OCEAMM harbor porpoise sightings in the North Sea

Thibaut Bouveroux

doi:10.15468/j8f8h9

OCEAMM harbor porpoise sightings in the North Sea

Citation

Bouveroux, T. 2011. OCEAMM harbor porpoise sightings in the North Sea. Data downloaded from OBIS-SEAMAP (http://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/779) on yyyy-mm-dd. https://doi.org/10.15468/j8f8h9 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-11-21.

Description

Original provider: Observatoire pour la Conservation et l'Etude des Animaux et Milieux Marins (OCEAMM) Dataset credits: Observatoire pour la Conservation et l'Etude des Animaux et Milieux Marins (OCEAMM) Abstract: Small cetaceans can use a variety of habitats and are generally wide-ranging. For this reason, extensive sighting surveys to assess their distribution, abundance, and habitat preference are needed. In this study, we conducted systematic surveys to document the distribution of the harbor porpoise observed in the English Channel (North Sea, France). The English Channel is an epicontinental sea. It constitutes a relatively narrow link between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea and is influenced by strong tides and freshwater inputs, which create well-mixed waters. The harbor porpoise is placed under Appendix II of the European Union Habitats Directive, and an assessment of his status and distribution in the English Channel, very exposed to human activities, is much needed to identify conservation and management strategies. Therefore, we conducted surveys following a series of predetermined saw-tooth transect lines to study the distribution of the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).
Boat transect were conducted using a Sealine Stateman 35, equipped with two 230 hp Volvo inboard engine at speed around 10 knots. Surveys were made as many days as possible throughout the season at sea state of Beaufort 3 or less, between March 2009 and September 2011. For each animal sighting, the species, angle of sighting, the distance from the boat, the group size and composition, the general behavior and the swimming direction were recorded.

Purpose

Not available

Sampling Description

Study Extent

NA

Sampling

NA

Method steps

NA

Additional info

marine, harvested by iOBIS

Taxonomic Coverages

Scientific names are based on the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).

Phocoena phocoena
common name: Harbor Porpoise rank: species

Geographic Coverages

Oceans

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Thibaut Bouveroux
originator
position: Primary contact
Florida State University
email: tbouveroux@gmail.com

OBIS-SEAMAP
metadata author
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University
A328 LSRC building
Durham
27708
NC
US
email: seamap-contact@duke.edu
homepage: http://seamap.env.duke.edu

OBIS-SEAMAP
distributor
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University
A328 LSRC building
Durham
27708
NC
US
email: seamap-contact@duke.edu
homepage: http://seamap.env.duke.edu

Thibaut Bouveroux
owner
position: Primary contact
Florida State University
email: tbouveroux@gmail.com

Thibaut Bouveroux
administrative point of contact
position: Primary contact
Florida State University
email: tbouveroux@gmail.com