Marine Mammal Conservation Research Articles

Attitudes towards marine mammal conservation issues before the introduction of whale‐watching: a case study in Aruba (southern Caribbean)

ABSTRACT Effective conservation management requires a solid understanding of social and economic factors, in addition to biological factors affecting what is to be conserved. Aruba is one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean and its already high number of tourists is still increasing. No commercial whale‐watching operations are offered yet on the island. This provides a rare opportunity to document knowledge of and values concerning marine mammals before the introduction of whale‐watching operations. In 2010, a survey was conducted to investigate the awareness and attitudes of resident Arubans (n = 204) and tourists (n = 198) towards marine mammals and their conservation on Aruba. Knowledge of the local marine mammal community was low for both groups. Most participants would support more stringent legislation for protecting marine mammals in Aruba. Overall concern regarding threats to marine mammals was high and oil spills, chemical pollution, litter and sewage were identified as the most serious threats. A large proportion of residents (84.2%) and tourists (83.6%) were interested in, and willing to pay for, viewing marine mammals. Both groups preferred to see marine mammals in the wild rather than in captivity. This is the first study that investigates the attitudes of people towards marine mammals and their conservation in a country that does not have marine mammal related tourism yet. This study suggests that strong support for marine mammal conservation issues does not critically depend on detailed knowledge of the local marine mammal community, or on the availability of whale‐watching operations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Historical Perspectives: Ancient Waves, Recent Concerns: The Budding of Marine Mammal Conservation Science in Italy

Historical Perspectives: Ancient Waves, Recent Concerns: The Budding of Marine Mammal Conservation Science in Italy

Cetáceos presentes en el Caribe nororiental colombiano (2004-2012)

Since 2004, the main objective of the Program for Conservation of Marine Mammals of the Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano (ProCMM-UJTL, in spanish) has been to expand the inventory and knowledge of some of the ecological and behavioral aspects of cetaceans present in the northeastern of the Colombian Caribbean. To this day, we have considered the results of 16 studies carried out, referring the reported sightings in areas of the Santa Marta and Baja Guajira region, by monitoring from fixed points and linear transects, managing to record individuals of 10 species from odontocetes (8) to misticetes (2), with a photo-identification catalog and ethograms of captive specimens containing 110 behavioral events within the 7 default states. Their presence can be attributed to a possible biological corridor transit, for the most part, with some sources of food. The ProCMM has played an important role in autopsy assistance and support to various organizations in different strandings

Correction for Pompa et al., Global distribution and conservation of marine mammals

Correction for Pompa et al., Global distribution and conservation of marine mammals

Global distribution and conservation of marine mammals.

We identified 20 global key conservation sites for all marine (123) and freshwater (6) mammal species based on their geographic ranges. We created geographic range maps for all 129 species and a Geographic Information System database for a 46,184 1° x 1° grid-cells, ∼10,000-km(2). Patterns of species richness, endemism, and risk were variable among all species and species groups. Interestingly, marine mammal species richness was correlated strongly with areas of human impact across the oceans. Key conservation sites in the global geographic grid were determined either by their species richness or by their irreplaceability or uniqueness, because of the presence of endemic species. Nine key conservation sites, comprising the 2.5% of the grid cells with the highest species richness, were found, mostly in temperate latitudes, and hold 84% of marine mammal species. In addition, we identified 11 irreplaceable key conservation sites, six of which were found in freshwater bodies and five in marine regions. These key conservation sites represent critical areas of conservation value at a global level and can serve as a first step for adopting global strategies with explicit geographic conservation targets for Marine Protected Areas.

A bioenergetics approach to understanding the population consequences of acoustic disturbance.

[A major hurdle with marine mammal conservation and management is to know if and when measurable short term responses result in biologically meaningful changes in populations. We are developing a bioenergetics approach to parametrize the transfer functions developed in the conceptual model developed by the NRC Committee on the population consequences of acoustic disturbance (PCAD). Our effort is directed at quantifying the life functions that are linked to vital rates, and how changes in these vital rates affect populations. Such an approach can identify species and or particular life history characteristics that are likely to be sensitive or resilient to acoustic disturbance. Using species that represent the range of life history patterns observed in marine mammals we are analyzing the existing data to determine whether there is a linkage between fine scale measurements of foraging behavior and reproductive success and survival. These data are being used to develop a time‐activity budget to produce a first order quantitative assessment of the potential significance in terms of lost energy and/or time that foraging behavior or habitat utilization is potentially affected by acoustic disturbance.

