15 Marine mammals data

15.1 Cetacean Biologically Important Areas for Feeding

15.1.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA

Partner entities: Cetacean Density and Distribution Mapping Working Group

PI name: Unknown (Private Member upload)

PI contact information: Unknown

Data start year: 2015

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: USA

15.1.3 Project description

Feature layer of feeding areas for various cetacean species

15.2 Cetacean Biologically Important Areas for Migration

15.2.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA

Partner entities: Cetacean Density and Distribution Mapping Working Group

PI name: Unknown (Private Member upload)

PI contact information: Unknown

Data start year: 2015

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: USA

15.2.3 Project description

Feature layer of migration areas for various cetacean species

15.3 Cetacean Biologically Important Areas for Reproduction

15.3.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA

Partner entities: Cetacean Density and Distribution Mapping Working Group

PI name: Unknown (Private Member upload)

PI contact information: Unknown

Data start year: 2015

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: USA

15.3.2 Data information

Project link: https://coast.noaa.gov/arcgis/rest/services/OceanReports/CetaceanBiologicallyImportantAreas_Reproduction/MapServer

Data link:

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.3.3 Project description

Feature layer of reproduction areas for various cetacean species

15.4 Cetacean Biologically Important Areas for Small Resident

15.4.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA

Partner entities: Cetacean Density and Distribution Mapping Working Group

PI name: Unknown (Private Member upload)

PI contact information: Unknown

Data start year: 2015

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: USA

15.4.3 Project description

Feature layer of small resident areas for various cetacean species

15.5 Decadal-scale phenology and seasonal climate drivers of large whale habitat use in a rapidly warming marine ecosystem.

15.5.1 Project information

Lead entity: NeAq

Partner entities: University of California - LA; NMFS - NEFSC; Center for Coastal Studies; Canadian Whale Institute; University of Massachusetts Amherst

PI name: Pendleton, D.E., M.W. Tingley, L. G. Ganley, K. Friedland, C. Mayo, M.W. Brown, B.E. McKenna, A. Jordaan, M.D. Staudinger.

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1998

Data end year: 2018

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.5.2 Data information

Project link: http://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16225

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Marine mammals, Habitat

Data type: spatial

15.5.3 Project description

Using data from a 20+ year marine mammal observation program, we tested the hypothesis that the phenology of large whale habitat use in Cape Cod Bay has changed and is related to regional-scale shifts in the thermal onset of spring. We used a multi-season occupancy model to measure phenological shifts and evaluate trends in the date of peak habitat use for North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), and fin (Balaenoptera physalus) whales.

15.6 Digital aerial surveys for wildlife in the Gulf of Maine

15.6.1 Project information

Lead entity: Biodiversity Research Institute

Partner entities: HiDef Aerial Surveying

PI name: Iain Stenhouse

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2023

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

15.6.2 Data information

Project link: https://briwildlife.org/digital-aerial-surveys/

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Seabirds, Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.6.3 Project description

BRI, in collaboration with HiDef Aerial Surveying, is conducting digital video aerial surveys to obtain ecological baseline data and to inform siting of offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine. Funded by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), surveys will be conducted in 2023–2024 to better understand the distributions of marine wildlife across the Gulf of Maine.

15.7 MDAT Mammal Abundance

15.7.1 Project information

Lead entity: Duke Univ.

Partner entities: Northeast Regional Ocean Council, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA NEFSC, Loyola University Chicago

PI name: Patrick Halpin

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1998

Data end year: 2020

Spatial scale: USA

15.7.2 Data information

Project link: https://seamap.env.duke.edu/models/mdat/

Data link: https://mgelmaps.env.duke.edu/mdat/rest/services/MDAT/Mammal_Abundance/MapServer

Metadata link: https://seamap.env.duke.edu/models/mdat/Mammal/MDAT_Mammal_Model_Metadata.pdf

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.7.3 Project description

Researchers at several institutions who work collaboratively as the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) assembled a collection of new maps that represents one of the largest known efforts globally to assemble and disseminate spatial data for multiple species and taxa of marine life. The Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab at Duke University led the overall MDAT effort and developed cetacean maps for the entire Atlantic coast.

15.8 MDAT Mammal Summary Products

15.8.1 Project information

Lead entity: Duke Univ.

Partner entities: Northeast Regional Ocean Council, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA NEFSC, Loyola University Chicago

PI name: Patrick Halpin

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1998

Data end year: 2020

Spatial scale: USA

15.8.3 Project description

Summary products are comprised of data layers from multiple species, and were created to allow quick access to map summaries about potential biological, management, or sensitivity groups of interest. Summary products provide a means to distill hundreds of data layer and time period combinations into more simplified maps that supplement the base layer reference library. These summary products include total abundance or biomass, species richness, diversity, and core area abundance or biomass richness for all modeled/sampled groups of species and are useful tools for seeing broad patterns in the underlying data or model results.

15.9 North Atlantic Right Whale Seasonal Management Areas

15.9.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA

Partner entities: NA

PI name: NOAA OCM

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2020

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.9.3 Project description

Feature layer (polygons) of areas with regulations to limit speed in shipping zones during certain times of year to reduce the likelihood of death and serious injury to endangered NARW

15.10 State of the Ecosystem {ecodata} R package

15.10.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Brandon Beltz

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2017

Data end year: 2025

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.10.2 Data information

Project link: https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/ecodata

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Acoustic, Chemical oceanography, Physical oceanography, Marine mammals, Plankton, Pelagic fishes, Coastal fishes, Elasmobranchs, Diadromous fish

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

15.10.3 Project description

ecodata is an R data package developed by the Ecosystems Dynamics and Assessment Branch of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center for use in State of the Ecosystem (SOE) reporting.

15.11 State of the Ecosystem Catalog

15.11.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Brandon Beltz

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2017

Data end year: 2025

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.11.2 Data information

Project link: https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/catalog

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Acoustic, Chemical oceanography, Physical oceanography, Marine mammals, Plankton, Pelagic fishes, Coastal fishes, Elasmobranchs, Diadromous fish

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

15.11.3 Project description

Catalog of indicators used in the State of the Ecosystem reports and other ecosystem assessment products.

15.12 Assessing population effects of offshore wind development on North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis)

15.12.1 Project information

Lead entity: University of St. Andrews

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Kyle Baker

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2021

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.12.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/environment/environmental-studies/Assessing%20Population%20Effects%20of%20Offshore%20Wind%20Development%20on%20North%20Atlantic%20Right%20Whales_0.pdf

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Marine mammals

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

15.12.3 Project description

Model of population consequences of multiple stressors on North Atlantic right whales.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.13 Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS) I, II, and III

15.13.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA

Partner entities: BOEM, US Navy, USFWS

PI name: Debra Palka

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2010

Data end year: 2050

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.13.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/population-assessments/atlantic-marine-assessment-program-protected

Data link: https://apps-nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/amappsviewer/

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Acoustic, Marine mammals, Plankton, Sea turtles, Seabirds

Data type: spatial

15.13.3 Project description

Visual sightings of cetaceans, seabirds, sea turtles and seals, acoustic detections, location/depth, physical water characteristics, distribution and density of fish and plankton. These models rely on seasonal distribution and abundance data our scientists have collected over multiple years using aerial and shipboard surveys. They also include dive pattern information from individually-tagged turtles and detections from passive acoustic recording devices.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.14 Cross-taxa Assessment of Habitat Use and Connectivity Relative to Marine Protected Areas in the Gulf of Maine: Implications for Management

15.14.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Integrated Statistics, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

PI name: Danielle Cholewiak

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2021

Data end year: 2026

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.14.2 Data information

Project link: https://cdn.coastalscience.noaa.gov/page-attachments/funding/NCCOS_CRP_RER_FY21_Awards_Summaries.pdf

