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NMFS, Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) is the base for the
Southeast United States Marine
Mammal Stranding Program. NMFS authorizes organizations and volunteers
under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to respond to marine mammal
stranding throughout the United States. These organizations form the
stranding network whose participants are trained to respond to, and
collect samples from live and dead marine mammals that strand along
southeastern United State beaches. At the SEFSC, we are responsible for
coordinating stranding events, monitoring stranding rates, monitoring
human caused mortalities, maintaining a stranding data base for the
southeast region, and conducting investigations to determine the cause of
unusual stranding events including mass strandings and mass mortalities.
Blair Mase -Guthrie (PI).
Biomonitoring Programs:
Genetic Stock analysis:
The SEFSC performs research on a wide variety of topics relating to
the genetics of marine mammals. Using molecular genetic tools such as
DNA sequencing, microsatellite analysis and AFLP markers, we aim to
identify genetically unique populations or stocks that may need to be
targeted for management priority. Furthermore, we seek to understand the
degree of genetic exchange occurring among these different populations
of marine mammals. Species currently of special interest include coastal
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Atlantic
and Gulf of Mexico, harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)
in the Northwest Atlantic and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella
frontalis). Genetic markers are also used to identify the species
of animals that have stranded or been caught in fishing gear when they
can not be identified by more traditional methods, e.g., because of
tissue degradation. This work allows for accurate accounting of species
being negatively impacted by fishing activities. We can also use
molecular genetic tools to determine the sex of animals from skin biopsy
samples, and thus aid in the interpretation field observations,
investigate social and breeding structures, and better understand organo-contaminants
data. Dr. Patricia Rosel (PI).
Pathology:
SEFSC staff and members of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network also
conduct necropsies on stranded marine mammals in order to determine
the cause of death, manner of death, or disease incidence/ health
status. NMFS maintains an interagency agreement with the Armed
Forces Institute of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Pathology,
in collaboration with an on staff NMFS, SEFSC marine animal
veterinary pathologist, for histopathologic analysis of specimens
obtained from field necropsies
Dr. Ruth Ewing(PI) | Contaminants:
Marine mammals have been shown to bioaccumulate environmental toxins
in various tissues and are considered to be excellent biological
indicators within their habitats. The SEFSC works in conjunction
with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and
the National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean
Service, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular
Research by providing tissues from stranded marine mammals to be
used for contaminant studies. |
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Ship surveys: Ship surveys are used
to assess the abundance and distribution of cetaceans over large areas of
the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, and Caribbean Sea. Surveys are conducted from the
68-m NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter and the 52-m NOAA Ship Oregon
II. Visual line-transect surveys are conducted from the ship?s flying bridge using 25X binoculars during the day. Acoustic surveys are conducted day and night using towed hydrophone arrays and sonobuoys. Biopsy samples for genetic and contaminant studies are obtained during the surveys. Environmental and oceanographic data are also collected. From 23 ship surveys conducted since 1990, we have learned that about 30 cetacean species inhabit southeastern U.S. waters. These include large whales, such as the right whale, sperm whale, and humpback whale, and dolphins, such as the pantropical spotted dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, and spinner dolphin. Smaller whales, such as killer whales, pilot whales, and beaked whales, also inhabit these waters. Typically bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins are found in continental shelf waters, whereas most of the other species occur in oceanic waters. Data from these surveys are used to make management decisions mandated by the
Marine Mammal Protection Act. Drs.
Jim Bohnsack and Keith Mullin (PIs).
Aerial surveys: Multi-year aerial surveys of the nearshore waters of the southeast Florida coast, including the Florida Keys, and of Florida
Bay are being conducted by the SEFSC with the support of the U.S. Coast
Guard Air Station Miami. Conducted since September 1992 and March 1995, respectively, these surveys from a Coast Guard HH65 helicopter provide opportunistic sightings of bottlenose dolphin that can be used as rough estimates of their relative abundance in these waters. A total of 1,851 sightings of bottlenose dolphins were recorded in 109 surveys from inception through December 1997. Herd sizes, seasonality, and encounter rates were compared between the two
areas, as well as with previous studies in nearby areas, in a recent SEFSC Technical Memorandum. Both surveys were continued monthly through April 2001, but have been suspended
indefinitely since September 11. These surveys were initiated to monitor marine animals along the southeast coast, to document vessel usage in Biscayne National Park and the Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and to census water birds in Florida Bay. David McClellan (PI).