The use of acoustic monitoring in the National Marine Fisheries Service marine mammal incidental take authorizations.

Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is charged with conservation and management of marine mammals under NMFS’ jurisdiction. A regulatory mechanism is in place for NMFS to issue incidental take authorizations under the MMPA to operators whose activities may adversely affect marine mammals. As a mandate under the MMPA, mitigation and monitoring measures are prescribed to minimize any impacts on marine mammals and their habitat (prey species and acoustic environment) and to assess the degree of such impacts when such incidental take authorizations are issued. However, due to the limited visual range under and above water, monitoring measures using acoustical techniques are often required to supplement visual monitoring and to assist in making mitigation decisions. This presentation provides a summary of existing acoustic monitoring measures that are currently used in NMFS’ marine mammal incidental take authorizations; discusses the limitations, technical issues, practicality, and training needs involving acoustic monitoring; and highlights future needs in standardizing, improving, and expanding such techniques for more effective mitigation and monitoring measures.

Individual right whales call louder in increased environmental noise

The ability to modify vocalizations to compensate for environmental noise is critical for successful communication in a dynamic acoustic environment. Many marine species rely on sound for vital life functions including communication, navigation and feeding. The impacts of significant increases in ocean noise levels from human activities are a current area of concern for the conservation of marine mammals. Here, we document changes in calling behaviour by individual endangered North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in increased background noise. Right whales, like several bird and primate species, respond to periods of increased noise by increasing the amplitude of their calls. This behaviour may help maintain the communication range with conspecifics during periods of increased noise. These call modifications have implications for conservation efforts for right whales, affecting both the way whales use sound to communicate and our ability to detect them with passive acoustic monitoring systems.

Evaluating Comanagement for Social-Ecological Fit: Indigenous Priorities and Agency Mandates for Pacific Walrus

Governance arrangements such as comanagement are regarded by many as promising arenas for effective natural resource management. However, measuring comanagement's success at achieving conservation goals has been equivocal. Our research evaluates the lack of conclusive outcomes through a critical consideration of how different goals and values inherent in comanagement affect the institutional (or policy) diagnostic of “fit.” More narrowly, sustaining natural resources requires that management policies foster fit between the scales of sociopolitical processes governing resource use and the scales of ecological processes regulating a resource. Without a process that encourages such harmonization, theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that comanagement regimes are unlikely to accomplish long-term conservation goals. We use a case study of walrus comanagement under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act to demonstrate that when the formal institutions preconditioning comanagement do not develop out of a deliberative process among comanagement partners, two major problems can arise: (i) Policy institutions mismatch ecological and social processes relevant to resources and communities; and (ii) data to assess the fit of institutions and support learning is more difficult to acquire. In our case study, both these factors constrain the ability of comanagement to foster walrus conservation or support the capacity of Native Alaskans to adapt to contemporary social and environmental conditions. Our research concludes that to achieve marine mammal conservation, previous institutional arrangements framing comanagement that are predicated on static conceptions of people and ecosystems must be redesigned to provide better policy fit across local to international priorities. To do so requires opening up deliberative spaces, where Western science and priorities are confronted with indigenous perspectives. However, the benefit of enhancing deliberation carries risks and costs related to trade-offs between the values of democratic process, and protections for both wildlife species and indigenous groups.

Integrating science and management for marine mammal conservation

peter g.h. evans, simone panigada and graham j. pierce Sea Watch Foundation, Cynifryn, Llanfaglan, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL54 5RA, UK, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK, Tethys Research Institute, Viale GB Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy, Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia, Centro Oceanografico de Vigo, PO Box 1552, 36200, Vigo, Spain, Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen, Main Street, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, AB41 6AA, UK

Modelling habitat preferences for fin whales and striped dolphins in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Western Mediterranean Sea) with physiographic and remote sensing variables

