Cetaceans - Shipboard Surveys

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The U.S. EEZs (Exclusive Economic Zones) of the Pacific Islands Region including Hawaii, American Samoa, Palmyra/Kingman, Wake, Guam/Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Central and western Pacific Ocean high seas between EEZs.

SE 11-08: Palmyra Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Survey (PICEAS), Leg 1

Objectives:

This was the first of two legs of a line-transect survey within the Palmyra EEZ. Half of the predetermined tracklines were surveyed during this leg. The ship departed from and returned to Oahu. The objectives of this cruise were to (1) collect visual survey data on cetacean groups within the Palmyra EEZ using line-transect methods, (2) collect photo data for species and individual identification, (3) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure, (4) collect passive acoustics data (recordings and detections) on cetacean vocalizations to assess species presence and distribution, (5) collect oceanographic data to assess cetacean distribution in relation to environmental conditions, (6)collect data on the distribution and abundance of seabirds, and (7) deploy a HARP off of Palmyra Atoll.

Areas of Operation:

Oahu to the Palmyra EEZ

Data types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array, sonobuoys)

oceanographic (CTD, XBT, Chlorophyll-a),

photos

biopsy samples

All seabird data are held and managed by SWFSC (not reported here).

SE 10-01: Cetacean survey - transit from Oahu to Guam (via Wake EEZ)

Objectives:

(1) collect visual survey data on cetacean groups along the transit line using line-transect methods, (2) collect photo data for species and individual identification, (3) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure, (4) collect passive acoustics data (recordings and detections) on cetacean vocalizations to assess species presence and distribution, (5) collect oceanographic data to assess cetacean distribution in relation to environmental conditions, and (6)deploy a HARP for long-term monitoring of cetacean occurrence off Wake Island.

Additional biological and oceanographic sampling was carried out by the PIFSC Ecosystem and Oceanography Division including neuston net tows and testing of a Continuous Plankton Recorder. That data collection is not reported here.

Areas of Operation:

Oahu to Gaum through Wake EEZ

Data types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array, sonobuoys)

oceanographic (CTD, XBT)

photos

biopsy samples

SE 10-04: Cetacean survey - transit from Guam to Oahu (via Wake EEZ)

Objectives:

(1) collect visual survey data on cetacean groups along the transit line using line-transect methods, (2) collect photo data for species and individual identification, (3) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure, (4) collect passive acoustics data (recordings and detections) on cetacean vocalizations to assess species presence and distribution, (5) collect oceanographic data to assess cetacean distribution in relation to environmental conditions, and (6) recover and deploy a HARP for long-term monitoring of cetacean occurrence off Wake Island.

Areas of Operation:

CNMI EEZ including Guam to Oahu via Wake EEZ including Wake Island

Data types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array, sonobuoys)

oceanographic (CTD, XBT)

photos

biopsy samples

SE 10-08/SWFSC 1641: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (HICEAS)

Objectives:

This was a collaborative effort with the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). HICEAS was a five month effort to survey the entire Hawaii EEZ in order to update abundance estimates for the existing cetacean stocks. Two ships (Oscar Elton Sette and MacArthur II) were used to conduct the surveys. The objectives of this cruise were to (1) collect visual survey data on cetacean groups within the Hawaii EEZ using line-transect methods, (2) collect photo data for species and individual identification, (3) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure, (4) collect passive acoustics data (recordings and detections) on cetacean vocalizations to assess species presence and distribution, (5) collect oceanographic data to assess cetacean distribution in relation to environmental conditions, and (6) collect data on the distribution and abundance of seabirds.

Areas of Operation:

Hawaii EEZ including the main Hawaiian Islands, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Papahanaumakuakea Marine National Monument and offshore locations. MacArthur II survey dates (3.5 legs within the Hawaii EEZ)

Date types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array, sonobuoys)

oceanographic (CTD, XBT, EK60, chlorophyll a samples)

photos

biopsy samples

All seabird data are held and managed by SWFSC. All oceanographic data collected by the MacArthur II are held and managed by SWFSC. Chlorophyll-a samples and EK-60 data were collected and analyzed by SWFSC oceanographer. None of these data are held by PIFSC.

