AMAPPS-Cetacean Abundance Summer Survey (HB1603, EK60). The AMAPPS survey primarily
focuses on beaked whale species, with the following objectives: 1) Develop a better
understanding of beaked whale habitat use and site fidelity for abundance and monitoring
of critical areas, 2) Quantify efficacy of passive acoustic monitoring for detection
and abundance of these species, through controlled methodological tests and in comparison
to a bottom-mounted recorders (AMAR), 3) Determine the distribution and relative abundance
of plankton and prey species, 4) When possible, collect identification photographs
and biopsy samples. |