Cruise Fall 2017

Original provider:
NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

Dataset credits:
NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

Abstract:
As part of the AMAPPS program, the Southeast Fisheries
Science Center conducted aerial surveys of continental
shelf and slope waters (up to the 2,000 m isobath) along
the US east coast from New Jersey to South Carolina. The
survey was conducted in 2017 between 18 Oct and 20 Nov
aboard a NOAA Twin Otter aircraft at an altitude of 600
feet (183 m) and a speed of 110 knots. Survey tracklines
were oriented perpendicular to the shoreline and
latitudinally spaced 20 km apart. Fine-scale tracklines
were surveyed closer to the shores of NJ, DE and VA over
renewable energy leasing areas. The survey was designed
for analysis using Distance sampling and a two-team
(independent observer) approach to correct for perception
bias in resulting abundance estimates. Due to staffing
issues on 20 Nov the survey was flown with one team with
four observers (left and right bubbles, belly and a data
recorder).