appendix b final 2008 biological surveys of los angeles and long ...

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Executive Summary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (Ports) comprise a harbor complex that occupies almost 11,000 acres (43 square kilometers [km²]) of land and water in western San Pedro Bay, located in southern Los Angeles County. The marine biological environment of the Ports has been periodically studied since the 1950s. As part of their long-term stewardship of marine biological communities in San Pedro Bay and scientific needs related to evaluation of potential effects from in-bay projects, the Ports have conducted periodic biological baseline studies to characterize marine communities over a range of representative habitats throughout the harbor complex. In 2008, the Ports retained Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and its subcontractors to conduct environmental studies in Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors. The goal was to provide an update of quantitative information from the previous biological baseline study conducted in 2000 (MEC 2002). Specific objectives were to: • Provide physical/chemical characterization of environmental conditions during summer by measuring water quality and sediment grain size; • Provide an update on the status of larval, juvenile, and adult fish populations; • Provide an update on the status of the benthic invertebrate communities; • Provide an updated description of biological communities attached to rocky riprap habitats; • Provide an update of the harbor bird communities, including a summary of marine mammals observed during the surveys; • Map kelp and eelgrass distributions and describe macroalgae communities; • Identify the relative occurrence of non-indigenous (exotic) species among native populations; • Provide a comparison of changes in current marine habitats with previous (historical) studies; and • Provide a comparison of between benthic sampling methods. Major findings of the 2008 study are summarized according to the survey element below. PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL CONDITIONS Water quality conditions measured during July 2008 generally were uniform throughout the harbor environments, with only minor differences that appeared to be unrelated to habitat type. Further, water quality conditions also were consistent with values reported previously for the Ports (e.g., MEC 2002), and indicative of well-mixed and well-oxygenated waters (e.g., DO greater than 5 mg/L) for almost all stations. Some localized differences, associated with comparatively warmer surface water temperatures, lower surface water salinities, and lower DO concentrations in near-bottom water, were observed, but the magnitude of the differences were small. Overall, the results of the July 2008 survey indicated water quality conditions that would be expected to promote healthy biological communities within the Ports. ADULT AND JUVENILE FISH Studies of adult and juvenile fish were conducted quarterly and employed three different sampling methods, including large lampara nets to sample pelagic fish in the water column, 2008 Biological Surveys of Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors ES–1 April 2010
Executive Summary otter trawls to sample bottom-associated (demersal) species, and beach seines to sample shallow nearshore waters. A total of 62 taxa representing 59 unique species of fish were collected with the different sampling methods over all stations and sampling periods. Fish appeared healthy, with no obvious abnormalities or external parasites. Pelagic fish from lampara collections were dominated by four species (northern anchovy – Engraulis mordax, topsmelt – Atherinops affinis, California grunion – Leuresthes tenuis, and Pacific sardine – Sardinops sagax), which accounted for 98% of the total catch. All of these species are schooling fishes that spend most of their lives in the harbor environment. For otter trawl surveys, dominant species included northern anchovy, white croaker (Genyonemus lineatus), queenfish (Seriphus politus), shiner surfperch (Cymatogaster aggregata), and white surfperch (Phanerodon furcatus). Other species caught in high abundance were specklefin midshipman (Porichthys myriaster), California tonguefish (Symphurus atricauda), and yellowchin sculpin (Symphurus atricaudus). Commercially and/or recreationally important species, including California halibut (Paralichthys californica) and barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer), had moderate abundance. California halibut were collected with otter trawl nets and ranked tenth in total abundance and fourth in total biomass for that sampling gear. Barred sand bass also were caught with trawls, and ranked twelfth in total abundance using that gear. Fish abundance was highly variable for pelagic species and seasonal trends were not evident. Otter trawl results showed more seasonal trends with generally higher catches during the summer compared to winter surveys. Similar to previous studies in which day and night samples were collected, a greater variety and more fish were collected at night. Day/night differences in catch are believed to result from a combination of fish behavior at night related to decreased visual avoidance of sampling gear, increased dispersal of schooling species, and increased foraging activity by several species (Horn and Allen 1981). Few differences were observed for pelagic fish between inner and outer harbor areas, with inner harbor stations having between 4 and 12 species and outer harbor stations typified by between 3 and 11 species. This indicates that pelagic schooling species move throughout the harbor complex. In contrast, outer harbor areas generally were typified by a greater number, biomass, and variety of trawl-caught fish than inner harbor areas. For example, abundances of California