Abstract:
A spring cetacean survey in the northern U.S. Gulf of Mexico was
conducted in 1999 by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center and Minerals
Management Service to examine cetacean abundances in both oceanic and
continental shelf waters. This survey was conducted in coordination with the
spring Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP)
ichthyoplankton survey. The dataset contains
... sightings of not only cetaceans
but also other species including sea turtles, fish and shark observed during
the ship survey. During the 36 survey days, at least 18 species were sighted,
including Bryde's whale Sperm whale Dwarf/pygmy sperm whale Cuvier's beaked
whale Striped dolphin Spinner dolphin Clymene dolphin Pantropical spotted
dolphin Atlantic spotted dolphin Bottlenose dolphin Rough-toothed dolphin
Risso's dolphin Killer whale False killer whale Pilot whale Pygmy killer whale
Melon-headed whale 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. Collect ichthyoplankton samples for estimates of the abundance and
distribution of Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae. 2. Collect data to estimate the
abundance and distribution of cetaceans in the oceanic northern Gulf of Mexico.
3. collect associated
... environmental data at all designated ichthyoplankton
stations. 4. Collect data on the distribution of sea turtles, seabirds and
other marine life. 5. Obtain biopsy samples of skin and blubber from selected
cetacean species for genetic stock structure and contaminant analyses. 6.
Obtain photographs of selected cetacean species for photo-identification
studies. 7. Collect data on distribution and type of marine debris encountered
during the survey.
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: 1312
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