(McClellan, D.B., J.A Browder, J.L. Tobias, G.J. Konoval, M.D. Hearon, O. Bass, and
J. Osborne. 2000. Opportunistic Sightings of Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiops truncatus,
Along the Southeast Florida Coast and Florida Bay, 1992-1997. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-435. 18pp).
Photo-identification and animal behavioral studies in Miami, FL: NMFS, SEFSC conducts a bottlenose dolphin,Tursiops truncatus, monitoring program in Biscayne Bay, Florida, using photo-identification techniques as a method of identifying individual
dolphins for population studies. Initiated in August 1990, a total of 180 individuals have been identified from 390 sightings during 250 surveys. Of these, approximately 75% are considered to be full time residents of Biscayne Bay. The study area runs from Haulover Inlet, south to Card Sound Bridge encompassing an area of approximately 250 square miles. The behavioral studies component includes observing and monitor habitat use, movement patterns, and other behaviors exhibited by Biscayne Bay bottlenose populations. Currently, a website is being developed to allow researchers to compare dolphin dorsal fin images from the photo-id projects in adjoining
study areas to determine the extent animal ranges. Joseph Contillo (PI)
(In press: Contillo J, Tobias
J, Mase B, Litz J and Wicker J. Biscayne Bay Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-id Project 1990-1999:
A Comprehensive Summary of Result 1990-1999. NOAA Technical Memorandum)
(Abstract: Contillo J, Mase B.G., Ewing R, and Tobias J.
1999 Documented Evidence of Human Interaction and Mortality of a
Known Resident Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops
truncatus) in Biscayne Bay, Florida. Proceedings 1999 Biennial Marine
Mammal Conference, Maui, HI. ) Photo-identification and animal behavioral studies in Panama City, FL: SEFSC Protected Species and Biogical Resources Division Bottlenose dolphin, (Tursiops truncatus) research out of the Panama City Laboratory in the Florida Panhandle was initiated in 1997 as part of a cooperative effort with the University of Florida. The research being conducted includes a photo-identification component for stock assessment and a behavioral component to monitor habitat use, movement patterns, and other behaviors exhibited by Florida Panhandle bottlenose populations. At present, the study site extends from Cape San Blas west to the Choctawhatchee Bay in Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, Fl. Wanda Jones (PI). Photo-identification and biopsy studies in North Carolina and adjoining areas: SEFSC, Beaufort Lab, is carrying out small-vessel (18-41?) surveys in North Carolina and some nearby areas, including Georgia, Virginia, and New Jersey, focusing on bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins. This research involves collection of skin samples for stock identification from a number of different estuarine, coastal and offshore habitats along the coast. The bottlenose dolphin work examines both latitudinal (inshore-offshore) distribution of the coastal form of bottlenose, examining the degree of overlap with the offshore form, and longitudinal (north-south) distribution of populations. Photographs taken during this work are also being used to examine movements between sites. Dr. Patricia Rosel analyzes genetics samples at the Charleston Laboratory. Dr. Aleta Hohn (PI) Identifying stock structure of Western North Atlantic bottlenose dolphins: SEFSC, Beaufort Lab, is coordinating an effort to define the number and range of stocks of the coastal morphotype of bottlenose dolphins along the Atlantic coast. This project involves the simultaneous application of multiple techniques, including genetics (with Dr. Patricia Rosel at the SEFSC), stable isotope ratios (with the University of Virginia), photo-identification (with over 20 collaborators along the coast), and telemetry. Preliminary results have identified seven management units. The data being collected will also help with defining habitat preferences and ranging patterns. Dr. Aleta Hohn (PI) Life history: SEFSC, Beaufort Lab, is conducting studies of age, growth, and reproduction of a number of cetacean species. Particular emphasis is on the bottlenose dolphin because, despite its prevalence in coastal waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, estimates of reproductive rates and other basic life-history parameters, do not exist. Dr. Aleta Hohn (PI).
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