Protecting Cetaceans: First Report of WDCS s PROTECT programmes

Transcription

1 Protecting Cetaceans: First Report of WDCS s PROTECT programmes The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) is the global voice for the protection of cetaceans and their environment. WDCS s objectives are to reduce, and ultimately, eliminate the continuing threats to cetaceans and their habitats.

2 Cetaceans face a wide range of threats in a rapidly changing world. There are currently eighty-six recognised species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in the world. Many populations are known to be vulnerable or endangered. Several species are in danger of extinction. The status of many more populations is not well enough known to enable confident assessments to be made about the population s survival probability. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) is the global voice for the protection of cetaceans and their environment. WDCS s objectives are to reduce, and ultimately, eliminate the continuing threats to cetaceans and their habitats and to raise awareness of these remarkable animals and the need to protect them in their natural environment. Protecting Cetaceans: First Report of WDCS s PROTECT programmes Compiled and edited by Margi Prideaux, Vanessa Williams and Nicola Hodgins September 2005 Published by WDCS Australasia Incorporated tel: fax: info@wdcs.org web (WDCS International): Citation: Prideaux M, Williams V and Hodgins N, Protecting Cetaceans: First Report of WDCS s PROTECT programmes (WDCS, Adelaide, 2005) pp. 52 ISBN: Text: Margi Prideaux/WDCS 2003 Layout: Jacki Stone Printing: Finsbury Green Printing Cover photography: J Stafford-Deitsch (main photo); Jim Darling; Kelly Balcomb Bartok Bill Rossiter; Mark Carwardine (small photos) p.4 Ingrid N. Visser; p.6 Ingrid N. Visser; p.8 Dr Mike Bossley; p.10 WDCS; p.14 Dr Mike Bossley; p.18 Charlie Phillips; p.20 WDCS; p26 Ingrid N. Visser; p.40 Charlie Phillips; p.45 Dr Mike Bossley; p.46 Mark Carwardine

3 Protecting Cetaceans: First Report of WDCS s PROTECT programmes The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) is the global voice for the protection of cetaceans and their environment. WDCS s objectives are to reduce, and ultimately, eliminate the continuing threats to cetaceans and their habitats and to raise awareness of these remarkable animals and the need to protect them in their natural environment. WDCS PROTECT Programme work is focused on understanding cetacean needs in the wild; giving consideration to the impacts of multiple, cumulative and synergistic effects, and ensuring the long term survival of species and populations by developing mitigating mechanisms that can deal with these complexities. Compiled and edited by Margi Prideaux, Vanessa Williams and Nicola Hodgins September 2005 PROTECTING CETACEANS 3

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5 Table of Contents Forward 7 1. The global work of WDCS 9 2. Protecting whales, dolphins and their environment 11 Multiple, cumulative and synergistic threats to cetaceans 11 Fisheries and bycatch 11 Chemical pollution 12 Ship strikes, noise, disturbance and harassment 12 Habitat loss and degradation The WDCS s PROTECT programmes 15 New considerations for habitats 17 Regular, irregular and sometimes vast migrations 17 Considering species and populations WDCS Partnership Pledge to CMS WDCS work in support of the CMS Species for Concerted Action WDCS Delivering Protection through Regions 27 Map of the WDCS regions 27 North East Atlantic Seas 27 Mediterranean and Black Seas 28 North and Central West Atlantic 29 Central and South East Atlantic 30 South East Pacific & South West Atlantic 31 North and Central East Pacific 32 North West Pacific 33 Central West Pacific 33 South West Pacific 35 Indian Ocean 36 Arctic 38 Antarctic 38 Appendix I: WDCS Reports and Publications ( ) 41 Appendix II: Historical WDCS Funding Criteria 45 Appendix III: CMS Resolutions and Recommendations that form the basis for the WDCS triennium pledge 47

6 The challenge is to do more than we have before. WDCS stands ready to help meet that challenge

7 Forward More by luck that thoughtful endeavour, humans have not yet caused the extinction of an entire cetacean species but, sadly, this may change very soon. We know that four species - the baiji, Maui s, vaquita, and the Indus river dolphin have been reduced to a few tens or hundreds and their numbers are still declining. Less than 350 northern right whales survive, almost all of which are concentrated along the heavily-industrialised north-east US coast where they are threatened by a range of human activities. It is very likely that many more cetacean populations are under severe threat of extinction without us even knowing the true gravity of their situations. WDCS has worked towards protecting cetaceans worldwide since Our investment in field research and local conservation programmes is a long-standing commitment and I have been pleased to see this work evolve into an integrated programme that can now influence multilateral agreement development. The most recent IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group Action Plan informs us that despite decades of dedication by conservation biologists around the world, many of whom are supported by WDCS, grave threats continue to exist for many cetacean populations. In some cases the threats are worsening. Reflecting the situation we now face, the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group has taken a new step of speaking to the social, political and economic world, by making strong and necessary recommendations to species conservation managers within the latest Action Plan. As an organisation we are gratified that this pre-eminent group of cetacean scientists has been willing to take this necessary step to speak on the front of politics. WDCS understands their call, as it has long been our own call, but we cannot, and will not rest with just speaking out for action. As 2005 has unfolded we have sought to strengthen our programmes to contribute to turning this situation around. We agree with this group that habitat protection, capacity building and developing governance frameworks for cetacean conservation are of equal importance to the ever present need for science, and must be addressed if we are to hold any chance of redressing the gravity of the situation we currently face. One important plank of our new work is the closer relationship that WDCS has established with the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). CMS provides strict protection for endangered species, encourages the conclusion of multilateral Agreements for species with an unfavourable conservation status, and promotes co-operative research and conservation activities. Of critical importance to WDCS is that the Convention provides the legal framework for transboundary conservation cooperation for species migrating across or outside national boundaries, such as cetaceans. WDCS recognises the potential this Convention offers and joins CMS in its commitment cetacean conservation. This first Report of WDCS s PROTECT Programmes outlines our organisation s commitment to understanding cetacean needs in the wild; giving consideration to the impacts of multiple, cumulative and synergistic effects of the threats they face, and seeking to ensure the long term survival of species and populations by developing mitigating mechanisms that can deal with these complexities. We agree with the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group - the challenge is to do more than we have before. WDCS stands ready to help meet that challenge. Chris Butler-Stroud WDCS International CEO PROTECTING CETACEANS 7

8 We protect individual whales and dolphins. We safeguard their communities and the conditions they need to survive. We defend the places they need to stay alive - the places they use for feeding, breeding and raising their young

9 1The global work of WDCS WDCS is an international non-governmental organization with resource and expertise in the area of cetacean conservation and protection. WDCS s varied activities span more than 25 different countries around the world. Our expertise crosses the spectrum from science and field research to habitat protection models, policy implementation and legal development covering a wide range of cetacean conservation and protection issues. WDCS is one of the leading funders of non-invasive cetacean conservation research world-wide. Over the past decade, we have supported over 160 conservation field projects in over 40 countries, spanning all major ocean regions. These projects include scientific work such as population studies, research on threats and threat mitigation, as well as a broad range of conservation initiatives such as working with local law enforcement agencies and development of alternative fishing activities to reduce bycatch. WDCS believes that basing conservation initiatives around the ecological needs of migratory flagship species, such as cetaceans, can develop a migratory range approach that is able to address the multiple, cumulative and synergistic impacts faced by these species. This approach can then effectively protect habitat critical to the animals survival; and weave a fabric of broader conservation measures across many jurisdictions, coordinating local, regional and international efforts and maximising the marine conservation outcomes for all concerned WDCS works closely with recognized experts in the field of cetacean conservation and is very interested to direct significant energy into field research that can underpin the development or support of multilateral Agreements for cetacean conservation. WDCS s International Programmes are grouped into three themes: STOP threats for good Driven from safety, hunted, tortured, killed, captured, blasted by noise and poisoned - whales and dolphins face more threats than ever before. WDCS aims to eliminate these threats for good. The STOP programmes are: 1. Environmental Threats, including: a. Pollution (Noise and Chemical); b. Strandings; c. Climate Change and Other Factors Causing Habitat Degradation; and d. Shipping and Offshore Industry. 2. Impacts of Fisheries 3. Captivity 4. Whaling and Trade PROTECT whales, dolphins and their environment We protect individual whales and dolphins. We safeguard their communities and the conditions they need to survive. We defend the places they need to stay alive - the places they use for feeding, breeding and raising their young. The PROTECT Programmes are: 1. Species and Populations 2. Wild Oceans, including: a. ACCOBAMS; b. ASCOBANS; c. CMS and new Agreements; d. Protecting Critical Habitat; and e. Southern Ocean. CONNECT with people to bring about change Our shared passion and vision is making the future a safer place for whales and dolphins. But it is only by building on our connections - individual, national and international - that we can bring about change. The CONNECT Programmes are: 1. Promoting responsible Whale Watching 2. Out of the Blue (providing a model for responsible eco-tourism) 3. Education PROTECTING CETACEANS 9

10 Cetaceans face a wide range of threats in a rapidly changing world. Many populations are known to be vulnerable or endangered and several species are in critical or immediate danger of extinction. Many more population are simply not well enough known and may be lost to us before we realise their situation.

