NOAA NEFSC Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Program 2009 Aerial Survey Results Summary

Abstract

During the summer of 2009 the NEFSC Right Whale Aerial Survey Team flew two aerial surveys within the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS) in order to quantify vessel traffic and marine animal abundance. An initial test flight was conducted on July 23, 2009 which was aborted prematurely due to weather. Two complete surveys were conducted, on July 25, 2009 and October 20, 2009, which provide a seasonal snapshot of the sanctuary usage, and demonstrate the utility of aerial surveys in providing vessel and animal abundance data.