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Marine mammals, Sea turtles, Seabirds, Elasmobranchs, Pelagic fishes, Coastal fishes

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

15.14.3 Project description

We are evaluating how highly migratory and protected species, including cetaceans, fishes, pinnipeds, seabirds, and turtles, are using a network of state and federal marine protected areas in the Gulf of Maine and southern New England regions, and how this overlaps with areas of human use. Understanding the benefits of existing MPAs to species at risk will inform recommendations for potential new or expanded MPAs, and ensure their viability for future generations.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.15 Developing Best Practices and Applying Environmental DNA (eDNA) Tools and in Support of Assessing and Managing Living Marine Species in an Ecosystem-based Context

15.15.1 Project information

Lead entity: BOEM

Partner entities: NOAA NEFSC, Smithsonian Institution, AMAPPS

PI name: Tim White

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2021

Data end year: 2023

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.15.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/environment/environmental-studies/SDP_2022-2023.pdf

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Sea turtles, Seabirds, Marine mammals, Molluscs

Data type: spatial

15.15.3 Project description

BOEM and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center will evaluate the eDNA “net” for accuracy in resolving community structure in space and through time by comparing taxa identified in water samples with quantified multi-species hotspots (T. White) derived from fisheries and observer-based sampling programs (e.g., AMAPPS). This project proposes identifying which species and guilds eDNA resolves well and those it misidentifies with an ecosystem-based context. For example, seabirds and invertebrates (e.g., clams) have been overlooked in most eDNA studies, even though these communities are essential in BOEM assessments and by other federal agencies. We will evaluate how well eDNA metabarcoding resolves marine communities using retrospective analyses (persistent communities) and simultaneous observations (observers; net tows; aerial cameras). The main objectives are to identify strengths and weaknesses in methodology; address weaknesses by populating genetic databases where feasible, and guide future BOEM projects across the regions.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.16 Digital acoustic tagging of sei whales

15.16.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Unknown

PI contact information: Unknown

Data start year: 2022

Data end year: 2050

Spatial scale: State

15.16.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/press-releases/boem-and-noaa-announce-first-ever-successful-drone-based-tagging-endangered

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Marine mammals, Acoustic

Data type: spatial

15.16.3 Project description

On June 8, 2022, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary announced the successful digital acoustic tagging of 14 sei whales in waters offshore Massachusetts. This is the first time researchers have successfully tagged an endangered species in the United States using an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone. The collected data will shed important light on the whales’ acoustic behavior, which researchers will use to inform mitigation strategies – including passive acoustic monitoring – to protect this endangered species from the potential impacts of offshore wind energy activities. Digital acoustic tagging is a component of a larger BOEM study into the Spatial and Acoustic Behavior of Endangered Large Whales to address gaps in information on a variety of endangered large whale species – including sei, North Atlantic right, and fin whales – to better inform offshore wind energy area selection. UAVs enable researchers to target specific animals in a group or conduct multi-group taggings, and the collected data will also aid in conservation efforts. The same project tagged NARW in Mid-Atlantic (2023) and basking sharks in Vineyard Sound (June and Fall 2022).

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.17 Ecological baseline study of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf off Maine

15.17.1 Project information

Lead entity: Biodiversity Research Institute

Partner entities: HiDef Aerial Surveying Ltd

PI name: David Bigger

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2022

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

15.17.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/Ecological-Baseline-Study-of-the-US-Outer-Continental-Shelf-Off-Maine.pdf

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Seabirds, Sea turtles, Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.17.3 Project description

