| description:
|
These data show information from 16 ship-based assessment surveys by the Southwest Fisheries Science Center from 1986-2006. Predicted annual densities were smoothed into a continuous grid of density estimates for the surveyed area. Annual grids were averaged and represent the best estimate of Northern Right Whale Dolphin density in Washington over the past 20 years.
The northern right whale dolphin are dolphins that are usually found in large tight social groups. They are found in deep, cold waters of the North Pacifric Ocean. Seasonal distribution varies based on water temperature changes, moving north during spring and south during winter months. NOAA's Office of Protected Resources estimates that there are 16,000-21,000 northern right whale dolphins off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. In 1997, NMFS implemented the "Pacific Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Plan", which requires the use of pingers and 6-fathom net extenders in drift gillnets in order to reduce bycatch of cetaceans (62 FR 51805). |