One of the needs of the Pelagos Sanctuary for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Mammals is information on critical habitats for cetaceans. This study modelled habitat use and preferences of fin whales and striped dolphins (the two most abundant species in the area) with the aim of providing this information, using sighting data collected between 1993 and 1999. The study area was divided into a 2′ latitude by 2′ longitude grid. The explanatory variables considered in the models were physiographic variables (mean, range and standard deviation of depth and slope, and distance from the nearest coastline) and remotely-sensed data (Sea Surface Temperature and Chlorophyll- a concentration). The former were calculated for each cell using GIS tools, while the latter were obtained from AVHRR and SeaWiFS sensors. Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) with multidimensional smoothers were used to model the distribution of fin whales and striped dolphins in relation to these variables, and Classification And Regression Trees were used for habitat characterization and predictive models. The GAMs were coupled with Generalized Estimating Equations (GEEs) to account for temporal autocorrelation in the errors and to help ensure model selection was reliable; the QIC statistic was used alongside GEE-based p-values. Bathymetric features were the most valuable predictors in the Pelagos Sanctuary area for both species. Sea Surface Temperature values were indicators of striped dolphin and fin whale presence, with both species showing a tendency to prefer colder waters (21–24 °C). Chl- a levels were selected by the GAM models only for striped dolphins, and with large associated uncertainty; this may be related to the relatively brief period examined (only 2 years) and/or to any functional relationship operating at a different geographical or temporal scale. The boosted classification trees however indicated an importance of Chl- a for both species. The techniques applied to this dataset proved to be valuable tools to describe habitat use and preferences of cetaceans, and the use of the remotely-sensed data can substantially improve the predictions. The results of this study will be used for assessing critical habitats within the Pelagos Sanctuary and will provide information for conservation and management in the Sanctuary.

Partitioning of the Pelagos Sanctuary (north-western Mediterranean Sea) into hotspots and coldspots of cetacean distributions

This study used Monte Carlo methods to generate simulations that considered the effort distribution to determine the locations of significant aggregations of cetacean sightings inside the northern Pelagos Sanctuary (north-western Mediterranean Sea). For three years, monitoring has been conducted from five motor vessels covering about 30,050 km. The most frequently encountered species were the striped dolphinStenella coeruleoalbarepresenting 64.7% of all sightings, the fin whaleBalaenoptera physalus(17.0%), Cuvier's beaked whaleZiphius cavirostris(9.9%), Risso's dolphinGrampus griseus(4.3%) and the sperm whalePhyseter catodon(2.2%). Sightings' positions and effort coverage were distributed over a grid of 5′ longitude and 5′ latitude. Spatial concentrations of sightings were analysed according to the distribution of effort to identify ‘hotspots’ (locations where the species occurred at a significantly greater frequency than expected), and ‘coldspots’ (locations with a significantly lower frequency than expected). Most fin whale hotspots (14) were located on the bathyal plain between 2000 and 2500 m, four hotspots were around the 1000 m isobaths, and one is located close to the seamount off Genoa. Fin whale coldspots were mainly along the coast. Striped dolphin hotspots were widely distributed over two main areas, in waters with depths between 2000 and 2500 m and at the continental slope; coldspots for this species were also mainly along the coast in the northern part of the study area. Many hotspots were found in the Genoa Canyon, and hotspots of striped dolphins, Cuvier's beaked whales, sperm whales and Risso's dolphins overlapped in this region. Some of the hotspots of Cuvier's beaked whales were identified at the seamount in the study area, where no other species was sighted frequently. Risso's dolphin hotspots were mainly near the 1000 m isobath. For sperm whales, several hotspots were identified: three associated with steep slope features (such as canyons or the continental slope), and one was in the centre of the flat area of Pelagos where the depth is 2500 m. This study highlights the ecological importance of particular locations inside the Pelagos Sanctuary—locations that should be protected from anthropogenic degradations for marine mammal conservation.

ZOOARCHAEOLOGY AND ARCTIC MARINE MAMMAL BIOGEOGRAPHY, CONSERVATION, AND MANAGEMENT

The Holocene zooarchaeological record of the subarctic and Arctic can be used to aid in the conservation and management of marine mammals. A synthesis of selected zooarchaeological data indicates that there have been significant changes in species ranges, that northern marine ecosystems varied temporally and spatially, and that changes in sea ice extent may be accessible through retrospective research. Despite some limitations, the analysis of faunal collections from regionally appropriate coastal prehistoric and historic-era archaeological sites can be used to provide baseline information on marine systems that is less likely than more recent data to be compromised by intensive and extensive human impacts. The long-term time series data derived through zooarchaeology are particularly relevant to marine conservation and management decision-making in the Arctic where climate change scenarios predict accelerated environmental changes in the coming decades.