SE 12-03: Palmyra Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Survey (PICEAS), Leg 2

Objectives:

This was the second of two legs of a line-transect survey within the Palmyra EEZ. Half of the predetermined tracklines were surveyed during this leg. The ship departed from American Samoa and returned to Oahu. The objectives of this cruise were to (1) collect visual survey data on cetacean groups within the

Palmyra EEZ using line-transect methods, (2) collect photo data for species and individual identification, (3) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure, (4) collect passive acoustics data (recordings and detections) on cetacean vocalizations to assess species presence and distribution, (5) collect oceanographic data to assess cetacean distribution in relation to environmental conditions, (6)collect data on the distribution and abundance of seabirds, and (8) recover Palmyra Atoll HARP and deploy a HARP off of Kingman Reef.

Areas of Operation:

American Samoa EEZ to Palmyra EEZ and Hawaii EEZ

Data types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array, sonobuoys)

oceanographic (CTD, XBT, Chlorophyll-a),

photos

biopsy samples

All seabird data are held and managed by SWFSC (not reported here).

SE 13-03: Papahanaumokukea Associated Cetacean Ecology Survey (PACES)

Objectives:

The objectives of this cruise were to (1) collect visual survey data on cetacean groups within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument using line-transect methods, (2) collect photo data for species and individual identification, (3) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure, (4) deploy satellite tags on false killer whales to observe their movements, (5) collect passive acoustics data (recordings and detections) on cetacean vocalizations to assess species presence and distribution, (6) collect oceanographic data to assess cetacean distribution in relation to environmental conditions, and (7) recover and redeploy a HARP off of Pearl and Hermes Reef.

Areas of Operation:

Oahu north to Pearl and Hermes Reef. Survey conducted within the boundaries of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

Date types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array),

oceanographic (CTD, XBT, Chlorophyll-a, EK-60)

photos

biopsy sampling

satellite telemetry

SE 15-02: Mariana Archipelago Cetacean Survey (MACS)

Objectives:

(1) collect visual survey data on cetacean groups within the waters surrounding the northern islands of the Mariana Archipelago using line-transect methods, (2) collect photo data for species and individual identification, (3) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure, (4) collect passive acoustics data (recordings and detections) on cetacean vocalizations to assess species presence and distribution, (5) collect oceanographic data to assess cetacean distribution in relation to environmental conditions, (6) deploy satellite tags on certain species to study individual movements, and (7) recover and re-deploy HARPs off of Saipan

and Tinian and deploy a new HARP off of Pagan.

Areas of Operation:

Mariana Archipelago from Guam to Uracas out to 50 nmi

Data types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz fies, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array, sonobuoys)

oceanographic (CTD, XBT)

photos

biopsy samples

satellite telemetry

OES 06-03: Cetacean survey American Samoa to Oahu (via Johnston EEZ)

Objectives:

(1) collect line-transect data on cetacean abundance and distribution for all cetacean species present in the study area, (2) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure of cetaceans, (3) collect photo-ID data on cetaceans for population structure and abundance, (4) collect oceanographic data to provide an ecological context for observations mentioned above.

Areas of Operation:

American Samoa EEZ (Tutuila, Manua Islands, Rose Atoll, Swains Island), equatorial central Pacific, Johnston EEZ (Johnston Atoll), high seas

Data types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

oceanographic (CTD, XBT)

photos

SE 08-06: Cetacean surveys within the main Hawaiian Islands (Kauai to Hawaii)

Objectives:

(1) collect visual survey data on cetacean groups within the study area using modified line-transect methods, (2) collect photo data for species and individual identification, (3) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure, (4) collect passive acoustics data (recordings and detections) on cetacean vocalizations to assess species presence and distribution, (5) collect oceanographic data to assess cetacean distribution in relation to environmental conditions, and (6)deploy and recover suction-cup tags (d-tags) on cetaceans off of the west side of Hawaii Island to assess movements in relation Navy exercises.

