Name: Biologically Important Areas for Cetaceans - Small and Resident Population
Display Field: scientificname
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: Small and Resident Population Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) for Cetaceans include areas and months within which small and resident populations occupying a limited geographic extent. BIAs were defined by compiling the best available information from scientific literature (including books, peer-reviewed articles, and government or contract reports), unpublished data (sighting, acoustic, tagging, genetic, photo identification), and expert knowledge. This information was then used to create written summaries and maps highlighting areas shoreward of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone that are biologically important to cetacean species (or populations), either seasonally or year-round. Other BIA types include migratory corridor, reproduction, and feeding.