PRELIMINARY AT-SEA 
SURVEY REPORT 
SIC # 16 
NON-GRID AREAS 
Survey Period ; Iji November through 23 December 1$66. 
Support Vessel ; U.S.N.S. SHEARWATER (T-AG 177) 
Survey Personnel ;Richard Crossin (Biologist-in-Charge), Kenneth Balcomb (Assistant 
leader-of-islands), Richard Chandler (Assistant leader-pelagic 
work), F. Thompson, Robert Tuxson, John Fitch, Larry Huber, 
Richard Heiden, Dr. Robert L. Pyle (lst-half only). 
Introduction : 
This report summarizes non-grid pelagic bird observations and collections 
made by POBSP personnel on Southern Island Cruise #16. During the survey 
period 13,38b birds of U2 species were recorded over 3,126 miles and 356.U5 
hours of observation. Eighty-three specimens of 16 species were collected. 
InNovember, a porpoise of genus Stenella (probably roseiventris or coeruleoalbus ) 
traveling in a large school was chased by K. ialcomb in the Whaler, and finally 
ivjgthods* shot, and collected. 
i — I —^ « 
In all non-grid areas, two-man watches were maintained from sunrise to 
sunset. Watches were discontinued when in proximity (ca. 3-5 miles) to 
study islands. Bathythermograph casts were made at h hour intervals through¬ 
out the day. Rough weather necessitated discontinuance of B.T. casts after 
December 16. 
Western Extension ; 
A major objective of this cruise was the survey of an area known as 
,, 5°N M . Due to delays for mechanical repairs only part of the proposed area 
was investigated. The vessel sailed SW from Johnston Atoll to approximately 
178°05 , E; 7°25 f N. then sailed SE on a course to Howland Island. The area 
under question is evidently a boundary zone between the equatorial current 
and the equatorial counter current. A correlation exists between this 
current situation and the bird abundance. The extent and nature of this 
