4.3 Observations of Marine Mammals 



Coordination of marine mammal observations In the area of the Argo 

 Merchant spill began on December 28 as part of the SOR Team research effort 

 with the arrival of B. Baxten from the College of the Atlantic. Provisions 

 were made to carry a trained marine mammal observer on all USCG overflights 

 during the study period, with the goal of establishing species composition, 

 approximate population sizes, and Impact, if any, of the oil spill on these 

 populations. Observations were made through January 13, 1977. Although the 

 opportunity did not arise, provisions were made for behavioral studies in the 

 event of direct contact by any marine mammal with a cohesive oil mass. 



Since the Avgo Merchant spill, 43 separate aerial sightings of cetaceans 

 have been made in adjacent areas (Table VII-22 in Appendix VII). The total 

 count of sightings stands at 2 unidentified rorquals, 21 finbacks (Balaenop- 

 tera physalus ) , 7 white-sided dolphins ( Lagenorhychus acutus ) , 13-15 pilot 

 whales (Globicephala malaena ) , and possibly one grey seal. These limited 

 data showed no bias in the distribution of these animals in relation to the 

 oil. Locations of the sightings are indicated on the daily oil slick maps 

 contained in Appendix IV. Whales were observed within an area of heavy oil 

 concentration on only one occasion, at 1401, December 31. These two finbacks 

 gave no evidence of panic and were not in direct contact with the oil pan- 

 cakes. No marine mammal was seen in obvious distress or in direct physical 

 contact with oil pancakes or sheen. 



No marine mammals were sighted during the December 20 and December 28 

 research cruises by the WHOI vessel Ooeanus , nor during the on-scene opera- 

 tions of the USCGC's Bittersweet and Whitefoot. Three possible finback 

 sightings were reported by J. Loughlin of the Manomet Bird Observatory from 

 the USCGC Vigilant in the immediate area of the Argo Merchant during the 

 period of heaviest spillage (Table VII-22 in Appendix VII). J. Nicholas of 

 the National Marine Fisheries Service coordinated a marine mammal observa- 

 tions program aboard the second Detawojc'e II cruise (DE 77-01) from January 4 

 to 12. No marine mammals were sighted. 



H. Winn coordinated an effort of aerial surveys on December 20 and 22, 

 1976, to locate marine mammals. Two overflights were made, funded by the 

 Marine Mammals Commission (MM-7A D-032) . One .grey seal may have been spotted 

 on Muskeget Island on December 20. 



4.4 Littoral Zone and Near-Coastal Zone Survey 



On Monday, December 27, personnel from MESA, NOAA, assembled a team of 

 intertidal biologists and chemists on Nantucket Island to develop a baseline 

 sampling plan for exposed beaches and Inlets of the Island that would be 

 vunerable to Impact if the spilled oil should come ashore. Members of the 

 team included scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the 

 Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, the University of Massachusetts, 

 Northeastern University, and the Energy Resources Company. On Tuesday, 

 December 28, the team went into the field to obtain samples at four loca- 

 lities around the island: two beach sites, a salt marsh site, and an inner 



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