SURVEY OF THE EFFECTS OF OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 

 PLATFORMS ON CETACEAN BEHAVIOR 



Objective 



The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential impact on 

 marine mammals of outer continental shelf (OCS) oil and gas operations. 

 This portion of the study deals with behavioral observations and 

 subjective analysis by industry personnel of marine mammals in the 

 areas of the OCS development. This program is to be used with the 

 analysis of sound recordings of OCS platforms to try and determine a 

 correlation between cetacean behavior and the noise from platform 

 operations. Other possible factors such as supply boat and helicopter 

 movements and simple physical presence will be evaluated. The observed 

 and suggested responses of marine mammals to offshore structures and 

 associated activity is needed to develop policies regarding offshore 

 development. 



Approach 



To collect the maximum amount of data two sampling methods were 

 used: 



1. Collection of historical and anecdotal data by interviews. 

 Researchers were transported to offshore platforms via crewboat 

 or helicopter. All industry personnel contacted were 

 interviewed about the types of marine mammals they could 

 remember seeing. This information yielded general trends in 

 marine mammal occurrence. 



2. Collection of direct observations by sighting cards. Personnel 

 were provided with and asked to fill out a sighting card 

 whenever they sighted marine mammals. This card recorded 

 behavioral and general information related to the sighting. 

 This information will be correlated with sound recordings of 

 the platforms and evaluated for possible effects. 



Background 



The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is designated as the 

 administrative agency for leasing OCS lands. One of the BLM's four 

 priority goals for OCS leasing is "protection of the human, marine and 

 coastal environments." To attain this goal much information must be 

 added to the current data base of impacts from oil and gas exploration 

 and production. 



One of the major data gaps identified by previous studies and by 

 the BLM is the lack of information on the effects of oil and gas 

 operations on marine mammals, especially cetaceans. For example, no 

 comprehensive studies have been undertaken to determine the effects of 



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