AMAPPS Southeast Aerial Cruise Fall 2016

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 from New Jersey to North Carolina between 23 November - 31 December, 2016. The survey was flown aboard a NOAA Twin Otter aircraft at an altitude of 600 feet (183 m) and a speed of 110 knots. The survey path followed tracklines oriented perpendicular to the shoreline and latitudinally spaced 20 km apart. “Fine- scale” track lines were surveyed in waters off the coast of New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia. The survey was designed for analysis using Distance sampling and a two- team (independent observer) approach to correct for visibility bias in resulting abundance estimates. Due to staffing issues, one team with four observers (left and right bubbles, belly and a data recorder) conducted the survey between 23-25 November. After 13 December the survey was conducted with two teams per usual protocol. Purpose: The goal of the surveys was to conduct line-transect surveys using the Distance sampling approach to estimate the abundance and spatial distribution of marine mammals and turtles in waters over the continental shelf and slope (shoreline to 2,000 m isobath) of the eastern US. 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