ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSED DOLPHIN ( Tursiops truncatu s) 



Status . --Fairly common in spring, summer, and fall. 



Records . --10 pods recorded between 8 May and 18 September along the edge 

 of the Continental Shelf. No nearshore sightings were recorded on cruises, 

 although the species was observed often from shore from May -October (Fig. 

 37). 



Remarks . --The average pod of T. truncatus seen along the edge of the 

 Continental Shelf contained 20 individuals. Although sightings from shore 

 were not recorded, those pods ranged in size from 20-30 individuals. 



The Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin ranges in the western North Atlantic 

 from New England to Florida. My observations suggest that two distinct popula- 

 tions may exist. Those seen along the edge of the Continental Shelf tend to 

 possess slightly shorter snouts, taller, more falcate dorsal fins, and bright- 

 er pigmentation (yellowish-tan to yellowish-gray) than do the more uniform 

 gray animals seen from shore. 



SHORT FINNED PILOT WHALE ( Globicephala macrorhynchus ) 



Status . --Uncertain; probably uncommon in late summer and fall. 



Records.— 22, 120 km ESE Ocean City (38°06'N, 73°45'W), 18 September 1977 

 (Fig. 36). 



Remarks . --The distribution of the short finned pilot whale in the western 

 North Atlantic is in warm waters, chiefly south of Cape Hatteras, although 

 they range north to Virginia in summer (Leatherwood et al. 1976). 



HARBOR PORPOISE (Phocoena phocoena ) 



Status . --Uncertain; probably rare in winter and early spring. 



Records . --5-7 observed surfing in the wake of a small charter boat in 

 close proximity to 3-6 fin whales, 75 km ESE Ocean City (38°08'N, 74°16'W), 23 

 April 1977 (Fig. 35). 



Remarks . --The 1977 record off Maryland coincided with a major southward 

 movement of harbor porpoises; at least 60 were stranded along the North Caro- 

 lina coast from January - May (James G. Mead personal communication). Harbor 

 porpoises are usually restricted to cold, shallow inshore waters of harbors 

 and bays; thus the deep water sighting was unusual. 



MINKE WHALE ( Balaenoptera a cutorostrat a) 

 Status . --Uncertain. 



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