NMML Harbor Porpoise Vessel Survey, SE Alaska, Summer 1992

In summer 1992, the south side of the Alaskan Peninsula and the
Kodiak Archipelago were surveyed for harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) from
the NOAA John N. Cobb using line transect methodology. The shipboard platform
was 28.36 m (93 ft) in length with a bridge height of 4.27 m (14 ft). To obtain
data on seasonal movements of porpoise, a limited number of transects were made
in areas of known porpoise concentrations. When a sighting was made, the
following variables were recorded: time, angle, number of reticles to the
sighting, radar distance (nm) to the shoreline at the same angle of the
sighting, the species, the count of the porpoise seen (best, high, and low),
and the animal(s) direction of travel. Search effort was recoded by noting the
time and location of the ship at the beginning and end of each transect.