on the normality of the data. This is an extremely important attribute as parametric 

 estimates are highly dependent on underlying assumptions. 



Analysis of population abundance has been completed at the Texas A & M 

 Computer Center and the results are presented later in this report. 



Mapping 



As a preliminary aid to interpretation of the distribution and frequency of 

 sightings, schematic maps (presented in the Appendix) have been plotted for selected 

 species in each of the survey subunits. In these maps latitude and longitude of individual 

 sightings are plotted on the vertical and horizontal axes, respectively. Positions are 

 expressed as decimal equivalents of degrees rather than the degrees and minutes 

 normally used in nautical mapping: for example, 82°15' N is plotted as 82.25° N. In areas 

 where two or more asterisks would potentially be plotted, the number of data points to 

 be represented is used instead of the asterisks. Each diagrammatic map represents an 

 area 111 x 222 km (60 x 120 nmi), and in some cases a slightly larger area including the 

 survey subunit and adjacent areas necessary to form a rectangle with sides approximately 

 parallel to lines of latitude and longitude. 



For the SFLA survey subunit, a rectangle 111 x 222 km with an area of 

 24,730 km 2 , the diagrammatic maps are accurate representations of the area surveyed. 

 For NFLA and STEX, maps are approximate representations of areas 266 and 245 km in 

 length which include a parallelogram with a length of 222 km and an altitude of 111 km 

 equivalent to the survey subunit. Therefore, the NFLA maps include an area of 

 approximately 2,550 km that is outside the actual survey subunit, and the STEX maps 

 include 4,928 km 2 not within the actual survey subunit. The actual area of maps used to 

 depict the NTEX survey subunit encompasses 47,777 km, an area 23,047 km 2 larger than 

 the survey subunit. 



OBJECTIVE THREE: THE PRELIMINARY SURVEY 



Training Session 



An observer team was assembled and trained for aerial surveys in the Gulf of 

 Mexico. Orientation flights and training sessions were conducted 20-23 July 1979 for 

 testing of equipment, development of data recording sheets, standardization of 

 observation techniques, and familiarization with the aircraft and navigational equipment. 



Personnel were subjected to an intensive training session using selected training 

 aids with an emphasis on field identification. Color slides of the marine mammals, birds, 

 and turtles in the study area were studied along with field guides. Color slides were 

 taken under field conditions and allowed observers to study the type of sightings they 

 were likely to encounter while on survey. An important aspect of preparation was 

 training observers to make consistent estimates by having them estimate the number of 

 animals in a series of color slides projected for brief intervals. Copies of slides and field 

 guides were made available to all workers for maintaining observation proficiency. 



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