11 2Protecting whales, dolphins and their environment Cetaceans face a wide range of threats in a rapidly changing world. There are currently eighty-six recognised species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in the world. Many populations are known to be vulnerable or endangered. Several species are in critical or immediate danger of extinction. The status of many more populations is insufficiently known to enable confident assessments to be made about the population s survival probability, and therefore the precautionary principle should always be applied to their conservation needs. Over the past decade, the WDCS PROTECT Programmes have supported around 160 conservation field projects in over 40 countries, spanning all oceans regions. These projects include scientific work such as abundance estimation, population dynamics and behavioural studies, research on threats and threat mitigation, as well as a broad range of conservation initiatives such as encouraging government authorities to designate areas of marine protection; working with local law enforcement agencies; and developing alternative fishing activities to reduce bycatch. WDCS is acutely aware that such programmes can only be successful with the full support and participation of local people and aims to identify and work closely with local scientists, conservationists, educators and other community members in each region, in order to ensure long-term solutions for both cetaceans and their often shared, environment. The research and conservation work supported by WDCS is integral to tangible conservation outcomes for a vast range of species. Taking the next step of using this fieldwork to underpin conservation Agreements requires extensive preparatory work, dedicated commitment to research and extensive mitigation training in many regions and inclusive negotiation should be considered as part of a long term programme for Range States, WDCS and other expert organisations. Multiple, cumulative and synergistic threats to cetaceans Developing conservation and protection multilateral Agreements must be done from a perspective of understanding of the multiple, cumulative and often synergistic impacts that cetaceans face. We know that the health of many of the world s cetacean populations is threatened by bycatch, pollution, habitat destruction, over-fishing and climate change. Other threats include activities that may frighten, displace or harm these species such as underwater noise pollution from sources such as shipping and recreational traffic, wind farms, seismic surveys and military sonars. Together these threats can combine as a lethal dose for species and populations that are already vulnerable. Fisheries and bycatch Global fisheries are increasing in intensity and range. The introduction of more sustainable fishing techniques can reduce this pressure. However, the use of destructive fishing methods and the growth of many modern commercial fisheries continue to impact many cetacean populations around the world. The impacts can be both direct through bycatch and indirect through loss of prey species and suitable habitat. Cetaceans are known to become entangled in many gear types, including long-lines, drift nets, trap lines, mid-water trawls and certain types of aquaculture, but the largest problem remains with coastal gill nets, drift nets and purse-seine nets. The continued use of gill nets is endangering a number of coastal species of dolphin and porpoise. Some cetacean populations may also be threatened by the sheer scale of modern fisheries and aquaculture operations. As fisheries compete with one another for fish and habitats, less and less prey and habitat is available for cetaceans and other wildlife. PROTECTING CETACEANS 11

12 A recent workshop Hook,Line and Bycatch, held in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia (26-30 September 2005) called together 40 specialists of seabird, turtle, shark and cetacean bycatch. This group of experts agreed that the way forward was to develop a multispecies approach to bycatch mitigation measures, in recognition of the strong overlap between seabird, turtle, shark and cetacean bycatch issues. Chemical pollution There are many different sources of chemical pollution, including domestic sewage, industrial discharges, seepage from waste sites, atmospheric fallout, domestic run-off, accidents and spills at sea, operational discharges from oil rigs, mining discharges and agricultural run-off. Many rivers, estuaries and coastal waters near large human population centres show signs of eutrophication and heavy metal contamination. Toxic algal blooms are increasingly common around estuaries and bays. The impacts of chemical pollution on cetaceans range from direct and indirect physical poisoning to degradation of important habitats. The chemicals that are probably of most concern for cetaceans are the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including pesticides, such as DDT, and industrial chemicals; most famously the PCBs. These substances enter marine food chains and accumulate along the chain to the marine top predators. Damage to the reproductive and immune systems of marine mammals (and other species) are the likely consequences of their extraordinary pollution burdens. Many cetacean populations are known to be carrying heavy contaminant burdens which has been proven to contribute to increased mortality in neonates. There has been a worldwide increase in reports of viral and bacterial diseases affecting marine species as well as an apparent increase in toxic algal blooms. Habitat degradation, in particular increased chemical contamination, is thought to have facilitated disease outbreaks and the immunotoxic affects of some substances has been associated with marine mammal mass mortalities. The increasing and cumulative pressures on cetaceans and the current trends of climate change may make cetaceans more susceptible to disease. The transport of pathogens around the world, through the movement of products and ballast water, may increase exposure to disease and environmental contaminants may be facilitating the emergence of new diseases. In addition, exposure to chemical substances that have immunotoxic effects may lower cetacean immune responses and algal bloom outbreaks may further increase the toll of weakened populations by reducing their food supply as fish die. Ship strikes, noise, disturbance and harassment Hearing is the most important sense for cetaceans, and the ability to hear well is vital in all key aspects of their lives including finding food, navigating and social interactions. Any reduction in hearing ability whether by physical damage or masking by other sound may seriously compromise the viability of individuals and, therefore, populations and ultimately whole species. Human-created noise in the marine environment contributes to an already significant natural biological and ambient level of sound. Introduced noise pollution comes from shipping and other vessels, military activities, fisheries anti-predation devices, ocean research, and the air-guns used in seismic testing to find oil and gas deposits and an emerging threat to cetaceans are the potential impacts of marine wind farms. Whilst many of the sources of introduced noise are localized, some recent military technologies have utilized powerful detection mechanisms that may radiate over thousands of kilometres of the ocean. 12 PROTECTING CETACEANS

13 Potential impacts of human-created noise on cetaceans range from physical damage to these animals (especially to those in close proximity to the noise source) to altering behaviour, increasing stress and displacement from important habitats. Evidence is slowly emerging that collisions between vessels and cetaceans may be happening more frequently than previously suspected and may, especially in the case of endangered or geographically isolated cetacean populations, pose a serious conservation threat. In addition, the extent of harassment, whether intentional or incidental, may be an increasing and little understood problem in coastal waters. The impact of greatest consequence associated with noise pollution, harassment and ship strikes may be the cumulative and long-term impact that we are currently unable to assess and evaluate. Habitat loss and degradation It is important to both the individual and the survival of the population (or species) that its habitats continue to be suitable to support it. Habitat loss is especially critical for cetaceans with limited range, such as river dolphins. In many areas habitat loss is caused by dams, fishing structures and withdrawal of water for human use. In some parts of the world water management, flood control and major river modification, including the removal of surface water, has led to population decline. Dams prevent migration and create barriers which fragment populations. Prey species may be reduced, while sedimentation, nutrient over-enrichment and salinity, and in turn eutrophication, increase. Habitat loss is also a concern for coastal and offshore species. Changes in the atmosphere, weather patterns and marine ecosystems are currently being observed. Predictions include sea surface changes and sea level rise. Changes in the ice-caps may affect rainfall and salinity, and temperate changes may impact on coastal upwelling regions causing a possible reduction in nutrient concentrations and productivity which in turn can impact whole food chains. The modification of habitats may cause shifts in cetacean food sources (through change in upwelling patterns and prey aggregation). Species that have evolved to find food in a highly patchy environment may have difficulty securing prey. The implications of climate change for cetaceans are compounded by the apparent rate of change (some 3 to 4 degrees celsius in higher latitudes in only 50 years) which is thought to be much faster than anything that cetaceans have been exposed to in the past. When considered in the context of cumulative impacts, the ability of cetacean populations to adapt to this rapid change may be compromised. Deliberate hunts Some coastal communities have exploited cetaceans for centuries, mainly for food and oil. However, the pattern of exploitation has dramatically changed over the last few centuries as different cetacean species have become the focus of commercial hunts. The dramatic decline in great whale populations worldwide is primarily due to commercial whaling which is now regulated by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which implements the 1946 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. In 1982, the IWC agreed to a total moratorium on commercial whaling by setting zero quotas. However, a few parties to the IWC avoid the moratorium by undertaking so called scientific whaling, or conduct a commercial hunt under an objection lodged against the moratorium. These countries conduct annual hunts for a number of species in the North Atlantic, North Pacific and Southern Ocean. Japan also conducts hunts on a range of small cetacean species, killing many hundreds of animals. PROTECTING CETACEANS 13

14 The IWC permits aborigines, whose cultural and nutritional need for whales and whaling it has recognised, to hunt some baleen species exclusively for local consumption. It establishes five year blocks of annual Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling quotas. However, these quotas currently concentrate on some of the most depleted whale species and the IWC s Scientific Committee has expressed concerns that it has inadequate information on some species to set safe quotas. There are other documented cetacean harvests in South Asia, East Asia, South East Asia, and parts of Africa South America and the South Pacific. In some cases, dolphin and porpoise bycatch has turned to directed nets or harpoon hunts by artisanal fi shers. The practice of catching whales in nets, for commercial purposes, also appears to be increasing. The impact of these new directed nets hunts is not known as very little data is available on the targeted populations or the number of animals being caught. It is likely that the hunts are not sustainable. The belief that cetaceans compete with fisheries or damage fi shing nets has prompted culls in some regions. 14 PROTECTING CETACEANS

