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the bathymetric strata was defined according to expected observation rate (available in the literature or from previous unpublished campaigns) in order to obtain a significant number of observations for cetaceans and to make it possible to modify the effort during the campaign according to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.

On returning from the campaign, the data is subject to technical and scientific checks and revalidation but the experts and the PELAGIS observatory. The effort is then adjusted and accounted for in order to determine the distribution rate (number of observations/km covered in the effort). Occurrence data is generated and transferred to the INPN portal and stored in the PELAGIS Observatory information System Data is currently stored in its original format (VOR - Access) and as a Géodatabase file (ESRI 2012). This is 0 level data, that is to say the most basic level.

Data is subject to automated FME 2013+ quality control. This is the first level of data, that is to say when it is validated, adjusted and linked to the observations.

Data is prepared for analysis (labelled effort divided into equal segments, etc.) Analyses are conducted using R and Distance. This is the second level of data, that is to say the advanced level. This data format is not made public