NMML Harbor Porpoise Vessel Survey, SE Alaska, Spring 1992

In spring 1992, Southeast Alaska, 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.