Areas of Operation:

Data types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms)

oceanographic (CTD, XBT)

photos

biopsy samples

d-tag

OES 07-02: Cetacean survey within the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Objectives:

(1) collect visual survey data on cetacean groups within the study area using line-transect methods, (2) collect photo data for species and individual identification, (3) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure, (4) collect passive acoustics data (recordings and detections) on cetacean vocalizations to assess species presence and

distribution, (5) collect oceanographic data to assess cetacean distribution in relation to environmental conditions, and (6) deploy a HARP at Ladd Seamount to assess temporal variations in species presence.

Areas of Operation:

Oahu to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands including Ladd Seamount and Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument

Data types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array)

oceanographic (CTD, XBT)

photos

biopsy samples

SE 09-01: Cetacean survey of the main Hawaiian Islands inner exclusive economic zone.

Objectives:

(1) collect visual survey data on cetacean groups within the study area using line-transect methods, (2) collect photo data for species and individual identification, (3) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure, (4) collect passive acoustics data (recordings and detections) on cetacean vocalizations to assess species presence and

distribution, (5) collect oceanographic data to assess cetacean distribution in relation to environmental conditions, and (6) recovery and deployment of a HARP o the Kona coast of Hawaii Island.

Areas of Operation:

main Hawaiian Islands out to Hawaii EEZ boundary in some locations

Data types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array, sonobuoys)

oceanographic (CTD, XBT)

photos

biopsy samples

SE 16-04: Hawaiian Islands - Technology for the Ecology of Cetaceans (HI-TEC)

Objectives:

HI-TEC was a 30-day effort to survey the waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands in order to update abundance estimates for the existing cetacean stocks. The NOAA ship Oscar Elton Sette was used to conduct the surveys. The objectives of this cruise were to (1) collect visual survey data on cetacean groups using line-transect methods, (2) collect photo data for species and individual identification, (3) collect biopsy samples for genetic studies of population structure, (4) collect passive acoustics data (recordings and detections) on cetacean vocalizations to assess species presence and distribution, (5) collect oceanographic data to assess cetacean distribution in relation to environmental conditions, and (6) test the use of a hexacopter (APH-22) to ground truth observers' group size estimates.

Areas of Operation:

The main Hawaiian Islands

Date types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array, sonobuoys)

oceanographic (CTD, XBT, EK60, chlorophyll a samples)

photos

biopsy samples

The Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (HICEAS) of 2017 was a large-scale ship survey for cetaceans and seabirds within U.S. waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. HICEAS 2017 was the third of its kind, with prior surveys, using many of the same methods and encompassing the same study area, occurring in 2002 (Barlow et al. 2006) and 2010 (Bradford et al. 2017). The 2017 survey represented the first Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey conducted as part of the Pacific Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (PacMAPPS), a partnership between NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Navy, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). PacMAPPS includes rotational ship surveys in regions of joint interest throughout the Pacific designed to estimate the abundance of cetaceans and seabirds and to assess the ecosystems supporting these species.

HICEAS 2017 was a collaborative survey between the Pacific Islands and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers (PIFSC and SWFSC). The survey took place from 6 July to 1 December 2017 aboard the NOAA Research Vessels Oscar Elton Sette and Reuben Lasker (hereafter referred to as the Sette and the Lasker, respectively), spanning 7 survey “legs” and 179 days-at-sea across both ships (Appendix 1).

Survey Objectives

The primary goals of HICEAS 2017 were to collect data required to estimate the abundance and distribution, examine the population structure, and understand the habitat of cetaceans within U.S. waters around the Hawaiian Islands. There were 5 major research components to HICEAS 2017:

● visual observations for cetaceans following a line-transect survey design;

● passive acoustic monitoring for cetaceans using towed hydrophone arrays, sonobuoys, and autonomous drifting acoustic recorders;

● collection of photographs and tissue samples and deployment of satellite tags for select cetacean groups;

● visual observations for seabirds following a strip-transect survey design; and

● ecosystem measurements for assessment of cetacean and seabird habitat.