15 3The WDCS s PROTECT programmes Conserving cetaceans is an ongoing process that can never be considered complete. Conservation measures already in place need to be constantly reviewed and new approaches need to be developed to address threats which, until recently, were unrecognised or non-existent. It is likely, for example, that certain populations of cetaceans have already been eradicated in some areas where fishing has been intensive and the insidious effects of toxic contaminants may have taken a toll that will never be well-understood and fully documented. To date, humans can claim that we have not caused the extinction of an entire cetacean species but, sadly, this is due to change very soon. Four species in particular: namely the baiji, Maui s the vaquita and the Indus river dolphin are reduced to a few tens or hundreds and their numbers are still declining. Less than 350 Northern right whales, survive: almost all are concentrated along the heavily-industrialised north-east US coast where they are threatened by a range of human activities. Many more cetaceans - at population level - are under severe threat of extinction or unbeknownst to us, may have already become extinct. WDCS acknowledges that no single strategy will facilitate the recovery of depleted cetacean populations, reverse trends of population decline and habitat deterioration and ensure that robust populations with high-quality habitat are secure; thus, it is essential to adopt a holistic and a multi-species approach when attempting to formulate robust conservation strategies and regional multilateral Agreements. Because cetaceans are often highly migratory, crossing multiple jurisdictional boundaries on their travels, their effective protection can only be achieved by means of international cooperation. This is the focus of the WDCS Wild Oceans Programmes (under the WDCS PROTECT theme). Impacts experienced by cetaceans differ significantly from region to region. Developing solutions to conservation problems is possible through regional Agreements. Countries within defined geographical areas that have historical experience as well as socio-cultural, political or economic linkages in common can often find the negotiation of regional instruments easier than broader multilateral Agreements. The WDCS Species Programme (under the WDCS PROTECT theme) was instigated in 1990 to complement and strengthen the organisation s broadbased work across a range of cetacean conservation issues. This important work now underpins the work of the organisation in developing regional Agreements. The WDCS Species Programme outputs and results are valuable at both micro and macro levels: project fi ndings contribute to practical conservation initiatives at a population or local/regional level; whilst also feeding into wider initiatives at the species or national/ international level. Cetacean populations and species which are littlestudied (or not studied at all) are at much greater risk from accidental or deliberate exploitation and reduction in abundance, than those for which longterm, detailed study can provide factual information on the size of the population, conservation status, home range and habitat use, migration patterns, prey, social behaviour, reproduction rate, toxin levels, levels of bycatch and so forth. Many species or populations pose an inherent difficulty and expense because of their elusive behaviour or offshore oceanic habitats. Additionally a lack of resources and knowledge in developing countries has been another barrier to developing deeper knowledge. These little-known or unstudied cetacean species or populations are at greater risk of simply fading away without anybody being aware of their demise and so no action being taken to counter it. PROTECTING CETACEANS 15

16 Often, the hard facts deriving from scientific data on cetacean population size and vulnerability paint a far more serious picture than previous assumptions and non-scientific estimates. A good example of this is the orca population off northern Vancouver Island: detailed photo-id studies proved a much lower population figure than was popularly assumed by the local community and fishermen. Elsewhere, where orca populations are little-studied, they are vulnerable to exploitation from the captivity industry. The orcas living off Kamchatka (eastern Russia) provide a good example of this and hence, since 1999, WDCS has been funding a pioneering research, conservation and education project focused on these orcas. The project is gathering much-needed baseline data on these animals to enable WDCS to make a solid case, based on good science, against their continued and often fatal, capture by aquariums. Since its inception, WDCS s Species Programme portfolio has been broad in its scope and includes abundance estimation, population dynamics and behavioural studies, research on threats experienced by specific populations and threat mitigation (for example, developing alternative fishing activities to reduce bycatch), as well as a broad range of conservation initiatives such as encouraging government authorities to designate areas of marine protection and working with relevant agencies to improve law enforcement. Other projects span from rescuing stranded cetaceans or those which become entangled in fishing gear to helping to develop regional multilateral Agreements and comprehensive conservation action plans. WDCS has long recognized that, by tailoring our efforts to the specific character of the economic and socio-political environment where cetacean survival is threatened, we stand a far higher chance of a successful outcome: conservation efforts will, ultimately, only succeed if the people living in and near the focal species habitat are prepared to fully embrace conservation efforts in a spirit of cooperative partnership. WDCS encourages researchers to incorporate an education/public awareness and outreach component to their project activities involving, as appropriate, local, regional and national groups, including local community members; artisanal fishermen and other fisheries representatives; schools/universities; coastal business interests; regional and national policymakers and politicians; tourism authorities; whale watch operators and other vessel-users. We regard investment and focus on regional activities as being of critical importance and believe that it will benefit regions by: facilitating deeper region-wide cooperation to address issues of shared responsibility including threat reduction, habitat protection and the establishment of migratory corridors, research, monitoring, and information exchange, regional capacity building, and the development of sustainable and responsible cetacean-based tourism; increasing international awareness and coordination about the issues and threats to cetaceans in region; networking regions with other similar cetacean agreement regions, increasing technical information flow and capacity sharing; and providing an effective channel for international funding. To achieve these benefits, WDCS s PROTECT Programmes (Through the Species and Wild Oceans Programmes) aim to develop close and collaborative and long-term working relationships with its field researchers and local contacts. A central tenet of this work is capacity-building - enhancing human capabilities through a combination of education and infrastructure improvement. WDCS believes that it is vital that local researchers, scientists and educators are empowered to provide the impetus and expertise for cetacean conservation in their own regions. WDCS further recognizes that approaches to conservation need to be multi-faceted, adaptable and often tailored to particular local or regional geo-political situations, the WDCS Protect programme aims to deliver regionally 16 PROTECTING CETACEANS

17 specific solutions and recommendations to cetacean conservation. Therefore, our support for conservation projects run by local scientists, conservationists, educators and other community members is extremely important and gives a much higher chance of success and long-term benefit to cetaceans. Protecting cetaceans requires a sophisticated understanding of not only their needs but the needs of the communities who interact with them on a daily basis. New considerations for habitats We know that cetacean habitats are diverse and can not be protected through a formulaic approach. Cetacean critical habitat spreads across the globe in oceans, coasts and rivers, and from the Arctic north through the equatorial tropics to the Antarctic south. Riverine and many coastal cetaceans have more restricted ranges, whereas marine cetacean habitats are often defined by oceanic characteristics rather than geography. The temperature of the water seems to influence strongly which species are found within a region. Cold, warm and tropical water species are recognised with distinct, and sometimes overlapping, distributions. For many cetacean species, critical habitats may relate to conventional geographical areas. For other species, critical habitat may be defined by more fluid oceanographic parameters including temperature, salinity, and current, such as the less fixed feeding areas that are dependent on upwellings or other everchanging oceanographic conditions. Some species use more than one primary habitat during different parts of their migration, including the many large whales that breed in warm tropical waters but feed, after long migrations, in polar seas. Other species such as the orca may well use multiple habitats as they follow prey along a migration route. Regular, irregular and sometimes vast migrations In addition, the migration of many cetacean species is cyclical and predictable, coinciding with changes in season and the recurring changes in food availability. Time spent between the ends of a cetacean s migration routes are also important parts of their life cycle. The migration routes of many species cross regularly between the national jurisdiction of coastal States and some species regularly cross from national jurisdictions into the high seas. Other cetacean migrations are less predictable. There are movements within some of the enormous home ranges which constitute migrations in the sense that such forays might involve the animal traveling the length and breadth of its normal home range, comprising several thousand miles and sometimes entirely on the high seas. Such journeys are often undertaken with less predictability. These movements can appear random, or driven by unique circumstances, and may not appear to be cyclic. However the subtleties and extent of such migrations are difficult to evaluate without continuously monitoring individuals and the components of their habitats to determine the impetus for such movements. For many species this data is not yet available. Such long journeys may still constitute migration, even though the cyclical nature and predictability of these migrations may, at present, be unclear. Considering species and populations Finally, many cetaceans cannot be protected at a species level alone. Many cetacean species inhabit vast marine regions. Some species are thought to have movements between populations on a regular basis, whereas other populations remain more distinct. Overlapping migrations may occur, but specific populations may remain genetically PROTECTING CETACEANS 17

18 isolated from each other thus potentially being more endangered than is considered when approached from a species level. The conservation status of a migratory species means the sum of the influences acting on the migratory species that may affect its long-term distribution and abundance. For this reason the assessment of population status is critical. There can be little doubt that there are a number of significant pressures which act independently and cumulatively to influence not only the migration of cetaceans but also their long-term population distribution abundance and survival. 18 PROTECTING CETACEANS

