Abstract
The California Current Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (CalCurCEAS; https://swfsc.noaa.gov/textblock.aspx?Di vision=PRD&ParentMenuId=259&id=19382) was a multi-disciplinary expedition to estimate the abundance of cetacean species in the California Current and study their ecosystem. The Marine Mammal and Turtle Division (https://swfsc.noaa.gov/MMTD/) of NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center conducted the survey, aboard the chartered vessel Ocean Starr. The survey was supported by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Navy, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and NOAA’s National Ocean Service. The 120-day survey was divided into 5 legs, approximately 24 days each. Two BOEM study areas (Figure 1), which are being considered for alternative energy development (wind and wave power), were surveyed on Legs 1 and 2.
The Windfloat Area survey took place on 24 August 2014. Sea and weather conditions were typical for coastal Oregon: Beaufort 5 and fog. The fine-scale survey lines were spaced 0.8 nmi apart. The survey began at 09:05:55 local time and was completed at 13:55:55.
The Wave Energy Area surveys took place on 26 and 30 August 2014 (Legs 1 & 2, respectively). Weather conditions during the 26 August survey hampered marine mammal sightings. A second attempt to survey this area on 30 August was successful. Both sets of data were provided to BOEM; this report primarily summarizes data collected on August 30 at the Wave Energy Area. Sea state for the Wave Energy Area survey was Beaufort 4; wind speed was about 12 kts and a 4’ swell was present. Foggy conditions were present. The fine-scale survey lines were spaced 0.8 nmi apart. The survey began at 09:38:57 local time and was completed at 13:58:51.