AMAPPS Southeast Aerial Cruise Spring 2019

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 New Jersey to the Florida Keys. The survey was conducted between 18 May and 24 June of 2019 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. 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. A portion of the proposed tracklines off the southern coast of Georgia was not surveyed due to restricted airspace from military exercises. Purpose: The main goal of this survey was to assess the distribution and abundance of marine mammals and sea turtles in the US east coast. Supplemental information: Perpendicular distance to the animal is not publicly available. The dataset is accompanied by transect (effort) data which is provided as a separate file. Sightings included were detected on-effort by the forward team only; you may request the full dataset and sightings including opportunistic ones directly to the provider. Environmental Attribute Codes Beaufort Sea state 0 Calm, mirror like seas 1 Waves <1ft, rippled surface 2 Small wavelets (<2 ft), no white caps 3 Large wavelets (<3ft), scattered white caps 4 Swell 3-4 ft, numerous white caps 5 Swell >5 ft, many white caps, some spray 6 Swell >10 ft, white caps everywhere, spray CloudCover 0 Clear 1 0-25% Cloudy 2 26-50% Cloudy 3 51-75% Cloudy 4 76-100% Cloudy 5 Overcast Glare (Glare intensity) 0 No Impairment 1 Slight Impairment 2 Moderate Impairment 3 Severe Impairment Weather 0 Clear 1 Mist 2 Light Rain 3 Heavy Rain Conditions 0 Poor 1 Fair 2 Moderate 3 Good 4 Excellent Haze 0 No 1 Yes Fog 0 No 1 Yes Sun penetration (Sun pen) 0 Poor 1 Fair 2 Good 3 Excellent Turbidity 0 Poor 1 Fair 2 Good 3 Excellent