Marine mammal, seabird and sea turtle interaction form

MARINE MAMMAL/SEABIRD/SEA TURTLE
INTERACTION AND SIGHTING FORM
<< ALL of the information recorded on this form must apply to ALL individuals. Separate form(s) required for distinct sightings/interactions >>

Trip Number

USCG #

Date/Time

Sighting Condition:
o

Latitude
Longitude

□ Poor

(See back of form)

o

1

□ Fair

Beaufort Scale:

N

.

□ Excellent □ Good

W

.

Water Temp:
(If available)

Species:

Confidence:

o

C

□ Sure □ Likely □ Unsure

Common Name

Body Length:

□ <3 m (<10')

□ 3-8 m (10-25')

□ 16-26 m (50-80')

Closest Approach

□ 8-16 m (25-50')

□ >26 m (>80')

Number Sighted (Best)

□ All Hauls
□ Multiple Hauls

Haul #:
(if applicable)

(List additional hauls in “Notes”)

Number (Min)

Number (Max)

meters

Notes & Identifying Characteristics

Interaction Codes
□ Sighting Only
□ Feeding on Catch (not yet landed on vessel)
□ Feeding on Discarded Catch
□ Feeding on Offal
Feeding on Bait
□ Attached to Hook
□ Floating Free
□ Boarded Vessel (own volition; not captured)

Species of Interest*

□ Previously Dead
□ Deterrence Used (not incl. “Seabird Avoidance Gear”)
□ Seal Bomb
□ Firearm
□ Gaff
□ Yelling
□ Acoustic device
□ Other (describe in “Notes” section)
□ Vessel Strike
□ Entangled in Gear - Not Trailing Gear (non-lethal)
□ Entangled in Gear - Trailing Gear (non-lethal)
□ Lethal Removal - Not Trailing Gear
□ Lethal Removal - Trailing Gear
□ Killed by Gear
□ Other (describe in “Notes” section)

ALL Species

Marine Mammals: Include a description of Body Features, Markings,
Coloration, and Associated Organisms.
Seabirds: Include a description of Plumage Coloration, Size (Body and
Beak), Bill and Foot Color, and ALL Bands (Color, Leg, and ID#). If possible,
retrieve USFWS band(s).
General: Never include personally/business identifiable information (e.g.,
vessel name, crew name) or special characters (e.g., #, *, +).

Interaction Outcome
□ Alive - No visible signs of injury
□ Alive - Visible signs of injury
□ Dead/Unresponsive Carcass
□ Not Applicable (“Sighting only” or “Previously Dead”)
□ Unknown
(Behaviors listed on back)

November 2017
WCGOP MM/SB/ST Form v.2017
OMB Control No. 0648-0593 expires 10-31-2018

Silhouettes of most genera of marine mammals known to occur in and around North America. Subtleties exist between closely related genera.
Care should be taken in identifying species. Assessing one’s level of confidence with copious notes and observations is more valuable than a
brief misidentification.

Photos/Videos

Behaviors
Large Cetaceans
□ Blow visible for
a distance
□ Breaching
□ Flipper Slapping
□ Group Feeding
□ Lob-tailing
□ Spy-hopping
□ Tail raised on dive
□ Side wake riding
□ Stern wake riding

Small Cetaceans
□ Bow riding
□ Leaping entirely
out of water
□ Porpoising
□ Rooster-tailing
□ Slow rolling

Pinnipeds
□ Jug handle
□ Porpoising
□ Rafting
□ Spooked from
haulout
□ Vocalizing

*Species of Interest:
Marine Mammals: ALL spp., except for CA sea lions
Sea Turtles: ALL spp.
Seabirds: ESA-listed spp. (i.e., Short-tailed Albatross,
Marbled Murrelet, CA Least Tern), rare species, and
any species outside of normal range.

Sea Turtles
□ Swimming
□ Diving
□ Floating/Basking
□ Foraging
□ Breathing

□ Photo(s) taken

□ Video(s) taken

Media files/folders should be named as follows:
▪ Barcoded Specimen taken: BC + Barcode#
(Ex: BC100334767)
▪ Tagged by Observer: TAG + Tag#
(Ex: TAG887)
▪ All Others: Sector + Trip# + Haul# (if applicable)
(Ex: CS65667H5, EFP45167H1)
NEVER email photos of protected species!