PIFSC Mariana Archipelago cetacean surveys 2010-2019

Marie C. Hill

doi:10.15468/w5bqvy

PIFSC Mariana Archipelago cetacean surveys 2010-2019

Citation

Hill, M. 2020. PIFSC Mariana Archipelago cetacean surveys 2010-2019. Data downloaded from OBIS-SEAMAP (http://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/2071) on yyyy-mm-dd. https://doi.org/10.15468/w5bqvy accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-13.

Description

Original provider: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) Dataset credits: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) Abstract: The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) Cetacean Research Program has conducted research on cetaceans in the Mariana Archipelago since 2010 (Hill et al. in review). A cooperative effort with funding from U.S. Navy Pacific Feet and PIFSC has included summer and winter small-boat surveys off the southernmost islands (Saipan, Tinian, Aguijan, Rota, and Guam). Across all summer and winter small-boat survey efforts, PIFSC conducted 270 days of surveys. Most of the survey effort occurred in summer months (May–September) and there was no effort during October–December. There were 362 groups (excluding within-day re-sights) identified to 14 species including (in order of frequency of occurrence) spinner dolphin, pantropical spotted dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, short-finned pilot whale, rough-toothed dolphin, sperm whale, false killer whale, dwarf sperm whale, pygmy killer whale, Bryde's whale, melon-headed whale, Blainville's beaked whale, and Cuvier's beaked whale. Humpback whales were encountered in January–March 2015–2019 when targeted surveys were conducted off Saipan. Across all PIFSC small-boat surveys, there were 19 mixed-species groups, each including 2–3 species. Some groups could not be identified to species, and are indicated as unidentified beaked whales, unidentified whales, and unidentified dolphins. The overall effort resulted in collection of 130,066 photos and 435 biopsy samples, and deployment of 44 satellite tags. Purpose: The goal of these efforts has been to collect the data necessary to conduct population assessments for cetaceans within the Mariana Archipelago, including the determination of their occurrence, population structure, and abundance, movements, distribution, and habitat use. In addition, these data may be used to evaluate the potential exposure of cetaceans to human-caused stressors within the waters surrounding the Mariana Archipelago including U.S. Navy operations (e.g., sonar, use of explosives), fisheries interactions, and dolphin tourism. Supplemental information: PIFSC has conducted visual surveys for cetaceans in the waters off the southernmost islands of the Mariana Archipelago (Saipan, Tinian, Aguijan, Rota, and Guam) aboard small vessels (5.8–12.2 m). Survey tracks did not follow a randomized design, but instead were spread out from day to day to ensure broad survey coverage over a wide range of depths and were also dictated by weather and sea conditions. The survey vessels traveled at a speed of 15–26 km/h, depending on the size of the vessel and sea conditions. Between 4 and 6 observers scanned for marine mammals with unaided eyes or, occasionally handheld binoculars, collectively searching 360-degrees around the vessel. All cetacean groups encountered were approached for species confirmation, group size estimates, photo-identification, and biopsy sampling/sloughed skin collection. In 2013, satellite tagging was implemented to investigate movements and spatial use of individuals of some species. Additional data collected during each sighting included the location (latitude/longitude), behavior, and estimates of calf numbers. Survey conditions (e.g., Beaufort sea state, swell height) and effort status were recorded regularly as conditions changed. A handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) automatically recorded the vessel’s track at 1-minute intervals.

Purpose

The goal of these efforts has been to collect the data necessary to conduct population assessments for cetaceans within the Mariana Archipelago, including the determination of their occurrence, population structure, and abundance, movements, distribution, and habitat use. In addition, these data may be used to evaluate the potential exposure of cetaceans to human-caused stressors within the waters surrounding the Mariana Archipelago including U.S. Navy operations (e.g., sonar, use of explosives), fisheries interactions, and dolphin tourism.

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).

Mesoplodon densirostris
common name: Blainville's Beaked Whale rank: species
Tursiops truncatus
common name: Common Bottlenose Dolphin rank: species
Balaenoptera brydei
common name: Bryde's whale rank: species
Ziphius cavirostris
common name: Cuvier's Beaked Whale rank: species
Kogia sima
common name: Dwarf Sperm Whale rank: species
Pseudorca crassidens
common name: False Killer Whale rank: species
Megaptera novaeangliae
common name: Humpback Whale rank: species
Peponocephala electra
common name: Melon-headed Whale rank: species
Mesoplodon
common name: beaked whales rank: genus
Stenella attenuata
common name: Pantropical Spotted Dolphin rank: species
Feresa attenuata
common name: Pygmy Killer Whale rank: species
Steno bredanensis
common name: Rough-toothed Dolphin rank: species
Globicephala macrorhynchus
common name: Short-finned Pilot Whale rank: species
Physeter macrocephalus
common name: Sperm Whale rank: species
Stenella longirostris
common name: Spinner Dolphin rank: species
Hyperoodontidae
rank: family
Delphinidae
common name: dolphins rank: family
Delphinidae
common name: dolphins rank: family
Cetacea
common name: cetaceans rank: order
Cetacea
common name: cetaceans rank: order

Geographic Coverages

North Pacific,Marianas

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Marie C. Hill
originator
position: Primary contact
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
email: Marie.Hill@noaa.gov

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

Marie C. Hill
owner
position: Primary contact
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
email: Marie.Hill@noaa.gov

Marie C. Hill
administrative point of contact
position: Primary contact
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
email: Marie.Hill@noaa.gov