AFSC/NMML: Killer Whale encounter data in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, and the western and central Gulf of Alaska from 2000 - 2010

Comprises data from surveys focused on killer whales with opportunistic data from other cetacean species; includes data describing encounters for photo-identifications, biopsy, and acoustic sampling. Data includes surveys conducted by CAEP/NMML, and also contributed data from Alaska Ecosystem Program/NMML, Southwest Fisheries Science Center and other collaborators. Surveys were conducted in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, and western Gulf of Alaska, 2000 to the present.

The purpose of this research is to monitor distribution, abundance, demographic trends, and stock structure of killer whales through the combined analysis of photo-identification data, biopsy samples for genetic analysis, and acoustic data. Photo-identifications also used for detailed analysis of movements, social structure, and morphometrics; biopsy data also used for diet analysis and demographic analysis through aging.

Loaded by FGDC Metadata Uploader, batch 7471, 10-30-2015 12:19

The following FGDC sections are not currently supported in InPort, but were preserved and will be included in the FGDC export:

- Taxonomy (FGDC:taxonomy)

The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.

NOAA denies liability if the data are misused.

Data is being prepared for submission to NCEI.

The data set is being prepared for distribution. Contact the Point Of Contact for estimated time of release.

User must read and fully comprehend the metadata prior to use. Applications or inferences derived from the data should be carefully considered for accuracy. Acknowledgement

of NOAA/NMFS/AFSC, as the source from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these, data is suggested.

Access

No survey was conducted in 2008.

Data accuracy and error checking is initially conducted by first entering data into the database and then performing a batch re-reading each data input at the end of the data entry session. However, because hand-entries are prone to errors, we have devised a system to minimize entry into the database by hand. Specifically, all photo-identification data is entered in an automatic fashion by batch naming photos to include key information (e.g. cruise, data, sighting number, subgroup, roll, frame, whale position, whale ID), and then generating text file input to the database based on these names. Additional data is also entered into the metadata fields of photographs (e.g. quality grades), and these data are also included in the text file for data input. This greatly limits the need for hand-entries into the database. We also provide a terminal check of data accuracy and errors by conducting regular queries for a variety of tasks. For example, summary queries are run following each cruise to extract data required for cruise reports and permit reports. More specific queries are run for specific analyses. Any inconsistencies revealed by these queries are corrected in the database, providing essential feedback.

IT Security and Contingency Plan for the system establishes procedures and applies to the functions, operations, and resources necessary to recover and restore data as hosted in the Western Regional Support Center in Seattle, Washington, following a disruption.

See methods in publications found in the URL section of this metadata record.