Azura’s scientists have been writing and contributing to environmental documents for decades. The following list of technical reports and peer-reviewed publications is a representative example of our expertise with environmental compliance and scientific research documentation.

Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Research

Whitt, A.D., A.M. Warde, L. Blair, K.J.P. Deslarzes, and C.-H. Chaineau. 2023. Recent occurrence of marine mammals and sea turtles off Angola and first report of right whales since the whaling era. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 103:e9.

Barry, K.P., A.D. Whitt, M. Baran, P.E. Rosel, and K.D. Mullin. In Prep. An assessment of killer whale sightings in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Whitt, A.D. and A. Warde. 2018. Marine megafauna occurrence during benthic surveys off Angola. Angola Environmental Baseline Study – Block 48: MFO survey report. Prepared for Créocéan and Total E&P Angola (TEPA) by Azura Consulting LLC.

Whitt, A.D. and A. Warde. 2018. Marine megafauna occurrence during benthic surveys off Mauritania. Mauritania Environmental Baseline Study – C-9: MFO survey report. Prepared for Créocéan and Total E&P Mauritania by Azura Consulting LLC.

Whitt, A.D. 2018. Marine megafauna occurrence during benthic surveys off Senegal. Senegal Environmental Baseline Study – Block ROP: MFO survey report. Prepared for Créocéan and Total E&P Senegal by Azura Consulting LLC.

Sidorovskaia, N., D. Comeaux, D. Greenhow, S. Griffin, S. Heimlich, C. Pierpoint, C. Richter, and L. Scala. 2017. Proceedings of the LADC-GEMM 2017 Gulf of Mexico experiment, LADC-GEMM Gulf Ecological Monitoring and Modeling, June 8-June 17, 2017, R/V Pelican cruise PE17-23, Cocodrie to Cocodrie.

Whitt, A.D., J.A. Powell, A.G. Richardson, and J.R. Bosyk. 2015. Nearshore abundance and distribution of marine mammals in New Jersey waters. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 15:45–59.

Whitt, A.D., M.A. Baran, M. Bryson, and L.E. Rendell. 2015. First report of killer whales harassing sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico. Aquatic Mammals 41(3):252-255.

Whitt, A.D., K. Dudzinski, and J.R. Laliberté. 2013. North Atlantic right whale distribution and seasonal occurrence in nearshore waters off New Jersey, USA, and implications for management. Endangered Species Research 20(1): 59-69.

Whitt, A. and M. Baran. 2013. Marine mammal and sea turtle occurrence study during benthic surveys off French Guiana, spring 2013. Prepared for CREOCEAN, Montpellier, France and SHELL Exploration & Production, France by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas.

Whitt, A.D. 2012. Review of Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises: A World Handbook for Cetacean Habitat Conservation and Planning, 2nd Edition, by Erich Hoyt. Aquatic Mammals 38(2): 224-226.

Whitt, A.D., T.A. Jefferson, M. Blanco, D. Fertl, and D. Rees. 2011. A review of marine mammal records of Cuba. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 9(2): 65-122.

GMI (Geo-Marine Inc.). 2010. Ocean/Wind power ecological baseline studies January 2008 – December 2009. Final report. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, New Jersey.

Zoidis, A.M., M.A. Smultea, A.S. Frankel, J.L. Hopkins, A.J. Day, S.A. McFarland, A.D. Whitt, and D. Fertl. 2008. Vocalizations produced by humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) calves recorded in Hawaii. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 123(3): 1737-1746.

Environmental Compliance & Management

Azura (Azura Consulting LLC). 2022. Final report: North Atlantic right whale vessel speed rule human dimension study. Prepared for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, Gloucester, MA by Azura Consulting LLC, Garland, TX under subcontract to Alaska BioMap Inc., Auke Bay, AK.

