Systematic Observations of Rice’s Whales, Their Prey, and the Oceanographic Conditions of the Northeastern Gulf of America

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Implementing Organization

University of South Florida

Overview

DWH Project Funding

$999,978

Known Leveraged Funding

$0

Funding Organization

The U.S. Department of Treasury

Funding Program

The RESTORE Act Funds Bucket 5: Centers of Excellence Research Grant Program

Details

Project Category

Science

Project Actions

Environmental Research

Targeted Resources

Marine Mammals

Project Description

This project will combine moored, shipboard, and unmanned oceanographic systems to systematically monitor and analyze ecosystem level distribution and ecology of the critically endangered Rice’s whales in the northeastern Gulf of America. Researchers will focus on filling key knowledge gaps utilizing a combination of traditional and leading-edge methods. This project will also collect essential data on their prey distributions, and threats from anthropogenic activities, particularly vessel strikes. With these datasets related to whale presence, prey distribution, anthropogenic influences, and oceanic drivers, the body of knowledge for understanding Rice’s whales will be enhanced with the potential for guiding future management strategies and practices.

Contact

Lembke, Chad
727-553-3976
clembke@usf.edu
Project Website

Project Partners

Florida International University; Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System; University of Miami; NOAA SEFSC

Affiliated Institutions

None