IMIS

A continental shelf cetacean survey in northern Gulf of Mexico was conducted in 1998 by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center and Minerals Management Service to examine the distribution and estimate abundance of cetaceans in United States waters. Specific objectives of this survey are: 1. Collect line-transect data to estimate abundance and define distribution of cetacean species in continental shelf waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2. Obtain biopsy samples of skin and blubber from selected cetacean species for genetic and contaminant analysis in order to study the stock structure of Gulf of Mexico cetaceans, and 3. Collect ichthyoplankton samples with bongo and neuston gear for Gulf-wide estimates of abundance, frequency of occurrence, and distribution of larval and small juvenile king and Spanish mackerel, red drum, snappers, and other taxa, and 4. Collect associated environmental data at designated stations in order to define cetacean habitats.