Vessel-based Marine Mammal Observer Data, 2006-2010

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc.

Publication_Date: August 2013

Title: Vessel-based Marine Mammal Observer Data, 2006-2010

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: spreadsheet

Online_Linkage: pacmars.eol.ucar.edu

Online_Linkage: www.chukchiscience.org

Edition: 1

Description:

Abstract:

This dataset contains vessel based mammal sightings data and associated environmental data collected in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas during the open water season 2006-2010.

Purpose:

These data document marine mammal encounters with vessels operated by Shell. They also add to baseline data collected on marine mammals in the arctic.

Supplemental_Information:

This metadata has not been reviewed by the contractor who collected the data.
Data collection methods changed slightly between years. The metadata for each attribute should be studied carefully before these data are used for analyses.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 2006

Ending_Date: 2010

Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Status:

Progress: In work

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed

Spatial_Domain:

Description_of_Geographic_Extent:

Data were collected offshore in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, generally near Shell leases.

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -169.00000

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -141.00000

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 73.00000

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 68.00000

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Theme_Keyword: bowhead whale

Theme_Keyword: walrus

Theme_Keyword: vessel

Theme_Keyword: biology

Theme_Keyword: marine mammal

Theme_Keyword: polar bear

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Place_Keyword: Beaufort Sea

Place_Keyword: Chukchi Sea

Place_Keyword: Alaska

Temporal:

Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Temporal_Keyword: 2006

Temporal_Keyword: 2007

Temporal_Keyword: 2008

Temporal_Keyword: 2009

Temporal_Keyword: 2010

Theme:

Theme_Keyword: oceans

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category

Theme_Keyword: environment

Taxonomy:

Keywords/Taxon:

Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Taxonomic_Keywords: mammals

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom

Taxon_Rank_Value: Animalia

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Phylum

Taxon_Rank_Value: Chordata

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subphylum

Taxon_Rank_Value: Vertebrata

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Class

Taxon_Rank_Value: Mammalia

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Order

Taxon_Rank_Value: Cetacea

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Suborder

Taxon_Rank_Value: Mysticeti

Applicable_Common_Name: baleen whales

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

Taxon_Rank_Value: Balaenidae

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Balaena

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: mysticetus

Applicable_Common_Name: bowhead whale

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

Taxon_Rank_Value: Balaenopteridae

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Balaenoptera

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: physalus

Applicable_Common_Name: fin whale

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: acutorostrata

Applicable_Common_Name: minke whale

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: musculus

Applicable_Common_Name: blue whale

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Megaptera

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: novaeangliae

Applicable_Common_Name: humpback whale

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

Taxon_Rank_Value: Eschrichtiidae

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Eschrichtius

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: robustus

Applicable_Common_Name: gray whale

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Suborder

Taxon_Rank_Value: Odontoceti

Applicable_Common_Name: toothed whales

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

Taxon_Rank_Value: Monodontidae

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Delphinapterus

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: leucas

Applicable_Common_Name: beluga

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

Taxon_Rank_Value: Delphinidae

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Orcinus

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: orca

Applicable_Common_Name: killer whale

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

Taxon_Rank_Value: Phocoenidae

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Phocoenoides

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: dalli

Applicable_Common_Name: Dall's porpoise

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Phocoena

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: phocoena

Applicable_Common_Name: harbor porpoise

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Order

Taxon_Rank_Value: Carnivora

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

Taxon_Rank_Value: Phocidae

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Erignathus

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: barbatus

Applicable_Common_Name: bearded seal

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Phoca

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: hispida

Applicable_Common_Name: ringed seal

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: largha

Applicable_Common_Name: spotted seal

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Histriophoca

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: fasciata

Applicable_Common_Name: ribbon seal

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

Taxon_Rank_Value: Otariidae

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Eumetopias

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: jubatus

Applicable_Common_Name: Steller sea lion

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

Taxon_Rank_Value: Odobenidae

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Odobenus

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: rosmarus

Applicable_Common_Name: Pacific walrus

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

Taxon_Rank_Value: Ursidae

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Ursus

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: maritimus

Applicable_Common_Name: polar bear

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

User shall not employ selective use of this data; data must be used in its entirety. User must comprehend all information contained within the metadata, especially as it pertains to data quality and spatial coverage of data. User must ensure that the most recent version of data and metadata are used. User must contact data originator of biological data before using such data in a publication. Acknowledgment of data originator and all points of contact listed for data would be appreciated.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: Shell

Contact_Position: Senior Scientist

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: Shell, 3601 C Street, Suite 1000

City: Anchorage

State_or_Province: AK

Postal_Code: 99503

Contact_Instructions:

Please contact Data Distributor for information about obtaining data (see Distribution Information in metadata).

