Cetaceans - Biopsy Sample Collection

This catalog includes cetacean skin and blubber samples collected during both small boat and shipboard surveys. Samples are collected using projectile darts. The catalog also contains the database with information associated with the sample collection and storage.

More than 25 species of cetaceans occur in U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters of the Pacific Ocean. Six of these species - humpback whales, sperm whales, blue whales, fin whales, sei whales, and North Pacific right whales, and one Discrete Population Segment - Main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whales- are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and their stocks are considered depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is responsible for studying the populations of whales and dolphins within the U.S. EEZ waters of the Pacific Islands Region (PIR). A variety of information is needed in order to properly manage human effects on these populations and protect them from current or future depletion. This includes details on stock structure, abundance, habitat use, natural and anthropogenic threats as well as estimates of reproduction and mortality rates. Biological sample collection is an essential tool for determining populations structure and ecology. Skin samples are used to elucidate genetic stock structure. Analysis of skin and blubber for contaminants and stable isotopes provide additional information on stock structure. In addition, stable isotope and fatty acid composition provides information about trophic relationships.

Unless otherwise noted (in the time frame description), samples collected during 2006 through April 2012 were done so under NMFS MMPA permits 774-1714 and 14097 issued to the SWFSC. Samples collected from May 2012 to present were collected under NMFS MMPA permit 15240 issued to PIFSC.

Biopsy samples were collected under NMFS permits 15240 (PIFSC), 14097 (SWFSC), 727-1915 (SIO), and 774-1714 (SWFSC). When possible biopsy samples are cut in half (longitudinally) and one half of each sample are sent to the SWFSC for archive.

Division: Protected Species

Division Chief: Frank Parrish

Program: PSD Cetacean Research

Program Leader: Erin Oleson

Ownership: PIFSC

IRC

1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176

Honolulu, HI 96818

Requestor will be asked to submit a request by email to Erin Oleson (erin.oleson@noaa.gov) or Marie Hill (marie.hill@noaa.gov)

Requestor will be asked to submit a request by email to Erin Oleson (erin.oleson@noaa.gov) or Marie Hill (marie.hill@noaa.gov)

Requestor will be asked to submit a request by email to Erin Oleson (erin.oleson@noaa.gov) or Marie Hill (marie.hill@noaa.gov)

Requestor will be asked to submit a request by email to Erin Oleson (erin.oleson@noaa.gov) or Marie Hill (marie.hill@noaa.gov). Requests for samples will be considered within the context of other ongoing or proposed projects given limited individual sample volume and overall limited sample size.

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