A pilot study of the seasonal distribution and abundance of marine mammals, 

 birds, and turtles in the Gulf of Mexico was initiated in June 1979. This study 

 encompassed the initial steps of a comprehensive study of OCS effects upon these taxa. 

 A comprehensive study plan was developed, and a variety of preliminary activities was 

 undertaken. These included summarization of existing knowledge, review of the 

 literature, development of software, development of survey techniques, and collection of 

 preliminary data. 



The objectives of the Comprehensive Study Plan were as follows: 



1. To determine and confirm which species of marine mammals, birds, and 

 turtles inhabit or migrate through the OCS areas of the South Atlantic and 

 Gulf of Mexico; 



2. To identify temporal and spatial distribution of these species and the 

 patterns of movement associated with such distributions; 



3. To identify, delineate, and describe any areas of special biological 

 significance for feeding, migration, and maintenance of the populations 

 encountered; 



4. To provide a basis for estimating relative abundance of individual species 

 within the study area; 



5. To amplify the understanding of population structure and basic ecology of 

 poorly known species or populations where possible; and, 



6. To formulate specific questions and investigative lines for subsequent 

 research relevant to effects of oil and gas development and other research 

 priorities in OCS areas on mammal, bird, and turtle faunas. 



The objectives of the Pilot Study were as follows: 



1. To develop and test methods suitable for simultaneously surveying marine 

 mammals, birds, and turtles from aircraft. 



2. To develop and test with real and simulated data, the computer software 

 necessary for analysis and storage of survey data. 



3. To collect preliminary data on the distribution and abundance of marine 

 mammals, turtles, and birds in the study area. 



4. To summarize existing knowledge and literature on the marine mammals of 

 the Southeastern United States. 



5. To survey manatee distribution in southwestern Florida. 



The present report presents the results of activities relative to objectives 1 

 through 3 of the Pilot Study. The methods section describes the survey techniques and 

 analytical procedures developed. The results section provides detailed analyses of the 

 preliminary data collected. Schmidly (1981) is publishing the review of marine mammal 



