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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Cetacean visual observations using line-transect survey methods onboard the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter (GU) in the Gulf of Mexico, for the Vessel Surveys for Abundance and Distribution of Marine Mammals and Seabirds project (VSAD survey GU2303) from 2023-06-22 to 2023-08-14 (NCEI Accession 0290373)

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As part of the Vessel Surveys for Abundance and Distribution of Marine Mammals and Seabirds (VSAD) project, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) conducted a shipboard survey of the U.S. oceanic waters of the Gulf of Mexico out to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from 2023-06-22 to 2023-08-14. The survey was designed for a two-team independent visual observer approach with distance sampling to estimate the detection probabilities for marine mammal sightings. A sighting constituted a single or group of marine mammals (whales and dolphins) seen at the same location and time. This dataset includes marine mammal visual observation data and effort points with surveying conditions that can be used in abundance and density modeling per visual line-transect survey protocols. This dataset also includes opportunistic marine mammal photographs and biopsy samples, and non-marine mammal sightings (a.k.a. occurrences) such as sea turtles.
  • Cite as: Martinez, Anthony; Garrison, Lance; Rappucci, Gina; Litz, Jenny; Dias, Laura A.; Wicker, Jesse; Sinclair, Carrie (2024). Cetacean visual observations using line-transect survey methods onboard the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter (GU) in the Gulf of Mexico, for the Vessel Surveys for Abundance and Distribution of Marine Mammals and Seabirds project (VSAD survey GU2303) from 2023-06-22 to 2023-08-14 (NCEI Accession 0290373). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/rp7t-jn41. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0290373
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2023-06-22 to 2023-08-14
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -96.48881
East: -83.46609
South: 24.13521
North: 29.97844
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Cruise Report, NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter Cruise GU23-03, June - August 2023, Vessel Survey for Abundance and Distribution Summer Research Cruise
    • https://doi.org/10.25923/mg6n-y956 (download)
      As part of the Vessel Surveys for Abundance and Distribution of Marine Mammals and Seabirds (VSAD) project, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) conducted a shipboard survey of the oceanic waters (>100 m deep) of the Gulf of Mexico (GoMx) out to the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to collect data to help inform plans to support marine mammal and seabird population restoration efforts.
  • Partial pressure of carbon dioxide, temperature, salinity and other variables collected from the coastal surface underway observations from NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter in the Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic Ocean in 2023 (NCEI Accession 0278973)
  • Underway meteorological, navigational, physical, profile, and time series data collected aboard NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter in the Gulf of Mexico from 2023-06-21 to 2023-08-15 (NCEI Accession 0281793)
  • Underway meteorological, navigational, physical, and time series data collected aboard NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter in the Gulf of Mexico and North Pacific Ocean from 2023-04-03 to 2023-09-13 (NCEI Accession 0282737)
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2024-04-27
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
Submission Package ID: 4HBF4F
Purpose The primary goal was to conduct visual line-transect survey for abundance estimation, and distribution of cetaceans in the U.S. waters of the Gulf of Mexico (GoMx).