19 4WDCS Partnership Pledge to CMS As a Partner organisation to CMS (Convention for Migratory Species on Wild Animals), WDCS recognises that species of wild animals that migrate across or outside national jurisdictional boundaries are particularly vulnerable to conflicting conservation and use objectives for the same population, and that they require concerted and coordinated actions by all States across their migratory range in order to maintain or restore a favourable conservation status for these species and populations. Article IX of CMS requires the CMS Secretariat to maintain liaison with, inter alia, international organizations concerned with migratory species. Resolution 7.9 has emphasized the need for CMS to strengthen orderly institutional linkages with partner organizations, and to define the scope of their responsibility and the ways to improve, in the most efficient way, their tasks and to enhance their synergetic effect and that operational principle 2 of the CMS Strategic Plan ( ) calls for close cooperation with relevant key partners and capturing of synergies in pursuit of shared targets; To this end, WDCS has agreed to work in Partnership with CMS and has pledged for the triennium to: 1. work in partnership with CMS towards the CBD 2010 target and cetacean conservation around the world; 2. work in partnership with all current and future CMS cetacean related Agreements and MOUs in their development, resourcing, on-ground implementation, and promotion through regional and international opportunities; and 3. share with CMS our scientific information resource to assist CMS with its commitment to the CBD 2010 target, specifically to: a. report against trends in abundance and distribution of cetacean species and populations; b. assess the status of threatened cetacean species and populations; and c. track the coverage of effective cetacean critical habitat protection. In particular, we retain our strong and ongoing commitment to the two existing regional Agreements - the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS) and the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS), and to the developing CMS Memoramdum of Understanding for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitat in the Pacific Islands Region. We are equally committed to working towards the development of Agreements in South East Asia, the Bay of Bengal and in Central West Africa; to deepening the conservation impacts of the UNEP Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) in the Caribbean; and to increasing the conservation effort surrounding the CMS listed Species for Concerted Action. In the next triennium WDCS will expand our programme of work to harmonize with the CMS Strategic Plan , with the aim of maximizing the effectiveness of WDCS as well as contributing to the work of CMS, its Agreements and MOUs. In addition, WDCS will seek to support Range State commitments to the CBD 2010 (2012 for marine) target to: achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national levels as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth (CBD COP6, April 2002), by supporting and reporting on work that delivers conservation outcomes under the following CBD indicators: 1. Trends in extent of selected biomes, ecosystems and habitats: noting that this is likely to have a PROTECTING CETACEANS 19

20 significant impact on certain species that are associated with particular biomes, ecosystems and habitats; 2. Trends in abundance and distribution of selected species: noting that CMS should be well placed to provide information relating to migratory species; 3. Change in status of threatened species: noting that a significant number of migratory species are under threat in at least some part of their range; 4. Coverage of protected areas: because of the potential for analysis of the coverage of key areas for migratory species by protected areas; and 5. Connectivity/fragmentation of ecosystems: because of the impact that fragmentation and lack of connectivity can have on migratory species. The delivery of this pledge with be through the WDCS s PROTECT programmes. 20 PROTECTING CETACEANS

21 5WDCS proposed work in support of the CMS priorities WDCS plans to engage in the following provisional workplan in support of the existing CMS Priorities as determined through Resolutions and Recommendations of the CMS CoPs. WDCS will amend this workplan according to the new CMS Strategic Plan , following the outcomes of CMS CoP8, and consultation with Range States and the CMS Appointed Councilor for Marine Mammals and Large Fish and will report on the outcomes of this three year workplan at CMS CoP9. Concerted actions for Appendix I species The following projects are planed in support of conservation efforts for species listed for Concerted Action: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus 1. In addition to conducting on-going research, continue to provide information and support to the proposal for an MPA off the coast of Chile designed to protect the highly endangered population of blue whales who use this area as a nursery ground. Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus 1. Continuing an existing project of mark recapture techniques applied to the fin whale in the Western Ligurian Sea to help establish absolute abundance and survival rate estimates as conservation tools. 2. Participating in the organization of a workshop focusing on the ever-increasing problem of fin whales and ship collisions in the Mediterranean Sea. Franciscana, Pontoporia blainvillei There are no specific projects identified at this stage Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae 1. Expanding work on the population of humpback whales that summer in the Gulf of Maine to include preliminary research in their summer wintering grounds in the greater Caribbean area. Sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis No project identified at this stage Southern right whale, Eubalaena australis 1. Continuing to investigate and evaluate the presence of southern right whales off the coast of Uruguay and work towards improving national legislation to reflect this work. Sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus 1. Continuing to reinvigorate sperm whale research in the area, by engaging in projects on sperm whale population structure and behaviour and working closely with local communities off the east coast of North America; 2. Commence a targeted survey investigating sperm whale migratory corridors in Indonesia. Cooperative Actions for Appendix II species The following projects are planed in support of conservation efforts for species listed for Cooperative Action: Burmeister porpoise, Phocoena spinipinnis 1. Preliminary baseline surveys on the little known Burmeister s porpoise found off the south-western coast of South America. Chilean dolphin, Cephalorhynchus eutropia There are no specific projects identified at this stage Commerson s dolphin, Cephalorhynchus commersonii 1. Comparative studies on the resident populations of Commerson s dolphins in the waters off the Falkland Islands and the south-east coast of Argentina. PROTECTING CETACEANS 21

22 Dusky dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obscurus There are no specific projects identified at this stage Finless Porpoise, Neophocaena phocaenoides 1. Investigate the molecular taxonomy of finless porpoises in Taiwanese waters with respect to reclassifying them as a discreet species. Franciscana, Pontoporia blainvillei There are no specific projects identified at this stage Fraser s dolphin, Lagenodelphis hosei There are no specific projects identified at this stage Indian or bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops aduncus 1. Commence an investigation of the abundance and movement patterns of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, using photo-identification in the Swatchof-No-Ground of Bangladesh; Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphin (Chinese white dolphin), Sousa chinensis 1. Investigate the molecular taxonomy of Indo- Pacific humpback dolphins in both Taiwanese and Chinese waters with respect to reclassifying them as discreet species; 2. Commence a preliminary survey of Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphin in the Sembilang National Park, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris 1. Commence a preliminary survey of Irrawaddy dolphin in the Sembilang National Park, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia; 2. Engage in preliminary investigations into the occurrence of Irawaddy dolphins off the Kimberley coast of Northern Australia; 3. Continue to support the on-going research into the remaining freshwater populations of Irrawaddy dolphins found in both Thailand and Cambodia; 4. Ensure the timely establishment of a protected area for the Irrawaddy dolphin in the Aywerwady River, Myanmar. Pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata There are no specific projects identified at this stage Peale s dolphin, Lagenorhynchus australis 1. Conduct comparative studies on the resident populations of Peale s dolphins in the waters off the Falkland Islands and the south-east coast of Argentina. Spectacled porpoise, Australophocaena dioptrica There are no specific projects identified at this stage Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris There are no specific projects identified at this stage CMS CoP Resolution and Recommendation Priorities In addition to the projects in support of species listed for Concerted and Conservation Action, the following projects are planed in support of other conservation issues as highlighted by the CMS CoP Resolutions and Recommendations: Climate Change and its Implications for the Bonn Convention (Rec 5.5) There are no specific projects identified at this stage By-catch (Res 6.2, Rec 7.2) 1. Engage in the development & evaluation of an alternative pinger with potential environmental & fi shery advantages; 2. Provide baseline information for assessing the impact of bycatch in fishing and harbour operations on the Patos Lagoon population of bottlenose dolphins, south-east Brazil; 3. Participate in the organization of a cetacean bycatch workshop in collaboration with the South- East Asian Fisheries Development Council. Impact Assessment and Migratory Species (Res 7.2) There are no specific projects identified at this stage 22 PROTECTING CETACEANS

23 Oil Pollution and Migratory Species (Res 7.4) There are no specific projects identified at this stage Wind Turbines and Migratory Species (Res 7.5) There are no specific projects identified at this stage Implementation of existing agreements and development of future agreements (Res 7.7) reference to non-governmental initiative on cetaceans in the Indian Ocean, and regional Agreement development in the Pacific Region 1. ASCOBANS a. Reaffirmation of commitment to working with ASCOBANS in the region. WDCS looks forward this Agreement expanding the threats of focus and WDCS will continue to develop independent data in this region about both population distribution and also the extent of threats these populations face; b. Produce and publish a scientific report detailing our findings from 5 years of extensive fi eld surveys on the populations of harbour porpoises and Risso s dolphins utilizing the waters of Cardigan Bay, Wales and Continue long-term studies on the above populations, focusing on the relatively little known and understood Risso s dolphins; c. Commence preliminary cetacean surveys (focusing on harbour porpoises, Risso s and bottlenose dolphins) in as yet undocumented areas around the UK for example Isle of Man, south-west coast of England. 2. ACCOBAMS a. Reaffirmation of commitment to working with ACCOBAMS in the region. WDCS looks forward this Agreement expanding its capacity in the region and commits deepening involvement in the development of species Conservation Action Plans and their implementation in the region.; b. Support in the organisation of a public hearing and stakeholder workshops regarding the development of the Losinj Dolphin Reserve, Croatia and the and the implementation of the MPA; c. Provide the necessary background support to implement management and public awareness activities relating to the population of Mediterranean common dolphins (Implementation of the Mediterranean Common Dolphin Conservation Plan), and contribute to the recovery of the species and support ongoing field research activities; d. Provide the necessary background support required to perform ecosystem studies and to evaluate anthropogenic threats faced by the population of bottlenose dolphins in the Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece; e. Acoustic monitoring of orca in the Strait of Gibraltar, with emphasis on their interaction with the blue-fin tuna fisheries; f. Commit to preliminary research projects and support conservation efforts in North African ACCOBAMS Member States. 3. South Eastern Atlantic a. Draw together regional stakeholders to further the CMS 2002 Aquatic mammals in Latin America: defining high-priority conservation needs and actions, with the view to developing a regional forward plan to bring to CMS CoP9; b. Conduct photo-identification work on orca in the waters off the Falkland Islands; c. Continue to support research objectives focusing on the orcas of Patagonia; d. Continue to conduct population assessments and identify threats facing the boto dolphin in both the Amazonian and Orinoco basins. 4. South West Pacific a. Work with Range States to progress the proposed CMS Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitat in the Pacific Islands Region, as it overlaps with this region; PROTECTING CETACEANS 23

