Aerial visual survey of cetaceans and other megafauna in the Bremer Marine Park and surrounding areas (NESP Emerging Priorities Project EP2)

• Other Authors: Bouchet, Phil (hasPrincipalInvestigator), Centre for Marine Futures, The University of Western Australia (UWA) (hasAssociationWith), Centre for Marine Science and Technology (CMST), Curtin University (hasAssociationWith), Emma Flukes (pointOfContact), Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania (UTAS) (hasAssociationWith), Meeuwig, Jessica (pointOfContact), Rebecca Wellard (hasPrincipalInvestigator), Wellard, Rebecca (hasPrincipalInvestigator)
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: University of Tasmania, Australia
• Subjects: biota; HOTSPOTS; ABUNDANCE; WILDLIFE DISTRIBUTION; BIOGEOGRAPHY; Killer whale; Sperm whale; Bottlenose dolphin; Long-finned pilot whale; EARTH SCIENCE | BIOSPHERE | ECOSYSTEMS | MARINE ECOSYSTEMS; EARTH SCIENCE | BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION | ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES | MAMMALS | CETACEANS; EARTH SCIENCE | BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION | ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES | FISH | SHARKS/RAYS/CHIMAERAS; EARTH SCIENCE | OCEANS | BATHYMETRY/SEAFLOOR TOPOGRAPHY | SUBMARINE CANYONS; EARTH SCIENCE | BIOSPHERE | ECOSYSTEMS | MARINE ECOSYSTEMS | PELAGIC | OCEANIC ZONE; EARTH SCIENCE | BIOSPHERE | ECOSYSTEMS | MARINE ECOSYSTEMS | PELAGIC; research aeroplane; Abundance of biota; Killer Whale; Orca; Orcinus orca; Physeter macrocephalus
• Online Access: https://researchdata.edu.au/aerial-visual-survey-project-ep2/1730163

Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned Statement: A total of six aerial surveys were conducted in March 2017 across the Bremer Marine Park and adjacent areas using a twin-engine over-head wing Cessna 337 aircraft fitted with bubble windows. The aircraft travelled at an altitude of 1,000 feet and a speed of 120 knots, as per widely established cetacean survey methods. Pre-determined transects were flown in passing mode (no deviation from the track line), with 'circle-backs' only permitted following encounters with killer whales (Orcinus orca; the target species). The combination of two different survey designs (A: large-scale zigzags, B: fine-scale parallel sweeps) allowed appropriate coverage of the region as a whole (i.e. park and surroundings) whilst maximising data gathering opportunities at a known killer whale aggregation site west of the area. Sightings were logged on Olympus digital recorders via headset by two trained observers each scanning either side of the aircraft. Clinometers (Suunto PM-5/360PC) and compass boards were used to record vertical and horizontal angles for each wildlife detection. For further details, see the associated Final Project report. Credit National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine Biodiversity Hub This dataset describes visual sightings of marine megafauna (whales, dolphins and sharks) obtained during a series of dedicated aerial surveys conducted as part of a NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub project within and around the Bremer Marine Park, southern Western Australia. The data reflect 25 hours of observer effort (on transect), and 62 sightings of four identifiable species, including killer whales (Orcinus orca), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.). Numerous unidentified cetaceans and sharks were also seen. For more information, see: https://www.nespmarine.edu.au/project/ep2-surveying-marine-life-canyons-bremer-bay