The objective of this study is to obtain contractor support to design and conduct multiseason boat-based and/or aerial-digital marine wildlife surveys and to establish an ecological baseline describing the distribution and abundance of marine seabirds, mammals, and sea turtles on the US OCS off Maine. The effort will coordinate with USFWS and others that may be surveying in the Gulf of Maine. A detailed field plan will be developed describing survey methods, survey protocols, proposed track lines, and survey schedule. The plan will also include details on the collection of digital imagery, methods for processing the images, camera design, and methods for identifying the species, methods to estimate bird flight heights, methods for collection of visible features of potential interest to energy development (such as oceanographic features, vessels, fishing activity [e.g., buoys], and other human uses). The data collected from these baseline surveys will be added into databases like the Compendium of Avian Occurrence Information database and the Ocean Biogeographic Information System Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Populations (OBIS-SEAMAP). Ultimately, the baseline data could then be used to update avian and other wildlife distributional maps like those developed through BOEM’s interagency agreement with NOAA (Winship et al. 2018) and distributed to the regional data portals. BRI website for digital aerial surveys: https://briwildlife.org/digital-aerial-surveys/

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.18 Gulf of Maine megafauna aerial surveys

15.18.1 Project information

Lead entity: New England Aquarium

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Jessica Redfern

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2023

Data end year: 2025

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

15.18.2 Data information

Project link: https://database.rwsc.org/details?recordId=recGfijPbg4Y8zIV7

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Marine mammals, Sea turtles

Data type: spatial

15.18.3 Project description

The New England Aquarium has received funding from an anonymous fund at the Maine Community Foundation to conduct systematic aerial surveys of waters off Maine from September – January. Observers will record data about all marine species seen during the surveys. The surveys will use line-transect methodology, which will build a data set that can be used to estimate abundance for species with an adequate number of sightings. If right whale aggregations are detected visually or acoustically, we will also conduct directed aerial surveys to photograph the whales, which will allow us to understand their demographics (e.g., the number of males versus females, adults versus juveniles, etc.).

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.19 Habitat-based Marine Mammal Density Models for the U.S. Atlantic

15.19.1 Project information

Lead entity: Duke Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Jason Roberts

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2016

Data end year: 2050

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.19.2 Data information

Project link: https://seamap.env.duke.edu/models/Duke/EC/

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.19.3 Project description

The Duke Marine Geospatial Ecology Laboratory leads an ongoing collaboration of federal, state, academic, and independent research organizations who pool scientific data and expertise to develop marine mammal species density models spanning the U.S. east coast and southeast Canada. The models estimate absolute density, rendered as maps of the number of individual animals per 100 km2, by statistically correlating sightings reported on shipboard and aerial surveys with oceanographic conditions. Since its initial publication in 2016, the project has expanded to utilize over 2.8 million linear kilometers of survey effort collected between 1992-2020, yielding density maps for over 30 species and multi-species guilds, including cetaceans and pinnipeds. These density maps serve as crucial pre-development estimates of marine mammal distributions.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.20 Maine Department of Marine Resources passive acoustic monitoring project

15.20.1 Project information

Lead entity: Maine Department of Marine Resources

Partner entities: University of Maine, Maine Community Foundation, NOAA NEFSC

PI name: Anita Murray

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2021

Data end year: 2027

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

15.20.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/science/right-whale/monitoring

Data link: https://apps-nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacm/#/narw

Metadata link: https://matos.asascience.com/project/detail/188

Data availability: No

Data categories: Acoustic, Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.20.3 Project description

This passive acoustic monitoring project constitutes 10 subsurface moorings that include acoustic sound traps (ST600STDs) coupled with Innovasea VR2AR acoustic releases for the primary purpose of detecting North Atlantic right whales and other baleen whales within the Gulf of Maine. This array will likely expand its scope in the future, adding 7 additional moorings in 2023, as Maine seeks to better understand a) the distribution of baleen whales within the Gulf of Maine and b) baseline ambient noise levels prior to offshore wind development. The spatial coverage of this array may also serve as a bountiful platform of opportunity for tagging studies not only within the Department, but the region. Maine is happy to engage in these data-sharing efforts for the benefit of knowledge beyond its immediate purposes. Tagged protected fish will be detected on the receivers.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.21 Maine Department of Marine Resources visual wildlife survey

15.21.1 Project information

Lead entity: Maine Department of Marine Resources

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Unknown

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2024

Data end year: 2030

Spatial scale: Project

15.21.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/node/1467

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Seabirds, Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.21.3 Project description

