Original provider: NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Dataset credits: Mullin, K. D. & Roden, C. L., NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center Abstract: The first of two spring vessel surveys of the GulfCet II Program was conducted in 1996 in oceanic and upper continental slope waters of U.S. Gulf of Mexico by NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center to examine the distribution and estimate abundance of cetaceans in U.S. waters. This dataset contains sightings of not only cetaceans but also other species including sea turtles, fish and shark observed during the ship survey. During the 44 survey days, at least 16 species were sighted, including Bryde's whale Sperm whale Pygmy sperm whale Dwarf sperm whale Cuvier's beaked whale Striped dolphin Spinner dolphin Clymene dolphin Pantropical spotted dolphin Atlantic spotted dolphin Bottlenose dolphin Risso's dolphin Killer whale Pilot whale Melon-headed whale The dataset is accompanied by transect data which is provided as a separate file.