AMAPPS Southeast Aerial Cruise Winter 2019-2020

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 an aerial survey on the
continental shelf waters of the US east coast, from
Virginia to the Florida Keys. The survey was conducted
between 7 December 2019 and 25 January 2020 aboard a NOAA
Twin Otter aircraft. Survey tracklines were oriented
perpendicular to the shoreline and latitudinally spaced
20
km apart. The main goal of this survey was to assess the
distribution and abundance of marine mammals and sea
turtles in the US east coast. 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 unfavorable
weather conditions (mainly fog and heavy winds)
throughout
the survey the northernmost area surveyed was off the
Virginia coast. In addition, from northern South Carolina
to VA, several segments of the proposed tracklines were
not surveyed due to military exercises being conducted
over the area.