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Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Marine Mammal Restoration and Monitoring Activities
NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center is working on multiple projects to recover cetaceans in the Gulf of Mexico.
NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center marine mammal scientists were heavily involved in identifying and quantifying the impacts of the 2010 DeepwaterHorizon oil spill to cetacean (whales and dolphins) species in the Gulf of Mexico. Most cetacean stocks in the Gulf were determined to have experienced negative health effects and increased mortality (characterized as ‘injured’) as a result of exposure to the oil. Following the DeepwaterHorizon Natural Resources Damage Assessment, a restoration plan was developed that defined activities to restore natural resources impacted by the oil spill, including cetaceans.
Trophic Interactions and Habitat Requirements of Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s Whales (Rice's whale)
Status : In progress
The Gulf of Mexico Bryde's whale RESTORE project seeks to improve our understanding of the trophic ecology (feeding behavior, food web dynamics, prey preferences) and habitat of Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whales, now named Rice’s whales. The goal is to characterize the physical, oceanographic, and biological features defining critical habitat and the role of this species in marine food webs in the Gulf through a multi-year study.
A Rice's whale swimming near the surface. Credit: NOAA Fisheries (ESA/MMPA Permit No. 779-1633.).
Assessing Long-term Trends and Processes Driving Variability in Cetacean Density throughout the Gulf of Mexico using Passive Acoustic Monitoring and Habitat Modeling
Status : In progress
This RESTORE project is a comprehensive and long-term passive acoustic monitoring program throughout U.S. and Mexican Gulf waters. Moored passive acoustic instruments record sounds from marine mammals and other sources such as vessel traffic and oil and gas exploration. These recordings will be used to characterize seasonal, annual, and decadal trends in marine mammal species’ distributions in the Gulf. It will also help us evaluate the role of ocean conditions and human activities in influencing these trends.
The moored underwater listening devices being used in this study are High-frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs). Upon recovery, they often have biofouling, where marine life has begun growing on them (left). As part of the servicing, batteries are replaced, data disks are recovered and replaced, and biofouling is cleaned up, then they are ready to deploy again (right). Credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography/Kaitlin Frasier.
Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Restoration: Open Ocean Projects
Reduce Impacts of Anthropogenic Noise on Cetaceans
Status : In progress
Cetaceans rely on sound for vital life functions, such as finding food, mating, avoiding predators, and for communication. Increased noise levels may mask sounds, disturb vital behaviors, and cause permanent or temporary injury. We seek to identify and implement activities and new technologies to reduce underwater, human-caused noise levels in the Gulf of Mexico. We will work with partners to identify noise reducing technologies in highest risk areas. We will also use passive acoustic monitoring to collect baseline data collection to inform and monitor restoration outcomes.
Reduce and Mitigate Vessel Strike Mortality of Cetaceans
Status : Not yet started
This restoration project will identify areas of highest concern for collision risk between vessels and marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico. Once these areas have been identified, we will work with partners to develop ways to reduce and mitigate vessel strike injuries and deaths in each area.
Notice the indentation on the back (behind the dorsal fin) of this Rice’s whale, possibly the result of a collision with a vessel. Credit: NOAA Fisheries (ESA/MMPA Permit No. 21938).
Compilation of Environmental, Threats, and Animal Data for Cetacean Population Health Analyses (CETACEAN)
Status : In progress
Information on the health of cetaceans in the Gulf of Mexico and threats that impact them is collected by several organizations and is stored using different databases. The CETACEAN project will develop a unified platform to maintain and provide user-friendly, web-based access to critical data sets. We will identify key partners, health datasets, and parameters to compile and train users on standardized data collection protocols. CETACEAN will support restoration planning, prioritization, and implementation by making key data available in a central place for decision makers.
Reducing Impacts to Cetaceans during Disasters by Improving Response Activities
Status : In progress
This project will improve our ability to respond to whale and dolphin stranding events throughout the Gulf of Mexico. It will also help us better coordinate with partners during larger responses, such as for hurricanes or oil spills.
