gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:8626 eng UTF8 dataset Southeast Fisheries Science Center (305)361-5761 75 Virginia Beach Drive Miami FL 33149 USA www.sefsc.noaa.gov WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Website Website for this organization information 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST resourceProvider Gitschlag, Gregg 409-766-3517 4700 Avenue U Galveston TX 77551 Gregg.Gitschlag@noaa.gov Contact by email preferred. pointOfContact 2026-03-04T19:17:18 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata Part 2 Extensions for imagery and gridded data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Platform Removal Observer Program Databases from 1987-present Platform Observer Data publication NOAA/NMFS/EDM 8626 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/8626 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Full Metadata Record View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. information https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/fisheries-observers/platform-removal-observer-program WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Platform Observer Home Page Describe Platform Observer Program with provided links download tableDigital Platform Removal Observer Program Data Underwater explosives are frequently used in the removal of oil and gas platforms. Since 1987, federal regulations required the use of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) approved observers to perform biological monitoring at the explosive removal of oil and gas structures in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In that year, the Platform Removal Observer Program was initiated at the NMFS Galveston Laboratory to meet this requirement. Observers document sightings of sea turtles and marine mammals both before and after detonations, recommend delays in detonating explosives when sea turtles and marine mammals are present inside a predetermined impact zone, record the condition of observed animals, and coordinate retrieval of impacted animals for medical examination, rehabilitation, and necropsy. NMFS observers are required to monitor 100% of all explosive structure removals although special rules govern the use of very small charges. Data sets include information on explosive use, aerial and surface survey effort, sea turtle and marine mammal observations, salvage delays caused by biological monitoring requirements, sea state and visibility. The purpose of the Platform Removal Observer Program is twofold. First, the program functions to protect sea turtles and marine mammals from impacts of underwater explosives used in the platform removal process. Second, the program assesses the impacts of underwater explosives on these protected species. underDevelopment Kesterson, Megan (409) 766-3505 megan.kesterson@noaa.gov pointOfContact Gitschlag, Gregg 409-766-3517 4700 Avenue U Galveston TX 77551 Gregg.Gitschlag@noaa.gov Contact by email preferred. custodian EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > MAMMALS > CETACEANS EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > REPTILES > TURTLES > SEA TURTLES theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 17.0 Lutjanus campechanus theme World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF AMERICA place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 20.8 fishdep fisheries independent data fishery-dependent gas platforms marine mammals observers oil platforms removing platforms turtles theme 1987-present temporal Gulf Of Mexico Louisiana Texas place DOC/NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC > Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2017-04-24 publication 8.5 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian Galveston Fisheries Management Projects project InPort otherRestrictions Cite As: Southeast Fisheries Science Center, [Date of Access]: Platform Removal Observer Program Databases from 1987-present [Data Date Range], https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/8626. NOAA provides no warranty, nor accepts any liability occurring from any incomplete, incorrect, or misleading data, or from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading use of the data. It is the responsibility of the user to determine whether or not the data is suitable for the intended purpose. otherRestrictions Access Constraints: Data is restricted from access due to the classification/protection identified under the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act (Section 402(b)). Data were collected by the Pelagic Observer Program. Observer information is considered confidential and shall not be disclosed, except in accordance with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act (Section 402(b)). It is also protected under the NOAA_AO_20216-100 and the Trades Secrets Act. restricted NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA/NMFS/EDM 8626 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/sefsc/dmp/pdf/8626.pdf WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. information crossReference eng; US oceans -97 -88 26 30 Gulf Of Mexico, Western | Currentness: Ground Condition 1987 dataset N/A