Data_Set_Credit:

Shell would like to express their appreciation to Dale Funk, LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc. for creating this data set.

Native_Data_Set_Environment: Microsoft Excel 1997-2003 (.xls)

Data_Quality_Information:

Logical_Consistency_Report: not applicable

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

Position information was recorded using a GPS set to the WGS84 datum. Please note that all positions represent the location of the vessel of observation. Positions associated with marine mammal sightings represent the location of the vessel, and have not been adjusted to account for the animal's distance from the vessel.

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Date: Unknown

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: 0

Longitude_Resolution: 0

Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Degrees and decimal minutes

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: MMO Effort

Entity_Type_Definition:

Effort and environmental data associated with MMO observations (collected every 30 minutes, or more frequently if sighting conditions changed substantially, while MMOs were on watch)

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DecLong

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DecLat

Attribute_Definition:

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Vessel Name

Attribute_Definition: Name of the vessel on which the data were collected.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Includes the names of all vessels that participated in collecting data.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DateTimeAKDT

Attribute_Definition: Date Time stamp in Alaska Daylight Time

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Any date/time combination

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DateTimeUTC

Attribute_Definition: Date Time stamp in UTC (Greenwich) time

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Any date/time combination

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: MonthUTC

Attribute_Definition:

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: MonthAKDT

Attribute_Definition:

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Time Zone

Attribute_Definition: Time Zone used when the data were collected.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: AKDT, UTC

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Alaska Daylight Time, Greenwich time

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Day

Attribute_Definition: Day of month

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1

Range_Domain_Maximum: 31

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Month

Attribute_Definition: Month of year

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1

Range_Domain_Maximum: 12

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Year

Attribute_Definition: Year of data collection

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2006

Range_Domain_Maximum: none

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Hour

Attribute_Definition: Hour of data collection

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 23

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Minute

Attribute_Definition: Minute of data collection

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 59

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Second

Attribute_Definition: Second of data collection

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 59

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LatDeg

Attribute_Definition: Degrees Latitude

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 90

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LatMin

Attribute_Definition: Minutes Latitude

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 00.00

Range_Domain_Maximum: 59.99

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LongDeg

Attribute_Definition: Degrees Longitude

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 180

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LongMin

Attribute_Definition: Minutes Longitude

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 00.00

Range_Domain_Maximum: 59.99

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Watch

Attribute_Definition:

Indicates if marine mammal observers were on watch at the time. Note that in 2006 the W code for watch ongoing was not used, and records that would have been populated with W were coded using X. Records that occur between WS and WE records would have been coded W had that code been in use in 2006.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: WS,W,WE,OW

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

WS=Watch Start (no observers were on watch immediately preceeding a WS entry) W=Watch Ongoing WE=Watch End OW=Off Watch

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: EffortRecordedBy

Attribute_Definition: Initials of the person the data were recorded by

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Initials of observer

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ObserverLocation

Attribute_Definition: Location on the vessel from which the data were recorded

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: BR,FB,ST,CT,OT,BRFB

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

BR=Bridge FB=Flying Bridge ST=Stern BRFB=Bridge and Flying Bridge (one observer in each location simultaneously) CT=Conning Tower OT=Other

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ObserverPort

Attribute_Definition: Initials of the observer on the port side of the vessel

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Initials of observer (X if no one is in this position)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ObserverCenter

Attribute_Definition: Initials of the observer in the center position

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Initials of observer (X if no one is in this position)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ObserverStarboard

Attribute_Definition: Initials of the observer in the starboard position

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Initials of observer (X if no one is in this position)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: VesselSpeed

Attribute_Definition:

Speed of the vessel in knots as recorded by the observer using the display on the vessel's bridge, if available.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: none

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Activity

Attribute_Definition: Primary activity in which the vessel was engaged at the time.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value:

IA,OT,DP,RC,RU,LS,SH,ST,PZ,PD,SZ,SD,ID,AH,IM,CO,DR,DI,AN,HA,TR,WL,CE,CI,CL,CA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

