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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 (survey GU0302) from 2003-06-14 to 2003-08-17 (NCEI Accession 0294561)

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The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is required to prepare an annual Stock Assessment Report (SAR) for each marine mammal stock to update abundance, stock structure, maximum net productivity, human-caused mortality, potential biological removal (PBR), and status. In the summer of 2003, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) conducted a marine mammal survey in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GMx). Operations occurred in the waters from 200 m deep seaward to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from Brownsville, Texas east into the Straights of Florida. The survey was designed using ship-based, line-transect methods in which experienced marine mammal observers visually located marine mammals, identified the species (to the lowest taxonomic level possible) and counted the number of whales and dolphins sighted along predetermined tracklines. A sighting constitutes a 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 information on biopsy samples collected during the survey.
  • Cite as: Martinez, Anthony; Mullin, Keith; Garrison, Lance; Dias, Laura A.; Rappucci, Gina (2024). Cetacean visual observations using line-transect survey methods onboard the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter (GU) in the Gulf of Mexico (survey GU0302) from 2003-06-14 to 2003-08-17 (NCEI Accession 0294561). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/0ndw-x571. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0294561
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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 2003-06-14 to 2003-08-17
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -96.3325
East: -81.1685
South: 23.834
North: 29.75583
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Southeast Fisheries Science Center. (2023). Cruise Results: NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter Cruise GU-03-02 (23) 12 June – 18 August 2003. Southeast Fisheries Science Center (U.S.). https://doi.org/10.25923/ntjf-yv90
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2024-07-11
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
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; Mullin, Keith; Garrison, Lance; Dias, Laura A.; Rappucci, Gina (2024). Cetacean visual observations using line-transect survey methods onboard the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter (GU) in the Gulf of Mexico (survey GU0302) from 2003-06-14 to 2003-08-17 (NCEI Accession 0294561). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/0ndw-x571. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Principal Investigators
Contributors
Resource Providers
Points of Contact
Publishers
Acknowledgments
  • Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Provider Keywords
  • SIGHTING
  • atmospheric/ocean indicators
  • baleen whales
  • endangered species
  • indicator species
  • population abundance
  • species distribution
  • species/population interactions
  • toothed whales
Provider Keywords Marine Mammal Species Common Name
  • Atlantic spotted dolphin
  • Beaked whales
  • Beaked whales of the genus Mesoplodon
  • Cetacean (large)
  • Cetacean (small)
  • Clymene dolphin
  • Common bottlenose dolphin
  • Common bottlenose or Atlantic spotted dolphin
  • Cuvier's beaked whale
  • Delphinidae
  • Dolphins of the genus Stenella
  • False killer whale
  • Melon-headed whale
  • Pantropical spotted dolphin
  • Pilot whales
  • Pygmy killer whale
  • Pygmy or Dwarf sperm whale
  • Risso's dolphin
  • Rough-toothed dolphin
  • Sperm whale
  • Spinner dolphin
  • Striped dolphin
  • Toothed whales
Provider Keywords Marine Mammal Species Scientific Name
  • Cetacea
  • Delphinidae
  • Feresa attenuata
  • Globicephala
  • Grampus griseus
  • Kogia
  • Mesoplodon
  • Odontoceti
  • Peponocephala electra
  • Physeter macrocephalus
  • Pseudorca crassidens
  • Stenella
  • Stenella attenuata
  • Stenella clymene
  • Stenella coeruleoalba
  • Stenella frontalis
  • Stenella longirostris
  • 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
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Keywords Send2NCEI Submission Package ID
  • J5A9W8
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Martinez, Anthony; Mullin, Keith; Garrison, Lance; Dias, Laura A.; Rappucci, Gina (2024). Cetacean visual observations using line-transect survey methods onboard the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter (GU) in the Gulf of Mexico (survey GU0302) from 2003-06-14 to 2003-08-17 (NCEI Accession 0294561). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/0ndw-x571. Accessed [date].
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
  • 2024-07-11T19:47:40Z - NCEI Accession 0294561 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: cetacean, VISUAL OBSERVATION, SIGHTING (measured); Units: NA; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: SHIPS, BIG EYE BINOCULARS; 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 single-team observer approach was used. Survey tracklines were oriented perpendicular to bathymetry lines and followed a “sawtooth” pattern.; Data Quality Method: Data auditing consisted of making corrections based on 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..
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: 2024-10-14T18:53:40Z
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