Cruise Results : NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter Cruise (GU14-04) July 2 – July 31, 2014 Southeast Gulf of Mexico Sperm Whale Study II

This cruise is a follow on to a similar project conducted by the SEFSC in 2012. The primary objective of this project was to assess the abundance, habitat and spatial distribution of sperm whales of the southeastern Gulf by means of visual and acoustic monitoring, deployment of satellite tags and biopsy sampling. Secondary objectives included collection of data and samples from other cetacean species encountered throughout the study area. This project was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center. The data will be used to support environmental assessments associated with potential offshore energy exploration projects in the southeastern Gulf and to improve understanding of potential critical habitat areas for the endangered Northern Gulf sperm whale population.