US Navy
Marine Species Monitoring
Atlantic Region: Current Projects
Atlantic Fleet Training & Testing Monitoring Projects
The table below summarizes marine species monitoring projets being conducted in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico in support of Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Marine Mammal Protection Act requirements (50 CFR Part 218). Reports and data from these projects will be made available on the individual project profile pages and the Reading Room as they become available.
Project titles link directly to individual project profile pages with additional details and access to data and reports.
*Intermediate Scientific Objectives are established in coordination with NMFS through the Strategic Planning Process to help prioritize monitoring investments
| Project Description | Intermediate Scientific Objective* | Status |
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Title: Mid-Atlantic Continental Shelf Break Cetacean Study
Location: Offshore Mid-Atlantic (VACAPES OPAREA) Objectives: Assess occurrence, habitat use, and baseline behavior of cetaceans in continental shelf break region of the VACAPES OPAREA Methods: Visual surveys, focal follow observational methods, photo ID, biopsy sampling, satellite tagging Performing Organizations: HDR Inc Timeline: 2015-2018 Funding: FY16 - $645k |
Establish the baseline habitat uses and movement patterns of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur Establish the baseline behavior (foraging, dive patterns, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur |
New start (FY16) Transition from offshore component of humpack whale monitoring project |
|
Title: Atlantic Behavioral Response Study
Location: Cape Hatteras study area Objectives: Assess behavioral response of beaked and pilot whales to mid-frequency tactical sonar Methods: Controlled exposure experiments, DTAGs, satellite tags Performing Organizations: Southall Environmental Associates, Duke University, Cascadia Research Collective, CREEM - University of St. Andrews Timeline: 2017-2020 Funding: FY16 - $35k, FY17 - $1.6M |
Evaluate behavioral responses of marine mammals exposed to Navy training and testing activities |
New start 2017 Field sessions planned for May and Sept 2017 |
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Title: Lower Chesapeake Bay Sea Turtle Tagging and Tracking
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay (Hampton Roads) Objectives: Assess ocurrence and behavior of loggerhead, green, and Kemp's ridley sea turtles in the Hampton Roads region of Chesapeake Bay and coastal Atlantic Ocean Methods: Satellite, GPS, and acoustic telemetry tags Performing Organizations: Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center Foundation, NAVFAC Atlantic Timeline: 2013 through 2017 Funding: FY13 - $180K, FY14 - $195K, FY15 - $70k, FY16 - $183k |
Estimate the density of marine mammals and sea turtles in Navy range complexes and in specific training areas. Establish the baseline habitat uses and movement patterns of marine mammals and sea turtles where Navy training and testing activities occur. |
Field work - summers 2013-16 Technical progress reports available - 2013-2016 |
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Title: Haul-Out Counts and Photo-Identification of Pinnipeds in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia
Location: Chesapeake Bay Objectives: Document seasonal occurrence, habitat use, and haul-out patterns of seals Methods: Visual surveys, photo ID Performing Organizations: NAVFAC Atlantic Timeline: 2014 to 2017 Funding: Funding: FY15 $52K; FY16 $57K |
Estimate the density of marine mammals and sea turtles in Navy range complexes and in specific training areas Establish the baseline habitat uses and movement patterns of marine mammals and sea turtles where Navy training and testing activities occur Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance of populations that are regularly exposed to sonar and underwater explosives |
New start winter 2014-15 2015-16 annual progress report available |
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Title: Acoustic Monitoring and Evaluation of Tursiops Response to MINEX Training activities
Location: Hampton Roads coastal Atlantic Ocean, W-50 MINEX training range Objectives: Assess ocurrence of Tursiops in the vicinity of the W-50 MINEX range. Assess vocal response of Tursiops to underwater explosions Methods: passive acoustic monitoring Performing Organizations: Oceanwide Science Institute Timeline: 2012 through 2016 Funding: FY12 - $230K, FY13 - $230K, FY14 - $230, FY15 - $135k |
Establish the baseline vocalization behavior of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur Develop analytic methods to evaluate behavioral responses based on passive acoustic monitoring techniques Evaluate behavioral responses by marine mammals exposed to Navy training and testing activities |
Field work complete Final analysis complete |
|
Title: Occurrence, Ecology, and Behavior of Deep-diving Odontocetes
Location: Cape Hatteras Objectives: Establish behavioral baseline and foraging ecology. Assess behavioral response to acoustic stimuli and Navy training activities Methods: Visual surveys, biopsy sampling, DTAGs, satellite tags Performing Organizations: Duke University, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Cascadia Research Collective Timeline: 2013-2017 Funding: FY13 - $250k, FY14 - $510k, FY15 - $520k, FY16 - $420k |
Determine what populations of marine mammals are exposed to Navy training and testing activities Establish the baseline behavior (foraging, dive patterns, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur Evaluate behavioral responses by marine mammals exposed to Navy training and testing activities |
Field work ongoing Technical progress reports available - 2013-2016 |
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Title: Haul-Out Counts and Photo-Identification of Pinnipeds in Narragansett Bay, RI
Location: Narragansett Bay Objectives: Document seasonal occurrence, habitat use, and haul-out patterns of seals Methods: Visual surveys, photo ID Performing Organizations: NUWC Newport Timeline: 2014 to 2017 Funding: Funding: FY15 $45K; FY16 $102K |
Estimate the density of marine mammals and sea turtles in Navy range complexes and in specific training areas Establish the baseline habitat uses and movement patterns of marine mammals and sea turtles where Navy training and testing activities occur Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance of populations that are regularly exposed to sonar and underwater explosives |
New start winter 2014-15 2014-2016 field season report available |
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Title: Bottlenose Dolphin Occurrence in Estuarine and Coastal Waters near Panama City, Florida
Location: St. Andrew Bay and nearshore waters of Panama City, Florida Objectives: Determine species occurrence, and distribution, habitat use, and abundance of Tursiops in St. Andrew Bay and coastal waters adjacent to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division. Methods: Small vessel visual surveys, photo identification, biopsy sampling Performing Organizations: NOAA Hollings Marine Laboratory Timeline: 2015-2017 Funding: FY15 - $112K, FY16 - $210k |
Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and sea turtles are present in Navy range complexes Establish the baseline habitat uses and movement patterns of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur Estimate the density of marine mammals and sea turtles in Navy range complexes and in specific training areas |
Field work complete 2015 technical progress report available |
