In June, we concluded our year-long support of aerial and shipboard surveys in the Gulf of Maine for the Maine Department of Marine Resources (ME DMR), Division of Marine Mammal Research. These monthly, systematic line-transect surveys were designed to collect data on large whales and other marine species to assess their distribution and abundance.

Azura led the aerial survey efforts and provided marine mammal observers for ME DMR’s inshore and offshore shipboard surveys. Species documented during these efforts included North Atlantic right whales, fin whales, sei whales, minke whales, humpback whales, pilot whales, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, harbor porpoises, harbor seals, and gray seals.

ME DMR is continuing this high-priority research to support the State’s efforts to reduce entanglement risks. It has been a pleasure collaborating with ME DMR to launch and support this important monitoring program.