Large-scale marine ecosystem change and the conservation of marine mammals

Papers in this Special Feature stem from a symposium on large-scale ecosystem change and the conservation of marine mammals convened at the 86th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists in June 2006. Major changes are occurring in multiple aspects of the marine environment at unprecedented rates, within the life spans of some individual marine mammals. Drivers of change include shifts in climate, acoustic pollution, disturbances to trophic structure, fisheries interactions, harmful algal blooms, and environmental contaminants. This Special Feature provides an in-depth examination of 3 issues that are particularly troublesome. The 1st article notes the huge spatial and temporal scales of change to which marine mammals are showing ecological responses, and how these species can function as sentinels of such change. The 2nd paper describes the serious problems arising from conflicts with fisheries, and the 3rd contribution reviews the growing issues associated with underwater noise.

The Long-term Consequences of Short-term Responses to Disturbance Experiences from Whalewatching Impact Assessment

Studies often use behavioral responses to detect the impact of given disturbances on animals. However, the observation of these short-term responses can often lead to contradicting results. Here we describe studies focusing on the impacts of whalewatching to show how the biological relevance of short-term responses can be inferred from contextual information. They showed that short-term behavioral responses could have long-term consequences for individuals and their populations using information about variation in response magnitude with exposure levels, longterm population biology data, and multiple response variables. They showed that the added energetic constraints of the responses can impair life functions and lead to influences on vital rates with the potential to affect population viability. Individuals will manage disturbances as another ecological variable and will assess its costs in relation to other energetic trade-offs associated with the occupancy of the habitat in which the disturbance takes place. This can lead to rapid shift in tactics to cope with the disturbance, such as shift from short-term avoidance tactics to long-term habitat abandonment. When individuals cannot elude proximity to the disturbance, their fitness is reduced as observed through reduced reproductive success. These studies provide mechanisms to inform the US National Research Councils’ Population Consequences of Acoustic Disturbance framework in which the influence of noise impact of on marine mammal conservation can be studied.

The Long-term Consequences of Short-term Responses to Disturbance Experiences from Whalewatching Impact Assessment

Studies often use behavioral responses to detect the impact of given disturbances on animals. However, the observation of these short-term responses can often lead to contradicting results. Here we describe studies focusing on the impacts of whale watching to show how the biological relevance of short-term responses can be inferred from contextual information. They showed that short-term behavioral responses could have long-term consequences for individuals and their populations using information about variation in response magnitude with exposure levels, long term population biology data, and multiple response variables. They showed that the added energetic constraints of the responses can impair life functions and lead to influences on vital rates with the potential to affect population viability. Individuals will manage disturbances as another ecological variable and will assess its costs in relation to other energetic trade-offs associated with the occupancy of the habitat in which the disturbance takes place. This can lead to rapid shift in tactics to cope with the disturbance, such as shift from short-term avoidance tactics to long-term habitat abandonment. When individuals cannot elude proximity to the disturbance, their fitness is reduced as observed through reduced reproductive success. These studies provide mechanisms to inform the US National Research Councils’ Population Consequences of Acoustic Disturbance framework in which the influence of noise impact of on marine mammal conservation can be studied.

Keiko, Shamu, and friends: Educating Visitors to Marine Parks and Aquaria?

(2007). Keiko, Shamu, and friends: Educating Visitors to Marine Parks and Aquaria? Journal of Ecotourism: Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 127-138.

Fin whales summering in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Mediterranean Sea): Overview of studies on habitat use and diving behaviour

This paper presents a review and summary of data on fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the recently established Pelagos Sanctuary for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Mammals. The data presented were collected by the Tethys Research Institute during summers of 1990–1999 during a long-term study on the habitat use and preferences of fin whales in this area, described as their major feeding ground in the Mediterranean. Data on the presence, distribution, habitat use, and diving behaviour are reviewed. The data presented here emphasize the crucial role that the pelagic portion of the western Ligurian Sea plays in the ecology of Mediterranean fin whales and provide impetus for the expeditious implementation of conservation and management measures in the area.

