Occurrence, Distribution, and Population Estimates of Marine Mammals near Silver Strand Training Complex and San Diego Bay, CA

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A Distance based visual line-transect survey was designed to gather baseline data on the occurrence, distribution, and population estimations of marine mammals near Silver Strand Training Complex (SSTC) and San Diego Bay (SDB). During the warm and cool season periods between October 2013 and September 2014, seventeen survey days were completed (890.8 km) in SSTC and north San Diego Bay (NSDB). During the course of these efforts, 280 observations were made in the survey areas. Six marine mammal species were sighted, with the predominant species being California sea lions (Zalophus californianus [SSTC, n=132] and NSDB, n=109). Odontocete observations (n=26) were largely comprised of Tursiops truncatus and Delphinus spp. Mysticete whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were sighted in nearshore shallow waters of SSTC during January, February, and April–June.