Ingram, R.J., K.M. Leong, J. Gove, and S. Wongbusarakum. 2020. Including human well-being in resource management with cultural ecosystem services. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-112. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Whitt, A.D. 2018. Sea turtle occurrence & considerations in potential commercial wind energy lease areas of the New York Bight. Prepared for the Natural Resources Defense Council, New York, New York by Azura Consulting LLC, Plano, Texas with contributions from A. Nicole Mihnovets.

Whitt A.D., M. Richlen, L. Blair, M. Cotter, L. Morse, R. McAlarney, E. Cummings, W.A. McLellan, and D.A. Pabst. 2017. Aerial survey monitoring during Full Ship Shock Trials off Jacksonville, Florida. Prepared for U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Submitted to Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, under Contract No. N62470-15-D-8006, Task Order 29 issued to HDR, Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia. April 2017.

Limpinsel, D.E., M.P. Eagleton, and J.L. Hanson. 2017. Impacts to essential fish habitat from non-fishing activities in Alaska. EFH 5 year review: 2010 through 2015. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/AKR-14. Prepared by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region, Habitat Conservation Division.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2018. Marine species monitoring report for the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) – 2017 annual report. U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. July 2018.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2017. Marine Species Monitoring Report for the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) – 2016 annual report. U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. September 2017.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2016. Marine species monitoring report for the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) – 2015 annual report. U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. July 2016.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2016. 2015 U.S. Navy annual marine species monitoring report for the Pacific: A multi-range complex monitoring report for Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing (HSTT), Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT), Northwest Training and Testing (NWTT), and the Gulf of Alaska Temporary Maritime Activities Area (GOA TMAA). Prepared by Department of the Navy. Prepared for and submitted to National Marine Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, Maryland. March 2016.

DoN (Department of Navy). 2016. Lighting surveys for sea turtle nest management, Naval Air Station Oceana – Dam Neck Annex and Virginia Army National Guard Camp Pendleton, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Final report. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic Region by GMI-AECOM Joint Venture; Versar, Inc.; Azura Consulting, LLC; and Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation.

DoN (Department of Navy). 2016. Lighting surveys for sea turtle nest management, Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Final report. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic Region by GMI-AECOM Joint Venture; Versar, Inc.; Azura Consulting LLC; and Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation.

DoN (Department of Navy). 2016. Lighting surveys for sea turtle nest management, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Final report. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic Region by GMI-AECOM Joint Venture; Versar, Inc.; Azura Consulting LLC; and Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation.

DoN (Department of Navy). 2016. Biological assessment. Sea turtle management at Naval Air Station Oceana – Dam Neck Annex and Virginia Army National Guard – Camp Pendleton, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Prepared for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Submitted by Naval Facilities Engineering Command – MIDLANT.

DoN (Department of Navy). 2016. Biological assessment. Sea turtle management at Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Prepared for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Submitted by Naval Facilities Engineering Command – MIDLANT.

Azura (Azura Consulting LLC). 2015. Comment analysis report for the Cook Inlet beluga whale draft recovery plan. Report prepared for National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Regional Office, Protected Resources Division. Contract number WE-133F-15-SE-0826.

DCA (Dial Cordy and Associates Inc.). 2014. Draft biological assessment, Lockwoods Folly River habitat restoration project, Phase 1 – Eastern Channel.  Wilmington, North Carolina: Prepared for The Town of Oak Island by Dial Cordy and Associates Inc.

Whitt, A.D. 2013. Getting it right: Right whales and offshore renewable energy development. Right Whale News 21(2): 3-7.

Whitt, A.D. and K. Dudzinski. 2013. Marine mammal monitoring during darkness: Research and development study. Prepared for Fishermen’s Atlantic City Windfarm, LLC, Atlantic City, New Jersey by VersarGMI, Plano, Texas.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2009. Request for Letter of Authorization for the incidental harassment of marine mammals resulting from Navy training operations conducted within the Gulf of Mexico study area. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic Division, Norfolk, Virginia by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas.

GMI (Geo-Marine Inc.). 2009. Marine mammal monitoring during geophysical surveys in support of the construction of a meteorological data collection facility for the Bluewater Delaware Offshore Wind Park (MMS Lease Block 6325): October 2009. Final Summary Report prepared for Bluewater Wind, LLC, Hoboken, New Jersey by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas.