Marine mammal research: conservation beyond crisis

Marine mammal conservation presents a number of challenges for scientists and other stakeholders, especially using natural resources in ways that avoid crisis management. Scientists play the special role of providing vital information to decision makers to help them understand long-term consequences of their actions and avoid crises before they develop. The contributors to this visionary work look beyond the current crises to present a compelling argument about how science, if conducted properly, can provide insights that minimize crisis management and implement more anticipatory action. Despite the significant reduction of marine mammal harvesting, stocks of some species remain greatly reduced or are in decline. This volume provides an overview of the current state of marine mammal populations and identifies the major obstacles facing marine mammal conservation, including fisheries, sonar and other noise pollution, disease, contaminants, algal booms, and habitat loss. The contributors chart a scientifically-supported plan to direct marine management toward a well-defined recovery protocol. This comprehensive resource will be indispensable for marine mammal biologists, oceanographers, conservation program managers, government regulators, policy makers, and anyone who is concerned about the future of these captivating species.

Announcements

Next article FreeAnnouncementsFull TextPDF Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmailQR Code SectionsMore2006 Annual Meeting of the American Society of NaturalistsThe annual meetings of the American Society of Naturalists (ASN) will be held jointly with the Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE) and the Society of Systematic Biologists (SSB) at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, June 23–27, 2006. More information is available at http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/sse2006/.Natural History MiscellanyThe American Naturalist is pleased to announce the revival of the “Natural History Miscellany,” which appeared in the journal from 1867 to 1872. The short observations of behavior and ecology that first appeared there—what often is referred to as “natural history”—were a mainstay of the journal for many decades. Natural History Miscellany submissions should be short contributions, preferably note length (approximately eight printed pages), that not only enlighten our understanding of the natural history of a species in important ways, but also have significance beyond the biology of the species involved by their relevance to important conceptual issues or understanding of the dimensions of biological diversity. Authors are encouraged to take advantage of the recently lowered cost of color printing ($350 a page for American Society of Naturalists members, $400 a page for nonmembers) and the capabilities of online publication to illustrate manuscripts with online photographs, sound files, videos, and other electronic media.SynthesesIn keeping with its mission to support “the conceptual unification of the biological sciences,” the American Naturalist invites submission of a new type of article, the synthesis. Syntheses will analyze and synthesize recent findings in the biological sciences that are of interest to the readership of the journal. These articles should review recent work, but more important, these articles should present a new and synthetic perspective of those results.Before writing the synthesis, potential authors should contact the editors via the journal office with a proposal for the article, including a detailed outline and a statement of the novel goals and perspective of the article. Authors of successful proposals will be invited to submit their syntheses through the Web Peer Review system, which will then go through the same process as other submissions to the journal, with normal peer review. Syntheses should be at most the length of a normal article in the journal, and they should be accessible for a broad academic audience.2006 Annual Meeting of the American Society of MammalogistsThe 86th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) will be held June 17–21, 2006, at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts. In addition to contributed oral and poster presentations covering all aspects of mammalian biology, this year's program will feature two symposia. “Large‐scale marine ecosystem change and the conservation of marine mammals” will be convened by Drs. Tom O'Shea and Dan Odell. “The Northern flying squirrel: a biological portrait of a forest specialist in post‐European North America” will be convened by Dr. Winston Smith. Special addresses will be offered by the recipients of the Joseph Grinnell (Dr. Mark Hafner) and C. Hart Merriam (Dr. Kay Holekamp) awards, as well as by student honorees. Also included are the usual ASM socials, ideal for professional interaction. Nonmembers who are interested in attending the meetings and/or presenting papers should request materials from the chairpersons of the Local Program Committee, Drs. Virginia Hayssen ([email protected]) and Betsy Dumont ([email protected]). For additional information, please visit the meeting website at http://asm06.org/. For more information about the ASM, please visit the web site at http://www.mammalsociety.org. Next article DetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Volume 167, Number 4April 2006 Published for The American Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/504118 Views: 76 Crossref reports no articles citing this article.