Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Vessel line-transect surveys of Arctic marine mammals in the Chukchi Sea, Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) research cruise on the vessel Norseman II from 2017-08-05 to - 2017-08-25 (NCEI Accession 0177817)

Preview graphic

This dataset contains marine mammal observation data conducted during shipboard transects in the Chukchi Sea during the 5 August - 25 August 2017 Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) research cruise. The dataset is two comma-separated values (csv) files exported from the marine bird and mammal observation software WinCruz from the entire survey. One data file contains the dates, times, latitude, longitude, species and best-high-low estimates of numbers for cetacean (whales) and pinniped (seals, seal lions, and walrus) sightings. The second data file contains the track of the ship (as geographic coordinates) and the Beaufort sea state at two minute intervals as a measurement of effort. This dataset was transformed from the native format into a table structure using Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A, occurrence core) term names as column names.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Stafford, Kate (2018). Vessel line-transect surveys of Arctic marine mammals in the Chukchi Sea, Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) research cruise on the vessel Norseman II from 2017-08-05 to - 2017-08-25 (NCEI Accession 0177817). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/3kbx-vn96. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0177817

Full Text · XML

Download Data	HTTPS (download) Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. FTP (download) These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP).
Distribution Formats	.csv .xml
Ordering Instructions	Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov

Time Period	2017-08-05 to 2017-08-25
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -168.765 East: -158.258 South: 64.459 North: 72.364
Spatial Coverage Map

General Documentation

NCEI Dataset Landing Page
Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.
Descriptive Information
Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.

Publication Dates	publication: 2018-10-30
Data Presentation Form	Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status	Complete - production of the data has been completed Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency	As needed
Supplemental Information	Submission Package ID: K4HG4Y
Purpose	Marine mammals in the Arctic Chukchi Sea have great cultural relevance and are important feeders in the ecosystem, either in the pelagic system or the benthic system. In this project, marine mammals were identified and enumerated by ship-board observations during appropriate sea states.
Use Limitations	accessLevel: Public Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.

Dataset Citation	Cite as: Stafford, Kate (2018). Vessel line-transect surveys of Arctic marine mammals in the Chukchi Sea, Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) research cruise on the vessel Norseman II from 2017-08-05 to - 2017-08-25 (NCEI Accession 0177817). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/3kbx-vn96. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Stafford, Kate
Principal Investigators	Kate Stafford University of Washington (UW)
Collaborators	Katrin Iken University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Sue Moore US DOC; NOAA; National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
Contributors	University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) US DOC; NOAA; National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) University of Washington (UW)
Resource Providers	Chris Turner Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Related Funding Agency: Shell Oil Company Related Funding Agency: National Science Foundation Related Funding Agency: US DOC; NOAA; NOS; Integrated Ocean Observing System Program Related Funding Agency: US DOI; Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Theme keywords	NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS ANIMALS - INDIVIDUAL - COUNTS LATITUDE LONGITUDE MARINE MAMMALS SPECIES IDENTIFICATION NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS in situ marine mammal observation visual observation WMO_CategoryCode oceanography Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > MARINE MAMMALS
Data Center keywords	NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Washington US DOC; NOAA; National Marine Fisheries Service NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Alaska Ocean Observing System Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords DOC/NOAA/NMFS > National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce UAK-F/SFOS/AOOS > Alaska Ocean Observing System, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska - Fairbanks
Platform keywords	NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS Norseman II Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords Ships ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes NORSEMAN II (call sign: WDD6688, ICES code: 32QO, 2007)
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS binoculars GPS visual observation Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords BINOCULAR > BINOCULAR GPS RECEIVERS > GPS RECEIVERS VISUAL OBSERVATIONS > VISUAL OBSERVATIONS Provider Instruments GPS enabled laptop
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Bering Sea Chukchi Sea Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > ARCTIC OCEAN > CHUKCHI SEA OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN > BERING SEA
Project keywords	Provider Project Names Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON)
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0177817

