I. 6. 1300857659 - Statement of Work.pdf

v2.0 June 2020

STATEMENT OF WORK

(SOW)

Marine Mammal Monitoring on Navy Ranges (M3R)

PR No. 1300857659

1.0 Background

Long-term studies using photo-identification, genetics, and tagging to measure population size, structure, and trends can provide a particularly robust basis for assessing population-level impacts of operations on marine mammal populations. Demographic data, including the age-sex class structure of a population, may provide insights into cumulative impacts on long-lived species that might not appear in acoustic or visual density data. A recent Office of Naval

Research (ONR) supported analysis determined that a long-term photo-identification provided the best power to detect an actual trend in the Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris [Zc]) population off Southern California, and Booth et. al suggest photo-identification and biopsy are critical tools for monitoring populations. Recent studies have revealed strong evidence of population structuring of Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris [Md]) in the northern Bahamas with whales in the Tongue of the Ocean (TOTO), including the Atlantic

Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) range forming a separate sub-population compared to the surrounding areas (Claridge et al. in prep). Abundance estimates for the AUTEC range sub-population are low and there is low recruitment through births (Claridge 2013) as compared to a separate population in the Northwest Providence Channel off Abaco Island. At this time, the reason for this difference is unknown, but this work suggests the population in the

Tongue of the Ocean (TOTO) is less robust and warrants long-term monitoring.

To address this need, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) M3R Program requires contractor services to conduct field studies and analyze data collected at AUTEC. A minimum of thirty (30) days of fieldwork per year to collect photo-identification data for Md at the AUTEC

Weapons Ranges in collaboration with M3R passive acoustic monitoring is required to obtain data allowing long-term monitoring of population structure. The objective is to estimate population parameters to inform passive acoustic density models, Population Consequences of

Disturbance (PCoD) models, and mark-recapture abundance models to monitor trends. These parameters include abundance, age structure, calf and non-calf survival, recruitment, emigration, and group size. These demographics will be compared between AUTEC and Abaco (outside

Andros-AUTEC OpArea). Fieldwork will be focused on Md, but this work will also provide an opportunity to monitor other species known to occur on AUTEC ranges. These include Zc, sperm whales, short-finned pilot whales, melon-headed whales, and rough-toothed dolphins, all of which regularly use the AUTEC ranges and for which we have documented multi-year re-sightings.

2.0 Scope

The contractor shall conduct field studies and analyze data collected at AUTEC. A minimum of thirty (30) days of fieldwork to collect photo-identification data for Md at the AUTEC Weapons

Ranges in collaboration with M3R passive acoustic monitoring is required to obtain data allowing long-term monitoring of population structure.

2.1 The sponsor is the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), funding is Shipbuilding and

Conversion, Navy (SCN).

3.0 Applicable Documents

Not Applicable.

4.0 Technical Requirements

Task 4.1. Photo-identification data shall be collected for Blainville’s beaked whales and other marine mammal species including sperm whales, short-finned pilot whales, melon-headed whales, and rough-toothed dolphins, all of which regularly use the AUTEC ranges and for which we have documented multi-year re-sightings during thirty (30) field days to contribute to capture-recapture studies (e.g., stage-specific survival rates, inter-calf interval, and estimates of population size).

4.1.1. The contractor shall catalogue Blainville’s beaked whales and other species observed on the AUTEC ranges to build individual life histories (CDRL A001).

4.1.2. The contractor shall provide group size data for Blainville’s beaked whales and other species to inform passive acoustics density estimates (CDRL A001).

4.1.3. The contractor shall provide annual age/state-class counts to characterize population age- and stage structure of Blainville’s beaked whales at AUTEC (CDRL

A001).

Task 4.2. The contractor shall collect aerial photogrammetry data for Blainville’s beaked whales at AUTEC during thirty (30) field days to contribute to studies of reproductive success and individual health (e.g., body condition and growth rates).

4.2.1. The contractor shall document pregnancies using aerial photogrammetry (CDRL

A001).

Task 4.3. The contractor shall collect remote biopsy samples from Blainville’s beaked whales at

AUTEC during 30 field days for contribution to ONR-funded nutritional stress study

(N000141812778).

4.3.1. The contractor shall provide results from the analysis of the biopsy samples

(CDRL A001).

Task 4.4. Attend NAVSEA progress meeting.

4.4.1. The contractor shall submit a trip report documenting the attendance at the

NAVSEA meeting (CDRL A002).