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MMS High Altitude Survey 1980-1983

Dataset homepage

Citation

Ford, G. and J. Casey. 2013. MMS High Altitude Survey 1980-1983. Data downloaded from OBIS-SEAMAP (http://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/40) on yyyy-mm-dd. https://doi.org/10.15468/9szr5g accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-05-18.

Description

Original provider: Minerals Management Service Dataset credits: Minerals Management Service Abstract: This dataset is from the marine mammal and seabird surveys of central and northern California studies: Central/northern California - high aerial [Cetaceans] study Code: CH, Contract number: 14-12-0001-29090, Principal investigator: Thomas P. Dohl, Center for Marine Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz Study area: Shelf, slope, and offshore waters to a distance of 100 nm off the California coast from Point Conception to the California-Oregon boundary. Methodology: Offshore transect surveys were flown twice-monthly at two different altitudes (200 ft and about 750-1,000 ft ASL) along approximately 40 east-west transect lines extending an average of 60 nm offshore. The transects sampled on a given survey were selected randomly from a set of 92 standard (predetermined) lines spaced at intervals of 5' of latitude. Standard transects provided systematic coverage of shelf, slope, and offshore waters in the study area. Sightings of seabirds, pinnipeds, and sea otters were recorded only on low-altitude surveys. Sightings of cetaceans and turtles were recorded on both low- and high-altitude surveys. Seabird sightings were recorded only on the shaded side of the aircraft within a strip transect of 50 m width. Marine mammal and turtle sightings were recorded within an unbounded corridor on both high- and low-altitude surveys, but only the shaded side of the aircraft was searched on the low-altitude surveys. Cross-legs connecting standard transects were searched only on high-altitude surveys. Offshore cross-legs were searched on both sides of the aircraft, while only the nearshore side was searched on cross-legs along the coast. Declination angle was measured and noted for each marine mammal/turtle sightings and later used to calculate a probability density function of frequency with right-angle sighting distance. Navigation was by Loran and VLF-Omega. Databases produced: Three databases of sightings at sea were produced by these studies (data on numbers of seabirds and pinnipeds on land were also collected but are not addressed in the present study). These include: 1) sightings of cetaceans and turtles recorded on 36 high-altitude aerial surveys, 2) sightings of cetaceans, pinnipeds, sea otters, and turtles recorded on 36 low-altitude aerial surveys, and 3) sightings of seabirds on 36 low-altitude aerial surveys. Each sighting database is accompanied by files providing the search effort on transect and environmental characteristics of the waters surveyed (e.g., sea surface temperature). Purpose: To determine species composition, distribution, abundance, and seasonal variation for marine mammal and seabird populations, provide a description of habitat use, and identify areas of special biological importance to these populations in the central and northern California study area.

Purpose

To determine species composition, distribution, abundance, and seasonal variation for marine mammal and seabird populations, provide a description of habitat use, and identify areas of special biological importance to these populations in the central and northern California study area.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

NA

Sampling

NA

Method steps

  1. NA

Additional info

marine, harvested by iOBIS

Taxonomic Coverages

Scientific names are based on the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
  1. Balaenoptera acutorostrata
    common name: Minke Whale rank: species
  2. Balaenoptera borealis
    common name: Sei Whale rank: species
  3. Balaenoptera musculus
    common name: Blue Whale rank: species
  4. Balaenoptera physalus
    common name: Fin Whale rank: species
  5. Berardius bairdii
    common name: Baird's Beaked Whale rank: species
  6. Callorhinus ursinus
    common name: Northern Fur Seal rank: species
  7. Dermochelys coriacea
    common name: Leatherback Sea Turtle rank: species
  8. Enhydra lutris
    common name: Sea Otter rank: species
  9. Eschrichtius robustus
    common name: Gray Whale rank: species
  10. Globicephala melas
    common name: Long-finned Pilot Whale rank: species
  11. Grampus griseus
    common name: Risso's Dolphin rank: species
  12. Kogia
    common name: pygmy sperm whales rank: genus
  13. Lagenorhynchus obliquidens
    common name: Pacific White-sided Dolphin rank: species
  14. Cetacea
    common name: cetaceans rank: order
  15. Lissodelphis borealis
    common name: Northern Right Whale Dolphin rank: species
  16. Cetacea
    common name: cetaceans rank: order
  17. Megaptera novaeangliae
    common name: Humpback Whale rank: species
  18. Mesoplodon
    common name: beaked whales rank: genus
  19. Mirounga angustirostris
    common name: Northern Elephant Seal rank: species
  20. Orcinus orca
    common name: Killer Whale rank: species
  21. Otariidae
    common name: eared seals rank: family
  22. Phocoena phocoena
    common name: Harbor Porpoise rank: species
  23. Phocoenoides dalli
    common name: Dall's Porpoise rank: species
  24. Physeter macrocephalus
    common name: Sperm Whale rank: species
  25. Cetacea
    common name: cetaceans rank: order
  26. Ziphius cavirostris
    common name: Cuvier's Beaked Whale rank: species

Geographic Coverages

Northeastern Pacific Ocean

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Janet Casey
originator
position: Primary contact
Janet Casey
email: None
Glenn Ford
originator
position: Primary contact
Glenn Ford
email: eci@teleport.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
Janet Casey
owner
position: Primary contact
Janet Casey
email: None
Glenn Ford
owner
position: Primary contact
Glenn Ford
email: eci@teleport.com
Janet Casey
administrative point of contact
position: Primary contact
Janet Casey
email: None
Glenn Ford
administrative point of contact
position: Primary contact
Glenn Ford
email: eci@teleport.com
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