24 b. Engage in surveys in Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia to underpin the CMS Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitat in the Pacific Islands Region; c. Meet with regional officials to outline an appropriate research programme to underpin the development of the regional MoU, and engage in preliminary surveys in identified areas; d. Work collaboratively with States and Territories in the Pacific Region, governmental and non-governmental organizations to identify key areas and species in need of immediate conservation action; e. Investigate the commencement of appropriate regional workshop to build field research and cetacean survey capacity in the Pacific Region (including the easternmost region of the Central West Pacific); f. Update species distribution and threats information for the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme; g. Continue to conduct baseline surveys on the wide range of cetaceans found in the waters off Papua New Guinea; h. Participate in the production of the first ever scientific paper relating to the presence of orca in the waters of Papua New Guinea; i. Consider the commencement of a targeted survey work between Samoa and Fiji. 5. Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal) a. Work with Range States to develop an appropriate regional conservation mechanism in the Bay of Bengal and Straits of Malacca, as indicated in Resolution 7.2 Implementation of Existing Agreements and Development of Future Agreements; b. Hold regional workshops to draw together regional stakeholders to review the three year CMS/WDCS/WCS cetacean survey programme. These workshops will identify further surveys and develop a draft regional forward plan; c. Meet with regional officials to outline the workshop recommendations and agree on an appropriate forward plan and research programme to underpin the development of an appropriate regional conservation mechanism. This forward plan and research programme will be reported to CMS CoP9; d. Seek to ensure the timely establishment of a protected area for the Gangetic River dolphin in the Sangu River, Bangladesh; e. Seek to ensure the creation of a formal conservation Action Plan for the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar, India; f. Conduct preliminary baseline surveys on cetacean distribution and abundance in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India; g. Conduct additional baseline surveys throughout additional areas in the Bay of Bengal. Future Action on the Antarctic Minke, Bryde s and Pygmy Right Whales under the Convention on Migratory Species (Res 7.15) There are no specific projects identified at this stage Regional Coordination for Small Cetaceans and Sirenians of Central and West Africa (Rec 7.3) 1. Engage in collaborative initiatives to investigate and identify the key areas and species in need of immediate conservation action. Regional Coordination for Small Cetaceans and Dugongs in Southeast Asia and Adjacent Waters (Rec 7.4) 1. Increase focus in this region in the coming triennium and in particular to work with Range States to progress the proposed CMS Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitat in the Pacific Islands Region and to progress 24 PROTECTING CETACEANS

25 Recommendation 7.8: Regional Coordination for Small Cetaceans and Dugongs in Southeast Asia and Adjacent Waters; 2. Meet with regional officials to outline an appropriate research programme to underpin the development of Southeast Asia and Adjacent Waters regional Agreement; 3. Draw together regional stakeholders to further the First and Second CMS Workshops on The Biology and Conservation of Small Cetaceans and Dugongs of South-East Asia, with the view to developing a regional forward plan to bring to CMS CoP9; 4. Provide information and support for preliminary surveys and conservation initiatives relating to coastal species of cetaceans occurring off the coasts of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. This will be done in close collaboration with the relevant government departments and local scientists in the various countries. Other conservation work This following planned conservation work may be of interest to CMS Parties, although not directly in support of identified CMS priorities: waters off BC, Canada; 5. Conduct preliminary surveys to provide baseline data on species as yet undocumented in North and Central East Pacific region; 6. Conduct preliminary surveys to provide baseline data on a resident population of bottlenose dolphins 7. Participate in the organisation of stakeholder workshops regarding sustainable whale-watching in south-west China; 8. Continue to research the population dynamics of orca inhabiting the North West Pacific with a focus on preventing any further captivity-based takes; 9. Engage in background research to identify key areas and species in need of immediate conservation action in the Arctic region; 10. Conduct population studies on specific narwhal populations in the area; 11. Conduct population studies on specific beluga populations in the area; 12. Utilize cruise ships as a platform for baseline surveys of cetacean distribution and abundance in the Antarctic. 1. Investigate the importance of two offshore canyons (off the coast of Nova Scotia) to the bottlenose whale population at the same time as instigating a study on the potential chemical discharges present in the area and food chain; 2. Work towards the mitigation of crucially important conservation measures relating to the highly endangered population of northern right whales; 3. Engage in a multi-faceted approach to the conservation of the critically endangered vaquita by collaborating with researchers, other NGO s, government agencies and members of the public; 4. Continue to support the long-term research on the resident and transient orca populations in the PROTECTING CETACEANS 25

26 Our task, those of us who care about cetaceans, is to make a place for cetaceans in the sea; to ensure that what is rightfully theirs, and has been for millennia, is well protected. Erich Hoyt, 2002

27 6WDCS Delivering Protection through Regions Map of the WDCS regions WDCS has invested significant research and capacity throughout the world s oceans. The following section represents a snapshot of WDCS research focus within each large oceanic region. Further details of all projects are available, and the Species Programme work will be available as an electronic report. Within this report WDCS has indicated its planned research investment in each region. As always these plans are subject to consultation and change. Following the 8th CMS Conference of the Parties, WDCS will also seek to harmonize the work of WDCS s PROTECT Programmes (both the Species and Wild Oceans Programmes) with the CMS Strategic Plan In particular, the WDCS Wild Oceans Programme works in specific large oceanographic and geopolitical regions. These regions have been adapted from various international fora to align geographically with other multilateral regional developments such as FAO Regional Fisheries Management Organisations or UNEP Regional Seas Programmes. North East Atlantic Seas The North Atlantic is an extremely diverse marine environment, covering an enormous stretch of ocean that extends from the tip of Africa to Iceland, Scandinavia and the frontier of the Arctic Circle. WDCS has been engaged in two main activities in this region including the study of cetacean populations off the western coastline of the UK and working through the UNEP/ASCOBANS (the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas) to address chronic problems of cetacean bycatch in European fisheries. ASCOBANS is important as both the responsible multilateral Agreement for cetacean conservation in the region and also as the first Agreement for cetaceans under CMS. The aim of the Agreement is to promote close cooperation amongst Parties with a view to achieving and maintaining a favourable conservation status for small cetaceans. ASCOBANS covers all species, subspecies or populations of toothed whales in the North and Baltic Seas except for the sperm whale. PROTECTING CETACEANS 27

28 Bycatch is considered one of the most serious threats to cetacean populations in the ASCOBANS area. Marine pollution, noise pollution, habitat destruction and competition with fisheries are further dangers. The extent of the threat to small cetaceans in the ASCOBANS area is dramatically illustrated by the decline in the population of harbour porpoises in the Baltic Seas. The harbour porpoise is the most common cetacean species in the North Sea and the only native cetacean inhabiting the Baltic. According to the most recent estimates, the number of harbour porpoises in the Baltic Sea has dropped to around 600. ASCOBANS has developed a recovery plan for the Baltic harbour porpoise (Jastarnia Plan), which recommends a programme for bycatch reduction, research and monitoring, marine protected area establishment and an increase of public awareness. WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Risso s dolphin and harbour porpoise off west Wales and off the Isle of Mull, west Scotland; Blue whale off Mingan Island, Iceland; Orca, Norway; Sperm whale, Norway; Bottlenose dolphin off the Moray Firth in Scotland, UK, also off Cornwall and West Wales, UK; and Harbour porpoise, Cardigan Bay. WDCS s forward commitment to the North East Atlantic Seas 1. WDCS reaffirms its commitment to working with ASCOBANS in the region, and looks forward this Agreement expanding the threats of focus. 2. WDCS will continue to develop independent data in this region about both population distribution and also the extent of threats these populations face. 3. WDCS will engage in the development and evaluation of an alternative pinger with potential environmental and fishery advantages. 4. WDCS will produce and publish a scientific report detailing our findings from five years of extensive fi eld surveys on the populations of Harbour porpoises and Risso s dolphins utilizing the waters of Cardigan Bay, Wales. 5. WDCS will continue its long-term studies on the above populations, focusing on the relatively little known and understood Risso s dolphins. 6. WDCS will commence preliminary cetacean surveys (focusing on harbour porpoises, Risso s and bottlenose dolphins) in as yet undocumented areas around the UK for example Isle of Man, south-west coast of England. Mediterranean and Black Seas The Mediterranean and Black Seas are among the most degraded marine ecosystems on earth and cetacean populations in these highly impacted regions are known to be in dramatic decline. WDCS has focused on working through ACCOBAMS (the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area), the second Agreement for cetaceans under CMS, concluded in 1996 and entered into force in The purpose of ACCOBAMS is to reduce regional threats to cetaceans. The ecosystems within the ACCOBAMS region are highly changed and disturbed, primarily due to pollution, coastal development, extensive vessel traffic, over-fishing and the impacts of introduced species. Cetaceans are affected by the activities of a range of countries operating in this semi-enclosed marine system. The aim of ACCOBAMS is to promote close cooperation amongst Parties with a view to achieving and maintaining a favourable conservation status for all species of cetaceans present in the area. ACCOBAMS applies to all cetaceans that have a range which lies entirely or partly within the Agreement area or that accidentally or occasionally frequent the Agreement area. From the beginning, ACCOBAMS involved in its work most of the Range states to the Agreement and developed a close collaboration with 28 PROTECTING CETACEANS

