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Okeanos Ocean Research Foundation SPECIAL ISSUE PUBLC ATIONS No. 13 OKEANOS OCEAN RESEARCH FOUNDATION 278 East Montauk Hwy Haeptons Bay, NY 11946 SPECIES COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF MARINE MAMMALS AND SEA TURTLES IN THE NEW YORK BIGHT FINAL REPORT UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE SOUTHEKN NEW ENGLAND - NEW YORK BIGHT COASTAL ESTUARIES PROJECT CHARLESTOWN, RHODE ISLAND -. Okeanos Ocean Research Foundation, Inc. Hampton Bays, New York by Samuel S. Sadove and Phillip Cardinale December, 1993 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Methods and Materials Results E. galcialis B. physalus B. acutorostrata B. borealis B. musculus M.novaeangliae \ P. catodon K.breviceps T. truncatus D.delphis S. coeruleoalba S. plagiodon/attenuata D. leucas P. phocoena L. acutus L. albirostris G. melaena 0. orca Mesoplodon sp. 2. cavirostris G. griseusus P. vitulina P. hispida P. groenlandica H-grypus C. cristata L. kempi C. carretta C. mydas D.coriacea E. imbricata Species list and Status Codes Conclusions Acknowledgements References Map Appendix INTRODUCTION This document has been prepared to summarize the present knowledge of the distribution, abundance and species composition of marine mammals and sea turtles of the New York Bight. The information in this report represents over 15 years of data collected by the Okeanos Ocean Research Foundation through the NY State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program (operated by Okeanos), the Foundation's own research projects involving cetaceans, sea turtles and seals, and sighting reports that have been collected from fishermen and boaters during this time. Although it does not provide detailed accounts of all sightings for these groups of animals within this region, this report does supply an accurate picture of the KNOWN diversity of the region with regard to these species. When the collection of this data began in the late 1970's little was known about these species. The area was assumed to have a low abundance of marine mammals and sea turtles, and many species were only recognized as having occurred here on a very rare basis. It is the authors' opinion that there is a great deal yet to be learned, therefore, the information here should not be treated as the final status of knowledge for marine mammals and sea turtles in the region. It is quite possible that the on-going studies may yet find, or clarify the status of a number of the species listed in this report. Much of what has been discovered and is summarized in this report is simply the result of the adage that "you find what you take time to look for.'' One of the many areas not within the scope of this document is an analysis of the historical abundance of the species recorded here. The Okeanos Foundation has been compiling historical data for marine species in New York's waters for over 15 years. Unfortunately, limited funds and time have prevented analysis of these trends. However, based on subjective analysis it can be largely assumed that there was, historically, a greater presence of all of the species listed. METHODS AND MATERIALS The species accounts, summaries, and maps are the result of analysis of three primary sources which are archived and maintained by the Okeanos Ocean Research Foundation in their original hard records as well as on computerized databases using DBase IV format. These primary sources are: (1) Dedicated surveys; (2) Anecdotal reports; and (3) Stranded specimens. In all three of the record types certain consistent data are recorded in a standardized format including date, time, weather conditions, position in latitude and longitude, species, and reliability of identification. Dedicated surveys conducted from aircraft, ships, and land were defined primarily by the intentional effort of trained staff members surveying for marine species. This includes whale watch cruises during which data were collected, or an intentional search for and anecdotal sighting report of animal(s). The data collected in dedicated surveys involved over 15,000 hours and 8,300 records. These surveys always involved trained observers who collected voucher materials such as photographs and data on habitat, prey species and other species in the area. Anecdotal reports are defined as all reports of sightings from any source not subsequently verified by a direct observation by trained staff. Anecdotal reports were received from fishermen, private citizens, aircraft pilots, United States Coast Guard personnel and merchant vessels. Stranded specimens were recovered as a part of the Okeanos Foundation and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program. In this Program all strandings of marine mammals and sea turtles are reported to a 24 hour system under which a team responds to the scene and recovers the specimen for detailed treatment or post mortem exam. The survey of data for this report is intended to be representative of the New York Bight. The coverage map demonstrates the differences in coverage for the entire region. Southern and extreme western portions of the Bight are not as well covered since the source of