Aerial survey during SCC Aug 2009

About

The goal of the aerial survey was “to monitor and report the presence/absence, distribution/re-distribution, reaction/no reaction, injury, and/or mortality of MM/ST during exposure to SCC OPS Navy training event”. This involved monitoring and reporting, in as detailed fashion as possible, the surface behavior of MM/ST. In particular, we were to monitor for any changes in the near-surface behavior, orientation, occurrence, and location of animals relative to the USS Lake Erie’s activities using a systematic search and focal follow method. This included monitoring for any potentially dead, injured, or distressed animals and “any animals found to be exhibiting behaviors or associations deemed unusual”