June 24-July 15, 2000
SCIENTIFIC PROTOCOL
Marine Mammal Survey
Managing Scientist:
Gregory Stone
The NAI'A will be voyaging through rarely visited waters and there
will be opportunities to observe marine mammals and make new sightings
adding valuable and unique knowledge of marine mammals in this region.
Most existing information on marine mammals in this part of the world
is anecdotal. Our data will provide the systematic and dedicated survey
for this part of the world. This information will aid biologists in
understanding the ranges and abundance of these animals and will provide
data for the proposed establishment of a marine mammal sanctuary in
the South Pacific which is now under consideration by the International
Whaling Commission (IWC).
Observation
Methods
All marine mammals observed during the cruise will be identified,
counted, and notable behaviors and association will be recorded. For
each marine mammal sighting the following information will be recorded:
Date
Time
Species
Number
Behaviors
Latitude and Longitude
Did NAI'A break off and follow animals?
Distance at first sighting
Distance when abeam of NAI'A
Water Depth
Weather conditions: sea state, cloud cover, wind
Observers
Comments
In addition to opportunistic sightings that will be made at all times
during the expedition, while transiting we will use line-transect
methodology during four two-hour shifts each day. The shifts will
be from:
06:00-08:00
09:00-11:00
13:00-15:00
16:00-18:00
Each member of the science team will be responsible for leading one
two-hour observation period each day. Other observers from the cruise
are welcome and encouraged to help at any and all times, but the assigned
science member will be responsible for managing the data collection
during their shift. Observations will be made from the forward upper
deck of NAI'A from the same location each day. Observers will scan
the horizon throughout the forward 180 degrees of NAI'A. The distance
from the ship at first sightings will be recorded and the distance
off the beam when NAI'A passes the animals, or the original position
of the animal if the animals are underwater or out of sight when the
ship passes. Distances will be measured with a laser range finder.
If there is any question on the identification of species, Gregory
Stone will be called to join the observation session and make the
identification. Whenever possible, photographs and video will be taken
of all marine mammals.
Analysis of all marine mammal data will be done at the New England Aquarium in Boston, MA.
Marine Algae
Managing Scientist:
Austen Yoshinaga
Scientific understanding of marine algae distribution and abundance
in the Phoenix Islands is incomplete. While we can make educated guesses
based on what is known from adjacent regions, virtually no primary
observations or data exist from the Phoenix Islands. Scuba diving
will be the primary method of collecting data. During all dives, any
member of the expedition will make collections of marine algae. Small
samples will be collected by hand during all dives and placed in plastic
bags. The location (Lat./Long.) and depth will be noted for each specimen
on the outside and inside of the plastic bag. Once on board NAI'A,
all samples should be given immediately to Austen Yoshinaga for cataloguing
and preservation. She will determine if we have already collected
that particular species, so do not hesitate to collect a species even
if you think we already have it.
Analysis of all specimens will be done at the Phycology Laboratory
at the University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.
Coral Surverys
Managing Scientist:
David Obura
Corals provide the substrate for tropical reef communities and serve
as an indicator of ocean health. Coral bleaching is now widespread
in many parts of the world and it is now linked to observed atmospheric
and ocean-warming trends caused by human activity. Our research in
the Phoenix Group will assess the conditions of the corals and fill
an important gap in our understanding of the status of South Pacific
coral reefs.
During our expedition three methods will be used for rapid surveying of reefs for coral diversity and condition, as well as benthic cover. We have chosen rapid assessment methods due to our desire to cover as much area as possible during our time in the study area. These methods will enable us to collect relevant data during several dives at the various islands we will visit.
I. Coral Species Diversity - Timed Surveys. Species accumulation curves are constructed by recording new coral species observed in 2.5 minute intervals. Ideally one-hour sample times are preferred at a site, and/or replicate samples. Typically at the end of 40-60 minute period, zero to 3 new species might be recorded in each interval out of a cumulative number 90-100 species, giving sufficient convergence to compare number of species expected at a given sampling intensity (e.g. 40, 60, 100 minutes). Approximate field time is estimated at one hour plus.
II. Coral and benthic cover - video transects. Video records of the benthos using a fixed camera-subject distance gives reliable images for scoring benthic cover of major algal and benthic invertebrate groups, many of the latter to genus or species level. Sample quadrats are selected during playback of the video. A sampling strategy that stops the video at 5-second intervals, sampling 5 fixed points on the screen, enables a sampling effort of 500 points (100 quadrats) for a video of approximately 10 minutes duration. (Method used and developed by Dr. Michael Schleyer, Oceanographic Research Institute, South Africa). Approximate field time is estimated at 15 minutes.
III. Coral condition. The incidence of coral stress indicators (e.g. bleaching, epiphytism, partial mortality, etc) is recorded in 1 m2 units of the benthos (depending on speed, can be done with or without a reference quadrat square). Species identification, colony size and visible condition (including 'normal') are recorded for all coral colonies within the sample area. A minimum set of 18-20 quadrats is normally sampled, though 30 or more is better. Approximate field time is estimated at 1 hour.
