IMIS

The purpose of this survey is to examine the distribution and estimate abundance of cetaceans in United States waters. The survey was followed by a similar spring 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 31 survey days, 10 species were sighted, including: Atlantic spotted dolphin, Clymene dolphin, melon-headed whale, pantropical spotted dolphin, pygmy sperm whale, short/Long-finned pilot whale, sperm whale, standard bottlenose dolphin, and striped dolphin. Specific objectives of this survey are: 1. Complete a line transect survey of the study area for marine mammals during daylight hours following prescribed transects, 2. Collect ichthyoplankton samples for the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) during the non-daylight hours using neuston, bongo and Tucker trawls, and 3. Obtain associated environmental and oceanographic data.