This layer is intended to represent the geographic extent of NOAA Fisheries’ Pacific Northwest Marine Mammal Survey. The Pacific Northwest Marine Mammal Survey is part of the larger West Coast Marine Mammal Surveys started in 2021 and led by NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center. These surveys have a specific focus on small vessel surveys (Class II small vessel, 34-ft LOA) for marine mammals from the western Strait of Juan de Fuca south along the outer coast to Eureka, California. Although focal species vary from year-to-year, surveys have historically prioritized gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) given the program’s long-term survey efforts for these species. Since 2021, surveys from June through September now represent a substantial increase in both spatial coverage and frequency relative to historical surveys, documenting all opportunistic sightings of marine mammals independent of program priorities. Data are used to derive estimates of species-specific occurrence, density, abundance, and resource utilization. As the length of the time series improves, data will be leveraged to better understand environmental drivers of occurrence, abundance and density, phenology of migration, and the health/condition of individuals and populations.The Pacific Northwest Marine Mammal Survey periodically samples marine mammals along coastal, shelf, and shelf edge ecosystems - out to approximately 20 nautical miles offshore - from northern Washington (including the western Strait of Juan de Fuca) to northern California. Periodic sampling efforts include collection of spatially explicit presence/absence data for all marine mammals, mark-resight observations of individually identifiable large whales (including gray whales, humpback whales, killer whales, blue whales, and fin whales) and Steller sea lions (from branded and tagged animals), boat-based tissue sampling of large whales, boat-based UAS surveys for enumerating pinnipeds at haulouts/rookeries along the PNW coast, and UAS-based photogrammetry for measuring body condition in large whales and pinnipeds.

Samples of skin and other tissues are collected from marine mammals along the U.S. east coast by a variety of researchers. Samples may be collected from live animals through remote biopsy or live-capture, stranded animals, or animals captured incidentally during fishery operations. DNA is extracted from these samples, sequenced, and analyzed using a variety of methods to support phylogenetic studies, stock delineation studies, and a variety of other analyses related to cetacean genetics in U.S. waters. These data sets include the sequence and other genetic data collected from these samples along with analytical results. These data contribute to delineation of stocks described in annual Marine Mammal Protection Act stock assessment reports.

NEFSC holds a sample inventory of marine mammal parts collected from stranded and bycaught animals as well as from our field research activities. The database holds the metadata for our sample holdings and records transactions of transfer of samples to other labs and researchers.

Small vessel surveys are conducted within estuarine and nearshore coastal waters to collect tissue biopsy samples from bottlenose dolphins. Visual surveys are conducted to find bottlenose dolphin groups, and then close approaches are made to collect tissue samples using specialized darts that are deployed using either air rifles or crossbow. Photographs are collected during the encounter to identify individuals and document the response to the sample collection. The skin and blubber samples collected support genetics, stable isotope, and contaminant analyses. These data have been used to delineate different stocks of bottlenose dolphins in estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico.

Small vessel surveys were conducted within estuarine and nearshore coastal waters of Barataria Bay, LA and Mississippi Sound, MS to collect tissue biopsy samples from bottlenose dolphins. Visual surveys are conducted to find bottlenose dolphin groups, and then close approaches are made to collect tissue samples using specialized darts that are deployed using either air rifles or crossbow. Photographs are collected during the encounter to identify individuals and document the response to the sample collection. The skin and blubber samples collected support genetics, stable isotope, and contaminant analyses. These data have been used to delineate different stocks of bottlenose dolphins in estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico to support the injury assessment related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Data on marine mammal strandings are collected by the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Basic data on the location, species identification, animal condition, and disposition (Level A data) are contributed by network members to the NOAA National Marine Mammal Stranding Database. Data collected since 2001 in the Southeast US and Caribbean are housed in the national database. These data document the occurrence of stranded marine mammals throughout the southeastern United States.

This database archives genetic tissue samples from marine mammals collected primarily from the U.S. east coast. The collection includes samples from field programs, fisheries bycatch, and stranding data. A range of researchers have contributed samples to this archive, so some of the data records are confidential. Data includes field identification numbers, location and date information, collection information, and disposition of samples. These samples are primarily intended to support analyses of the genetic relationships and phylogeny of cetaceans in U.S. and Caribbean waters.

Over the past 15 years, high quality marine mammal tissue and fluid samples collected by subsistence hunters in the North Slope region of Alaska have been archived by the North Slope Borough (NSB). Staff from both the NSB’s Department of Wildlife Management and the NWFSC have selected a subset of the samples for analyses of petroleum-related compounds to establish baseline concentrations in top-level predators in the region. The Environmental Chemistry Program will analyze tissue and stomach content samples of various species of marine mammals harvested in the North Slope region of Alaska for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including alkylated PAH homologs using gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The NWFSC will also analyze bile and urine samples collected from a subset of these animals for PAH metabolites using either high-performance liquid chromatography/fluorescence or liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The findings of this study will be drafted for a peer-reviewed journal publication. Measurements of parent and alkylated PAHs in various matrices of marine mammals.

To document interactions and harvesting of marine mammals by fishing vessels in which there is an observer aboard

Data on marine mammal strandings are collected by the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Basic data on the location, species identification, animal condition, and disposition (Level A data) are contributed by network members to the NOAA National Marine Mammal Stranding Database. Historical data collected prior to 2001 in the Southeast US and Caribbean and associated paper records are maintained in local databases. These data document the occurrence of stranded marine mammals throughout the southeastern United States.