Use Constraints	Cite as: Stafford, Kate (2018). Vessel line-transect surveys of Arctic marine mammals in the Chukchi Sea, Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) research cruise on the vessel Norseman II from 2017-08-05 to - 2017-08-25 (NCEI Accession 0177817). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/3kbx-vn96. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints	Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees	In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	2018-10-30T21:39:14Z - NCEI Accession 0177817 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0177817 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0177817 v1.1 (download) published 2018-10-30T21:39:14Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: ANIMALS - INDIVIDUAL - COUNTS (calculated); Units: count; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Generally, visual observations started at about 8:30 am. Start and end times varied for a variety of reasons, such as late ending of previous night’s sampling, overcast conditions or darkness making visual observations impossible, fog or haze obscuring visibility to less than 1 nm, rough conditions of sea state or slow speeds (below 8 knots, which is the slowest survey speed typically for line-transect marine mammal studies). Handheld 10x50 or 7x50 binoculars were used to scan from approximately 60 degrees left and right of the bow, sightings were entered into customized data collection program, WinCruz, with observers estimating distance. Early onin the cruise, observers asked the mate or captain to determine the distance of vessels or coastline using radar, as a means of calibrating distance. The marine mammal station was located just left of the centerline of the ship, just to the right of the bird observers. Height of the bridgewas determined to be 5 m, but reticle binoculars were not used for distance calculations. No course deviations were made for glare on the trackline. Priority for visual observations was given to surveying the main transect lines, as close as possible temporally to the previous night or next night shift sampling. If extra time was available during the day, a sawtooth pattern from 1-5 nm from the main trackline was surveyed.When an animal was spotted, the observer entered the sighting information into WinCruz, and attempted to get better looks at the animal(s) for species identification and group size. Animals were identified to the lowest taxonomic group possible. Photographs were taken –whenever possible -of animals that were close to the trackline. No attempts were made to alter course or speed to approach any animal. Bridge observations were suspended at 19:30, as the captain had requested that the bridge be free of all science personnel for the period between 19:30-20:00. Occasionally,visual observations continued after the safety meeting at night until darkness or arrival at the next sampling station. This allowed observers to eliminate some backtracking on the next day’s survey. Data were transformed from the native format output from WinCruz into a table structure using Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A, occurrence core) term names as column names. As many of the DwC required and recommended fields were used as possible. To conform to DwC, marine mammal quantities were transformed to fractional counts when multiple species were present but not precisely counted. In these cases, the native file format contained a percent composition estimate by species for multi-assemblage marine mammal groups. The percent composition was applied to the best, low, and high estimate quantities for each species. For example, a pod with two species was recorded with high/low estimates of 9/4 animals, and an estimated 10% species A, 90% species B. When the species proportion is applied to the high/low estimates, a fractional estimate is reported.; Data Quality Method: Accuracy was ensured by reviewing and editing the data in the field on a daily basis.. Parameter or Variable: LATITUDE (measured); Units: decimal degrees north; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: GPS enabled laptop; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Latitude values were recorded in the survey program WinCruz on a GPS enabled laptop. Parameter or Variable: LONGITUDE (measured); Units: decimal degrees east; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: GPS enabled laptop; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Longitude values were recorded in the survey program WinCruz on a GPS enabled laptop.

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: ANIMALS - INDIVIDUAL - COUNTS (calculated); Units: count; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Generally, visual observations started at about 8:30 am. Start and end times varied for a variety of reasons, such as late ending of previous night’s sampling, overcast conditions or darkness making visual observations impossible, fog or haze obscuring visibility to less than 1 nm, rough conditions of sea state or slow speeds (below 8 knots, which is the slowest survey speed typically for line-transect marine mammal studies). Handheld 10x50 or 7x50 binoculars were used to scan from approximately 60 degrees left and right of the bow, sightings were entered into customized data collection program, WinCruz, with observers estimating distance. Early onin the cruise, observers asked the mate or captain to determine the distance of vessels or coastline using radar, as a means of calibrating distance. The marine mammal station was located just left of the centerline of the ship, just to the right of the bird observers. Height of the bridgewas determined to be 5 m, but reticle binoculars were not used for distance calculations. No course deviations were made for glare on the trackline. Priority for visual observations was given to surveying the main transect lines, as close as possible temporally to the previous night or next night shift sampling. If extra time was available during the day, a sawtooth pattern from 1-5 nm from the main trackline was surveyed.When an animal was spotted, the observer entered the sighting information into WinCruz, and attempted to get better looks at the animal(s) for species identification and group size. Animals were identified to the lowest taxonomic group possible. Photographs were taken –whenever possible -of animals that were close to the trackline. No attempts were made to alter course or speed to approach any animal. Bridge observations were suspended at 19:30, as the captain had requested that the bridge be free of all science personnel for the period between 19:30-20:00. Occasionally,visual observations continued after the safety meeting at night until darkness or arrival at the next sampling station. This allowed observers to eliminate some backtracking on the next day’s survey. Data were transformed from the native format output from WinCruz into a table structure using Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A, occurrence core) term names as column names. As many of the DwC required and recommended fields were used as possible. To conform to DwC, marine mammal quantities were transformed to fractional counts when multiple species were present but not precisely counted. In these cases, the native file format contained a percent composition estimate by species for multi-assemblage marine mammal groups. The percent composition was applied to the best, low, and high estimate quantities for each species. For example, a pod with two species was recorded with high/low estimates of 9/4 animals, and an estimated 10% species A, 90% species B. When the species proportion is applied to the high/low estimates, a fractional estimate is reported.; Data Quality Method: Accuracy was ensured by reviewing and editing the data in the field on a daily basis..
Parameter or Variable: LATITUDE (measured); Units: decimal degrees north; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: GPS enabled laptop; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Latitude values were recorded in the survey program WinCruz on a GPS enabled laptop.
Parameter or Variable: LONGITUDE (measured); Units: decimal degrees east; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: GPS enabled laptop; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Longitude values were recorded in the survey program WinCruz on a GPS enabled laptop.

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	binoculars GPS visual observation
Platform	Norseman II

Last Modified: 2024-02-27T13:09:34Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Vessel line-transect surveys of Arctic marine mammals in the Chukchi Sea, Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) research cruise on the vessel Norseman II from 2017-08-05 to - 2017-08-25 (NCEI Accession 0177817)

Follow us

Contact us