GMI (Geo-Marine Inc.). 2009. Marine mammal monitoring during geophysical surveys in support of the construction of a meteorological data collection facility for the Bluewater New Jersey Offshore Wind Park (MMS Lease Block 6936): August 2009. Final Summary Report prepared for Bluewater Wind, LLC, Hoboken, New Jersey by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas.

Whitt, A.D. 2008. Integrated Coastal Management (ICM). Pages 231-232 in M. Lück, ed. Encyclopedia of tourism and recreation in marine environments. Cambridge: CABI.

NAVFAC (Naval Facilities Engineering Command). 2008. Biological evaluation for the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic Division, Norfolk, Virginia by Parsons, Piperton, Tennessee.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2007. Navy OPAREA Density Estimates (NODEs) for the Northeast OPAREAs: Boston, Narragansett Bay, and Atlantic City. Prepared for U.S. Fleet Forces Command by Geo-Marine, Inc., Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia.

Whitt, A.D., and A.J. Read. 2006. Assessing compliance to guidelines by dolphin-watching operators in Clearwater, Florida, USA. Tourism in Marine Environments 3(2):117-130.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2006. Seasonality and distribution of marine life at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) and in the Guantanamo Operating Area (OPAREA). Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virgina by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas, Norfolk, Virginia.

Marine Resources Assessments

The U.S. Navy initiated the systematic collection of scientific and geospatial data of the protected and commercial marine resources found in its various operating areas (OPAREAs) through development of the MRA program. These MRA documents contribute to the Navy’s integrated long-range planning process by providing baseline information and data on the resources that may be impacted by Naval operations. These comprehensive documents include thorough descriptions and the best available data of a region’s physical environment (oceanographic parameters and diverse regional habitats), biological environment (protected and commercial marine species such as fish and fisheries, marine mammals, and sea turtles), and socioeconomic considerations (e.g., location of dive sites and fishing hotspots). The information in a MRA is used for environmental compliance documentation, including environmental assessments and impact statements that comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and Endangered Species Act (ESA). While affiliated with Geo-Marine Inc., our scientists prepared numerous MRAs for the U.S. Navy. These documents can be accessed here.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2009. Marine resources review for the North Atlantic and Europe. Prepared for Department of the Navy, Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Virginia by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2009. Marine resources assessment for the Chesapeake Bay. Prepared for Department of the Navy, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia by Geo-Marine, Inc., Hampton, Virginia.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2008. Marine resources assessment update for the Virginia Capes (VACAPES) operating area. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia by Geo-Marine, Inc., Hampton, Virginia.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2008. Marine resources assessment update for the Charleston/Jacksonville operating area. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia by Geo-Marine, Inc., Hampton, Virginia.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2008. Marine resources assessment update for the Cherry Point operating area. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia by Geo-Marine, Inc., Hampton, Virginia.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2008. Marine resource assessment for the southern California and Point Mugu operating areas. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2007. Marine resources assessment for the western Mediterranean Sea. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2007. Marine resources assessment for the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2006. Marine resources assessment for the Gulf of Alaska operating area. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2006. Marine resources assessment for the Pacific Northwest operating area. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2005. Marine resources assessment for the Japan and Okinawa Complexes operating area. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas.

DoN (Department of the Navy). 2005. Marine resources assessment for the Hawaiian Islands operating area. Prepared for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, Texas.

Other

Whitt, A.D. 2017. Big eye testing for Full Ship Shock Trials. Summary report. Prepared for the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock Division.

Latusek-Nabholz, J.N., A.D. Whitt, D. Fertl, D.R. Gallien, K. Ampela, A.A. Khan, and N. Sidorovskaia. 2020. Literature synthesis on passive acoustic monitoring projects and sound sources in the Gulf of Mexico. New Orleans (LA): US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Contract No.: M17PC00001. OCS Study BOEM 2020-009.