2012 Atlantic Baseline Monitoring Report Available

Posted on April 26, 2013

This is the fifth progress report of a monitoring program for protected marine species in waters offshore of Onslow Bay and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, as well as off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida. The results of aerial line transect surveys, vessel-based photo-ID surveys, and passive acoustic monitoring are reported for the period from January 2012 through December 2012. Density estimates for marine mammals and sea turtles were generated from data collected during aerial and vessel-based surveys. In Onslow Bay, five years of monitoring has yielded a comprehensive picture of the density, distribution and abundance of marine mammals and sea turtles and has provided insights to residency patterns among delphinids in this region. Over three years of monitoring in Jacksonville has similarly provided information on the density and distribution of marine mammals and sea turtles in this area. In Cape Hatteras, two years of monitoring surveys have provided preliminary information on the distribution and diversity of the marine mammals and sea turtles in this highly productive area.

Full report is available for download in the Reading Room under Atlantic Monitoring Reports --> Technical Reports.