29 non-governmental organisations and the scientific community. WDCS is pleased to recognised as an ACCOBAMS Partner Aside from a heavy investment in ACCOBAMS, WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Common dolphin, Greece; Northern right whale off Cintra Bay, Morocco; Fin whale in the Western Ligurian Sea; and Bottlenose dolphin off the coast of Croatia. Project: Mark recapture techniques applied to the fin whale in the Western Ligurian Sea: absolute abundance and survival rate estimates as conservation tools. Location: Ligurian Sea Description: The aim of the project is to merge in a unique, comprehensive catalogue all the photo-id shots of fin whales taken within the study area by different research institutes to enable the advanced statistical analyses necessary to produce a more accurate population estimate than currently available, and for the first time, a survival rate estimate for this population. Funding status: Funded 2004 Present day WDCS s forward commitment to the Mediterranean and Black Seas 1. WDCS reaffirms its commitment to working with ACCOBAMS in the region, and looks forward to this Agreement expanding its capacity in the region. 2. WDCS also makes a commitment to deepening involvement in the development of species Conservation Action Plans and their implementation in the region. 3. WDCS will support the organisation of a public hearing and stakeholder workshops regarding the development of the Losinj Dolphin Reserve, Croatia and the implementation of the MPA. 4. WDCS will continue to provide the necessary background support to implement management and public awareness activities relating to the population of Mediterranean Common dolphins (Implementation of the Mediterranean Common Dolphin Conservation Plan), contribute to the recovery of the species and support ongoing field research activities. 5. WDCS will continue to provide the necessary background support required to perform ecosystem studies and to evaluate anthropogenic threats faced by the population of Bottlenose dolphins in the Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece. 6. WDCS will engage in acoustic monitoring of orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar, with emphasis on their interaction with the blue-fin tuna fisheries. 7. WDCS will participate in the organization of a workshop focusing on the ever-increasing problem of fin whales and ship collisions in the Mediterranean Sea. 8. WDCS will commence preliminary research projects and support conservation efforts in North African ACCOBAMS Member States. North and Central West Atlantic Noise and chemical pollution remain significant issues for the North and Central West Atlantic. Ship strikes are an increasing concern throughout this region. At least ten species of small cetaceans - common dolphin, spinner dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin, pan-tropical spotted dolphin, striped dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, short-finned pilot whale, melonheaded whale, pygmy killer whale and false killer whale - are either bycaught or deliberately targeted in the Central West Atlantic. WDCS has invested considerable work in the development of the Cartagena Convention, and specifically the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife, and looks forward to this Convention expanding its conservation work concerning cetaceans in the region to look widely at all threats and consider multi-threat mitigation measures. PROTECTING CETACEANS 29

30 WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Blue whale off Mingan Island, Canada ; Harbour porpoise, Nova Scotia, Canada; Humpback whale east coast USA, also off the Cape Verde Islands, and the Caribbean; Blainville s beaked whale, Bahamas; Northern bottlenose whale, Nova Scotia, Canada; Northern right whale off the East Coast of Canada and the USA; Sperm whales of the North Atlantic; and Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine, USA. Project: Sperm whales of the North Atlantic Location: Western North Atlantic, particularly Sargasso Sea and the West Indies Description: Examining two poorly-understood fundamentals of sperm whale social structure - the use of coda vocalisations and the care of calves - using new passive and non-invasive acoustic techniques. Funding status: Funded 2000 Present day Project: Humpback whale Location: Gulf of Maine, USA Description: WDCS s adopted Humpbacks are part of a population that spends the summer months in the Gulf of Maine, off the coast of New England in the USA and Nova Scotia, Canada. Whilst they are in the area WDCS project staff conduct research that is vital in monitoring the size and health of the population. In the coming months we intend to increase our study area to include the wintering grounds in the Caribbean of this humpback population, helping to build a more comprehensive knowledge of their activities. Funding status: Funded 2000 Present day WDCS s forward commitment to the North and Central West Atlantic 1. WDCS reaffirms its commitment to working within the Cartagena Convention, and specifically the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife, and looks forward to this Convention expanding its conservation work concern cetaceans in the region. 2. WDCS will expand its work on the population of humpback whales that summer in the Gulf of Maine to include preliminary research in their summer wintering grounds in the greater Caribbean area. 3. WDCS will continue to reinvigorate sperm whale research in the area, by engaging in projects on sperm whale population structure and behaviour and working closely with local communities. 4. WDCS will engage in the investigation of the importance of two offshore canyons to the bottlenose whale population at the same time as instigating a study on the potential chemical discharges present in the area and food chain. 5. WDCS will work towards the mitigation of crucially important conservation measures relating to the highly endangered population of northern right whales. 7. WDCS will engage in extensive background research throughout the Caribbean region to identify key areas and species in need of immediate conservation action. Central and South East Atlantic This is a poorly studied region which is probably experiencing considerable habitat degradation as well as elevated bycatch, with concerns about bycatch in the offshore fishing fleets across this region. Atlantic hump-backed dolphins are known to become entangled in beach seines and shark nets in Senegal. Atlantic spotted dolphins are hunted off West Africa and also by-caught in purse seine off the West African coastline, although there are no reliable numbers at this stage. Heaviside s dolphin is probably 30 PROTECTING CETACEANS

31 vulnerable due to its restricted range off the West Coast of southern Africa. It is known to be caught in trawl, purse seine, beach seine, set and driftnets and small number are probably taken by hand harpoon. Atlantic spotted dolphins may be directly hunted off West Africa and are taken in purse seine off the West African coast, although there are no reliable numbers at this stage. WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Northern right whale, Cintra Bay, Morocco; and Pilot whale, Tenerife. WDCS s forward commitment to the Central and South East Atlantic 1. WDCS intends to increase its focus in this region in the coming triennium and in particular to work with Range States to progress Recommendation 7.3 Regional Coordination for Small Cetaceans and Sirenians of Central and West Africa. 2. WDCS will engage in collaborative initiatives to investigate and identify the key areas and species in need of immediate conservation action. South East Pacific & South West Atlantic The coastal and riverine nature of this region represents another area of fisheries bycatch and habitat modification. In addition, pollution and boat strikes pose increasing threats. Species in the South West Atlantic also face widespread habitat loss and degradation and directed hunts. Common, pantropical spotted and spinner dolphins have been heavily affected by the tuna purse seine industry and the impacts have probably flowed to populations further south in this region. Common dolphins are also bycaught and in some cases locally targeted by dolphin fishers in Ecuador and Peru. Likewise Clymene s dolphins and spectacled and Burmeister s porpoise have been bycaught in gillnet fi sheries in many parts of their ranges. Of the inshore coastal and riverine dolphins, bycatch in fisheries along the Amazon is considered high enough to be of concern for the boto. The tucuxi are bycaught in gillnet, seines and shrimp traps through their coastal and riverine range and are sometimes killed for shark bait or to be sold as amulets. South American populations of Commerson s, black and Peale s dolphins have been targeted for use as crab bait. Rearing pens for salmon aquaculture may also be restricting the range of Peale s dolphin. This dolphin is also thought to be bycaught in coastal fi shing nets. Catches of South America s dusky dolphins have caused concern, with numbers of direct and incidental capture of this species possibly in the range of 3,500 annually. The franciscana is subject to vessel collision and disturbance, the general modification of habitat. Although the franciscana has complete legal protection throughout much of its range (Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina), large numbers are still bycaught in shark gillnets and researchers believe this may be at threatening levels in parts of Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Commerson s dolphin off Argentina; Franciscana dolphin, Brazil; Orca off Patagonia, Argentina and Brazil; Peale s dolphin off Argentina; Southern right whale off Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay; Tucuxi dolphin in the Cananeia estuary, Brazil; Amazon River dolphin, or boto in the Colombian Amazon and Orinoco rivers; and Ecuador; Blue whale, Chile; Bottlenose dolphin, Peru; Burmeister s porpoise, and Chilean dolphin, Chile; Humpback whale, Ecuador; and Sperm whale, Galapagos. PROTECTING CETACEANS 31