SE 18-03 Mariana Archipelago Cetacean Survey (MACS)

Objectives:

A. Deploy and recover Drifting Acoustic Spar Buoy Recorders (DASBRs) to listen for cetaceans within the study area.

B. Conduct transect and near-shore visual and towed-array passive acoustic surveys for cetaceans between the island archipelago and the West Mariana Ridge. Collect individual identification photographs, tissue samples, and deploy satellite telemetry tags on cetaceans as opportunities allow.

C. Conduct one Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) cast within each survey grid square to examine variability in oceanographic properties across the study area.

D. Deploy sonobuoys on baleen whale sightings to associate detected calls with visually-verified species.

E. Recover and redeploy two High-Frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) near Saipan and Tinian, and redeploy a HARP at Pagan Island.

Areas of Operation:

Off the islands of Guam to Pagan and out to the West Mariana Ridge approximately 278 km (150 nmi) from shore.

Data types collected:

marine operations log

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array, sonobuoys, Drifting Acoustic Spar Buoy Recorders)

oceanographic (CTD)

photos

biopsy samples

SE 19-01 Cetacean Gear Trials

Area of Operation:

The waters around the Main Hawaiian Islands and the eastern-most Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Objectives:

1. Deployment and recovery of Drifting Acoustic Spar Buoy Recorders (DASBRs)

including new AIS-transmitting prototype.

2. Testing with Trident volumetric towed hydrophone array.

3. CTD casts for collection of eDNA to identify cryptic cetaceans; a passive acoustic

package will be attached to the CTD rosette during each cast.

4. Visual surveys of cetacean distribution, school size, and school composition to

determine density and abundance. Visual surveys for cetaceans will occur during

daylight hours and will focus primarily on humpback whales.

5. Skin biopsies and satellite tagging of cetaceans for investigations of stock structure

and phylogenetic relationships.

6. Passive acoustic monitoring for vocal cetaceans to augment assessments of

distribution and abundance. Acoustic monitoring may be conducted 24 hours per day,

including use of towed hydrophone array while underway and sonobuoys while on

station.

7. Recover and redeploy a High-Frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) near

Kona.

Data types collected:

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array, sonobuoys, Drifting Acoustic Spar Buoy Recorders)

oceanographic (CTD)

photos

biopsy samples

SE 20-01 Winter Hawaiian Islands Cetacean Ecosystem Survey (WHICEAS) - 2 legs (Leg 1: 18 January - 12 February; Leg 2: 17 February - 12 March)

Area of Operation:

The waters around the Main Hawaiian Islands. The core study area for this project covers waters from 18ºN and 153º 50’W to 23º 10’N and 161º 15’W

Objectives:

1.Visual surveys of cetacean occurrence, school size, and school composition to determine density and abundance. Visual surveys for cetaceans will occur during daylight hours.

2. Skin biopsies and satellite tagging of cetaceans for investigations of stock structure and phylogenetic relationships.

3. Photo identification to document geographic variation in dolphin morphology, pigment patterns, health condition, school composition, and distribution of individual whales.

4. Passive acoustic monitoring for vocal cetaceans to augment assessments of distribution and abundance. Acoustic monitoring may be conducted 24 hours per day, including use of towed hydrophone array while underway and deployment of sonobuoys while on station or underway.

5. Oceanographic sampling to characterize habitat and its variation over time. The ship will collect oceanographic data from routine conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) casts, conducted once each morning and once each night.

6. Surveys of seabirds to characterize the ecosystem in which these cetaceans live.

7. Recover and redeploy Drifting Autonomous Spar Buoy Recorders (DASBRs) offshore of the Main Hawaiian Islands to assess occurrence of cetaceans independent of the ship-based survey platform.

8. Recover and redeploy a High-Frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) near Kona.

9. Recover and redeploy Ocean Noise Reference Station NRS04 north of Oahu.

Data types collected:

visual survey (WinCruz files, sighting forms, sighting logs)

passive acoustic (towed array, sonobuoys, Drifting Acoustic Spar Buoy Recorders)

oceanographic (CTD)

photos

biopsy samples