Publications-
Subject Matter Expertise
At Smultea Sciences, scientific rigor is at the heart of our work. As recognized experts in the industry, we serve as subject matter experts (SMEs), with over 100 publications on marine mammal behavior and anthropogenic impacts. When possible, we publish and share data, collaborating with our clients and community to further collective scientific knowledge.
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Journal publications, research, and white papers are shared here. Click on the image to download a pdf (when available).
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2023
Marine Mammal and Marine Bird Surveys During the Windfloat Pacific Offshore Wind Project Near Coos Bay, Oregon, 2014 and 2015.
Olivia M Bates, Elise S Cranmer, Rebekah Lane, Kate S Lomac-MacNair, Mari A Smultea
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Northwestern Naturalist, Volume 104, Issue 3, https://doi.org/10.1898/NWN21-16
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Cetacean and Sea Turtle Observations in the Remote Mid-Atlantic (NW) Ocean.
Watchtendonk, R., Smultea, M., Pedrie, K.
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Journal of Aquatic Mammals, Volume 49, Issue 6
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Abundance & Seasonal Use Patterns of Sea Lions in the Puget Sound
Jefferson, T., Smultea, M., Ward, E.
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Journal of Aquatic Mammals, Volume 49, Issue 4
Funded by the Puget Sound Partnership
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Link to Tom Jefferson's PowerPoint Presentation for the Puget Sound Partnership!
2022
coming soon- update in progress
2021
Review of Night Vision Technologies for Detecting Cetaceans from a Vessel at Sea
Dr. Mari Smultea, Dr. Gregory K. Silber, Paul Donlan, Dagmar Fertl, and David Steckler
Prepared for South Fork Wind
Co-occurance of gray whales and vessel traffic in the North Pacific Ocean
Gregory K. Silber, David W. Weller, Randall R. Reeves, Jeffrey D. Adams, Thomas J. Moore
Endangered Species Research, 44: 177-201, 2021
2019
Vessel operations in the Arctic, 2015–2017
Gregory K. Silber, Jeffrey D. Adams
Frontiers in Marine Science 6:573
2018
Behavior of Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) in the Southern California Bight: An aerial perspective
Smultea, M.A., K. Lomac-MacNair, C.S. Nations, T. McDonald, and B. Würsig
Aquatic Mammals 44(6):653-667
2017
Mixed-species associations of marine mammals in the Southern California Bight, with emphasis on Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus)
Bacon, C.E., M.A. Smultea, D. Fertl, B. Würsig, E.A. Burgess, and S. Hawks-Johnson
Aquatic Mammals 43(2):177-184
Cetacean sightings and acoustic detections during a seismic survey off Nicaragua and Costa Rica, November-December 2004
Holst, M., M.A. Smultea, W.R. Koski, A.J. Sayegh, G. Pavan, J. Beland, and H.H. Goldstein
Revista De Biologia Tropical 65(2):599-611
Projecting marine mammal distribution in a changing climate
Silber, G.K., M.D. Lettrich, P.O. Thomas, J.D. Baker, M. Baumgartner, E.A. Becker, P. Boveng, D.M. Dick, J. Fiechter, J. Forcada, K.A. Forney, R.B. Griffis, J.A. Hare, A.J. Hobday, D. Howell, K.L. Laidre, N. Mantua, L. Quakenbush, J.A. Santora, K.M. Stafford, P. Spencer, C. Stock, W. Sydeman, K. Van Houtan, and R.S. Waples
Frontiers in Marine Science 4:413
Cetacean Mother-calf Behavior Observed from a Small Aircraft off Southern California
Smultea, M.A., D. Fertl, C.E. Bacon, M.R. Moore, V.R. James, and B. Würsig
Animal Behavior and Cognition 4(1):1-23.
