In November, we began conducting line-transect aerial surveys for marine mammals in the open-water and adjacent wetland areas of Breton Sound, Louisiana, and a portion of Chandeleur Sound, Mississippi.
Under subcontract with C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, L.L.C. for the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, we will conduct these surveys once a month over a 12-month period. The resulting abundance and density estimates will provide much-needed information on bottlenose dolphins in this region.
This research is conducted in compliance with NMFS Research Permit No. 21938-03. This post has been approved by CPRA and Fenstermaker.