32 Project: Blue whale Ecology and Conservation in Coastal Productive Areas off Chile Location: Chilean waters Description: This study aimed to determine and characterise habitat essential to the survival and recovery of blue whales and the extent to which physical and biological processes determine distribution, movements and behaviour. It also aimed to identify current and potential threats to blue whales and their habitat and to help to raise public awareness on the most relevant issues. The importance of this region as a feeding and nursing ground to this endangered species is exceptional since it can be regarded as the most important blue whale aggregation area (in terms of density) identified up to date in the Eastern South Pacific and arguably, throughout the Southern Hemisphere. Funding status: Funding 2003 Present day Project: Southern Right Whale Survey in the Uruguayan Coast Location: 220km from Punta Ballena (Maldonado) to Santa Teresa (Rocha) Description: This project has set out to evaluate the presence of the Southern Right whales along the Uruguayan Atlantic coast and to integrate the data with the regional available information, contributing to the knowledge and the conservation of this species in the South-western Atlantic. Funding status: Funded 2003 Present day WDCS s forward commitment to the South East Pacific & South West Atlantic 1. WDCS will work towards drawing together regional stakeholders to further the CMS 2002 Aquatic mammals in Latin America: defining high-priority conservation needs and actions, with the view to developing a regional forward plan to bring to CMS CoP9. 2. WDCS will maintain its long standing cetaceans studies along the coastline of Argentina. 3. WDCS will continue to investigate and evaluate the presence of southern right whales off the coast of Uruguay and work towards improving national legislation to reflect this work. 4. WDCS will, in addition to conducting on-going research, continue to provide information and support to the proposal for an MPA off the coast of Chile designed to protect the highly endangered population of blue whales who use this area as a nursery ground. 5. WDCS will engage in a multi-faceted approach to the conservation of the critically endangered vaquita by collaborating with researchers, other NGO s, government agencies and members of the public. 6. WDCS will provide baseline information for assessing the impact of bycatch in fishing and harbour operations on the Patos Lagoon population of bottlenose dolphins, south-east Brazil. 7. WDCS will commence preliminary baseline surveys on the little known Burmeister s porpoise found off the south-western coast of South America. 8. WDCS will continue to conduct population assessments and identify threats facing the boto dolphin in both the Amazonian and Orinoco basins. North and Central East Pacific The North Pacific is a temperate to tropical region that historically has very high dolphin mortalities occurring in the Eastern Pacific tuna fishery. The small inshore population of vaquita is subject to heavy bycatch in gillnet set for totoaba, sea bass, rays and sharks, and is also known to be taken in shrimp trawls. WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Blue whale found off Baja California Peninsula, Mexico; and Orca - northern and southern resident populations of orcas, found off British Columbia, Canada and Washington State, USA. 32 PROTECTING CETACEANS

33 Project: Blue whales in the Gulf of California Location: South western Gulf of California north of Loreto south to La Paz. Description: WDCS co-funded a boat-based survey which accounted for over 50% of blue whales photo identified during the entire 2003 season. All but one of the sightings was made in the Loreto National Park area. This and the presence of a lactating mother and calf in the area clearly showed the importance of the area as a refuge for Blue whales. Funding status: Funded 2003/04 WDCS s forward commitment to the North and Central East Pacific 1. WDCS will continue to support the long-term research on the resident and transient orca populations in the waters off BC, Canada. 2. WDCS will conduct preliminary surveys to provide baseline data on species as yet undocumented in the region. 3. WDCS will conduct preliminary surveys to provide baseline data on a resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of California. North West Pacific A number of species are regularly hunted through this region, and recently, fisheries bycatch in West Pacific net and trawl fisheries has increased. Of the river dolphins the baiji, a highly endangered species whose numbers may be as low as 200 individuals, are frequently caught on the rolling hooks used to snag fish along the Yangtze River. Habitat degradation is likely very high in a number of coastal regions, but little is known about the populations distribution of impact. WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Bryde s whale, Japan; Finless porpoise, Taiwan; Minke whale, Japan; Orca, Japan; Orca living off the coast of Kamchatka, far eastern Russia; and Yangtze River dolphin, or baiji, China. WDCS s forward commitment to the North West Pacific 1. WDCS will investigate the molecular taxonomy of fi nless porpoises in Taiwanese waters with respect to reclassifying them as a discreet species. 2. WDCS will investigate the molecular taxonomy of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in both Taiwanese and Chinese waters with respect to reclassifying them as discreet species. 3. WDCS will participate in the organisation of stakeholder workshops regarding sustainable whale-watching in south-west China. 4. WDCS will continue to research the population dynamics of orca inhabiting the North West Pacific with a focus on preventing any further captivitybased takes. Central West Pacific The Central West Pacific region is a combined temperate and tropical region, with many island and coastal ecosystems. The coastal fishing intensity in this region represents an area of concentrated fi sheries interaction and bycatch for cetacean species. Species in the Central West Pacific and South China Sea also face habitat loss and degradation, prey depletion, chemical pollution, live captures and directed hunts. WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand; Irrawaddy dolphin in Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam; PROTECTING CETACEANS 33

34 Melon-headed whale in the Tanon Strait, Philippines; Short-finned pilot whale in the Tanon Strait, Philippines; and Humpback whales in the Babuyan Islands, Philippines. Project: Mekong River Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation and Research Project, Cambodia Location: Kratie south to the Lao/Cambodian border Description: This preliminary study covered an area of approximately 448 km of the Mekong River and was aimed at estimating the abundance of the remaining Mekong freshwater Irawaddy dolphin population, where evidence shows only a very tentative estimate of remain. Funding status: Funded 2003/04. The project is now self-funded through the creation of a local NGO Mekong River Dolphin Project. Project: Abundance, Distribution and Conservation Management of Irrawaddy Dolphins in Songkhla Lake, Southern Thailand Location: Songkhla Lake, Southern Thailand Description: This relic population is now likely to be restricted to the upper freshwater part of the lake, with little or no movement into the coastal marine areas. Conservation measures are urgently required to ensure survival in this freshwater environment however local interest in cetacean conservation issues has, for the moment, ensured increased public attention and therefore funding. Funding status: Funded 2003/2004. The project is now being self-funded by the Forestry Department of the Government of Thailand. Description: The goal of this programme is to reduce threats to the Mahakam River habitat and associated lakes, with particular reference to the Irrawaddy freshwater dolphin population. This population is considered critically endangered by the IUCN with around 50 individuals remaining. An overarching objective of the study was the creation of an MPA and this work is currently on-going. Funding status: Funded 2003 Present day Project: Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of the 5 remaining freshwater Irawaddy dolphin populations. Location: Convened in March 2005 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Description: The workshop brought together all the various freshwater Irawaddy researchers and the Action Plan represents a consensus of rangestate and international experts who participated. Funding status: Funded 2004/05 Project: Humpback Whales in the Babuyan Islands, Philippines Location: Babyuan Islands, Philippines Description: The objectives of the project were to determine minimum abundance, distribution, and migratory origins of humpback whales in the area and to develop and implement an information, education, and communication programme on marine mammals for certain coastal communities in the Philippines. A Provincial Board Resolution declaring humpback whales a protected species in Cagayan province has provided a policy framework for the protection of this species in the Babyuan Islands. Funding status: Funded 2003/04 Project: Pesut Mahakam Conservation Programme Location: Mahakam River, East Kalimantan, Indonesia WDCS s forward commitment to the Central West Pacific 1. WDCS intends to increase its focus in this region in the coming triennium and in particular to work 34 PROTECTING CETACEANS

35 with Range States to progress the proposed CMS Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitat in the Pacific Islands Region and to progress Recommendation 7.8: Regional Coordination for Small Cetaceans and Dugongs in Southeast Asia and Adjacent Waters. 2. WDCS also intends to increase if focus in this region in the coming triennium and in particular to work with Range States to progress the proposed CMS Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitat in the Pacific Islands Region, as it overlaps with this region. 3. WDCS will seek to meet with regional officials to outline an appropriate research programme to underpin the development of Southeast Asia and Adjacent Waters regional Agreement. 4. WDCS will work towards drawing together regional stakeholders to further the First and Second CMS Workshops on The Biology and Conservation of Small Cetaceans and Dugongs of South-East Asia, with the view to developing a regional forward plan to bring to CMS CoP9. 5. WDCS will participate in the organization of a cetacean bycatch workshop in collaboration with the South-East Asian Fisheries Development Council. 6. WDCS will commence a preliminary survey of Irrawaddy dolphin & Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphin in the Sembilang National Park, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia. 7. WDCS will engage in preliminary investigations into the occurrence of Irawaddy dolphins off the Kimberley coast of Northern Australia. 8. WDCS will provide information and support for preliminary surveys and conservation initiatives relating to coastal species of cetaceans occurring off the coasts of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. This will be done in close collaboration with the relevant government departments and local scientists in the various countries. 9. WDCS will continue to support the on-going research into the remaining freshwater populations of Irawaddy dolphins found in both Thailand and Cambodia. 10. WDCS will engage in surveys in Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Federated Sates of Micronesia. 11. WDCS will consider the commencement of a targeted survey investigating sperm whale migratory corridors in Indonesia. South West Pacific This region is one of three that are likely to face the most acute effects of climate change. Cetacean interactions with fishing fleets in the South Pacific Ocean (specifically tuna) are now receiving greater attention and bycatch remains a significant issue in the southeast Pacific. WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Humpback whale, Tonga; Hector s dolphin, New Zealand; Orca, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea; and Blue whale, Australia. Project: Blue whales in the Bonney Upwelling Region, Southern Australia Location: The southern continental shelf of Australia between Cape Otway (Victoria.) and Robe (South Australia). Description: The study aimed to establish a link between climate, oceanographic features, krill, and blue whales, and on assessing possible threats to blue whales in the region. Preliminary analysis of hydro acoustic data revealed close correlations between blue whale feeding behaviour and dense swarms, likely to be krill (Nyctiphanes australis) both at the surface and at depth. Plankton samples collected adjacent to these feeding whales show that swarms are comprised of both adult and juvenile krill, and other zooplankton. The relationships between size classes of krill and other zooplankton are being determined. Funding status: Funded 2003/04 PROTECTING CETACEANS 35