August 2017 Survey Report for New York Bight Whale Monitoring Aerial Surveys
Tetra Tech and Smultea Environmental Sciences
Aquatic Mammals 44(6):653-667
2016
First systematic humpback whale studies in the vulnerable state of Guerrero, southwest Mexico
Garcia Chavez, A. J., T. Hanks, A. Mellín, , C. Auladell Quintana,C., P. Chevallard Navarro, V. Pouey-Santalou, V., J. de Weerdt, A. Kaulfuss, M.Smultea, K.Audley
Presented at Society for Mexican Marine Mammalogy Conference, La Paz, Baja California Sur, May 2016
Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) recovery in the inland waters of Washington Estimates of density and abundance from aerial surveys, 2013-2015
Jefferson, T.A., M.A. Smultea, S.S. Courbis, and G.S. Campbell
Canadian Journal of Zoology 94(7):505-515
Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) behavior and group dynamics as observed from an aircraft off southern California 2008-2013
Lomac-MacNair, K., and M.A. Smultea
Animal Cognition and Behavior 3:1-21
Socio-sexual and probable mating behavior of Cook Inlet beluga whales observed from an aircraft
Lomac-MacNair, K.S., M.A. Smultea, M.P. Cotter, C. Thissen, and L. Parker
Marine Fisheries Review 77(2):32-39
Assessing ‘observer effects’ from a research aircraft on behavior of three Delphinidae species (Grampus griseus, Delphinus delphis, and Orcinus orca)
Smultea, M.A., and K. Lomac-MacNair
Wildlife Biology in Practice 12(2):75-90
Behavioral Ecology of Cetaceans
Mari A. Smultea
PhD Dissertation, Texas A&M University
2015
Southern California Bight marine mammal density and abundance from aerial surveys, 2008-2013
Jefferson, T.A., M.A. Smultea, and C.E. Bacon
Journal of Marine Animals and Their Ecology 7(2):14-30
Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) behavior and group dynamics as observed from an aircraft off southern California
Lomac-MacNair, K., and M.A. Smultea
Animal Cognition and Behavior 3:1-21
Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) behavior and group dynamics as observed from an aircraft off Southern California Methods/Analyses
Lomac-MacNair, Kate & Smultea, Mari & Bredvick, Jessica
Poster Presentation
Southern California Bight marine mammal density and abundance from aerial surveys 2008-2013
Moore, M., T.A. Jefferson, M.A. Smultea, C.E. Bacon
30-31 January 2015. Newport Beach, California. (Poster Presentation)
Preliminary evidence suggesting habitat partitioning among bottlenose, pantropical spotted and rough-toothed dolphins off undescribed Guerrero, southwestern Mexico Winters 2014-2015
Pouey-Santalou, V., A. Kaulfuss, J. de Weerdt, A.J. Garcia Chavez, M. Smultea, and K. Audley
13-18 December 2015. San Francisco, California. (Poster Presentation)
Behavioral ecology of Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) in the Southern California Bight based on aerial focal follows
Smultea, M.A., S. Courbis, S. Howlin, C. Bacon and T. McDonald
30-31 January 2015. Newport Beach, CA. (Poster Presentation)
Puget Sound marine mammal aerial surveys 2013-2015
Smultea, M., C. Bacon, D. Steckler, M. Cotter, and S. Courbis
Puget Sound Marine Waters Overview 2014, Puget Sound Marine Ecosystem Monitoring Program Marine Mammals Harbor Porpoise, Aerial Surveys II
Smultea, Mari & Jefferson, Thomas & Courbis, Sarah & Steckler, David
Effectiveness of marine mammal monitoring and mitigation during seismic surveys using modern PSO software (Mysticetus™) across multiple observation platforms
Dave Steckler, Mari Smultea, Kate Lomac-MacNair, Greg Campbell, and Sarah Courbis, Entiat River Technologies, Smultea Environmental Sciences
Aquatic Mammals 44(6):653-667
2014
Behavior and group characteristics differ in mixed-species associations (MSA) of cetaceans in the Southern California Bight
Bacon, C.E., M.A. Smultea, B. Würsig, D. Fertl, W.M. von Zharen, K. Lomac-MacNair, and J. Bredvik
Poster Presentation at Southern California Marine Mammal Workshop 2014. 31 January-1 February 2014. Newport Beach, California.
