Marine mammal fauna of potential OTEC sites in the Gulf of Mexico and Hawaii

Conference · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:5995717

Payne, S F

Twenty-seven marine mammal species have been recorded for the Gulf of Mexico, including 7 Mysticetes or baleen whales, 17 Odontocetes or toothed whales, 1 Sirenian (manatee), and 1 or 2 Pinnipeds or seals. The most common species in the Gulf is the bottlenosed dolphin, an inshore species. Offshore, the spotted dolphin, is fairly common. Most other species are recorded from very few sightings or strandings. None of the endangered species is common in potential OTEC sites in the Gulf of Mexico. Twenty-two marine mammals may occur in Hawaii; 2 Mystecetes, 19 Odonotocetes, and the endemic monk seal. The monk seal, an endangered species, lives in the extreme northwestern island chain away from potential OTEC sites. Among the most common cetaceans in Hawaii is the endangered humpback whale. The spinner dolphin and the bottlenosed dolphin are also fairly common. The baleen whales feed on zooplankton during the summer in polar waters, and are migratory, while the toothed whales feed mainly on fish and squid, and are found in temperate or tropical regions year-round. The manatee is vegetarian and the pinnipeds are fish- or squid-eaters. Environmental effects of OTEC which may affect mammals are: toxic effects of biocide release or ammonia spill, biostimulating effects of seawater redistribution, oil spills, or effects of the physical presence of OTEC plants.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley (USA). Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5995717
• Report Number(s): LBL-9055; CONF-790631-4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ANIMALS
ANTIFOULANTS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARIBBEAN SEA
CETACEANS
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OIL SPILLS
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SEAS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VERTEBRATES
WESTERN REGION