DOI: 10.5285/33204189-2ecb-4f6b-b3e2-e1b7bc4339db
title: Cetacean sightings in January and February 2019 near to Cumberland Bay, South Georgia

description: This dataset summarises cetacean sightings made during January and February 2019 by an experienced team of cetacean researchers doing regular small-scale surveys in coastal waters close to Cumberland Bay, South Georgia. Some surveys were just within Cumberland Bay, and others include locations to the west and east of Cumberland Bay, as far as Stromness Bay (west) and St Andrews Bay (east). The dataset includes survey tracks, survey effort periods, species sighted and numbers of animals encountered. Over the survey period, Cumberland Bay alone was surveyed six times. Cumberland Bay plus adjoining waters were surveyed nine times, a total of 25:12 hr of search effort for all surveys. Nine expeditions were carried out in January (13:39 hr effort, with whales sighted on six surveys) and six in February (11:33 hr effort, with whales sighted on three surveys). A total of 43 whales (41 humpback whales) were observed during 26 sighting events, nine of which were within Cumberland Bay; a further 10 humpback whales were sighted at the entrance to the Bay (Right Whale Rocks), making a total of 19 humpback whale sightings within or at the entrance to Cumberland Bay. EU BEST 2.0 Medium Grant 1594, DARWIN PLUS award DPLUS057 and funding from the South Georgia Heritage Trust and Friends of South Georgia Island.
description: Between January 5 and February 24, 2019, 15 whale sighting surveys were conducted either in Cumberland Bay alone, or Cumberland Bay and adjoining waters (within 5nm of the coast) between Stromness Harbour (36°37'3''W) and St Andrews Bay (36°03'0''W). Surveys were conducted only in Beaufort Sea States 1 - 4 and swell &lt;2 m. Surveys were carried out by four experienced personnel on a Harbour Launch (10.5 m Marine Ribworker, platform height above sea level 1-2 m) who scanned the ocean by eye and with marine binoculars (Fujinon 7 x 50). Two personnel also surveyed at the same time from a RHIB (5.5 m Humber Destroyer) that travelled parallel to or in the vicinity of the Harbour Launch (&lt;1 nm range) at all times. Due to safety considerations, the vessels travelled via fixed waypoints both in Cumberland Bay and along the coast. Activities during survey on the Harbor Launch were categorized into three modes; travelling (&gt;10 kts speed), search transect (10kts, two personnel surveying for whales off the port and starboard side of the vessel respectively) and research mode (conducting photo-ID, biopsy, unmanned aerial vehicle or satellite tagging operations). Survey tracks were collected using a handheld Garmin GPS unit. Wind direction, sea state, swell height and visibility were recorded by hand. Data were updated every 15 min while searching for whales, or when environmental conditions or effort status changed. Environmental conditions were also recorded with every sighting. When whales were sighted, the team went into ''research mode'' and either collected photo-ID of the whale(s) or transferred personnel to the RHIB to conduct biopsy sampling or satellite tagging activities. Each sighting was recorded manually, including GPS location, group size, start and end of sighting, and notes on samples collected, whale characteristics (where relevant), and environmental conditions. Each day, expedition notes and sighting reports were transcribed onto spreadsheets providing a summary of the survey conditions, periods of survey effort, and sightings. Survey tracks were downloaded and cross-referenced to periods of survey effort. Tracks relating to periods of cetacean survey effort were retained as part of the project metadata.
description: Garmin GPS
description: GPS locations relating to survey effort and sightings were reviewed. Where discrepancies were found, GPS locations were taken rather than sighting location (since sightings were manually recorded). On two occasions, there were issues with GPS tracking of survey, and the survey track was not recorded. These occasions are noted in the metadata.