tonguefish and speckled sanddab were higher based on studies of deepwater outer harbor sampling locations (MBC 1984, MEC 1988, CLA-EMD 1993-1999) than studies with more inner harbor and/or shallow-water stations (SAIC and MEC 1996, MEC 1999, MEC 2002, and the current study). Spatial and temporal trends were less distinct for the beach seine locations compared to the lampara and trawl stations, due mainly to the low species numbers, abundances, and biomass. ICHTHYOPLANKTON A total of 71 larval fish taxa were observed, with the most abundant being a complex of three goby species recorded as “CIQ gobies”. This complex represented 44.6% of the total catch. The second most abundant larvae were combtooth blennies (Hypsoblennius spp.; 34.0%), bay gobies (Lepidogobius lepidus; 8.6%), and clingfishes (Gobiesocidae; 2.9%). The abundances of most larval taxa differed between the three depths sampled. For example, all the gobies (CIQ, bay, and yellowfin) were least abundant in surface waters while combtooth blennies were in lowest abundance in the epibenthic layer. Clingfishes were in highest abundance in the epibenthic samples while silversides (California grunion, jacksmelt, and topsmelt) were most abundant in surface waters. When all station and survey data were combined, the total number of individuals/100 m 3 was similar for the midwater (139.2) and epibenthic (134.3) layers, but much lower in the neuston layer (38.9). ES–2 2008 Biological Surveys of Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors April 2010
Page 1 and 2: APPENDIX B FINAL 2008 BIOLOGICAL SU
Page 4: FINAL 2008 BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS OF LO
Page 7 and 8: Table of Contents 3.4.3 Summary of
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Page 26 and 27: 1.0 Introduction 1.0 INTRODUCTION T
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3.0 Adult and Juvenile Fishes Table
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3.0 Adult and Juvenile Fishes Figur
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CHAPTER 4 ICHTHYOPLANKTON
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4.0 Ichthyoplankton studies (Horn a
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4.0 Ichthyoplankton more likely to
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4.0 Ichthyoplankton The results of
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4.0 Ichthyoplankton Table 4.3-1. To
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4.0 Ichthyoplankton Table 4.3-2. To
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4.0 Ichthyoplankton Table 4.3-4. We
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4.0 Ichthyoplankton Table 4.3-5. We
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4.0 Ichthyoplankton Table 4.3-6. Se
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4.0 Ichthyoplankton Table 4.5-1. Ar
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4.0 Ichthyoplankton LA05 LA14 2D St
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5.0 Benthic and Epibenthic Inverteb
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CHAPTER 6 RIPRAP BIOTA
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6.0 Riprap Biota diver collection m
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6.0 Riprap Biota relatively small b
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6.0 Riprap Biota sea cucumber (Para
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6.0 Riprap Biota polychaete worms.
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6.0 Riprap Biota Table 6.3-1. Mean
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6.0 Riprap Biota Figure 6.2-1. Ripr
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7.0 Kelp and Macroalgae 7.0 KELP AN
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7.0 Kelp and Macroalgae the laborat
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7.0 Kelp and Macroalgae sediment us
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7.0 Kelp and Macroalgae Overall, ou
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7.0 Kelp and Macroalgae pose a sign
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7.0 Kelp and Macroalgae Figure 7.2-
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CHAPTER 8 EELGRASS
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8.0 Eelgrass distribution of eelgra
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8.0 Eelgrass adjacent to most trans
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8.0 Eelgrass load on the plants was
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8.0 Eelgrass (Table 8.3-5), based o
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8.0 Eelgrass surveys. No eelgrass b
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8.0 Eelgrass Areas containing eelgr
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8.0 Eelgrass Seasonal patterns amon
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8.0 Eelgrass 2002) inferred that th
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8.0 Eelgrass Table 8.3-2. Spring 20
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8.0 Eelgrass Table 8.3-4. Fall 2008
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8.0 Eelgrass Table 8.3-12. Oceanic
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8.0 Eelgrass Figure 8.3-2. Eelgrass
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8.0 Eelgrass Figure 8.3-6. Spatial
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9.0 Birds 9.0 BIRDS 9.1 INTRODUCTIO
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9.0 Birds changes in species number
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9.0 Birds the Brown Pelican populat
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9.0 Birds 9.4.2.10 9.4.2.11 9.4.2.1
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9.0 Birds 9.5.1 Distribution and Ab
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9.0 Birds discussed in Section 9.4.
