• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.665-669
• /
• 2010

To confirm the distributon of finless porpoise, Neophocaena phocaenoides, in the South Sea of Korea, data on bycatch, stranding, and drifting of finless porpoises from 1999 to 2009 were used and a sighting survey was conducted from the R/V Tamgu No. 9 and 10 in June and November, 2009 and March, 2010. The total number of bycaught, stranded, and drifting finless porpoises was 607, with position being known for 186 of these. At the center of Yeosu, there were few position data on bycaught, stranded, and drifting finless porpoises, and data could not confirm the distribution of finless porpoises. Thus, there were limits on the usefulness of bycaught, stranded, and drifting data for confirming the distribution of finless porpoises. In the three sighting surveys, the sighting rate was highest at 0.231 ind./n.m. in the western South Sea in June, 2009. Sighting rate was less than 0.1 ind./n.m. in November, 2009 and March, 2010. This is likely to be due to seasonal migration in western South Sea. All sighting rates in the eastern South Sea were over 0.13 ind./n.m.. According to the results of the sighting survey, finless porpoises are distributed around the islands and inner bay along the path of the research vessel in the South Sea. There were numerous finless porpoises in the offshore areas of Mokpo, Yeosu, Tongyeong, Dadaepo, and Gaduk-do. This study will be utilized as part of a future abundance assessment of finless porpoise in the South Sea of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.889-898
• /
• 2023

This study was conducted to estimate the abundance of narrow-ridged finless porpoises Neophocaena asiaeorientalis in the West Coast of Korea, where they predominantly inhabit. Sighting surveys were conducted in March and November 2021-2022 using vessels and aircraft during the same time periods and along the same survey transects. The aerial surveys yielded significantly more sightings than shipboard surveys, with 8.5-21.6 times the abundance and 6.3-16.9 times the number of observations. The detection rates were 0.000-0.047 and 0.0103 to 0.539 per km² for shipboard and aerial surveys, respectively. The densities were estimated to be 0.003-0.061 and 0.236-1.898 individuals per km² in the shipboard and aerial surveys, respectively. The shipboard survey conducted in March 2022 and the aerial survey conducted in November 2021 had the highest detection rates and abundance. In the coastal waters, shipboard sighting surveys face numerous challenges due to factors such as fishing gear, islands, and shallow water depths. In contrast, aerial surveys have the advantage of a shorter survey period and are less affected by weather, fisheries, coastal lines, and other variables. Thus, they are highly suitable for studying narrow-ridged finless porpoises in the coastal areas of the West Sea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.123-131
• /
• 2011

Seabird distribution in the East Sea was studied from April to May 2007 using line transect counts. We observed a total of 1,379 individuals of 23 species including 14 species of seabird. The overall seabird sighting rate was 2.5 birds $km^{-2}$. The Streaked shearwater(Calonectris leucomelas)(74.5%) was the numerically dominant species. Ancient murrelets(Synthliboramphus antiquus)(8.3%), red-throated divers(Gavia stellata)(5.0%), common terns(Sterna hirundo)(2.1%), Pacific divers(Gavia pacifica)(2.0%), and black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris)(1.1%) were also frequently observed. The sightings of seabirds was highest between $36^{\circ}N$ and $37^{\circ}N$ of the coastal area of the Korean peninsular. However, the index of species diversity(H') was higher between $35^{\circ}N$ and $36^{\circ}N$. The sighting rates of most observed species decreased with distance from the coastline. The distribution patterns of Streaked shearwater were linked to the variation in the distribution pattern of minke whales(Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Also, spatial segregation was found in the distributions of the two species of divers(Gavia spp.).