Southern California Bight marine mammal density and abundance from aerial surveys, 2008-2013
Jefferson, T.A., M.A. Smultea, and C.E. Bacon
Journal of Marine Animals and Their Ecology 7(2):14-30
Behavioural profiles of African bovids (Hippotraginae)
Packard, J.M., K.E. Loonam, C.R. Arkenberg, H.M. Boostrom, T.L. Cloutier, E.J. Enriquez, A. Eyres, H. Haefele, T.R. Salzar, M.A. Smultea, and K. Snodgrass
Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 2(3):82-87
Behaviors of Southern California cetaceans: Observations from a small aircraft 2008-2013
Smultea, M.A., C.E. Bacon, B. Würsig, and K. Lomac-MacNair
Poster presentation at 107th Annual Meeting of the Southern California Academy of Sciences. 2-3 May 2014. Camarillo, California
Changes in Relative Occurrence of Cetaceans in the Southern California Bight: A Comparison of Recent Aerial Survey Results with Historical Data Sources
Smultea M.A., and T.A. Jefferson
Aquatic Mammals 40(1):32-43
Focusing on behavioral data gathering and analysis: Highlighting video capabilities from the air or shore
Smultea, M.A., C. Bacon, and B. Würsig
Oral Presentation made during panel session on Basic Behavioral Research: Techniques and Analyses held on 31 January 2014, Southern California Marine Mammal Workshop 2014. 31 January-1 February 2014. Newport Beach, California
Puget Sound Marine Mammal Aerial Surveys 2013-2015: The Return of Harbor Porpoises
Mari A. Smultea, Tom Jefferson, Sarah Courbis, and Dave Steckler
Report for the Puget Sound Marine Waters 2014 Overview Report
Rare Mixed-Species Associations Between Sperm Whales and Risso's and Northern Right Whale Dolphins Off the Southern California Bight Kleptoparasitism and Social Parasitism
Smultea, M.A., C.E. Bacon, K. Lomac-MacNair, F. Visser, and J. Bredvik
Northwestern Naturalist 95(1):43-49
Resource selection function analyses: Assessing habitat use relative to behavior and resource characteristics/ availability for five common marine mammal species in the Southern California Bight
Smultea, M.A., T. McDonald, S. Howlin, D. Steckler, and K. Lomac-MacNair
Oral Presentation at 107th Annual Meeting of the Southern California Academy of Sciences. 2-3 May 2014. Camarillo, California
Visual and passive acoustic marine mammal monitoring in northern U.S. and international Chukchi Sea open waters in Summer-Fall 2013
Smultea, M.A., M. Blees, M. Larson, J. Cate, S. Simpson, C.E. Bacon, and D.J. Steckler
Poster Presentation at , Alaska Marine Science Symposium. 20-24 January 2014. Anchorage, Alaska
Marine mammal monitoring in central and upper Cook Inlet from vessel, land and aerial platforms during spring, summer and fall of 2012 and 2013
Lomac-Macnair, K., M. Smultea, L. Kendall, S. Wisdom, N. Opinsky, and C. Bacon
Poster Presentation at 2014 Alaska Marine Science Symposium. 20-24 January 2014. Anchorage, Alaska
2013
Comparison of blue and fin whale behavior and group characteristics in the Southern California Bight (SCB) 2008-2012
Bacon, C., M.A. Smultea, and B. Würsig
Poster Presentation at 27th European Cetacean Society Annual Conference. 8-10 April 2013. Setubal, Portugal
Mixed-species associations seen in the Southern California Bight during aerial surveys 2008-2012
Bacon, C.E., M.A. Smultea, B. Würsig, V. James, and M. Moore
Poster Presentation at Southern California Marine Mammal Workshop 2013. 1-2 February 2013. Newport Beach, California
Longitudinal comparisons of digital photography of marine mammals from aircraft and shore
Biondi, J., M.A. Smultea, C.E. Bacon, G. Gailey, O. Sychenko, B. Würsig, S. Bonizzoni, and G. Bearzi
Poster Presentation at Southern California Marine Mammal Workshop 2014. 31 January-1 February 2014. Newport Beach, California
Sights and sounds in the sky Integrated acousticvisual aerial monitoring of marine mammal behaviors using sonobuoys and videography
Norris, Tom & Steckler, David & Smultea, Mari & Würsig, Bernd & Dominelli, Talia & Hom-Weaver, Cory Ann & Bacon, Cathy
Aquatic Mammals 44(6):653-667
Behavioral Syndromes in African Bovids Assay Techniques for Population Planning
Packard, J.M., K.E. Loonam, C.R. Arkenberg, H.M. Boostrom, T.L. Cloutier, E.J. Enriquez, A. Eyres, H. Haefele, T.R. Salzar, M.A. Smultea, K. Snodgrass
Biodiversity Stewardship Report No. BS13.03. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Aerial surveys conducted in the SOCAL OPAREA from 01 August 2012 to 31 July 2013 – Final report
Smultea, Mari & Bacon, Cathy
Aquatic Mammals 44(6):653-667
Behavior, group characteristics, density and habitat-use patterns of marine mammals off Southern California during 2008-2012 aerial surveys
Smultea, M.A., C.E. Bacon, T.A. Jefferson, B. Würsig, M. Moore, and V. James
Poster Presentation at Southern California Marine Mammal Workshop 2013. 1-2 February 2013. Newport Beach, California
Comparisons of the behavioral ecology of three delphinid and three baleen whale species: risks and rewards of group living
Moore, M., M.A. Smultea, B. Würsig, K. Lomac-MacNair, and J. Bredvik
Poster Presentation at 21st Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. 13-18 December 2015. San Francisco, California
Visual-acoustic survey of cetaceans during an academic seismic study in the southeast Caribbean Sea, April-June 2004