Goal: To ground truth passive acoustic data and understand baseline species presence and abundance and determine if they change during or after turbine installation

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.22 Maine eDNA

15.22.1 Project information

Lead entity: University of Maine

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Unknown

PI contact information: https://umaine.edu/edna/contact-us/

Data start year: 2020

Data end year: 2025

Spatial scale: State

15.22.2 Data information

Project link: https://umaine.edu/edna/

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Sea turtles, Seabirds, Plankton, Marine mammals, Groundfish, Elasmobranchs, Pelagic fishes, Bathymetry

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

15.22.3 Project description

Maine eDNA is a 5-year research, education, and outreach program that seeks to transform our understanding and sustainability of Maine’s coastal ecosystems via environmental DNA (eDNA) innovations that unlock new scales of inference and new scales of collaboration.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.23 Mapping abundance, distribution, and foraging ecology of Gray seals in the North Atlantic

15.23.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Partner entities: BOEM

PI name: Greg Fulling

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2023

Data end year: 2027

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.23.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/Mapping-abundance-distribution-foraging-ecology-of-gray-seals-in-the-North-Atlantic.pdf

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.23.3 Project description

The objective of this study are to: - Collect baseline information on the distribution, abundance, and movements of gray seals. - Support citizen science reporting of human interactions with seals in northeast OCS waters. A multi-year study is proposed including satellite tagging of individual seals to understand their seasonal distributions and movements on the OCS, aerial surveys of haul out areas combined with radio tagging efforts to correct for the portion of the population at sea during surveys would be used to estimate total abundance in the region. Additionally, an opportunity for citizen science is available to support commercial fishermen who have expressed interest in working with the scientific and regulatory communities to retrieve carcasses of animals in nets to improve diet information and to help inform solutions to reduce interactions between seals and fisheries. An additional fifth year would be dedicated to data synthesis and final reporting with minimal field operations.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.24 NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center passive acoustic monitoring in the Gulf of Maine

15.24.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: University of Maine, Maine DMR

PI name: Sofie Van Parijs

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2020

Data end year: 2026

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

15.24.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/endangered-species-conservation/passive-acoustic-research-atlantic-ocean

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Acoustic, Marine mammals, Plankton, Groundfish

Data type: spatial

15.24.3 Project description

Researchers at NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center monitor the waters of the Gulf of Maine using passive acoustic recorders that collect ambient sound data. These data are used to characterize soundscapes and detect the presence of species of interest, such as marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates. The current mooring designs include hydrophones to record ambient sound and VR2AR acoustic releases. No animals are currently being tagged within these monitoring efforts. Thus, all detections are of opportunity and hopefully will contribute valuable information to other researchers. Tagged protected fish will be detected on the receivers.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.25 Sanctuary Soundscape Monitoring Project (SanctSound): NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center Soundscape and Acoustic Telemetry Monitoring in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

15.25.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, US Navy

PI name: Timothy J. Rowell

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2018

Data end year: 2050

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

15.25.2 Data information

Project link: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/science/monitoring/sound/

Data link: NA

Metadata link: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/science/monitoring/sound/sanctsound-storymap.html

Data availability: No

Data categories: Acoustic, Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.25.3 Project description

Together with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, researchers at NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center are collecting acoustic data to examine soundscape in U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries across the country. As part of this endeavor, researchers maintain two to three recording sites year-round within Stellwagen Bank NMS. Each site has a mooring line equipped with hydrophone recorders and VR2AR acoustic releases. No animals are currently being tagged as part of this work. Thus, all detections are of opportunity and hopefully will contribute valuable information to other researchers.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.26 North Atlantic right whale aerial sighting survey

15.26.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA Fisheries

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Tim Cole

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1998

Data end year: 2050

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.26.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/marine-mammal-protection/whale-and-dolphin-research-northeast#north-atlantic-right-whale-sighting-surveys

