NYSDEC aerial surveys

Original provider: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Dataset credits: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Abstract: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Marine Resources contracted Tetra Tech to conduct aerial whale monitoring in the New York Bight (NYB). Monitoring consisted of 36 monthly line-transect aerial surveys starting in March 2017 and ending in February 2020. The NYB survey area is a 43,449 square kilometer area of ocean from the south shore of Long Island to the continental shelf break. These surveys focused on six large whale species: the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whale (B. physalus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), sei whale (B. borealis), and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). This longitudinal multi-year study provides new insight into the occurrence, relative abundance, behavior, and densities and abundance of the six large whale species, as well as the occurrence other marine species, in the NYB. A total of 733.1 hours and 149,482 kilometers of flight time were completed over 263 survey flights. Observations were conducted by two observers from a high-winged, twin-engine Partenavia aircraft; one observer was positioned on each side of the aircraft and looked through bubble windows. Data recorded included all parameters required to estimate density and abundance using distance sampling techniques. A total of 3,069 sightings of 37,410 estimated individuals were recorded, including all six large whale species, other marine mammals, sea turtles, and other marine species (i.e., sharks, rays, fish schools, etc.). Further details may be found in the Final Comprehensive Report at www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/mmaeran3.pdf and the associated references. Purpose: The primary goals of the aerial surveys were: (1) Determine the distribution and estimate relative abundance and density of the six large whale species; (2) Determine monthly and seasonal occurrence, and inter-annual variability of the distribution and estimated abundance, density, and relative abundance for the six species; (3) Record data about the behavior of sighted large whales; (4) Record opportunistic sightings of sea turtles and other marine species; and (5) Record relevant environmental variables. Supplemental information: Environmental data are available and included in the downloadable zipped file.