gov.noaa.nodc:0133936 eng utf8 dataset NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NOAA Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information custodian 2025-12-14T21:15:35Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) aerial survey in Cook Inlet, Alaska, conducted by Alaska Fisheries Scientific Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory from 1993-06-02 to 2022-06-18 (NCEI Accession 0133936) 2015-10-14 publication 2023-08-04 revision 2015-10-05 creation NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0133936 NCEI Archive Management System 0133936 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information publisher Christy Sims NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) christy.sims@noaa.gov https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information resourceProvider NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information resourceProvider Shelden, Kim E. W. NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information pointOfContact Christy Sims NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) christy.sims@noaa.gov https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information collaborator Hobbs, Roderick C. NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information collaborator Shelden, Kim E. W. NOAA National Marine Mammal Laboratory https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information author Sims, Christy NOAA National Marine Mammal Laboratory christy.sims@noaa.gov https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information author Goetz, Kimberly T. NOAA National Marine Mammal Laboratory https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information author Rugh, David J. NOAA National Marine Mammal Laboratory https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information author Waite, Janice NOAA National Marine Mammal Laboratory janice.waite@noaa.gov https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information author Hobbs, Roderick C. NOAA National Marine Mammal Laboratory https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information author NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory HTTPS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS/AFSC/MML) website Institution web page information contributor tableDigital The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has conducted aerial counts of Cook Inlet beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from 1993 to 2022 (excluding 2013). Nearly all counts were conducted during the month of June. The routine nature of these counts and the consistency in research protocol lend themselves to inter-annual trend analyses. Beginning in 2005, an aerial survey was added during the month of August to document calving groups within the upper Inlet (north of East and West Foreland). Research protocol has been based on paired observers on the shoreward side of the aircraft and a single observer and computer operator on the offshore side independently searching for marine mammals. Data on environmental conditions, time, location, species, and inclinometer angle were collected for each sighting. The counting protocol included multiple passes near each beluga group while simultaneously collecting video footage. The counting system and observer performance has been tested through paired, independent observational effort. Aerial observer counts are used to calculate median counts for each beluga group to provide a daily index for the population prior to calculating the abundance estimate. Video has been used to count the number of animals in the group to correct for missed animals in the observer counts (perception bias). One video camera had a lens set at a wide angle to view the entire beluga group while the second video camera was zoomed to approximately 10x to magnify a subsample of individual whales in the group. The zoomed video has been used to examine color ratios of white adults relative to smaller and darker juveniles and calves and correct for those individuals missed due to their size or coloration. Aerial counts and video footage of beluga whales provide the fundamental data used to calculate the abundance of and a calving index for the Cook Inlet population. The abundance estimates are applied to trends analyses to determine the status of the stock. Three datasets are included here that contain basic survey data such as latitude, longitude and sightings, as well as the counts of beluga whale groups made by the aerial observers and the results from video analysis from data collected on surveys. Aerial counts and video footage of beluga whales provide the fundamental data used to calculate the abundance of and a calving index for the Cook Inlet population. The abundance estimates are applied to trends analyses to determine the status of the stock. Results from this study were the basis for adding this distinct population of whales to the list of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. completed historicalArchive NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact asNeeded NCEI Accession 0133936 was revised and a new version of the archival package was published. Updates to existing archival packages may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. The latest version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. Please see journal.txt in the /about directory for additional details on changes made. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0133936 Preview graphic PNG 0133936 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2023-07-26 publication ANIMALS - GROUP - NUMBER IN GROUP ANIMALS - INDIVIDUAL - COUNTS biological data cetacean cloud amount/frequency INDIVIDUAL IDENTITY LATITUDE LONGITUDE MARINE MAMMALS SEA STATE species abundance SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - COUNT survival estimates VERTEBRATES VISIBILITY WEATHER theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS Distance Sampling GPS inclinometer line transect sampling video camera visual analysis visual estimate visual observation instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS biological marine mammal observation meteorological survey survey - biological visual estimate visual observation theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS AIRCRAFT platform NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory dataCentre NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory dataCentre NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Gulf of Alaska place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication DOC/NOAA/NMFS/AFSC/MML > Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > CLOUDS > CLOUD PROPERTIES > CLOUD FREQUENCY EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > MAMMALS > CETACEANS EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > MARINE MAMMALS EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS > SPECIES/POPULATION INTERACTIONS > SURVIVAL RATES EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN OPTICS EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN WAVES > SEA STATE theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian Delphinapterus leucas theme Provider Keywords Distance Sampling GPS RECEIVERS > GPS RECEIVERS INCLINOMETERS > INCLINOMETERS Line Transect Sampling VIDEO CAMERA > VIDEO CAMERA VISUAL OBSERVATIONS > VISUAL OBSERVATIONS instrument Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN > GULF OF ALASKA place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian 2RDY0Y Send2NCEI Submission Package ID accessLevel: public otherRestrictions Cite as: Shelden, Kim E. W.; Sims, Christy; Goetz, Kimberly T.; Rugh, David J.; Waite, Janice; Hobbs, Roderick C. (2015). Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) aerial survey in Cook Inlet, Alaska, conducted by Alaska Fisheries Scientific Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory from 1993-06-02 to 2022-06-18 (NCEI Accession 0133936). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0133936. Accessed [date]. Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives. otherRestrictions Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose. NOAA Fisheries: Species Directory: Beluga Whale 2019 publication https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/beluga-whale HTTPS https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/beluga-whale information about the beluga whale information NOAA Fisheries publisher documentDigital crossReference project eng; USA utf8 environment oceans climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere biota -154.28997 -148.29917 58.82072 62.21883 1993-06-02 2022-06-18 In this accession, NCEI has archived multiple versions of these data. The latest (and best) version of these data has the largest version number. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 ncei.info@noaa.gov pointOfContact In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media. Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. CSV 73.316 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0133936 HTTPS Web browser NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/133936 HTTPS Web browser Descriptive Information Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/133936 HTTPS Web browser HTTPS Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. download ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0079/0133936/ FTP Any FTP client FTP These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). download dataset NCEI Accession 0133936 v1.1 was published. 2015-10-14T13:19:22Z NCEI Accession 0133936 v1.1 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0133936/1.1 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0133936 v1.1 published 2015-10-14T13:19:22Z download NCEI Accession 0133936 was revised and v2.2 was published. Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. 2015-10-30T12:25:29Z NCEI Accession 0133936 v2.2 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0133936/2.2 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0133936 v2.2 published 2015-10-30T12:25:29Z download NCEI Accession 0133936 was revised and v3.3 was published. Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. 2015-11-09T15:28:26Z NCEI Accession 0133936 v3.3 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0133936/3.3 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0133936 v3.3 published 2015-11-09T15:28:26Z download NCEI Accession 0133936 was revised and v4.4 was published. Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. 2023-08-04T15:29:34Z NCEI Accession 0133936 v4.4 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0133936/4.4 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0133936 v4.4 published 2023-08-04T15:29:34Z download dataset Data Type: LATITUDE (measured); Units: decimal degrees; Observation Type: other; Sampling Instrument: GPS Data Type: LONGITUDE (measured); Units: decimal degrees; Observation Type: other; Sampling Instrument: GPS asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian Distance Sampling Distance Sampling A set of randomly placed lines or points is established and distances are measured to those objects detected by traveling the line or surveying the points. https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/KeywordViewer/scheme/instruments/092cad6c-758d-4d0b-b615-615fc42e08b5?gtm_keyword=Distance%20Sampling>m_scheme=instruments Reference https://distancesampling.org/downloads/distancebook1993/index.html; Buckland, S.T., Anderson, D.R., Burnham, K.P. and Laake, J.L. 1993. Distance Sampling: Estimating Abundance of Biological Populations. Chapman and Hall, London. 446pp. GPS GPS Global Positioning System receiver satellite-based instrument used for geo-location, positioning and navigation inclinometer inclinometer used on moored buoys to derive wave steepness or height instrument used on moored buoys to measure 'vertical displacement of the buoy hull' to determine wave height, period, etc. May be used in conjunction with the use of a Datawell Hippy sensor to measure vertical heave acceleration along with pitch and roll. Also may be used with a second sensor, a triaxial magnetometer, is used to measure hull azimuth. line transect sampling line transect sampling perpendicular distances from a line A line is traversed by an observer and perpendicular distances are measured from the line to each detected object. Reference https://distancesampling.org/downloads/distancebook1993/index.html; Buckland, S.T., Anderson, D.R., Burnham, K.P. and Laake, J.L. 1993. Distance Sampling: Estimating Abundance of Biological Populations. Chapman and Hall, London. 446pp. video camera video camera a camera which makes moving or still images used as the basis for making parameter determinations visual analysis visual analysis visual analysis and measurement of sample materials use visual analysis with observation types of visual estimate and/or visual observation visual estimate visual estimate not an instrument - maybe an observation type visual observation visual observation not an instrument - maybe an observation type AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT