AMAPPS Southeast Aerial Cruise Spring 2017

Original provider:
NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

Dataset credits:
NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

Abstract:
As part of the AMAPPS program, the Southeast Fisheries
Science Center conducted aerial surveys of continental
shelf and slope waters (up to the 2,000 m isobath) along
the US east coast from New Jersey to Florida. The survey
was conducted during 2017 between 17 April and 20 May
aboard a NOAA Twin Otter aircraft at an altitude of 600
feet (183 m) and a speed of 110 knots. Survey tracklines
were oriented perpendicular to the shoreline and
latitudinally spaced 20 km apart. “Fine-scale” tracklines
were surveyed closer to the shores of NJ, DE and VA over
renewable energy leasing areas. The survey was designed
for analysis using Distance sampling and a two-team
(independent observer) approach to correct for perception
bias in resulting abundance estimates.

Purpose:
The goal of the survey was to conduct line-transect surveys
using the Distance sampling approach to estimate the
abundance and spatial distribution of cetaceans and turtles
in waters over the continental shelf and slope (shoreline
to 2,000 m isobath) of the eastern USA.

Supplemental information:
Perpendicular distance to the animal is not publicly
available.
The dataset is accompanied by transect (effort) data
which is provided as a separate file.
Sightings included were detected on-effort by the forward
team only; you may request the full dataset and sightings
including opportunistic ones directly to the provider.
Environmental Attribute Codes
Beaufort Sea state
0 Calm, mirror like seas
1 Waves <1ft, rippled surface
2 Small wavelets (<2 ft), no white caps
3 Large wavelets (<3ft), scattered white caps
4 Swell 3-4 ft, numerous white caps
5 Swell >5 ft, many white caps, some spray
6 Swell >10 ft, white caps everywhere, spray
CloudCover
0 Clear
1 0-25% Cloudy
2 26-50% Cloudy
3 51-75% Cloudy
4 76-100% Cloudy
5 Overcast
Glare (Glare intensity)
0 No Impairment
1 Slight Impairment
2 Moderate Impairment
3 Severe Impairment
Weather
0 Clear
1 Mist
2 Light Rain
3 Heavy Rain
Conditions
0 Poor
1 Fair
2 Moderate
3 Good
4 Excellent
Haze
0 No
1 Yes
Fog
0 No
1 Yes
Sun penetration (Sun pen)
0 Poor
1 Fair
2 Good
3 Excellent
Turbidity
0 Poor
1 Fair
2 Good
3 Excellent