IA=Inactive (Vessel in neutral, no other activities occurring, engines on) OT=Other (Non-specific activity, always non-seismic, e.g., transit periods, following a shut down of the airguns, etc. See Comments for additional details.) DP=Deploying (Deploying equipment) RC=Recovering (Recovering equipment) RU=Ramp Up (Airguns gradually activated in sequence until full array is firing) LS=Line Shooting (Shooting a line at full array volume) SH=Shooting Off Line (Shooting airguns between lines, during turns, on-line with mitigation gun only or powered down array) ST=Seismic Testing (Test-firing the airguns) PZ=Power down to mitigation gun for marine mammal mitigation PD=Power Down to mitigation gun for mechanical reasons or at the end of a seismic line SZ=Shut down of airguns for marine mammal mitigation SD=Shut Down of airguns due to mechanical reasons or at the end of seismic shooting ID=Idle (Vessel in neutral, no other activities, engines on, used on a drilling ship) AH=Anchor Handling (assisting the drill rig with anchoring) IM=Ice Management (Ice management including ice breaking) CO=Coring TW=Towing DR=Dredging (e.g., dredging a glory hole) DI=Drilling (activily drilling into the substrate) AN=Anchoring HA=Hammering (in the presence of hammering, usually in association with installation of conductor pipe) TR=Tripping (extracting or lowering the drill string) WL=Well-logging (lowering instruments on a cable down the well) CE=Cementing (cementing associated with drilling) CI=Circulating (circulating associated with drilling) CL=Cleaning (cleaning the drill machinery) CA=Running Casing (running casing to the drill)

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SeismicLine

Attribute_Definition:

Identifier of the seismic line assigned by geophysical contractor.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Any alphanumeric code assigned by the geophysical contractor.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: NoOfGuns

Attribute_Definition: Number of airguns firing.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Any number greater than or equal to 1 is possible, and possible values will depend on the size of the array for a given survey. X was used when no airguns were firing.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ArrayVolume

Attribute_Definition: Volume of the airgun array.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Value will vary with size of the array. X is used if no airguns were active.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: OtherVesselDistance

Attribute_Definition:

Distance in kilometers of the closest vessel within 10 km. (X if no other vessels within 10 km.)

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 10

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: OtherVesselName

Attribute_Definition:

First 3 letters of the name of the closest vessel within 10 km. Full name of vessel may be found in Comments field.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Any combination of 3 letters. X if no other vessels are present within 10 km.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: WaterDepth

Attribute_Definition:

Water depth in meters as recorded by observer based on display on vessel's bridge.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: none

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: WindForce

Attribute_Definition: Beaufort wind force

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 12

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Visibility

Attribute_Definition:

Visibility in kilometers. Maximum value 10. If visibility was variable, the values <3.5 and >3.5 were used to describe whether visibility was generally less than or greater than 3.5 km.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Any number between 0 and 10, <3.5, >3.5

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

<3.5 indicates variable visibility generally less than 3.5 km

3.5 indicates variable visibility generally greater than 3.5 km

(Additional notes may be found in Comments field.)

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LightOrDark

Attribute_Definition: Indicates whether it was light or dark at the time.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: L,D

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

L=Light D=Dark (subjective field - observers were instructed to record dark if visibility was impaired by the lack of light such that they would be unlikely to see a marine mammal that was present.)

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: GlareAmount

Attribute_Definition: Amount of sun glare on the water that would impair visibility.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: X,LI,MO,SE

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

X=None LI=Little (Little glare present, a marine mammal could be seen, with a bit of difficulty, in the area of the glare.) MO=Moderate SE=Severe (Severe glare such that a marine mammal could not be detected in the area of the glare.)

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: GlarePositionFrom

Attribute_Definition:

Position of glare is described as hours on a clock face, with 12 o'clock directly in front of the vessel.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value:

Clock-face positions from 12:00 to 11:45, in 15-minute increments, or VAR

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

VAR=Variable (Used if vessel was idling or circling and the position of the glare was constantly changing.)