Researchers record data and photograph a dead common bottlenose dolphin that stranded along the Louisiana coastline in July 2012 following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Credit: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Evaluating the Cumulative Impact of Multiple Stressors on Oceanic Cetaceans
Status : In progress
This monitoring and adaptive management project will develop models to examine the cumulative effects of multiple stressors on oceanic stocks of whales and dolphins injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Initially, the models will help us identify critical data gaps. Later, it will guide planning for the second phase of the project, which will involve monitoring activities and field studies to collect data to refine and validate the models. Ultimately, we will use the models to prioritize potential restoration activities and evaluate their effectiveness.
Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Restoration: State Projects
Assessment of Alabama Estuarine Bottlenose Dolphin Populations and Health
Status : In progress
This Alabama monitoring and adaptive management project focuses on providing baseline assessment information on abundance, distribution, and habitat use for common bottlenose dolphin stocks within state waters. We will also gather information through field observations and skin biopsies to assess the condition of dolphins in Mobile Bay and Perdido Bay and adjacent coastal waters. The project also focuses on training and capacity building of local research teams. The project is led by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in collaboration with us.
Louisiana Marine Mammal Abundance, Distribution, and Density
Status: Completed
As part of this Louisiana monitoring and adaptive management project, we collected data from small-boat photo-identification surveys to estimate abundance, distribution, density, and survival of common bottlenose dolphins in the Barataria Basin. This study, combined with other data, was used to evaluate the probable effects of changes in salinity on, and survival rates of, bottlenose dolphins associated with the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. This information will continue to improve our understanding of baseline population conditions and be used to evaluate the effects of restoration projects.
Common bottlenose dolphin mom and newborn calf; note the fetal folds as lighter stripes on the body of the calf. ESA/MMPA Permit No. 779-1633. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Assessment of Marine Mammal Physiological Responses to Low Salinity Exposures
Status: Completed
Through this project, we improved our understanding of the effects of low salinity exposure on common bottlenose dolphins. We compiled, evaluated, and synthesized existing data on physiological and biological responses, and developed models to assess the impacts of low salinity on this species. These models are valuable for simulating the effects of future salinity changes on the survival of bottlenose dolphins.
Common bottlenose dolphin in Barataria Bay, Louisiana showing evidence of lesions on its skin caused by prolonged freshwater exposure. ESA/MMPA Permit No. 21938. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
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Right whale #3853 swimming north offshore of South Carolina on Jan. 20, 2011 with a series of fresh propeller wounds running across its back. The whale was observed 5 days previously offshore of Georgia without propeller wounds. It is unknown whether the whale survived its wounds or not, as it has not been re-sighted since. Vessel collisions are a leading cause of right whale mortality. Credit: EcoHealth Alliance (NOAA permit #594-1759).
North Atlantic right whale Catalog #3560 ‘Snow Cone’ sighted December 2, 2021 entangled and with a new calf. Photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission taken under NOAA permit 20556.
Homeported in Pascagoula, Mississippi, NOAA Ship Pisces is the third in a class of state-of-the-art, acoustically quiet fisheries survey vessels built for a wide range of living marine resource surveys and ecosystem research projects. The ship focuses primarily on U.S. waters from the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and South Atlantic to North Carolina. Credit: NOAA
Right whale #3853 swimming north offshore of South Carolina on Jan. 20, 2011 with a series of fresh propeller wounds running across its back. The whale was observed 5 days previously offshore of Georgia without propeller wounds. It is unknown whether the whale survived its wounds or not, as it has not been re-sighted since. Vessel collisions are a leading cause of right whale mortality. Credit: EcoHealth Alliance (NOAA permit #594-1759).
North Atlantic right whale Catalog #3560 ‘Snow Cone’ sighted December 2, 2021 entangled and with a new calf. Photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission taken under NOAA permit 20556.
Homeported in Pascagoula, Mississippi, NOAA Ship Pisces is the third in a class of state-of-the-art, acoustically quiet fisheries survey vessels built for a wide range of living marine resource surveys and ecosystem research projects. The ship focuses primarily on U.S. waters from the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and South Atlantic to North Carolina. Credit: NOAA
A right whale breaching. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Christin Khan