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.26.3 Project description

The North Atlantic Right Whale Aerial Sighting Survey locates and records the seasonal distribution of North Atlantic right whales off the northeastern coast of the United States and Canada. Year-round surveys are conducted aboard a NOAA Twin Otter aircraft. Photographs of right whales are submitted to the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium’s photo-identification database maintained by our partners at the New England Aquarium, and determine if vessel speed restrictions should be enacted.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.27 North Atlantic right whale and humpback whale population and prey monitoring

15.27.1 Project information

Lead entity: Center for Coastal Studies

Partner entities: NARWC

PI name: Stormy Mayo

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1999

Data end year: 2050

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

15.27.2 Data information

Project link: https://coastalstudies.org/right-whale-research/

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Marine mammals, Physical oceanography

Data type: spatial

15.27.3 Project description

20 years of aerial surveys and prey time series data (NARW and humpbacks). Developing a probability of occurence index at varying zooplankton densities. Oceanographic information (depth, salinity, ambient light and temperature)

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.28 North Atlantic Right Whale Research and Management Activities

15.28.1 Project information

Lead entity: BOEM

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Anna Atkinson

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2023

Data end year: 2023

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.28.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/10/2023-17126/agency-information-collection-activities-north-atlantic-right-whale-research-and-management

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Marine mammals

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

15.28.3 Project description

BOEM is working on a project to identify and synthesize current North Atlantic right whale research and management activities conducted by State and Federal government researchers, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations. The project includes identification of mitigation efforts to avoid or limit impacts from offshore wind development activities on NARWs. This information will provide essential data and stakeholder feedback so that BOEM managers and scientists are better able to predict, mitigate, and monitor any potential conflicts between NARWs and offshore wind development. An important component of this project is the development of the NARW synthesis report. This report will include a summary of: (1) existing sources of information related specifically to understanding presence, distribution, and density of NARWs in and around wind energy areas offshore the U.S. Atlantic coast; (2) current approaches for avoiding or limiting impacts to NARWs during offshore wind construction and operation; (3) a listing of mitigation measures recommended by others but not yet adopted; (4) current monitoring requirements and their implementation; and (5) an accounting of emerging technologies that may allow monitoring at project and regional scales.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.29 Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map

15.29.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Sofie Van Parijs

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2020

Data end year: 2050

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.29.2 Data information

Project link: https://apps-nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacm/

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Acoustic, Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.29.3 Project description

The Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map (PACM) shows when and where specific whale, dolphin, and other cetacean species were acoustically detected in the North Atlantic Ocean based on Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM). The dataset was compiled by the NOAA NEFSC Passive Acoustic Research Program using detection data collected by many collaborators. Information on data ownership can be found in the metadata of each station or platform. Species that are currently represented include the North Atlantic right whale, fin whale, humpback whale, sei whale, blue whale, sperm whale, beaked whale species, and Kogia species (dwarf/pygmy sperm whales). The specific call types used for each species along with other metadata related to the recording and detection analysis can be found by hovering over or clicking on each platform Acoustic detections were recorded using stationary (bottom-mounted moorings, surface buoys) and mobile (autonomous gliders and towed arrays) platforms. These acoustic detections only represent times when animals are calling; they do not capture time periods when animals are present but silent. Detections are from archival acoustic recorders and do not show recorders currently in the water (this is not a real-time tool). Differences in recorder detection ranges for each species are not accounted for; they can vary based on differences in instrumentation (i.e., recording hardware), environmental conditions (i.e., weather, bottom type, ambient sound levels), and anthropogenic sound levels.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.30 Renewable Powered, Uncrewed, Mobile Assets to Monitor Protected Marine Mammals

15.30.1 Project information

Lead entity: Saildrone Inc.