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9.0 Birds Angeles Harbor. The relat
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9.0 Birds Table 9.4-1. Percent Comp
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9.0 Birds Table 9.4-3. Nest Numbers
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9.0 Birds Table 9.5-2. Species Comp
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9.0 Birds Table 9.5-4. Percent Comp
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9.0 Birds Table 9.6-1. Historical C
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9.0 Birds 70 12000 60 10000 50 40 3
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9.0 Birds 3500 shallow water sandy
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9.0 Birds 40 35 30 riprap aerial Nu
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9.0 Birds Number Observed 3500 3000
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9.0 Birds Figure 9.5-1. Total numbe
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9.0 Birds Number of Individuals 400
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9.0 Birds 7000 Mean Number of Indiv
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CHAPTER 10 MARINE MAMMALS
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10.0 Marine Mammals Gray whales dif
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10.0 Marine Mammals This page inten
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11.0 References 11.0 REFERENCES Abb
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11.0 References Dennison, W.C. and
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11.0 References Jacques, D.L., C.S.
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11.0 References North, W.J. 1983. S
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APPENDIX A STATION LOCATIONS
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Appendix A Station Coordinates (NAD
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Appendix B (A) Temperature (°C), S
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APPENDIX C FISHES
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Appendix C Table C-1. Combined Fish
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Appendix C LA01 LA02 LA03 LA04 LA05
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Appendix C Table C-3. Otter Trawl C
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Appendix C Table C-5. Otter Trawl B
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Appendix C Table C-7. Otter Trawl B
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Appendix C Table C-8. Lampara Catch
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Appendix C Table C-10. Lampara Catc
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Appendix C Scientific Name Table C-
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Appendix C Table C-14. Beach Seine
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Appendix D Table D-1. Ichthyoplankt
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Appendix D fish eggs (undeveloped)
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Appendix D fish eggs unid. unidenti
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fish eggs unid. unidentified fish e
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Appendix D Eggs Oligocottus / Clino
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Appendix D Eggs Rhinogobiops nichol
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Appendix D Juvenile Eggs Heterostic
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Appendix D Eggs Liparis spp. snailf
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Appendix D Juvenile Eggs Heterostic
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Appendix D Table D-11. Ichthyoplank
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APPENDIX E INFAUNA
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Appendix E Taxon LA-1 LA-10 LA-11 L
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Appendix E Protothaca laciniata Tax
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Appendix E Taxon LA1 LA2 LA3 LA4 LA
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Appendix E Table E-4. Otter Trawl,
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Appendix E Taxon LA1 LA2 LA3 LA4 LA
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Appendix E Octopus sp. 1 Philine sp
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Appendix E This page intentionally
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Appendix F Table F-1. Total Abundan
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Appendix F LARR-1 LARR-2 LARR-3 LAR
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APPENDIX G KELP AND MACROALGAE
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Appendix G Date Survey Site Observe
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Appendix G Species T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T
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Appendix H APPENDIX H-1 AVIAN ECOLO
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Appendix H Table H-1. Avian Ecologi
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Appendix H GUILD 8 - UPLAND BIRDS G
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Appendix H APPENDIX H-2 NUMBER OF I
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Appendix H Table H-2. December A 20
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Appendix H Table H-3. December B 20
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Appendix H Table H-4. January A 200
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Appendix H Table H-5. January B 200
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Appendix H Table H-6. February A 20
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Appendix H Table H-7. February B 20
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Appendix H Table H-8. March A 2008
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Appendix H Table H-9. March B 2008
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Appendix H Table H-10. April A 2008
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Appendix H Table H-11. May A 2008 S
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Appendix H Table H-13. July A 2008
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Appendix H Table H-15. August B 200
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Appendix H Table H-16. September A
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Appendix H Table H-17. September B
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Appendix H Species Totals Zones 1 2
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Appendix H Species Totals Zones 1 2
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Appendix H Zones Species Totals 1 2
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Appendix H Zones Species Totals 1 2
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Appendix H Date ELEGANT TERN — OB
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APPENDIX I MARINE MAMMALS
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Appendix I Common Survey Station/ N
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Appendix I Common Name Survey Type
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Appendix I This page intentionally
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