Wildlife observations of seabirds and marine mammals collected during sonar vessel surveys in the Gulf of Maine, 2015-2025, by the Maine Coastal Mapping Initiative

Original provider:
Maine Department of Marine Resources

Dataset credits:
Maine Department of Marine Resources, Maine Coastal Mapping Initiative

Abstract:
The Maine Coastal Mapping Initiative (Maine Department of Marine Resources) collected vessel-based observations of seabirds, marine mammals, and highly migratory species in state and federal waters during the course of sonar seafloor mapping activities from 2015-2025. Wildlife observational data were collected aboard the fishing vessel (F/V) Amy Gale (11 meter long, 4 m beam, 1 m draft) from 2015-2023 and aboard the F/V Titan (20 m long, 6.7 m beam, 3 m draft) in 2024-2025. The wildlife observers used iPads equipped with survey software Seascribe (BOEM, https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/SeaScribe_Manual.pdf) to collect data from 2015-2023, and used iPads equipped with custom designed data collection forms with similar datafields created using iFormBuilder (Zerion Software, https://a-2025 pp.iformbuilder.com/) in 2024-2025.

Between 2015-2022, wildlife observers were trained on animal identification and data collection using SeaScribe by Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), and from 2023-2025 that training was delivered within the Maine Department of Marine Resources. The wildlife observers were trained in identifying seabirds and marine mammals as well as their behaviors and metadata on observational conditions. Observations were aided by binoculars and photographs of animals were taken when possible. In 2024-2025 reticle binoculars were used with known eye heights above the water to better estimate distance. Quality control measures included daily uploads to secure storage, data review to ensure locations and transects were correctly taken and species identified were likely (supported by photographs and observer notes).

Sampling was conducted from March through November from 2015-2025 on multiple multibeam sonar survey trips per week. Taxonomic coverage was seabirds, marine mammals, and highly migratory species. Vessel-based wildlife observations along with details regarding sea state, the animals’ location, and behavior were recorded. Seabird data were recorded from the angle of 0-90 degrees relative to vessel direction for every year excluding 2020, when the data were recorded from the angle 90-180 degrees relative to vessel direction. Marine mammal data were recorded from 0-360 degrees in all years. Wildlife observations were taken during multibeam sonar mapping surveys during the months of March-November from 2015-2025. Observations covered seabirds, marine mammals, and highly migratory species such as sharks, tuna, and turtles.

The geographic extent covers the Gulf of Maine from the Maine/New Hampshire border to Casco Bay, the Sheepscot River and Matinicus Isle and out to 55 miles from shore. The bounding coordinates are 43.302326, -70.560580; 43.884661, -68.880358; 44.001217, -69.658671; and 43.057606, -70.226012.

During daily survey operations, wildlife observers initiated a new survey and recorded metadata (survey name, research vessel name, date and time, type of waters surveyed (state or federal)). Transect types were fixed width, counting method was continuous, animal counts were conducted on one side of the vessel (seabirds were counted and identified from 0-90 degrees relative to vessel direction and marine mammals were counted and identified from 0-360 degrees). Ancillary fields on glare, weather, visibility, and Beaufort sea state were collected along with the # of observers and their level of experience. Observations were taken from the starboard side of the vessel, and photographs were collected when possible. Compass azimuth to the wildlife observation was recorded as was an estimate of distance. In 2024-2025, observers used binoculars with reticles and their known eye height from the water for increased accuracy of distance estimations. Animal behavior was recorded as were notes on plumage. GPS locations of the vessel (tracklines) and locations of the vessel when animal observations were recorded were made using a Garmin GPSMAP64. At the end of survey days, SeaScribe data were exported to shore-based servers as .csv files and GPS data were exported as .gpx files. CSV files were uploaded into Access database tables for inclusion in a master database, and daily data quality review was conducted to ensure that location and observation data were collected and uploaded properly and questionable observations were reviewed for accuracy. Wildlife observer data were reviewed at the end of every trip to ensure upload to shore-based storage. Locational data were checked against vessel tracks to ensure that the iPad GPS was accurate. The data were reviewed against observer notes and photographs to check that there were not any misidentified species based off of uncommon or unlikely animals and that the numbers of observed animals per observation was reasonable.

Personnel included MCMI wildlife observers Katelyn Doughty, Samantha Garvey, Ethan Barkalow, Olivia Streit, Dane Fegely, Taylor Davis, Kathryn Fligstein, Emilia Bennett, Shannon Nielsen, Tazlina Ireland, Samantha Velasco, Rebecca Fernandez, Benjamin Adler, and Cory Sanko. Data processing for final delivery was performed by Celeste Mosher and Karl Koehler. The project initiators were Claire Enterline and Matt Nixon.

Funding was provided by: BOEM #M14AC00008; Maine Department of Wildlife Resources #F16AF01173; NOAA CZM 309-3 funding FY14-FY24; NOAA #NA15NOS4190210; NOAA #NA15NOS4190208; Northeast Regional Ocean Council #CSSF-NROC_MaineDMR-2023; The Nature Conservancy of Maine #P115761; Maine Department of Energy Resources #010-07A-Z12201; Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund #202-01-01; Maine Sea Grant; and the Maine Department of Marine Resources