information for this area is largely anecdotal and not consistent. There are sources that we have identified, however, funding for development of those sources is lacking. During analysis factors such as group size and age classes were analyzed using one of two computer based statistical analysis programs (SPSS or STATGRAPHICS)*. Significance for data analysis was at the .05 level and correlation analysis were for R values >.80.Food habitats were based either on the direct observation and identification of prey species in the water or on the identification of hard parts from fecal material or stomach contents. The determination of the polygon shapes and locations for map distributions was made using plots of sightings that were subsequently analyzed using a modified home range cluster analysis program (Ackerman, et. al., 1990).This program was developed based on an extension of the harmonic mean utilization distribution (Dixon and Chapman 1980). This program make no assumption nor calculations for consistent use of an area by single individuals, rather, for this study maps were based on the programs home range polygon from cumulative sightings regardless of repetition. Although this may in some instances be misleading, marine mammals as a group are often limited by the technical abilities of individual resightings. All maps were generated using both Arclnfo* and AtlasGIS*. These were then converted into a WPG format for printing. The maps produced represent both the areas of occupancy and significant habitat use unless otherwise indicated. In some instances the details of habitat needs are unclear, therefore, such maps are impossible. =does not indicate endorsement RESULTS CETACEANS Eubalaena alacjails, Northern Right Whale The right whale is extremely endangered and by the nature of that statement sightings are very rare. However, these whales are sighted regularly every year in the New York Bight. This species was once numerous, having been the main stay of the shore whaling industry during the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries (Reeves, 1988). Right whales are still sighted mainly along the south shore of Long Island, and sometimes within Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound, Gardiners Bay and south shore inlets and bays. Ail sightings have either been cowlcalf pairs or solitary individuals. All age classes have been observed, and many have been individually identified through the North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog. Most sightings are concentrated between the months of March through June. Very few of these sightings have involved individuals remaining in the area for an extended time. Most animals appear to be moving through, although several have been observed feeding in association with large blooms of calanoid copepods. Based upon the Okeanos Foundation's data it appears that New York's waters may function mainly as an area for migrating through with some opportunistic feeding, therefore population estimates are not relevant. Balaeno~teraphvsa/us, Fin whale This species is the most abundant baleen whale in the region, present year- round. There are distributional differences for the species by season. During April through August the fin whale is usually found in one of five areas located within 30 miles of land. These are largely feeding areas where intensive feeding activity occurs. During September through early December the whales usually move offshore along the continental shelf near the 200 meter contour. In January through March they are found very close to shore (within 1 mile) in the eastern portions of Long Island feeding again. During the summer, feeding groups often involve aggregations of more than 20 animals with incidence of over 200 not uncommon. In the winter, aggregations appear to involve small groups of 3-4 individuals. Calves are observed (Sadove, and Kiehn 1984) throughout the year with apparent newborns observed mainly in early July. There are some indications that calving may be occurring within the New York Bight, however, this has not been confirmed. Based on analysis of age data from length estimates by photogrammetry all age classes are found in the region. Fin whales have been found to be a diverse feeder in this region, having been observed feeding on herring, (Clu~easp.), mackerel! (Scomber sp.), sand launce, (Ammodvtes americanus~,squid, (Loiiao or sp.), buttefish, (Pe~rilustriacanthus), menhaden, (Alma sp.), and alewives, (Alosa pseudoharenqus) as well as zooplankton on occasion. Photographic identification studies (Agler, et. al. 1992, Sadove & Matlock- Cooley, 1992) have indicated this species also exhibits a high degree of site fidelity from year to year. Estimates of the numbers remaining within the Bight are approximately 400, however population counts at certain times of year have demonstrated a presence of over 800 animals. Balaenoptera acufomstrata, Min ke whale Based on sighting data the minke is the second most abundant mysticete in the New York Bight. It is found regularly near the coast and occasionally in the Peconic Estuary, the Long Island Sound, and the Great South Bay.
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