Manual for biological observers on seismic vessels
On all seismic vessels operating in Greenland biological observers must be on board, partly to observe sea mammals in connection with the start-up and during seismic surveys (and in certain situations stop seismic activity), and partly to undertake systematic countings of seabirds and sea mammals to obtain density and distribution data to support consultancy and research activities.
The report “Manual for seabird and marine mammal survey on seismic vessels in Greenland. 3rd revised edition. May 2012”, published by DCE – the Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, Aarhus University, describes the survey and recording procedures to be used by observers when performing systematic surveys of seabirds and marine mammals.
On behalf of the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum under the Government of Greenland DCE has for a number of years received and analysed survey data and gradually developed a manual aimed to increase the quality of the data.
Thus, an unpublished manual has each year been forwarded to the biological observers on seismic vessels and has now after the field season been revised based on comments by the observers and experiences gained from the data analysis.
The procedures are now sufficiently established and the data input of such high quality that DCE has chosen to publish the manual as a report.
Contact: Academic employee Kasper Lambert Johansen, tel. +45 8715 8679, kalj@dmu.dk
Manual for seabird and marine mammal survey on seismic vessels in Greenland. 3rd revised edition, May 2012. Johansen, K.L., Boertmann, D., Mosbech, A. & Hansen, T.B. 2012. Aarhus University, DCE – Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, 74 pp. Scientific Report from DCE – Danish Centre for Environment and Energy No. 38.