Smultea, M.A., M. Holst, W.R. Koski, S. MacLean, A.J. Sayegh, C. Fossati, S. Stoltz, H.H. Goldstein, J. Beland, and S. Yin
Caribbean Journal of Science 47(2-3):273-283
Assessing 'observer effect' from an aerial platform during marine mammal focal observations on Risso's dolphins, short-beaked common dolphins and killer whales in the Southern California Bight
Lomac-MacNair, K., M.A. Smultea, and C.E. Bacon
Poster Presentation at Society of Marine Mammalogy Biennial, Dunedin, New Zealand
2012
Rare southern California sperm whale sighting
Bacon, C., and C. Johnson
Currents (Navy’s Environmental Magazine) Fall 2012:44-47. (based on aerial surveys conducted by Smultea Environmental Sciences)
Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydeiedeni) sightings in the Southern California Bight
James, V., M.A. Smultea, A.B. Douglas, C E. Bacon, T.A. Jefferson and L. Mazucca
Poster Presentation at Southern California Marine Mammal Workshop. 3-4 February 2012. Newport Beach, California
Diurnal behavior and group size patterns of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) during 2008-2010 aerial surveys off San Diego, California
Lomac-MacNair, K., M.A. Smultea, C.E. Bacon, and M. Blees
Poster Presentation at Southern California Marine Mammal Workshop. 3-4 February 2012. Newport Beach, California
Got milk? Aircraft observations provide rare glimpses into whale calf nursing and back riding
Moore, M., M.A. Smultea, C.E. Bacon, B. Würsig, and V. James
Poster Presentation at Southern California Marine Mammal Workshop. 3-4 February 2012. Newport Beach, California
Aerial acoustic-behavioral monitoring using sonobuoys deployed from observation aircraft: Coupled acoustic and visual observation from slow flying observation planes
Norris, T., M.A. Smultea, B. Würsig, C. Bacon, V. James, and M. Moore
Poster Presentation at Southern California Marine Mammal Workshop. 3-4 February 2012. Newport Beach, California
Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera brydei edeni) Sightings in the Southern California Bight
James, Vanessa & Smultea, Mari & Douglas, Annie & Bacon, Cathy & Jefferson, Thomas & Mazzuca, Lori
Poster Presentation at Southern California Marine Mammal Workshop, January, 2012, Newport Beach, CA
2011
Comparison of blue and fin whale behavior, headings and group characteristics in the Southern California Bight during Summer and Fall 2008-2010
Bacon, C.E., M.A. Smultea, B. Würsig, and K. Lomac-MacNair
Poster Presentation at 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. 27 November-2 December 2011. Tampa, Florida
Rare sightings of Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydeiedeni) in the Southern California Bight
Mazzuca, L., M.A. Smultea, A.B. Douglas, and C.E. Bacon
Poster Presentation at 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. 27 November-2 December 2011. Tampa, Florida
Behavior and Group Characteristics of Marine Mammals in the Southern California Bight 2008-2010
Smultea, M.A., C.E. Bacon, D. Fertl, and K. Ampela
Journal name, volume pages
Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni brydei) sightings in the Southern California Bight
Smultea, M.A., C.E. Bacon, D. Fertl, and K. Ampela
Journal name, volume pages
Changes in abundance, density and diversity of marine mammals in the Southern California Bight 1998-1999 vs. 2008-2010
Smultea, M.A., T.A. Jefferson, J. Black, K. Lomac-MacNair, and C.E. Bacon
Poster Presentation at 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. 27 November-2 December 2011. Tampa, Florida
Diurnal behavior and group size patterns of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) during 2008-2010 aerial surveys off San Diego, California
Lomac-MacNair, K., M.A. Smultea, C.E. Bacon, and M. Blees
Poster Presentation at 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. 27 November-2 December 2011. Tampa, Florida
2010
Aerial survey monitoring for marine mammals off southern California in conjunction with US Navy major training events 2008-2010
Smultea, M.A., C. Bacon, and R. Merizan
Oral Presentation, American Cetacean Society San Diego Chapter Monthly Meeting. July 2010. La Jolla, California
History of bowhead surveys in the US Beaufort and Chukchi seas 1975-2009
Smultea, M.A., D. Fertl, D.J. Rugh, and C. Bacon
Poster Presentation at Mini- Alaska Marine Science Symposium at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center. 16-17 February 2010
Polar bear reactions to icebreakers
Smultea, M.A., D. Fertl, G.A. Green, and R.A. Rowlett
Poster Presentation at Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2010. 18-22 January 2010. Anchorage, Alaska
Rare sightings of a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) and sei whales (B. borealis) (Cetacea Balaenopteridae) northeast of Oahu
Smultea, M.A., T.A. Jefferson, and A.M. Zoidis
Pacific Science 64(3):449-457
Results of aerial surveys conducted in conjunction with US Navy training exercises off southern California 2008/2009
Smultea, M.A., K. Lomac-MacNair, J.R. Mobley, Jr., L.M. Mazucca, and C. Bacon
Poster Presentation at Southern California Marine Mammal Workshop. 9-10 January 2010. Newport Beach, California
2009
Preliminary list of systematic surveys involving bowhead whales in the U.S. Beaufort and Chukchi Seas 1975-2008
Smultea, M. A.
