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Cetacean monitoring data collected along fixed transect using ferries as platforms in the Strait of Gibraltar, 2018, FLT Med Network
Citation
Scuderi Alessia, Martín Moreno Estfania; (2020). Cetacean monitoring programme along fixed transect using ferries as platforms in the Strait of Gibraltar, 2018, FLT Med Network. https://marineinfo.org/id/dataset/6443
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Access data
Archived data
Availability: Creative Commons License This dataset is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Description
Data collected using ferries as platform of observation for monitoring cetacean populations in the Strait of Gibraltar, within the Fixed Line Transect Mediterranean monitoring Network. Data were gathered on board of the ferries routing between Algeciras city and the harbours of Tanger-Med and Ceuta. In the Strait were monitored cetacean populations of the following species: short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and killer whale (Orcinus orca). Data were collected also on other species of macrofauna (i.e., loggerhead sea turtle and ocean sunfish). The dataset contains effort data (e.g., meteorological conditions) and sighting data (105 of cetaceans and 10 of other macrofauna organisms), and were collected by dedicated trained Marine Mammal Observers (January to December 2018). more

Since January 2018 data were collected for monitoring cetacean populations of the Strait of Gibraltar using ferries as platform of observation. The monitoring program was build-up in the area of study by the University of Cádiz (https://www.uca.es) and Ecolocaliza (https://ecolocaliza.com), thanks to the support of the Fundació Baleària (http://fundaciobalearia.org.). The cetacean monitoring programme of the Strait is part of the international Fixed Line Transect Mediterranean monitoring Network (FLT Med Network - http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/temi/biodiversita/lispra-e-la-biodiversita/attivita-e-progetti/flt-mediterranean-monitoring-network-marine-species-and-threats-en-en). Data were collected following the monitoring protocol of the FLT Med Network, from dedicated Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) placed on both sides of command deck of ferries along the whole trip. Each MMO covers an angle of 130° from the bow to the stern. The back of the ship was checked randomly to avoid double counting of sightings. The animals were not approached but distance and angle from the track line were recorded. Sighting data include group size estimation (e.g., minimum, maximum), age class and behaviour. Also maritime traffic sampling were recorded, that includes the number of vessels during the sightings and every hour along the trip. Data were gathered on board of the ferries routing between Algeciras city (Spain) and the harbours of Tanger-Med (Morocco) and Ceuta (Spain). Five surveys per season were undertaken during the year for both routes depending on sea conditions and platforms availability, with a minimum of one survey per route each month. In the Strait of Gibraltar were monitored the cetacean populations of the following species: short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and killer whale (Orcinus orca). Data were also collected also on other species of macrofauna, for instance: loggerhead sea turtle and ocean sunfish. The dataset contains effort data (e.g., meteorological conditions) and sighting data (105 of cetaceans and 9 of other macrofauna organisms). Dataset shared with EMODnet includes since January to December 2018. This monitoring program is still operative and it is manage by the Association Nereide (https://en.nereide.org/projects-ferries).

Scope
Themes:
Biology > Fish, Biology > Mammals, Biology > Reptiles
Keywords:
Marine/Coastal, Biological monitoring, surface vessel, vessel of opportunity on fixed route, Visual census, EurOBIS calculated BBOX, MED, Gibraltar Strait

Geographical coverage
EurOBIS calculated BBOX Stations
Bounding Box
Coordinates: MinLong: -5,511; MinLat: 35,913 - MaxLong: -5,304; MaxLat: 36,149 [WGS84]
MED, Gibraltar Strait [Marine Regions]

Parameters
Count (in assayed sample) of biological entity specified elsewhere [BODC]
Development stage of biological entity specified elsewhere [BODC]
Height (spatial coordinate) relative to sea level [BODC]
Speed of measurement platform relative to ground surface {speed over ground} by unspecified GPS system [BODC]
Speed of wind {wind speed} in the atmosphere by visual estimation and conversion to Beaufort scale [BODC]

Contributors
Ecolocalizadata creator
Martín Moreno, Estefanía
Universidad de Cadiz; Marine and Environmental Science Faculty; Research group on Integrated Coastal Zone Managementdata creator
Scuderi, Alessia
Nereidedata provider

Related datasets
Published in:
EurOBIS: European Ocean Biodiversity Information System, more

Publication
Based on this dataset
Arcangeli, A. et al. (2020). Modelling habitat suitability of low density cetaceans species in the Mediterranean Sea, in: Proceedings of the World Marine Mammal Conference, 9th-12nd of December 2019, Barcelona (Spain). pp. 36-37
Describing this dataset
Espada Ruíz, R. et al. (2020). A new cetacean monitoring programme along fixed transect using ferries as platforms in the Strait of Gibraltar, in: Proceedings of the World Marine Mammal Conference, 9th-12nd of December 2019, Barcelona (Spain). pp. 216


Dataset status: In Progress
Data type: Data
Data origin: Monitoring: field survey
Metadatarecord created: 2020-04-23
Information last updated: 2022-08-16
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