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 |
|
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, CheloniData, NAVFAC Atlantic Timeline: 2013 through 2018 Funding: FY13 - $180K, FY14 - $195K, FY15 - $70k, FY16 - $183k, FY17 - $104K, FY18 - $0, FY19 - $21k |
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. |
Final analysis in progress |
|
Title: North Atlantic Right Whale Monitoring
Location: Mid-Atlantic and Southeast calving groounds Objectives: Assess behavior of right whales in coastal waters of the Southeast calving grounds,including rates of travel of individuals, dive behavior, and rates of sound production; Assess seasonal distribution in the Mid-Atlantic region. Methods: Observational methods combined with short term (ca. 24 hour) non-invasive suction cup attached multi-sensor acoustic recording tags with Fastloc GPS; Autonomous underwater gliders equipped with passive acoustic monitoring capabilities. Performing Organizations: Duke University, Syracuse University, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Timeline: 2014-2019 Funding: FY13 - $335K, FY14 - $390K, FY15 - $505k, FY16 - $390k, FY17 $278K, FY18 - $268k |
Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance of populations that may exposed to Navy training and testing activities Establish the baseline habitat uses and movement patterns of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur Establish the baseline vocalization behavior of marine mammals and sea turtles where Navy training and testing activities occur |
Continuing |
|
Title: Baseline Monitoring for Marine Mammals in the East Coast Range Complexes (vessel surveys)
Location: Atlantic OPAREAs Objectives: Assess occurrence, habitat associations, and stock structure of marine mammals and sea turtles in key areas of Navy range complexes Methods: Visual surveys, photo ID, biopsy sampling Performing Organizations: Duke University Timeline: Ongoing Funding: FY13 - $275k, FY14 - $350k, FY15 - $250k, FY16 - $220k |
Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and sea turtles are present in Navy range complexes Determine what populations of marine mammals are exposed to Navy training and testing activities Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance of populations that are regularly exposed to sonar and underwater explosives |
Ongoing |
|
Title: Baseline Monitoring for Marine Mammals in the East Coast Range Complexes (passive acoustics)
Location: Atlantic OPAREAs Objectives: Assess occurrence, density, and vocal activity of marine mammals and sea turtles in key areas of Navy range complexes Methods: Passive acoustic monitoring Performing Organizations: Duke University, Scripps Institute of Oceanography Timeline: Ongoing Funding: FY13 - $780k, FY14 - $800k, FY15 - $680k, FY16 - $596k |
Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and sea turtles are present in Navy range complexes Estimate the density of marine mammals and sea turtles in Navy range complexes and in specific training areas Determine what populations of marine mammals are exposed to Navy training and testing activities Establish the baseline vocalization behavior of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance of populations that are regularly exposed to sonar and underwater explosives |
Ongoing |