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Julian Fraize

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2023

Data end year: 2025

Spatial scale: Project

15.30.2 Data information

Project link: https://nationaloffshorewind.org/projects/renewable-powered-uncrewed-mobile-assets-to-monitor-protected-marine-mammals/

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.30.3 Project description

Using uncrewed observing platforms and machine learning developed by SAILDRONE and RPS to create near real time monitoring network to detect, classify and localize marine mammals from shore.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.31 Robots4Whales

15.31.1 Project information

Lead entity: WHOI

Partner entities: WHOI’s Mooring Operations and Engineering Group NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center Ocean Tracking Network at Dalhousie University University of New Brunswick Rutgers University Stony Brook University Wildlife Conservation Society Skidaway Institution of Oceanography University of South Carolina University of Maine Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic Norwegian University of Science and Technology Universidad de Concepción

PI name: Mark Baumgartner

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2012

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.31.2 Data information

Project link: http://robots4whales.whoi.edu/

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Acoustic, Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.31.3 Project description

Welcome to Robots4Whales, the website for the autonomous platform operations of marine ecologist Mark Baumgartner at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and his phenomenal collaborators. We monitor the presence of marine mammals from ocean-going robots by listening for the sounds the animals make. The robots automatically detect those sounds, identify the species based on characteristics of the sounds, and report which species have been heard to researchers on shore via satellite in near real time. Human analysts verify this information, after which it is automatically shared with scientists, industry, and state and federal managers to inform and enable research and conservation measures, such as NOAA’s Slow Zones for Right Whales, Transport Canada’s vessel strike mitigation program, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s fishing gear entanglement mitigation program and the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory’s Whale Safe program. Visit any of the projects below to find out where the robots are and what they’ve been hearing lately.

15.32 Seal Abundance Aerial Survey

15.32.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Josephson, Elizabeth

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2005

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

15.32.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/23063

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.32.3 Project description

Roughly every five years we conduct aerial population surveys on gray and harbor seals to collect data on their numbers and distributions. We time our abundance surveys during the pupping season after pups have been born—early January for gray seals and late May for harbor seals. We conduct our gray seal pupping surveys over islands in the Gulf of Maine and off Cape Cod, including Muskeget Island, the largest pupping colony. For harbor seals, we survey rock formations called ledges along coastal Maine. Database of seal counts from aerial photography includes counts by image, site, species, and date are stored in the database along with information on entanglements and other human interactions.

15.33 Sightings database and Identification database; Annual NARW Report Card

15.33.1 Project information

Lead entity: North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium

Partner entities: Center for Coastal Studies, Marineland Florida, WHOI, New England Aquarium, University of Rhode Island

PI name: Heather Pettis

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1986

Data end year: 2050

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.33.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.narwc.org/

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: “Yes, by request”

Data categories: Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.33.3 Project description

The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium was founded in 1986 by the New England Aquarium, the University of Rhode Island, the Center for Coastal Studies, Marineland of Florida, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to jointly assess the biology and status of right whales. The Consortium maintains databases comprised of two main datasets: the survey and “Sightings Database”, maintained and curated by the University of Rhode Island, and the “Identification database” (formally the “Photo-Identification Database”), maintained and curated by the New England Aquarium. NARWC develops an annual report card on the status of the cataloged population, mortalities and entanglement events, and a summary of current management and research efforts that have occurred over the previous 12 months. The NARWC Board views this report as a valuable asset in assessing and tracking the effects of research studies and management strategies over time. The Report Card is drafted annually and presented to the NARWC Membership at the fall annual meeting.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.34 Whalemap.org

15.34.1 Project information

Lead entity: Dalhousie University

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Hansen Johnson

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2021

Data end year: 2050

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.34.2 Data information

Project link: https://whalemap.org

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.34.3 Project description

Whalemap.org was designed to communicate the latest whale survey results to scientific, regulatory, and industrial sectors to inform more effective, dynamic planning of research and conservation activities. The map is synchronized with data repositories from several different survey groups such that results are reported in near-real time. The following entities contribute data to Whalemap.org: Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Transport Canada; NOAA Protected Species Branch; Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (robots4whales); New England Aquarium; Center for Coastal Studies; Canadian Whale Institute; Mingan Island Cetacean Study; Ocean Tracking Network; Dalhousie University; University of New Brunswick; Nick Hawkins Photography.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