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: GlarePositionTo

Attribute_Definition:

Position of glare is described as hours on a clock face, with 12 o'clock directly in front of the vessel.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value:

Clock-face positions from 12:00 to 11:45 in 15-minute increments, or FOR, AFT

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

FOR=Forward (Used in combination with the VAR code in the GlarePositionFrom field to indicate that although glare is variable, it is primarily forward of the vessel) AFT= Aft (Used in combination with the VAR code in the GlarePositionFrom field to indicate that although glare is variable, it is primarily aft of the vessel)

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Ice Type

Attribute_Definition:

Descibes type of ice present, if any. Note that this data was not collected in 2006 or 2007.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: X,N,B,P,IC,SF,MF,BF,VF,GF,BT,ST,BI,FI,M

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

X=No ice present N=New (Small, thin, newly formed, dinner plate-sized pieces) B=Brash (Broken pieces <2 m across) P=Pancake (Rounded floes 30 cm-3 m across with ridged rims) IC=Ice Cake (Level piece 3-20 m across) SF=Small Floe (Level piece 20-100 m across) MF=Medium Floe (Level, continuous piece 100-500 m across) BF=Big Floe (Level, continuous piece 500 m-2 km across) VF=Vast Floe (Level, continuous piece 2-10 km across) GF=Giant Floe (Level, continuous piece >10 km across) BT=Belt (Linear accumulation of sea ice from 1 km to >100 km wide) ST=Strip (Linear accumulation of sea ice <1 km wide) BI=Beach Ice (Irregular, sediment-laden blocks that are grounded on tidelands, repeatedly submerged, and floated free by spring tides) FI=Fast Ice (Ice formed and remaining attached to the shore) M=Multiple types (More than one type of ice present, see Comments field for details)

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: IceLocation

Attribute_Definition:

Location of ice relative to the vessel. Note that this data was not collected in 2006. Different codes were used in 2007. (In 2007, P=Port, B=Bow, S=Starboard, ST=Stern, A=All directions, X=No ice present. Ice in multiple directions recorded using multiple codes separated by "/".)

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: X,P,S,FOR,AFT,VAR

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

X=None (No ice is present within sight of the vessel) P=Port (Ice is located primarily to the port side of the vessel) S=Starboard (Ice is located primarily to the starboard side of the vessel) FOR=Forward (Ice is located primarily ahead of the vessel) AFT= Aft (Ice is located primarily behind the vessel) VAR=Variable (Ice is located on multiple sides of the vessel)

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: IcePercent

Attribute_Definition:

Percent ice cover within 2 km of the vessel. X indicates that no ice was present within 2 km of the vessel. Note that this data was not collected in 2006, therefore, for 2006, the presence of X in this column does not necessarily indicate that no ice was present.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1

Range_Domain_Maximum: 100

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: %

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: PackIceDistance

Attribute_Definition:

Distance (km) from vessel to pack ice edge. X was used if pack ice was not visible.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Any distance from <1 km to up to 10 km, assuming that observers cannot see beyond ~10 km from the vessel.

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: MMO Sightings

Entity_Type_Definition:

Marine mammal sightings data collected by vessel-based observers.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SightingID

Attribute_Definition:

Unique identifier assigned to marine mammal sightings. Sightings recorded aboard each vessel in a given year are assigned consecutive sighting ID numbers, beginning with 1. Each individual marine mammal or group of marine mammals (a group is defined loosely as individuals within ~5 body lengths of each other) retains the same sighting ID if re-sighted.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SightingRecordNo

Attribute_Definition:

Numbers were assigned sequentially when a marine mammal (or group of marine mammals) with a given sighting ID was observed more than once. If the marine mammal(s) position relative to the vessel or its behavior changed over time, a subsequent record may have been recorded to capture that information. Care must be taken to sum sightings using only record 1 for each unique sighting ID or counts will be overestimated. This information was not recorded in 2006.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Species

Attribute_Definition:

Identification of the species of marine mammal, if possible. The following is a list of species codes: BHW=Bowhead whale GW=Gray whale FW=Fin whale HW=Humpback whale MW=Minke whale KW=Killer whale WW=Beluga whale UMW=Unidentified mysticete whale UTW=Unidentified toothed whale UW=Unidentified whale (used only if unsure if mysticete or toothed whale) DP=Dall's porpoise HP=Harbor porpoise NW=Narwhal BLW=Blue whale BRW=Bryde's whale NPRW=North Pacific Right whale SW=Sei whale DSW=Dwarf sperm whale FKW=False killer whale MHW=Melon-headed whale PKW=Pygmy killer whale PSW=Pygmy sperm whale SFPW=Short-finned pilot whale SPW=Sperm whale BAW=Baird's beaked whale BVW=Blainville's beaked whale CBW=Cuvier's beaked whale SBW=Stejneger's beaked whale UBW=Unidentified beaked whale BD=Bottlenose dolphin LCD=Long-beaked common dolphin PWSD=Pacific white-sided dolphin SCD=Short-beaked common dolphin UD=Unidentified dolphin NRD=Northern Right whale dolphin PSD=Pantropical spotted dolphin RD=Risso's dolphin RTD=Rough-toothed dolphin SPD=Spinner dolphin STD=Striped dolphin BS=Bearded seal RS=Ringed seal SS=Spotted seal RBS=Ribbon seal HBS=Harbor seal NES=Northern elephant seal US=Unidentified seal PWA=Pacific walrus UP=Unidentified pinniped (used when a large pinniped is observed and the observer is unsure if it is a bearded seal or a Pacific walrus) NFS=Northern fur seal SSL=Steller sea lion CSL=California sea lion SO=Sea otter PB=Polar bear MS=Multiple species (used when multiple species are present and the species are listed in the comments field)

