IMIS - Marine Research Groups

An Atlantic Ocean ship survey was conducted by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center in 1999 to evaluate abundance, distribution and stock structure of cetaceans in southeastern U.S. Atlantic waters. Data gathered on this survey will provide abundance estimates for calculating the Potential Biological Removal for U.S. Atlantic waters as required by the 1994 amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. During the 32 survey days, at least 12 cetacean species were sighted, including: Atlantic spotted dolphin, bottlenose dolphin Clymene dolphin, common dolphin, Fraser’s dolphin, melon-headed whale, pantropical spotted dolphin, pilot whale, Risso’s dolphin rough-toothed dolphin, sperm whale, and striped dolphin. Purpose The purpose of this survey is to examine the distribution and estimate abundance of cetaceans in United States waters. Specific objectives of this survey are: 1. Obtain minimum abundance estimate for calculating Potential Biological Removal for each species, 2. Collect biopsy tissue samples to evaluate stock structure, 3. Establish and build time-series databases for monitoring trends in abundance, 4. Examine distribution in relation to physiographic and oceanographic features, and 5. Obtain photographs and video images of selected species for photo-identification studies.