Marine Mammal, Seabird and Sea Turtle Interaction and Si

MARINE MAMMAL/SEABIRD/SEA TURTLE
INTERACTION AND SIGHTING FORM
Trip Number

USCG #

Species

Haul #
(if applicable)

Common Name

o

Latitude

.

□ All Hauls
□ Multiple Hauls
(List additional hauls in “Notes”)

Longitude

N

1

o

.

W

Beaufort Scale

Date/Time

(See back of form)

When using form for multiple individuals from multiple hauls, complete above information for the first individual(s) encountered

▼

▼

▼ ALL information below must apply to ALL individuals/hauls. Separate form(s) required for distinct sightings/interactions and banded individuals ▼

Identification
Confidence

Were all Individuals Inside the Tally Sample?
(Required for seabird
takes only)

Body Length

□ Yes (Random Sample)

□ No (Opportunistic)

□ <3 m (<10') □ 3-8 m (10-25') □ 8-16 m (25-50')
□ 16-26 m (50-80')
□ >26 m (>80')

Closest Approach

Number Sighted (Best)

□ Sure □ Likely □ Unsure

Sighting Condition

Number (Min)

□ Excellent □ Good
□ Fair
□ Poor

Number (Max)

meters

Notes & Identifying Characteristics

Interaction Codes

Bird Bands

Leg (R/L)

Material

Color(s)

ID #

□ 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
□ Killed by Gear
□ Other (describe in “Notes” section)

ALL Species

Complete table for Banded Birds. If possible, retrieve USFWS bands
ID# entered in database w/ other details

□ 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*

Marine Mammals: Describe Body Features, Markings, Coloration, and associated
Organisms.
Seabirds: Describe Plumage Coloration, Size (Body and Beak), Bill and Foot Color.
General: Never include personally/business identifiable information (e.g., vessel
name, crew name). Special characters (e.g., #, *, +) are not allowed.

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)

OMB Control No. 0648-0593 expires 12-31-2021
WCGOP MM/SB/ST Form 2020

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

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

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

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!