NYSDEC aerial surveys
Citation
Rickard, M. 2022. NYSDEC aerial surveys. Data downloaded from OBIS-SEAMAP (https://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/2209) on yyyy-mm-dd. https://doi.org/10.15468/n4wpnp accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-08-31.Description
Original provider: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Dataset credits: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Abstract: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Marine Resources contracted Tetra Tech to conduct aerial whale monitoring in the New York Bight (NYB). Monitoring consisted of 36 monthly line-transect aerial surveys starting in March 2017 and ending in February 2020. The NYB survey area is a 43,449 square kilometer area of ocean from the south shore of Long Island to the continental shelf break. These surveys focused on six large whale species: the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whale (B. physalus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), sei whale (B. borealis), and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). This longitudinal multi-year study provides new insight into the occurrence, relative abundance, behavior, and densities and abundance of the six large whale species, as well as the occurrence other marine species, in the NYB. A total of 733.1 hours and 149,482 kilometers of flight time were completed over 263 survey flights. Observations were conducted by two observers from a high-winged, twin-engine Partenavia aircraft; one observer was positioned on each side of the aircraft and looked through bubble windows. Data recorded included all parameters required to estimate density and abundance using distance sampling techniques. A total of 3,069 sightings of 37,410 estimated individuals were recorded, including all six large whale species, other marine mammals, sea turtles, and other marine species (i.e., sharks, rays, fish schools, etc.). Further details may be found in the Final Comprehensive Report at www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/mmaeran3.pdf and the associated references. Purpose: The primary goals of the aerial surveys were: (1) Determine the distribution and estimate relative abundance and density of the six large whale species; (2) Determine monthly and seasonal occurrence, and inter-annual variability of the distribution and estimated abundance, density, and relative abundance for the six species; (3) Record data about the behavior of sighted large whales; (4) Record opportunistic sightings of sea turtles and other marine species; and (5) Record relevant environmental variables. Supplemental information: Environmental data are available and included in the downloadable zipped file.Purpose
The primary goals of the aerial surveys were: (1) Determine the distribution and estimate relative abundance and density of the six large whale species; (2) Determine monthly and seasonal occurrence, and inter-annual variability of the distribution and estimated abundance, density, and relative abundance for the six species; (3) Record data about the behavior of sighted large whales; (4) Record opportunistic sightings of sea turtles and other marine species; and (5) Record relevant environmental variables.Sampling Description
Study Extent
NASampling
NAMethod steps
- NA
Additional info
marine, harvested by iOBISTaxonomic Coverages
Scientific names are based on the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
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Manta birostriscommon name: Atlantic manta rank: species
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Cetorhinus maximuscommon name: basking shark rank: species
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Balaenopteracommon name: baleen whales rank: genus
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Balaenopteracommon name: baleen whales rank: genus
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Prionace glaucacommon name: blue shark rank: species
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Balaenoptera musculuscommon name: Blue Whale rank: species
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Tursiops truncatuscommon name: Common Bottlenose Dolphin rank: species
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Delphinidaecommon name: dolphins rank: family
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Delphinus delphiscommon name: Short-beaked Common Dolphin rank: species
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Ziphius cavirostriscommon name: Cuvier's Beaked Whale rank: species
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Delphinidaecommon name: dolphins rank: family
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Balaenoptera physaluscommon name: Fin Whale rank: species
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Carcharodon carchariascommon name: Great white shark rank: species
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Sphyrnidaecommon name: bonnethead sharks rank: family
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Phocoena phocoenacommon name: Harbor Porpoise rank: species
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Megaptera novaeangliaecommon name: Humpback Whale rank: species
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Lepidochelys kempiicommon name: Kemp's Ridley rank: species
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Dermochelys coriaceacommon name: Leatherback Sea Turtle rank: species
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Caretta carettacommon name: Loggerhead Sea Turtle rank: species
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Balaenoptera acutorostratacommon name: Common Minke Whale rank: species
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Mola molacommon name: ocean sunfish rank: species
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Eubalaena glacialiscommon name: North Atlantic Right Whale rank: species
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Globicephalacommon name: pilot whales rank: genus
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Grampus griseuscommon name: Risso's Dolphin rank: species
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Balaenoptera borealiscommon name: Sei Whale rank: species
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Delphinus delphiscommon name: Short-beaked Common Dolphin rank: species
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Elasmobranchiicommon name: cartilaginous fishes rank: subclass
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Physeter macrocephaluscommon name: Sperm Whale rank: species
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Delphinidaecommon name: dolphins rank: family
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Mysticeticommon name: baleen whales rank: suborder
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Hyperoodontidaerank: family
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Cetaceacommon name: cetaceans rank: order
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Delphinidaecommon name: dolphins rank: family
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Cetaceacommon name: cetaceans rank: order
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Elasmobranchiicommon name: cartilaginous fishes rank: subclass
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Phocidaecommon name: earless seals rank: family
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Cheloniidaecommon name: Sea Turtles rank: family
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Elasmobranchiicommon name: cartilaginous fishes rank: subclass
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Cetaceacommon name: cetaceans rank: order
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Rhincodon typuscommon name: whale shark rank: species
Geographic Coverages
North Atlantic,New York Bight
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Meghan Rickardoriginator
position: Primary contact
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
email: meghan.rickard@dec.ny.gov
OBIS-SEAMAP
metadata author
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University
A328 LSRC building
Durham
27708
NC
US
email: seamap-contact@duke.edu
homepage: https://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: https://seamap.env.duke.edu
Meghan Rickard
owner
position: Primary contact
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
email: meghan.rickard@dec.ny.gov
Meghan Rickard
administrative point of contact
position: Primary contact
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
email: meghan.rickard@dec.ny.gov