Abundance

What is line transect boat survey?

• Go out on boat and conduct a dolphin survey along fixed routes (i.e. transects) in different areas

• Two researchers look for dolphins and keep track of the time, positions and other environmental conditions at the same time

• Record information on group size, perpendicular distance between the vessel and the dolphins, etc.

• Enter data collected from boat surveys into a specialized computer program called DISTANCE, which assists in estimating the density and abundance of dolphins in the survey area

Line Transect Boat Survey