- Data taken from the following collection and validation protocol : Methodological guide to observing marine mammals and birds in the France’s mainland coastal waters and adjacent areas – PACOMM – SAMM Programme . G.Dorémus et al. 2011.

- The acquisition protocol for this data on these campaigns was implemented thanks to the experience of the team from the PELAGIS observatory gathered over more than 10 years in the field, and notable through the aerial observation campaigns ROMER( 2000-2002), ATLANCET (2003) and SCANS (2005)

Observations are made from an aeroplane flying over predefined transects at a constant altitude of 600 feet and a speed of 90 knots. Two observers record the environmental conditions and the following observations (at the surface or below the surface):

- Using the strip transect method (200m strips): bird observations

- Using the line transect methods (up to 500m): observations of marine mammals, sharks, rays, bony fish (large fish or shoals of fish) and sea turtles.

- Using the strip transect method: macro waste (200 m strips) and boats (500m strips)

Data is collected and coordinated by the PELAGIS observatory by scientific teams and observers, all of whom are specifically trained in aerial observation protocol (identical protocols for REMMOA and SAMM).

Result: SAMM campaigns have made it possible to collect over 20,000 pieces of data of the same type in France’s mainland waters along over 100,000 km of transects.

REMMOA campaigns have made it possible to collect over 55,000 observations of marine megafauna and human activity (waste, vessels and fishing gear) over nearly 205,000 km of transects covered by plane over the sea.

- flyovers in mainland France – SAMM campaign (Aerial Marine Megafauna Monitoring) – are conducted in the context of the PACOMM programme in order to meet community objectives for conservation and the promotion of maritime areas (Natura 2000, MSFD, regional maritime conventions, etc.).

The dataset is made up of two datasets: samm1 for winter 2011 and samm2 for summer 2012.

At least one campaign is attributed to each region of study.

Observers are attributed a campaign and a geographical area. For each sector there are bathymetric strata and transects which are linked to each of these strata (with a few exceptions for the Indian Ocean).

- Definition of sectors: zones corresponding to distinct maritime areas (seaboard, coast, archipelago, etc.)

- Definition of bathymetric strata : areas at the heart of each sector, determined according to bathymetric characteristics such as depth, relief and slope gradient.

- Definition of transects : breakdown of the observation effort between the bathymetric strata was defined according to expected observation rate (available in the literature or from previous unpublished campaigns) in order to obtain a significant number of observations for cetaceans and to make it possible to modify the effort during the campaign according to the real observation rate (increase or decrease of effort. The transects are distributed systematically within the strata.

Data was acquired during the flights and is also recorded digitally.

Back on land, the data is checked and errors removed. Corresponding codes for species, name, family and genus were verified using the TAXREFv5.0 reference. If need be, species identification is refined using photos taken during the flyovers. Data remains in the initial system of coordinates. Data is acquired within the context of a protocol defined as of acquisition (observers trained) for technical and scientific validation overseen by the PELAGIS observatory.