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MARINE MAMMALS OBSERVATIONS

Observers were located on the ship's bridge to cover the horizon. In this case the three observers covered angular sectors of 120°(180°or even 360°in case of emergencies). Every 20 minutes the navigation and meteorological data were logged. During a sighting, the logged information were increased, including also photographs and the standard observations on individuals or shoals. During bad seas ($>$3 Beaufort) the observations become more difficult [Gowans et al.(2000)], and are considered unreliable.

Despite of non favourable meteorological conditions, we had several sigths of the two most common species that populate the Ligurian (Stenella coeruleoalba and Balaenoptera physalus). This latter was mainly found nearby the ODAS buoy.



2005-11-04