These methods should answer the following questions with respect to the reefs in the Phoenix group.
- What is the benthic community structure? (Method I)
- What is the coral diversity from site to system-level scales? (Methods I & II)
- What is the coral community structure from site to system-level scales? (I & II)
- What is the state of coral health? (Method III)
If there is restricted field time, methods 1 and 2 should be done as a minimum set, with 3 in some locations where time allows.
Fish Survey
Managing Scientist:
Steven Bailey
Primary methods of sampling:
1. Epipelagic fishes: Fishes that dwell from the surface to 200m in coastal and open-sea areas comprise the epipelagic ichthyofauna. The surveying will be confined to species within safe SCUBA depths. Techniques will include and manual in situ observations on slates.
2. Benthic fishes: Fishes that live in contact with the bottom or substrate are the benthic ichthyofauna. Analysis of these species will be conducted within safe SCUBA depths. Determination of abundance and diversity will be done utilizing standard techniques including immobilization and 'flushing from cover' to reveal those species hidden from view. Observations will be recorded on film and slates.
Some fish species will require more detailed scrutiny and necessitate observation onboard the NAI'A. This will be accomplished by catching specimens with hand nets and transporting them to the surface. Shipboard, the specimens will be housed in glass aquaria for short periods to be photographed and/or visually examined for exact species identification.
SCIENTIST BIOGRAPHIES
Gregory S. Stone, Chief Scientist
Gregory S. Stone is director of conservation at the New England Aquarium where he directs a variety of programs on marine and freshwater conservation. Greg is a marine scientist with world-wide experience in research, conservation, marine policy, marine research, and international activities. He is a specialist in marine mammal research and undersea technology with over 50 publications including Nature, Fishery Bulletin, Marine Mammal Science, Oceanography, New Scientist, and Polar Record. He formally worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration where he learned to speak Japanese and developed cooperative deep sea science programs in Japan. He has experience diving in deep sea submersibles, underwater habitats and was the first non-Japanese to dive in the SHINKAI 6500, the world's deepest diving submarine. He is a 1997 recipient of the Pew Fellowship for Conservation and the Environment as well as the Editor of the Marine Technology Society Journal. He is vice-chairman of the U.S. Advisory Committee to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT); an advisor to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI); a member of the United States-Japan Natural Resources Panel on Diving Physiology and Technology and the Panel on Submersible Science; and a research associate at College of the Atlantic. Greg was a recipient of the National Science Foundation (USA) / Science and Technology Agency (Japan) Postdoctoral Award, 1990; the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (1989); and the National Science Foundation/U.S. Navy 1986 Antarctic Service Medal. His research interest are in the South Pacific where he studies marine mammals and the condition of marine environments. He produced several award-winning video programs on ocean conservation, has been featured in several TV documentaries for his own research, and was the chief scientist on a National Geographic Magazine expedition to study deep sea life in the Pacific. He received his bachelor's degree in human ecology from the College of the Atlantic, his master's in marine policy from the University of Rhode Island, and his Ph.D. in marine science from the University of the South Pacific.
David Obura
David Obura is the coordinator for East Africa of the Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean project (CORDIO), an activity of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and the Swedish Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). David is a coral reef ecologist with extensive experience in coral reef monitoring, research and conservation, from a broad range of locations including East Africa, the Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands. His main interests are in the areas of coral stress resistance, the role of coral bleaching in response to global climate events such as the El Nino, and long term implications on the biodiversity and adaptations in coral communities. In addition, he investigates resource utilization by artisanal fishing communities and opportunities for conservation through their indigenous knowledge systems as a complement to the scientific approach. His current work involves building up collaboration and funding networks in the western Indian Ocean to support and facilitate the research of local and foreign scientists, focusing on the critical issue of coral reef degradation from a variety of anthropogenic sources. David has a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science of the University of Miami, and over 10 publications and reports in marine science journals and broader-consumption publications. He is a member of the International Society for Reef Studies, East African Wildlife Society, and a trustee on a number of East African conservation NGOs.
Steve Bailey
Steve Bailey is curator of the fishes department at the New England Aquarium and oversees the management and care of over 23,000 fishes, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. He has lead or participated in over 15 collecting expeditions including the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, U.S. West Coast, Maine, Mediterranean Sea, and the Sargasso Sea. He is an expert in fish husbandry, care and identification. Steve has also co-lead an international effort to promote fish conservation in Lake Victoria, East Africa. He has logged over 450 dives, is a PADI divemaster, and has made dozens of presentation on fish care, biology, and ecology. Steve has a passion for fish biology and systematics and is one of the most eclectic curators of fish in the international aquarium community.
Austen Yoshinaga
Austen has 12 years of dolphin field research experience, and has participated in whale research projects in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Maine, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Tonga. She has co-authored several scientific articles on Hector's dolphin. On the Phoenix Islands expedition she will be cataloging the marine algae collection for researchers based at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, as well as providing camera and research assistance for her husband, Greg Stone. Besides being a practicing acupuncturist for 15 years and an officer and board member of her professional association, she has a master's degree in public health and has an interest in conducting clinical research.
