SEFSC GoMex Oceanic 1994

Original provider:
NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

Dataset credits:
Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA

Abstract:
A spring marine mammals survey in Gulf of Mexico was conducted in 1994 by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center to examine the diversity, distribution and estimate abundance of marine mammals in U.S. waters. The survey was aimed at meeting the responsibilities under the provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The survey was taken place along with Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP). In addition, it was conducted in coordination with the Japanese vessel SHOYO MARU and a larval transport survey in the Florida Keys.

This dataset contains sightings of not only cetaceans but also other species including sea turtles, fish and shark observed during the ship survey.

During the survey, at least 18 species were sighted, including

Atlantic spotted dolphin
Clymene dolphin
Cuvier’s beaked whale
Dwarf sperm whale
Dwarf/pygmy sperm whale
False killer whale
Humpback whale
Killer whale
Melon-headed whale
Northern right whale
Pantropical spotted dolphin
Pygmy sperm whale
Risso's dolphin
Rough-toothed dolphin
Short/Long-finned pilot whale
Sperm whale
Spinner dolphin
Standard Bottlenose dolphin
Striped dolphin

The dataset is accompanied by transect data which is provided as a separate file.