AFSC/NMML/CCEP: Raw telemetry data for California sea lions and northern fur seals in waters off California, Oregon, and Washington

The purpose of this project was to obtain data that are pertinent to assessing aspects of the distribution and foraging ecology of pinnipeds inhabiting the California Current. The California Current Ecosystem Program has attached satellite instruments and/or archival time-depth recorders on pinnipeds inhabiting waters off Washington, Oregon, and California to examine their haulout and at-sea spatial distribution, diving behaviors, and movement patterns at varying temporal scales. We aim to integrate telemetry data with aspects of their physiology and diet to assess sex/age-related differences by conspecifics or intra-specific differences among seals, sea lions, or fur seals in the California Current. Locations are calculated and provided by the Argos satellite system (http://www.argos-system.org/). Additional software are required to decode these data. Data are, generally, in the same format as originally delivered from Argos/CLS America and no quality assurance or quality control measures have been implemented.

The focus of this project is to examine aspects of the distribution and foraging ecology of pinnipeds (currently California sea lions and northern fur seals) inhabiting the California Current by obtaining data on their diving behaviors, distribution, and movement patterns (via telemetry instruments). Inter- and intra-specific comparisons are made to assess differences by age, sex, and species. Data from these tags are transmitted from the tag to the Argos satellite system and delivered via electronic download or monthly CDs. Data are, generally, in the same format as originally delivered from Argos/CLS America and no quality assurance or quality control measures have been implemented. Additional processing of data after delivery is dependent upon the scientific question(s), tag programming specifics and the tag manufacturer and model. Projects and publications that produce more refined data products derived from these data will have separate metadata entries and will reference this record.

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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.

The dataset is in the process of being archived with the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Once the archival process is complete and verified, the dataset will be publicly available. 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 in the process of being archived with the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Once the archival process is complete and verified, the dataset will be publicly available.

The dataset is in the process of being archived with the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Once the archival process is complete and verified, the dataset will be publicly available. Data will be available March 2016.

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.

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.

Data are preserved as 'raw' text files distributed by Argos/CLS America. The format of these files has changed over the years and use of these data files will require expert knowledge of the various Argos data formats. Additional software or code will be required to properly parse the data and, in most cases, software from the tag manufacturer will be required to decode additional behavior data transmitted by the tag.

No animals less than five months old were instrumented. Duty cycle for Kiwisat PTTs: To extend battery life, the Kiwisat PTTs were programmed with either a 12 hr (4 on/8 off) or 72 hr (24 on/48 off) duty cycle.

The intent of this data set is to provide an archival record of the data as delivered from CLS America/Argos. Processed data conducted on a project by project will be made publicly available via NCEI or associated scientific publications.

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.

Instrumentation – Animals were outfitted with a platform transmitter terminal Kiwisat PTTs (SirTrack, Havelock North, New Zealand) and a VHF radio transmitter (Model MM130, Advanced Telemetry Systems, Isanti, Minnesota). During 2005, individuals were instrumented with KiwiSat tags, VHF transmitters, and time-depth recorders (TDRs; Mk9, Wildlife Computers, Redmond, Washington). During 2006, SPLASH tags (Wildlife Computers), which have location and time-depth recording capabilities, were attached to individuals. During 2007, sea lions were equipped with a PTT only (SPOT5; Wildlife Computers).

Instruments were attached directly onto the animal’s pelage or onto a neoprene patch that was affixed to the pelage located dorsally between the scapulae. The adhesive (5-minute epoxy, DevconTM, Danvers, Massachusetts) was applied after the animal’s pelage was cleaned, degreased with acetone, and dried using a towel or compressed air. Once morphometric data and biological samples were collected, the epoxy had hardened, and sedation (when applied) wore off, the animal was released. Efforts were made to recapture individuals equipped with TDRs or SPLASH tags so that archival dive information could be obtained.

Location data (i.e. latitude, longitude) were obtained. Data were transmitted to the Argos Data Location and Collection System (Service Argos 1996). To extend battery life, the Kiwisat PTTs were programmed with either a 12 hr (4 on/8 off) or 72 hr (24 on/48 off) duty cycle. To maximize the number of transmissions received by Argos satellites, tag transmission periods were synchronized with periods of optimal satellite coverage using NASA’s J-Pass software (ver. 2.0).

These data are represented as a zipped archive of all messages and data files delivered from Argos/CLS America to the California Current Ecosystems Program. Data may have been delivered via direct electronic download, email or CD. The message formats have changed over the years and are preserved as close to the 'as delivered' state as possible.