Pages 63-81 in Bowhead Whale Feeding Ecology Study (BOWFEST) in the Western Beaufort Sea: 2008 Annual Report
2008
An Unusual Reaction and Other Observations of Sperm Whales Near Fixed-Wing Aircraft
Smultea, M.A., J.R. Mobley, G.L. Fulling, and D. Fertl
Gulf and Caribbean Research 20(1):75-80
Vocalizations produced by humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) calves recorded in Hawaii
Zoidis, A.M., M.A. Smultea, A.S. Frankel, J.L. Hopkins, A.D. Whitt, and D. Fertl
Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 123(3):1737-1746
2007
A visual sighting and acoustic detections of minke whales, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, in nearshore Hawaiian waters
Rankin. S., T.F. Norris, M.A. Smultea, C. Oedekoven, E. Silva, A.M. Zoidis, and J. Rivers
Pacific Science 61(3):395-398
2005
A Preliminary Acoustic-visual Survey of Cetaceans in Deep Waters around Niihau, Kauai, and Portions of Oahu, Hawaii from Aboard the R/V Dariabar February 2005
Norris, T.F., M.A. Smultea, A.M. Zoidis, S. Rankin, C. Loftus, C. Oedekoven, J.L. Hayes, and E. Silva
Aquatic Mammals 44(6):653-667
1996
Fin whale sighting north of Kaua'i, Hawai'i
Mobley, J.R., Jr., M. Smultea, T. Norris, and D. Weller
Pacific Science 50(2):230-233
1995
First records of humpback whales including calves at Golfo Dulce and Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, suggesting geographical overlap of northern and southern hemisphere populations
Acevedo, A., and M.A. Smultea
Marine Mammal Science 11(4):554-560
Behavioral reactions of bottlenose dolphins to the Mega Borg II oil spill, Gulf of Mexico 1990
Smultea, M.A., and B. Würsig
Aquatic Mammals 21(3):171-181.
1994
Relative abundance and behavior of marine mammals exposed to transmissions from the Heard Island Feasibility Test
Bowles, A.E., M. Smultea, B. Würsig, D. DeMaster, and D. Palka
Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 96(4):2469-2484.
The first photographic documentation of a northern right whale off Washington State
Rowlett, R.A., G.A. Green, C.E. Bowlby, and M.A. Smultea
Northwestern Naturalist 75(3):102-104
Segregation by humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) cows with a calf in coastal habitat near the island of Hawaii
Smultea, M.A
Canadian Journal of Zoology 72(5):805-811
1992
​Temporal and spatial segregation of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) off the Big Island of Hawaii: The influence of behavioral and ecological constraints
M.A. Smultea
Master’s thesis, Texas A&M University
1991
Observations on the abundance and behavior of marine mammals exposed to the Heard Island source transmissions
Bowles, A.E., M. Smultea, B. Würsig, D.P. DeMaster, and D. Palka
Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 90(4, Part 2):2329-2330
1990
Harbor porpoises utilize tidally-induced waves
Silber, G.K., and M.A. Smultea
Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 89(3):139-142
1987
The use of lateral body coloration for photographic identification of east Australian (Area V) humpback whales
Kaufman, G.D., M.A. Smultea, and P. Forestell
Cetus 7:5-13