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Individuals

Attribute_Definition:

Count of the total number of animals present (including juveniles). Note that the observer recorded the number of animals counted at the surface at the time of each SightingRecordNo, and the number of individuals may vary between records. To arrive at the best estimate of the number of individuals, compare the value of the Individuals field for each SightingRecordNo for a given SightingID and use the largest value listed for each sighting ID. (Do not sum the Individuals for each SightingRecordNo for a given sighting ID or the number of individuals will be overestimated.)

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Juveniles

Attribute_Definition:

Count of the number of juveniles present for a given sighting. As in the case of the Individuals field, note that the observer recorded the number of juveniles counted at the surface at the time of each SightingRecordNo, and the number of juveniles may vary between records. To arrive at the best estimate of the number of juveniles, compare the value of the Juveniles field for each SightingRecordNo for a given SightingID and use the largest value listed for each sighting ID. (Do not sum the Juveniles for each SightingRecordNo for a given sighting ID or the number of juveniles will be overestimated.)

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: WhereAt

Attribute_Definition:

Marine mammal's position relative to the vessel recorded using clock-face coordinates, assuming 12:00 represents the bow of the vessel and 6:00 represents the stern of the vessel. U=Unknown

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: WhereTo

Attribute_Definition:

Marine mammal's direction of movement relative to the vessel recorded using clock-face coordinates, assuming 12:00 represents movement in the same direction as (parallel to) the vessel, 9:00 or 3:00 represent movement perpendicular to the vessel's direction of travel, and 6:00 represents movement in the opposite direction that the vessel is traveling. NO=No overall travel (used for milling behavior) U=Unknown

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Reticle

Attribute_Definition:

0.5 - 14= number of the reticle as seen through reticle binoculars used to estimate distance of the marine mammal from the observer. E=distance estimated using naked eye

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SightingDistance

Attribute_Definition:

Estimated distance (in meters) of the marine mammal from the observer. Whenever possible reticle binoculars were used to measure distance.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SightingCue

Attribute_Definition:

Cue that initially drew the observer's attention to the marine mammal. Codes are defined as follows: HE=Head FL=Fluke DO=Dorsal fin BO=Body SP=Splash BL=Blow (blow from a respiring whale) BI=Birds feeding OT=Other (see comments field for further details)

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Behavior1

Attribute_Definition:

Initial behavior observed at time of sighting. Codes are defined as followed: SI=Sink (animal sinks straight down underwater with an upright posture) TH=Thrash (a "frantic" or "violent" dive) FL=Fluking (cetacean brings its tail flukes out of the water as it performs a front dive) DI= Diving (animal descends below water surface and is not seen again for a prolonged period of time) LO=Looking (animal looks above surface of water) MA=Mating LG=Logging (animals rest at surface of water and drift) SH=Spyhop (cetacean raises its head vertically out of the water so that its eyes are above the surface of the water) SW=Swim BR=Breach (cetacean raises the majority of its body out of the water) LT=Lobtail (cetacean slaps the water surface with its tail flukes, sometimes repeatedly) FS=Flipper Slap (large cetacean slaps pectoral flipper on the surface of the water) BL=Blow (cetacean expels air from its lungs as it surfaces - air is visible as a cloud of moist air) BO=Bow riding (toothed cetaceans place themselves ahead of the vessel to experience the assisted locomotion provided by the pressure wave generated by the vessel) PO=Porpoising (cetaceans or seals make low, arching leaps as they travel near the surface of the water) RA=Rafting (group of marine mammals not swimming and observed more or less motionless as they rest on the surface of the water in a horizontal position - usually associated with sea otters) WR=Wake riding (swimming in the waves or turbulence behind a moving vessel) WK=Walking (polar bears walking on ice or land) U=Unknown DE=Dead (see comments for comments on condition of carcass) OT=Other TR=Traveling (group of animals swimming steadily in the same direction) SA=Surface Active Travel (combination of several behaviors that may include splashing, jumping, flipper or fluke slaps. May involve social activity among more than one animal.) ST=Surface Active Travel (group of animals traveling and disturbing the surface of the water) MI=Milling (group of animals moving/oriented in various directions with no overall direction of travel. No surface active, i.e., splashing, behaviors) FE=Feeding (evidence of feeding is observed) RE=Resting (animals lying at the surface of the water or resting on ice or land) Note that in 2006 two additional codes were used: FD=Front Dive (head-first dive as opposed to sink) FG=group of feeding animals

