Marine Resources Assessment for the Marianas Operating ... - SPREP

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
1.4.4 Inherent Problems with Stranding Data
How closely the distribution of marine mammal and sea turtle stranding records mirrors the actual
occurrence of a species in a given region is often not known. Sick animals may strand well beyond their
normal range and carcasses may travel long distances before being noticed by observers. Stranding
frequency in a given area is as much a function of nearshore and offshore current regimes and coastal
zone patrol efforts as it is a function of the stranded species’ actual pattern of occurrence. Since coastal
species will strand more frequently than oceanic species, due to their closer proximity to shore, stranding
frequencies should not be used when attempting to compare the occurrence of a coastal versus an
oceanic stock in a certain area. Comparisons cannot be made between species of differing sizes and
social structures, as strandings of large-bodied species and groups of individuals are much more likely to
be reported than strandings of small-bodied species or single individuals. An additional problem with the
use of stranding data involves the inability of reporters to identify carcasses as a certain species. For
example, only the most experienced marine mammal scientists are likely able to differentiate between the
several species of beaked whale in the genus Mesoplodon.
1.5 REPORT ORGANIZATION
This report consists of eight major chapters and associated appendices. Chapter 1⎯Introduction provides
background information on this project, an explanation of its purpose and need, a review of relevant
environmental legislation, and a description of the methodology used in the assessment. Chapter
2⎯Physical Environment and Habitats describes the physical environment of the study area, including
the marine geology (physiography, bathymetry, and bottom sediments), physical oceanography
(circulation and currents), hydrography (surface temperature and salinity), biological oceanography
(plankton), and habitat complexity. It also discusses the distribution of nearshore habitats (e.g., rocky and
sandy shore), benthic habitats (e.g., coral reefs, artificial reefs, shipwrecks), and submerged aquatic
vegetation in the study area and surrounding region. Chapter 3⎯Species of Concern covers two
protected taxa found in the study area: marine mammals and sea turtles. For these species, detailed
narratives of their morphology, status, habitat preferences, distribution (including migratory patterns),
behavior, life history, and acoustics and hearing (if known) have been provided. Chapter 4⎯Fish and
Fisheries investigates fish, EFH, and fishing activities (commercial and recreational) that occur within the
study area. Chapter 5⎯Additional Considerations provides information on U.S. maritime boundaries,
navigable waterways and commercial shipping lanes, MMAs, and SCUBA diving sites. Chapter
6⎯Recommendations suggests future avenues of research that may fill the data gaps identified in this
project and prioritizes research needs from a cost-benefit approach. Chapters 7 and 8 are the List of
Preparers and Glossary, respectively. Appendix A includes supplementary materials referred to in the
Introduction (including a list of marine mammal and sea turtle occurrence data sources) while Appendices
B and C contain occurrence map figures that are described or referenced in the marine mammal and sea
turtle sections (3.1 and 3.2, respectively) of Chapter 3. Appendix D includes maps for all fishery
management units (e.g., pelagic fish, crustaceans, bottomfish) and ecosystems (e.g., CRE) that have
designated EFH within the study area.
This report is written in a format and reference style similar to that found in The Chicago Manual of Style,
14 th Edition. Cited literature appears at the end of each chapter except in Chapter 3, Species of Concern,
where the cited literature appears at the end of each chapter section.
1.6 LITERATURE CITED
Agardy, T. 2000. Key steps taken to preserve the U.S.’s marine heritage. Issues in Science and
Technology 17(1):26.
Barlow, J. 1999. Trackline detection probability for long-diving whales. Pages 209-221 in G.W. Garner,
S.C. Amstrup, J.L. Laake, B.F.J. Manly, L.L. McDonald, and D.G. Robertson, eds. Marine
mammal survey and assessment methods. Rotterdam, Netherlands: A.A. Balkema.
Central Statistics Division, Department of Commerce. 2001. Saipan population by district. 1980 to 2000.
http://www.commerce.gov.mp/csd/pdfs/map%2000%20spn%20dist.pdf.
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