Abstract:
A spring marine mammals survey in Gulf of Mexico was conducted in
1993 by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center to examine the diversity,
distribution and estimate abundance of marine mammals in U.S. waters. The
survey was aimed at meeting the responsibilities under the provisions of the
Marine Mammal Protection Act. The survey followed a winter survey in 1993. This
dataset contains sightings of
... not only cetaceans but also other species
including sea turtles, fish and shark observed during the ship survey. During
the 39 survey days, 18 species were sighted, including Atlantic spotted dolphin
Bowhead whale Clymene dolphin Cuvier's beaked whale Dwarf sperm whale
Dwarf/pygmy sperm whale False killer whale Killer whale Melon-headed whale
Pantropical spotted dolphin Pygmy killer whale Pygmy sperm whale Risso's
dolphin Rough-toothed dolphin Short/Long-finned pilot whale Sperm whale Spinner
dolphin Standard Bottlenose dolphin Striped dolphin The dataset is accompanied
by transect data which is provided as a separate file. 
Purpose:
The purpose of this survey is to examine the distribution and estimate
abundance of cetaceans in U.S. waters. Specific objectives of this survey are:
1. Complete a line transect survey of the study area for marine mammals during
daylight hours. 2. Collect ichthyoplankton with bongo and double neuston trawl
gear for estimates of abundance of eggs, larvae and small juveniles,
particularly those of
... bluefin tuna. 3. Obtain associated environmental and
oceanographic data. 4. Record data on marine life, seabirds and debris
encountered during line transects. 5. Obtain marine mammal biopsy samples for
analysis. 6. Collect tar samples encountered during neuston sampling SEAMAP
stations for analysis.
CURRENTNESS REFERENCE: ground condition
SPATIAL DATA ORGANIZATION INFORMATION
Direct Spatial Reference: Vector
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Entity point
Point and Vector Object Count: 3271
SPATIAL REFERENCE INFORMATION - GEODETIC MODEL
Horizontal Datum Name: D_WGS_1984
Ellipsoid Name: WGS_1984
Semi-major Axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator of Flattening Ratio: 298.257224
NATIVE: Microsoft Windows 2000 Version 5.0 (Build 2195) Service Pack 4; ESRI
ArcCatalog 8.3.0.800
