US Navy
Marine Species Monitoring
Atlantic Region: Current Projects
Atlantic Fleet Training & Testing Monitoring Projects
The table below summarizes marine species monitoring projets being conducted in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico in support of Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Marine Mammal Protection Act requirements (50 CFR Part 218). Reports and data from these projects will be made available on the individual project profile pages and the Reading Room as they become available.
Project titles link directly to individual project profile pages with additional details and access to data and reports.
*Intermediate Scientific Objectives are established in coordination with NMFS through the Strategic Planning Process to help prioritize monitoring investments
| Project Description | Intermediate Scientific Objective* | Status |
|
Title: Analysis of Acoustic Ecology of North Atlantic Shelf Break Cetaceans and Effects of Anthropogenic Noise Impacts
Location: Northwest Atlantic Objectives: Assess the acoustic niche of marine mammal species and anthropogenic contributors to disturbance Methods: Passive acoustic monitoring Performing Organizations: NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center Timeline: 2018-2023 Funding: FY18 - $143K, FY19 - $145K, FY20 - $145K, FY21 - $150K, FY22 - $150K |
Establish the baseline vocalization behavior of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur |
Ongoing |
|
Title: Mid-Atlantic Nearshore & Mid-shelf Baleen Whale Monitoring
Location: VACAPES Mid-Atlantic shelf Objectives: Assess occurrence, habitat use, and baseline behavior of baleen whales in the mid-Atlantic region Methods: Visual surveys, focal follow observation, morphometrics, photo ID, biopsy sampling, satellite tagging Performing Organizations: HDR Inc, Kimora Solutions, NAVFAC Atlantic Timeline: 2020-present Funding: FY22 - $570K, FY23 - $1M |
Establish the baseline habitat uses and movement patterns of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur Establish the baseline behavior (foraging, dive patterns, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur Support conservation and management of North Atlantic right whales |
Ongoing Expansion of previous humpback whale monitoring |
|
Title: Time-lapse Camera Surveys of Pinnipeds in Southeastern Virginia
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore of Virginia Objectives: Document seasonal occurrence, habitat use, and haul-out patterns of seals Methods: Visual surveys Performing Organizations: NAVFAC Atlantic, The Nature Conservancy Timeline: 2019-2023 Funding: FY19 - $15k, FY20 - $18k, FY21 - $11k, FY22- $34k, FY23- $42k |
Estimate the density of marine mammals and sea turtles in Navy range complexes and in specific training areas Establish the baseline habitat uses and movement patterns of marine mammals and sea turtles where Navy training and testing activities occur Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance of populations that are regularly exposed to sonar and underwater explosives |
Data collection ongoing |
|
Title: Behavioral Response of Humpback Whales to Vessel Traffic
Location: Chesapeake Bay and Nearshore Mid-Atlantic Objectives: Understand the behavioral response of humpback whales to approaching vessels in the shipping channels at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Methods: Dtagging, satellite tagging, and focal follow observational methods Performing Organizations: Duke University, HDR Inc. Timeline: 2019-2023 Funding: FY19 - $95k, FY20 - $75k, FY21 - $80k, FY22 - $80k, FY23 - $60k |
Establish the baseline behavior (foraging, dive patterns, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur Evaluate behavioral responses of marine mammals exposed to Navy training and testing activities |
Ongoing |
|
Title: Occurrence of Rice's Whale in the Gulf of Mexico
Location: Northern Gulf of Mexico Objectives: Assess occurrence and distribution of Rice's whale throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico, Methods: Passive Acoustic Monitoring Performing Organizations: NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center Timeline: 2019-2023 Funding: FY18 - $78K, FY19 - $395K, FY20 - $250K, FY22 - $59K |
Estimate the density of marine mammals and sea turtles in Navy range complexes and in specific training areas Establish the baseline habitat uses and movement patterns of marine mammals and sea turtles where Navy training and testing activities occur Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance of populations that are regularly exposed to sonar and underwater explosives |
Data collection and analysis ongoing |
|
Title: North Atlantic Right Whale Monitoring, Conservation, and Protection
Location: U.S. Mid-Atlantic Objectives: Assess occurrence, habitat use, and behavior of North Atlantic right whales in the mid-Atlantic region Methods: Visual surveys, morphometrics, tagging, passive acoustics Performing Organizations: HDR Inc., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Duke University Timeline: Ongoing Funding: $500k+ annually |
Establish the baseline habitat uses and movement patterns of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur Establish the baseline behavior (foraging, dive patterns, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur |
Ongoing |
|
Title: Mid-Atlantic Autonomous Passive Acoustic Monitoring
Location: Mid-Atlantic Objectives: Monitor large whale occurrence in the mid-Atlantic Methods: Autonomous real time passive acoustic monitoring Performing Organizations: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, NAVFAC Atlantic Timeline: 2019-ongoing Funding: Funding: FY18- $211k, FY19- $213k, FY20- $357k, FY21- $139k, FY22 - $0, FY23 - $196K |
Establish the baseline habitat uses and movement patterns of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur Establish the baseline behavior (foraging, dive patterns, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur |
Ongoing |
|
Title: Distribution of Gulf Sturgeon in the Panama City Testing Range
Location: NSWC Panama City Testing Range Objectives: Assess Gulf Sturgeon distribution and habitat use through a multi-phase biotelemetry approach Methods: Passive acoustic telemetry, directed AUV surveys, and environmental monitoring Performing Organizations: Delaware State University, University of Delaware Timeline: 2021–2024 Funding: FY21 - $177K, FY22 - $149K, FY23 - $153K |
Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing area Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy Occurrence training and testing activities occur |
Ongoing |
