AFSC/NMML/CCEP: Natality rates of California sea lions at San Miguel Island, California during 1987-2008

The National Marine Mammal Laboratories' California Current Ecosystem Program (AFSC/NOAA) initiated a long-term marking program of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). This dataset contains initial capture and marking data for California sea lion pups at San Miguel Island, California and subsequent resighting of the marked animals throughout the time series. The data are used in mark-recapture analysis to estimate natality rates.

The California sea lion natality dataset is used to estimate natality rates for marked California sea lions that can then be used in population models for stock status and Optimum Sustainable Population (OSP) determination.

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Cite data as: Melin, S. R.; DeLong, R. L.; Orr, A. J.; Laake, J. L.; Harris, J. D. 2016. Survival and natality rate observations of California sea lions at San Miguel Island, California conducted by Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Laboratory from 1987-09-20 to 2014-09-25 (NCEI Accession 0145167). Version 1.1. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset.

Tables provide information about the yearly natality rates of California sea lions at San Miguel Island, CA. See "Child Items" for more detailed information.

The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose. NOAA denies liability if the data are misused. Applications or inferences derived from the data should be carefully considered for accuracy. Whereas 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 dataset is archived with the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Acknowledgement of NOAA/NMFS/AFSC, as the source from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these data is suggested. Communication and collaboration with dataset authors is strongly encouraged prior to use.

The dataset is available for download via the NCEI Ocean Archive System at http://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0145167.

There are no legal restrictions on access to the data. They reside in public domain and can be freely distributed.

User must read and fully comprehend the metadata prior to use. Applications or inferences derived from the data should be carefully considered for accuracy. Acknowledgement of NOAA/NMFS/AFSC, as the source from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these, data is suggested. Data should be cited as: Melin, S. R.; DeLong, R. L.; Orr, A. J.; Laake, J. L.; Harris, J. D. 2016. Survival and natality rate observations of California sea lions at San Miguel Island, California conducted by Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Laboratory from 1987-09-20 to 2014-09-25 (NCEI Accession 0145167). Version 1.1. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset.

None.

Metadata are subject to revision at any time and information within the metadata record should not be cited without author consent. Whereas 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.

Microsoft Access database for data storage and Microsoft Excel for data processing in the field.

Data include females of reproductive age (4 years old or older) for the 1987-2001 cohorts and resights for these animals from May through August each year, 1991-2008.

Initial capture data were recorded in the field on datasheets and then entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet where they were error checked and then imported into the Microsoft Access database.

Prior to 2001, data were entered onto datasheets or in data books and transcribed each evening into a database. After 2001, sightings of branded or tagged animals were entered directly into Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with error checking code while observers were in the field. Sightings of brands or tags that were flagged as not existing in the database, wrong sex identification for an animal, or had not been seen in more than two years were photographed for later confirmation. Data were checked for duplicates, spelling errors, and incorrect field assignments each evening and before being uploaded into the database.

Data not automatically processed.

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.

Up to 300, 3-month-old female California sea lion pups were branded on the left or right shoulder and tagged in the foreflippers each year at San Miguel Island, California. Each year thereafter, biologists used binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras to resight animals at San Miguel Island, other Channel Islands, and at coastal haulouts along the California coast during the summer from May through August. The individual's brand and/or tag number, area sighted, age class, sex and reproductive status (e.g., with pup or not) were recorded. Prior to 2001, data were entered onto datasheets or in data books and transcribed each evening into a database. After 2001, data were entered in the field into a computer tablet using Microsoft Excel with an error-checking program.

These capture and resighting data can be used to construct capture/sighting histories that can then be used in mark-recapture analysis. An important caveat to using the data to estimate natality of sea lions is that positive identification of reproductive status is difficult and models that allow for estimation of status uncertainty must be used.