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Martinez, Anthony; Garrison, Lance; Rappucci, Gina; Litz, Jenny; Dias, Laura A.; Wicker, Jesse; Sinclair, Carrie (2024). Cetacean visual observations using line-transect survey methods onboard the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter (GU) in the Gulf of Mexico, for the Vessel Surveys for Abundance and Distribution of Marine Mammals and Seabirds project (VSAD survey GU2303) from 2023-06-22 to 2023-08-14 (NCEI Accession 0290373). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/rp7t-jn41. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Principal Investigators
Collaborators
Contributors
Resource Providers
Points of Contact
Publishers
Acknowledgments
  • Related Funding Agency: US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Provider Keywords
  • visual observation
Provider Keywords Species Common Name
  • Atlantic spotted dolphin
  • Beaked whales
  • Beaked whales of the genus Mesoplodon
  • Blainville's beaked whale
  • Cetacean (large)
  • Clymene dolphin
  • Common bottlenose dolphin
  • Common bottlenose or Atlantic spotted dolphin
  • Cuvier's beaked whale
  • Delphinidae
  • Dolphins of the genus Stenella
  • False killer whale
  • Fraser's dolphin
  • Gervais' beaked whale
  • Melon-headed or Pygmy killer or False killer whale
  • Melon-headed or Pygmy killer whale
  • Pantropical spotted dolphin
  • Pilot whales
  • Pygmy or Dwarf sperm whale
  • Pygmy sperm whale
  • Rice's whale
  • Risso's dolphin
  • Rough-toothed dolphin
  • Sei or Fin or Bryde’s or Rice's whale
  • Sperm whale
  • Spinner dolphin
  • Spinner or Clymene dolphin
  • Striped dolphin
  • Toothed whales
Provider Keywords Species Scientific Name
  • Balaenoptera borealis or Balaenoptera physalus or Balaenoptera edeni or Balaenoptera ricei
  • Balaenoptera ricei
  • Caretta caretta
  • Cetacea
  • Cheloniidae
  • Delphinidae
  • Dermochelys coriacea
  • Globicephala
  • Grampus griseus
  • Istiophoridae
  • Kogia
  • Kogia breviceps
  • Lagenodelphis hosei
  • Mesoplodon
  • Mesoplodon densirostris
  • Mesoplodon europaeus
  • Odontoceti
  • Peponocephala electra or Feresa attenuata
  • Peponocephala electra or Feresa attenuata or Pseudorca crassidens
  • Physeter macrocephalus
  • Pseudorca crassidens
  • Selachii
  • Stenella
  • Stenella attenuata
  • Stenella clymene
  • Stenella coeruleoalba
  • Stenella frontalis
  • Stenella longirostris
  • Stenella longirostris | Stenella clymene
  • Steno bredanensis
  • Tursiops truncatus
  • Tursiops truncatus or Stenella frontalis
  • Ziphiidae
  • Ziphius cavirostris
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Platform keywords NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords Provider Instruments
  • Ships
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords Provider Project Names
  • University of Miami’s Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS)
  • Vessel Surveys for Abundance and Distribution of Marine Mammals and Seabirds (VSAD)
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Martinez, Anthony; Garrison, Lance; Rappucci, Gina; Litz, Jenny; Dias, Laura A.; Wicker, Jesse; Sinclair, Carrie (2024). Cetacean visual observations using line-transect survey methods onboard the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter (GU) in the Gulf of Mexico, for the Vessel Surveys for Abundance and Distribution of Marine Mammals and Seabirds project (VSAD survey GU2303) from 2023-06-22 to 2023-08-14 (NCEI Accession 0290373). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/rp7t-jn41. Accessed [date].
Data License
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2024-04-27T06:57:43Z - NCEI Accession 0290373 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: cetacean (measured); Units: NA; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Ships; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The goal of the research was to conduct line-transect surveys using the Distance sampling approach to estimate the abundance and spatial distribution of marine mammals in the oceanic waters of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. A two-team independent observer approach using pedestal-mounted 25x150 mm “big eye” binoculars was used to correct for perception bias in resulting abundance estimates. Survey tracklines were oriented perpendicular to bathymetry lines and followed a “sawtooth” pattern from approximately the 100m-isobath to the Exclusive Economic Zone.; Data Quality Method: Data auditing consisted of making corrections based on error log notes from the field, plotting trackline points to identify errors made when recording effort status, and verifying sighting data based on data sheets from the field..
  • Parameter or Variable: visual observation (measured); Units: NA; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: BIG EYE BINOCULARS.
  • Parameter or Variable: species abundance (measured); Units: NA; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: line transect sampling.
  • Parameter or Variable: MARINE MAMMALS (measured); Units: NA; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: BIG EYE BINOCULARS.
  • Parameter or Variable: dolphins (measured); Units: NA; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: BIG EYE BINOCULARS.
  • Parameter or Variable: biological data (measured); Units: NA; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: BIG EYE BINOCULARS.
  • Parameter or Variable: Biopsy (measured); Units: millimeter; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: documentation only - no instrument type; Sampling and Analyzing Method: dart gun; biopsy dart sampling.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • BIG EYE BINOCULARS
  • dart biopsy gun
  • Distance Sampling
  • line transect sampling
  • photograph
  • video camera
  • visual estimate
  • visual observation
Platform
  • NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter
Last Modified: 2024-04-30T12:38:12Z
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