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Behavior2

Attribute_Definition:

Second behavior observed. U=Unknown. Codes are defined as follows:Initial behavior observed at time of sighting. Codes are defined as followed: SI=Sink (animal sinks straight down underwater with an upright posture) TH=Thrash (a "frantic" or "violent" dive) FL=Fluking (cetacean brings its tail flukes out of the water as it performs a front dive) DI= Diving (animal descends below water surface and is not seen again for a prolonged period of time) LO=Looking (animal looks above surface of water) MA=Mating LG=Logging (animals rest at surface of water and drift) SH=Spyhop (cetacean raises its head vertically out of the water so that its eyes are above the surface of the water) SW=Swim BR=Breach (cetacean raises the majority of its body out of the water) LT=Lobtail (cetacean slaps the water surface with its tail flukes, sometimes repeatedly) FS=Flipper Slap (large cetacean slaps pectoral flipper on the surface of the water) BL=Blow (cetacean expels air from its lungs as it surfaces - air is visible as a cloud of moist air) BO=Bow riding (toothed cetaceans place themselves ahead of the vessel to experience the assisted locomotion provided by the pressure wave generated by the vessel) PO=Porpoising (cetaceans or seals make low, arching leaps as they travel near the surface of the water) RA=Rafting (group of marine mammals not swimming and observed more or less motionless as they rest on the surface of the water in a horizontal position - usually associated with sea otters) WR=Wake riding (swimming in the waves or turbulence behind a moving vessel) WK=Walking (polar bears walking on ice or land) U=Unknown DE=Dead (see comments for comments on condition of carcass) OT=Other TR=Traveling (group of animals swimming steadily in the same direction) SA=Surface Active Travel (combination of several behaviors that may include splashing, jumping, flipper or fluke slaps. May involve social activity among more than one animal.) ST=Surface Active Travel (group of animals traveling and disturbing the surface of the water) MI=Milling (group of animals moving/oriented in various directions with no overall direction of travel. No surface active, i.e., splashing, behaviors) FE=Feeding (evidence of feeding is observed) RE=Resting (animals lying at the surface of the water or resting on ice or land) Note that in 2006 two additional codes were used: FD=Front Dive (head-first dive as opposed to sink) FG=group of feeding animals

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: WaterOrIce

Attribute_Definition:

Location of marine mammal (in water or on ice or land) W=In the water IL=Out of water on ice or land B=Both in water and on ice or land (indicates a group of animals with some individuals located in water and others on ice or land - see comments field for additional details)

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Pace

Attribute_Definition:

The speed at which an animal is performing a behavior. SE=Sedate (animal appears relatively relaxed or is moving slowly) MO=Moderate VI= Vigorous (animal appears agitated, moves frantically, dives, or moves rapidly away from the vessel) U=Unknown (pace cannot be determined) X=Stationary (use for carcasses)

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Reaction

Attribute_Definition:

Reaction of the marine mammal(s) to the vessel NO=No reaction (animal does not exhibit any reaction to the vessel and appears to maintain pre-encounter activities) SP=Splash (percussive behavior such as tail or flipper slaps, breaches, thrash dives) IS=Increase in speed (animal increases speed or noticeably flees the vessel) DS=Decrease speed (animal noticeably decreases its speed) CD=Change in direction (animal changes its direction of travel by >45 degrees) BR=Bow riding (animal rides the bow wave or stern wake of the vessel - applies only to cetaceans) SG=Interactions with gear (animal swims within the confines of the paravanes, bowrides on paravanes, approaches airguns, interacts with the towed seismic gear in any manner) LO=Look (animal looks at the vessel - applies only to pinnipeds and polar bears) RH=Rush (animal moves into the water from a haulout on ice or land - applies only to pinnipeds and polar bears)