15.35 MassDMF Passive Acoustic Monitoring Program - real-time and archival

15.35.1 Project information

Lead entity: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Partner entities: WHOI

PI name: Erin Burke

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2025

Data end year: 2050

Spatial scale: Project

15.35.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/conservation-of-protected-marine-species

Data link: https://robots4whales.whoi.edu/

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Acoustic, Marine mammals

Data type: spatial

15.35.3 Project description

This project includes 2 real-time passive acoustic monitoring units (deployed in late February 2025) and 17 archival passive acoustic monitoring units (deployed in April 2025) in Massachusetts state waters. In 2025 MassDMF initiated a passive acoustic monitoring program to enhance our understanding of the seasonal presence of North Atlantic right whales in Massachusetts coastal waters. The monitoring network includes both near real-time and archival detection methods to collect data on right whale vocalizations. DMF is partnering with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to operate two near real-time passive acoustic buoys (one in Cape Cod Bay and another off Gloucester) which relay large whale call detections via satellite every two hours. The real-time (DMON) buoys were deployed southeast of Cape Ann, and in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts on February 23, 2025. Detections can be found at the publicly accessible website Robots4Whales. In addition, DMF is deploying bottom-mounted acoustic monitors at 17 different sites across Massachusetts state waters and adjacent federal waters. These monitors are archival, collecting data for five months before being called to the surface for servicing, data downloading, and redeployment. The data collected through this acoustic monitoring network will enhance our understanding of the spatial and temporal presence of North Atlantic right whales, aid in the development of occupancy estimates, and increase the efficiency of dynamic management of fixed gear closures meant to protect right whales from entanglement. Real-time detections will improve our confidence in the decision to extend or open the closure of the Massachusetts Restricted Area due to right whale presence or absence. Archival data will be analyzed for seasonal and temporal patterns in detections, aiding in the estimates of right whale density and occupancy in New England waters, which can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation measures and aid in the development of future measures to reduce risk of entanglement and ship strike.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_2025-04-24”

15.36 Digital video aerial surveys of seabirds and marine megafauna in the Gulf of Maine from May 2023 to January 2024

15.36.1 Project information

Lead entity: Biodiversity Research Institute

Partner entities: BOEM, HiDef Aerial Surveying Limited

PI name: Andrew Gilbert

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2023

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

15.36.2 Data information

Project link: https://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/2316/html

Data link: https://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/2316

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Marine mammals, Seabirds, Elasmobranchs, Pelagic fishes

Data type: spatial

15.36.3 Project description

In April 2023, the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) commissioned HiDef Aerial Surveying Limited (HiDef) to conduct high-resolution digital video aerial surveys in the Gulf of Maine. The surveys aimed to record marine megafauna, seabirds, and human activity. The designated survey area is approximately 5 km off the coast of Maine A total of four surveys were conducted between May 2023 and January 2024. HiDef designed the survey using 2.5 km- and 5 km-spaced transects across the Gulf of Maine survey area, covering approximately 6,673 km².

15.37 SouthCoast Wind Project Final Environmental Impact Statement

15.37.1 Project information

Lead entity: BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Unknown

PI contact information: Unknown

Data start year: 2021

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

15.37.2 Data information

Project link: https://tethys.pnnl.gov/publications/southcoast-wind-project-final-environmental-impact-statement

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Coastal fishes, Pelagic fishes, Crustaceans, Groundfish, Marine mammals, Sea turtles, Seabirds, Physical oceanography

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

15.37.3 Project description

This Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) assesses the potential biological, socioeconomic, physical, and cultural impacts that could result from the construction and installation, operations and maintenance, and conceptual decommissioning of the SouthCoast Wind Project (Project) proposed by SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC (SouthCoast Wind), in its Construction and Operations Plan (COP).