Project Objectives

Determine what species of marine mammals, specifically beaked whales, are present in the Marianas and examine their spatial and temporal patterns of acoustic behavior. Calculate acoustic abundance and density of beaked whales in surveyed area. Analyze sonar detections in area.

Project Objectives

Determine cause of death when cetaceans strand to ensure accurate public understanding of stranding cause, with focus on infectious diseases

Project Objectives

Develop a North Pacific-wide species distribution model for cetaceans

Project Objectives

Determine if humpback whales were present in archival acoustic recordings from 2009-2010 nearshore to Pagan and Maug

Project Objectives

Shore-based marine mammal surveys

Project Objectives

Determine what species of marine mammals and sea turtles are present and estimate abundance.

Project Objectives

Identify acoustically distinct species of beaked whales, odontocetes, and baleen whales that occur in the Mariana Islands; develop a better understanding of marine mammal distribution, habitat use, and abundance

Project Objectives

Humpback whale nearshore distribution in nearshore Saipan waters

Project Objectives

The goal of the visual surveys is to collect individually-identifying information from humpback whales present near and around Farallon de Medinilla (FDM)

Project Objectives

Develop a better understanding of sea turtle distribution and habitat use in the Mariana Islands, particularly in relation to locations used by the Navy for underwater detonation training

Project Objectives

Identify species of beaked whales, odontocetes, and baleen whales that occur in the Mariana Islands; Monitor marine mammal and sea turtle presence, distribution, and diversity in nearshore waters during key seasons (summer and winter); Develop a better understanding of marine mammal distribution, movement patterns, habitat use, population structure, and abundance; Develop reference library of visually-validated acoustic recordings of marine mammals.

Project Objectives

Assess presence and status of ESA-listed corals at FDM

Project Objectives

Conduct comprehensive investigations of stranded marine mammals throughout the Pacific Islands with emphasis on the Hawaiian and Mariana Island chains. This includes conducting necropsies of stranded animals, collecting and archiving samples, conducting disease screening, genetic testing, and analysis of historical data. The objective is to examine stranding patterns and causes of death for marine mammals in the Pacific Islands.

Project Objectives

Identify species of beaked whales, odontocetes, and baleen whales that occur in the surveyed areas; Monitor marine mammal and sea turtle presence, distribution, and diversity in offshore waters; Develop a better understanding of marine mammal distribution, movement patterns, habitat use, population structure, and abundance; Develop reference library of visually-validated acoustic recordings of marine mammals.