Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Surveys

Aerial and Shipboard Surveys

GMI scientists have been involved in a variety of monitoring efforts both in terms of population assessments (e.g., baseline surveys) and mitigation of anthropogenic activities on marine mammal and sea turtle species. GMI and its team includes scientists with expertise in regulatory compliance, survey design and implementation, statistical ecology, behavioral and distributional ecology, spatial analysis using GIS, spatial modeling of animal density, project management, and document production. Our scientists have identified the marine species with known or potential occurrence and have described the distribution, seasonality, and movement patterns in specific areas.

Mitigation can be a critical component of any monitoring plan and includes measures to minimize the risk of impacts to marine species by limiting the degree or magnitude of a proposed action and its implementation. Mitigation plans typically include three components: aerial surveys/monitoring, shipboard monitoring from an operations vessel, and passive acoustic monitoring. GMI scientists are qualified in all aspects, with working experience as chief scientists on aerial and shipboard surveys, protected species observers, bioacousticians, and statistical analysts for density estimation. The team is also experienced with handling injured and/or stranded marine species, particularly marine mammals and sea turtles, and understands the need to include such scenarios in monitoring plans. Our team has experience in:

  • Design
  • Implementation
  • Logistics
  • Observer Training
  • Nesting beach surveys
  • Pool of observers- NMFS experience
  • Data Management
  • Analysis — Abundance/Density Estimation DISTANCE Spatial Modeling
  • Take permit application experience

Related Projects

Boat survey in Northern Mariana IslandsMarine Mammal and Sea Turtle Density Survey, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

The objective of the Mariana Islands Sea Turtle Cetacean Survey (MISTCS) was to conduct a systematic line-transect visual survey of the waters around Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI); and the western North Pacific Ocean; (~228,000 nm2) where no systematic data for marine mammals exist.

MISTCS is the first systematic line-transect survey dedicated to estimating cetacean occurrence and abundance in the CNMI. GMI was subcontracted for this project to design and implement the survey; data QA/QC, data management, survey management and be responsible for density analysis, and final report preparation. Dr. Fulling (GMI) was the Chief Scientist responsible for all day-to-day operations (scientific party of 10). The survey was conducted from January thru April 2007 (~93 days) on the M/V Kahana (~185 ft vessel out of Hawaii). When sighted, species identifications and group sizes were estimated and animals photographed to document individuals and confirm species identification.

Additionally, the cruise included daytime acoustics (two element array) and continuous oceanographic data collection. Oceanographic data collected were collected in real-time and included salinity, chl a, sound attenuation, temperature profiles, and sea surface temperature. Thirteen unique species were sighted, as well as unidentified species of beaked whales.

Ancillary projects involved conducting acoustics and photo-identification efforts for humpback whales off the island of Saipan; opportunistic collection of seabird sightings; and flying fish studies. Data collected from this unique survey are being used to generate a technical report providing density estimates of cetaceans for the Marianas Operating Area and adjacent waters. 

Surveys for Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles and Seabirds for Windfarm Development, New Jersey

GMI is currently leading monthly shipboard and aerial surveys off the New Jersey coastline. GMI’s study focuses on a designated study area off New Jersey’s coast to determine the current distribution, abundance, and migratory patterns of avian species, fish, marine mammals, and sea turtles. GMI will provide spatial and temporal data on avian and marine species that use the offshore waters to determine potential areas for offshore wind power development and the potential avian and marine species impacts. The existing and new data GMI collects will be compiled into a digital GIS that will be used to depict species distribution, to generate distribution models, and to determine impact assessment.

Whale feedingAerial Surveys for Marine Mammals, Manatees, Sea Turtles, and Turtle Nests, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico

GMI conducted helicopter aerial surveys for nesting sea turtles/marine mammals and birds on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.  Aerial surveys were conducted to ensure protection of sea turtle nests/marine mammals from impacts resulting from potential or planned Naval activities within 1000 yards the of target area. GMI also recorded all marine mammals observed during the 15-week survey period.  Intensive aerial surveys of marine mammals were conducted for 7 days with four (4) surveys each day, except Day 1 with only one (1) evening survey conducted within and around the Live Impact Area (LIA).

Surveys for Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles or Other Protected Species Vieques Island and Offshore Areas, Puerto Rico

New survey methodologies were developed for conducting surveys for marine mammals, sea turtles, and other protected species at Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. The intent of aerial surveys was to determine the presence of sea turtles or marine mammals in the areas surrounding the Live Impact Area (LIA) or other identified exercise locations. These surveys ensured no marine mammals, sea turtles, or other protected species were within the target areas, training beaches, or other locations used by the Department of Defense (DOD) in training exercises as outlined in the Biological Opinions (BO) issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marines Fisheries Service (NMFS) in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Depending upon the requirements, a fixed, high-wing aircraft or a helicopter was used to conduct the surveys.