Report of Ecosystem Studies Conducted During the 2001 Oregon, California, and Washington (Orcawale) Marine Mammal Survey on the Research Vessels David Starr Jordan and McArthur

摘要

The primary objective of this survey was to estimate the abundance, and understand the distribution of dolphins and whales that are commonly found off of the west coast of the United States. The secondary objective was to collect physical and biological oceanographic data to better characterize their environment. Other objectives include estimation of prey abundance by acoustic sampling, and definition of stocks by biopsy sampling and photo-identification. Oceanographic and other environmental variables, including chlorophyll a, nutrients, temperature, salinity, zooplankton biomass and the occurrence of seabirds and other animals, are sampled concurrently with the mammal sighting survey. Studying oceanographic patterns and variability concurrently with the fauna can help explain year-to-year environmental effects on estimated abundance. Ecosystem data may also help understand the biological basis of dolphin and whale distribution and abundance.