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SightingObservedBy

Attribute_Definition: Initials of the observer that first sighted the marine mammal.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SightingRecordedBy

Attribute_Definition:

Initials of the observer that recorded the data associated with the marine mammal sighting.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: IDReliability

Attribute_Definition:

Observer's assessment of how certain he or she is that the marine mammal species has been correctly identified. MA=Maybe (Identification is uncertain. No defining characteristics were observed. Use of this code is generally discouraged in favor of using an unidentified species code rather than guess at a species identification.) PR=Probably (Identification is likely correct, although slightly uncertain.) PO=Positive (Identification is positive. The PO code is used for sightings for which an unidentified species code was warranted.)

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CPATime

Attribute_Definition:

The time at which the animal was closest to the vessel (CPA=Closest Point of Approach). Not collected in 2006, 2007, or 2010.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CPADistance

Attribute_Definition:

The closest point of approach of the marine mammal to the vessel (in meters). Not collected in 2006, 2007, or 2010.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CPAWhereAt

Attribute_Definition:

At the time of the marine mammal's closest point of approach to the vessel, its position relative to the vessel, recorded using clock-face coordinates. Not collected in 2006, 2007, or 2010.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CallType

Attribute_Definition:

Type of mitigation measure that was called for in order to mitigate a marine mammal sighting with respect to the airguns. PZ=Power down of airguns SZ=Shut down of airguns CA=Course alteration (steered vessel away from marine mammals) Only collected in 2009 and 2010.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CallHour

Attribute_Definition:

Hour that a mitigation action was requested. Not collected in 2006.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 23

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CallMinute

Attribute_Definition:

Minute that a mitigation action was requested. Not collected in 2006.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 59

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CallSecond

Attribute_Definition:

Second that a mitigation action was requested. Not collected in 2006.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 59

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ImplementedHour

Attribute_Definition:

Hour that a mitigation action was implemented. Not collected in 2006 or 2007.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 23

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ImplementedMinute

Attribute_Definition:

Minute that a mitigation action was implemented. Not collected in 2006 or 2007.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 59

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ImplementedSecond

Attribute_Definition:

Second that a mitigation action was implemented. Not collected in 2006 or 2007.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0

Range_Domain_Maximum: 59

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Comments

Attribute_Definition:

Additional details that warranted inclusion that were not captured by the other fields.

Attribute_Definition_Source: developer defined

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

Marine mammal sightings data and associated environmental data were collected by observers aboard vessels that operated in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, 2006-2010. Data collection protocols changed slightly between years, as noted in the detailed description of each attribute.

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

The LGL Alaska marine mammal observer handbook issued to observers contains detailed information about data collection protocols in a given year. Handbooks are not publicly available, and must be requested from LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc.

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: National Center for Atmospheric Research

Contact_Person: Earth Observing Laboratory

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address: 3450 Mitchell Lane

City: Boulder

State_or_Province: CO

Postal_Code: 80301

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 303-497-8154

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: codiac@ucar.edu

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: stott@ucar.edu

Distribution_Liability:

The user assumes the entire risk related to use of this data and information. NOAA and/or AOOS and their third party data providers are providing this data and information "as is," and disclaim any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any warranties of completeness, utility. accuracy, merchantability or fitness of this data for a particular purpose. Shell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, with regard to any of these data or metadata, as used alone or in combination with another data set, and expressly disclaim any representation or warranty. It is the responsibility of the data user to fully comprehend the metadata before use of the data. Each person accessing or using the data or metadata assumes all risks and all liabilities arising from or associated with such access or use. Shell shall have no responsibility or liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data or metadata or by improper or incorrect use of the data or metadata.

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20130821

Metadata_Standard_Name:

FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Metadata_Access_Constraints: None

Metadata_Use_Constraints:

Shell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, with regard to any of these data or metadata, as used alone or in combination with another data set, and expressly disclaim any representation or warranty. It is the responsibility of the data user to fully comprehend the metadata before use of the data. Each person accessing or using the data or metadata assumes all risks and all liabilities arising from or associated with such access or use. Shell shall have no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the data or metadata or for any improper or incorrect use of the data or metadata.