Marine Mammal Food Habits Reference Collection, 1995-2018

The Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) Food Habits Reference Collection, containing over 1000 specimens of cephalopod beaks and fish bones and otoliths, is used to identify undigested prey remains found in scats or stomachs of stranded or incidentally taken pinnipeds and cetaceans. Marine mammal food habits data are used in conjunction with satellite telemetry and dive records to better understand foraging behavior and prey selection. This information is critical to understanding how commercial fisheries and changing environmental conditions impact these animals.

The Food Habits Collection includes fish and cephalopod species that are commonly consumed by pinnipeds along the Pacific Northwest coast and in Alaska, but we are in the process of adding other potential prey species and specimens to fill unrepresented size ranges. We are very appreciative of NMFS/AFSC/RACE fisheries biologists, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the University of Washington for their ongoing donations to our collection. With the help and cooperation of researchers such as these, our collection continues to grow in size and usefulness.

The Marine Mammal Food Habits Reference Collection is an important research tool within NMML, and is also used several times a year by graduate students and researchers from universities, government agencies and private institutions. These collections have contributed to food habits research on Magister armhook squid, Northern fulmar, Newells shearwater, Hawaiian petrel, river otters and marine mammals. The collections are also used by archeologists to identify fish and mammal bones found in Native American middens from Alaska to Mexico.

The database is comprised of a table detailing specimens and associated data and measurements for fish and cephalopod soft tissue and hard parts contained within the reference collection.

The Food Habits Reference Collection is a collection of comparative material (cephalopod beaks and fish bones and otoliths) used by MML biologists to identify undigested prey parts found in pinniped scats (collected on haul outs or rookeries) or in stomachs of stranded or incidentally taken pinnipeds and cetaceans.

Loaded by batch 4006, 01-03-2013 20:04

Credit dataset as: Alaska Ecosystems Program. 2019. Marine Mammal Food Habits Reference Collection, 1995-2018. NMFS/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries Open Data Portal. https://noaa-fisheries-afsc.data.socrata.com/Species/Marine-Mammal-Food-Habits-Reference-Collection-199/pqwk-8mrc

Dataset contains descriptive data for reference fish and cephalopod specimens.

Applications or inferences derived from the data should be carefully considered for accuracy. While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

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The data set is in the process of being archived with the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Once the archival process is complete and verified, the data set will be publicly available. Acknowledge NOAA/NMFS/AFSC as the source from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these data. Communication and collaboration with data set authors is strongly encouraged prior to use.

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User must read and fully comprehend the metadata prior to use. Applications or inferences derived from the data should be carefully considered for accuracy.

User must read and fully comprehend the metadata prior to use. Applications or inferences derived from the data should be carefully considered for accuracy. While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. Contact the point of contact for the appropriate data citation to use, and acknowledge the Alaska Ecosystem Program of the NOAA/NMFS/AFSC as the source from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these data. Communication and collaboration with data set authors is strongly encouraged.

Cite dataset as: Alaska Ecosystems Program. 2019. Marine Mammal Food Habits Reference Collection, 1995-2018. NMFS/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries Open Data Portal. https://noaa-fisheries-afsc.data.socrata.com/Species/Marine-Mammal-Food-Habits-Reference-Collection-199/pqwk-8mrc

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Metadata are subject to revision at any time and information within the metadata record should not be cited without author consent. While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

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Data are not processed automatically.

IT Security and Contingency Plan for the system establishes procedures and applies to the functions, operations, and resources necessary to recover and restore data as hosted in the Western Regional Support Center in Seattle, Washington, following a disruption.

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