36 WDCS s forward commitment to the South West Pacific 1. WDCS intends to increase its focus in this region in the coming triennium and in particular to work with Range States to progress the proposed CMS Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitat in the Pacific Islands Region. All WDCS work in this region will work towards this goal. 2. WDCS will seek to meet with regional officials to outline an appropriate research programme to underpin the development of the regional MoU and will engage in preliminary surveys in identified areas. 3. WDCS will work collaboratively with States and Territories in the Pacific Region, governmental and non-governmental organizations to identify key areas and species in need of immediate conservation action. 4. WDCS will investigate the commencement of appropriate regional workshop to build field research and cetacean survey capacity in the Pacific Region (including the easternmost region of the Central West Pacific). 5. WDCS will update species distribution and threats information for the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme. 6. WDCS will continue to conduct baseline surveys on the wide range of cetaceans found in the waters off PNG. 7. WDCS will participate in the production of the first ever scientific paper relating to the presence of orca in the waters of PNG. 8. WDCS will consider the commencement of a targeted survey work between Samoa and Fiji. Indian Ocean Cetaceans in South Asia and the Indian Ocean are subject to a wide range of threats. Habitat loss is especially critical for cetaceans with a limited range, such as the riverine and coastal dolphins. Pollution is known to be high in parts of the region and coastal and riverine artisanal and commercial fisheries bycatch is also a significant issue. Research indicates that there is a consistent rise of water temperature, which is likely to be related to climate change. Erosion and flooding along the some coastlines is also expected to increase. In 2002, the Seventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS supported further research into threats and populations studies for cetaceans in the Bay of Bengal and will explore further options with regard to a CMS instrument in the future (CMS Resolution 7.7). CMS in collaboration with WDCS is engaged in a survey of cetaceans in the Bay of Bengal. WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Ganges River dolphin, or susu in southern and north-east India, Nepal and Bangladesh; Humpback whale, off Madagascar; Indus River dolphin, or bhulan in Sind, Pakistan; and Irrawaddy dolphin in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh and Myanmar. Project: Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation in the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Bihar, India Location: Bihar, India Description: In 1991 the Government of Bihar designated a 60km segment of the Ganges River between Sultanganj and Kahalgaon as the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS). WDCS funded the creation of the Vikramshila Biodiversity, Research and Education Centre (VBREC) and has been supporting their work ever since. With abundance estimates within the sanctuary of between 88 and 174 individuals, this area is of critical importance to the resident population and to this day it remains the only area allocated specifically to protect the Ganges river dolphin. Funding status: Funded 1995 Present day 36 PROTECTING CETACEANS

37 Project: Monitoring the abundance and habitat of river dolphins and conservation activities in the Sangu and Karnaphuli Rivers, Bangladesh Location: Sangu and Karnaphuli River, Bangladesh Description: These relatively small rivers are unconnected to the majority of the species range in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system and probably support a distinct geographic population. WDCS surveys recorded an aggregate population of at least 131 animals and found that the dolphins probably move between the Karnaphuli and Sangu rivers through a connecting canal in the lower reaches. The lower Sangu is the most undisturbed river segment in the Karnaphuli- Sangu system and it may serve as an important refuge for dolphins displaced by anthropogenic impacts in other areas. Work towards the establishment of a protected area is on-going. Funding status: Funded 1997 Present day Project: Establish a site-based programme and protected area for Irrawaddy dolphins in the Upper reaches of the Ayeyarwady River, Myanmar Location: Upper reaches of the Ayeyarwady River, Myanmar Description: A cooperative fishery is practiced among local throw-net fishermen and the dolphins and this remains a vital cultural tradition in several local villages. The most important step that must be taken to protect the Ayeyarwady dolphin population is to establish a protected area for both the dolphins and the traditional throw-net fi shery in the segment above Mandalay where the dolphins and this fishery are most concentrated. Funding status: Funded 2002 Present day Project: Current status and conservation of Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella brevirostris in Chilika Lagoon, Orissa Location: Chilika Lagoon, India Description: Irrawaddy dolphins in Chilika are found in four ecological regions of this lagoon and are currently thought to be an isolated population however, confirmation of this requires further research along the east coast of India. Population size is estimated to be animals and the wide range of threats, including boat activity (fisheries and tourism) and habitat degradation are a serious concern to their continued presence in the area. Further research throughout the lagoon is essential in order to determine the current distribution, trends in abundance and movement patterns to identify hotspots for the dolphins. Funding status: Funded 2004 Present day Project: The Kimberley Coast Orcaella (Irrawaddy/ snubfin dolphin) Conservation Project Location: Kimberley coast, Western Australia Description: The Australian snubfin dolphin, Orcaella heinsohni, has recently been distinguished as a separate species from the Irrawaddy dolphin. The taxonomic status however of Orcaella in the northwest of Australia is unknown, and could be O. brevirostris, Orcaella heinsohni or a new species. Currently, there is a lack of basic information on numbers, distribution and habitat requirements for these animals and this project aims to discover such information and can provide informed input to management that could ensure the long-term survival of this potentially endemic species in Australian waters, and possibly the only chance for survival of the genus Orcaella. Funding status: Funded 2004 Present day WDCS s forward commitment to the Indian Ocean 1. WDCS intends to work with Range States to develop an appropriate regional conservation mechanism in the Bay of Bengal and Straits of Malacca, as indicated in Resolution 7.7 Implementation of Existing Agreements and Development of Future Agreements. PROTECTING CETACEANS 37

38 2. WDCS will hold regional workshops to draw together regional stakeholders to review the three year CMS/WDCS/WCS cetacean survey programme. This workshops will determine identify further surveys and develop a draft regional forward plan. 3. WDCS will seek to meet with regional officials to outline the workshop recommendations and agree on appropriate an forward plan and research programme to underpin the development of an appropriate regional conservation mechanism. This forward plan and research programme will be reported to CMS CoP9. 4. WDCS will seek to ensure the timely establishment of a protected area for the Gangetic River dolphin in the Sangu River, Bangladesh. 5. WDCS will seek to ensure the creation of a formal conservation Action Plan for the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar, India. 6. WDCS will seek to ensure the timely establishment of a protected area for the Irrawaddy dolphin in the Aywerwady River, Myanmar. 7. WDCS will commence an investigation of the abundance and movement patterns of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, using photo-identification in the Swatch-of-No-Ground of Bangladesh; 8. WDCS will investigate the viability of conducting preliminary baseline surveys on cetacean distribution and abundance in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. 9. WDCS will investigate the viability of conducting additional baseline surveys throughout additional areas in the Bay of Bengal. Arctic Ozone depletion and global warming threaten cetaceans world wide, but nowhere are the impacts more prominent than in the polar regions. Around ten percent of all the world s riverine discharge flow into the Arctic Ocean, resulting in elevated pollutant levels a particular concern for cetaceans as marine top predators. Some populations of narwhals, belugas and bowheads are still threatened by hunting. WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Bowhead whale (literature review) WDCS s forward commitment to the Arctic 1. WDCS will engage in background research to identify key areas and species in need of immediate conservation action. 2. WDCS will consider conducting population studies on specific Narwhal populations in the area. 3. WDCS will consider conducting population studies on specific Beluga populations in the area. Antarctic Like the Artic, this region represents one of the areas likely to face the most acute effects of climate change. In addition cetaceans are still hunted by scientific whaling fleets. The international fishing industry is known to be expanding their krill harvest for aquaculture feed and science, further depleting this critical food source. Noise pollution, chemical pollution and marine debris are also issues to manage in the southern ocean. WDCS research and conservation in the region focuses on distribution and abundance research, using Southern Ocean tourist vessels as platforms of opportunity for long and short term population monitoring of minke, fin, humpback and other cetacean populations. WDCS s historical contribution to this region has included the following projects: Minke whale; Fin whale; Humpback whale; and Southern right whale off the sub-antarctic Auckland Islands. 38 PROTECTING CETACEANS

39 WDCS s forward commitment to the Antarctic 1. WDCS will utilize cruise ships as a platform for baseline surveys of cetacean distribution and abundance in the Antarctic. 2. WDCS will conduct photo-identification work on orca in the waters off the Falkland Islands. 3. WDCS will continue to support research objectives focusing on the orcas of Patagonia. 4. WDCS will conduct comparative studies on the resident populations of Commersons and Peale s dolphins in the waters off the Falkland Islands and the south-east coast of Argentina. PROTECTING CETACEANS 39

40 It is increasingly recognised that our understanding of cetacean biology and population dynamics is going to remain inadequate in the foreseeable future. Thus following the precautionary principle, we need to be prepared to act... Hal Whitehead, 2000

41 I Appendix : WDCS Reports and Publications ( ) WDCS has developed or been associated with the following reports and publications: Altherr Sandra, Block Kitty and Fisher Sue, Iceland s Whaling Comeback: Preparations for the Resumption of Whaling. (Pro Wildlife, WDCS and the Humane Society International, 2003) Altherr Sandra, Block Kitty and Fisher Sue, RMS: A Question of Confidence. (Pro Wildlife, WDCS and the Humane Society International, 2005) Brakes Philippa and Fisher Sue, Hunted Dead or still Alive? A report on the Cruelty of Whaling (WDCS and The Humane Society of the United States, 2003) Brakes Philippa, [As Rapporteur] Report of the International Scientific Workshop on Sentience and Potential Suffering in Hunted Whales. (Workshop 14th and 15th June 2001, London. Paper submitted for information by the UK to the IWC Workshop on Whale Killing Methods, 2003) Brakes Philippa, Butterworh Andrew, Simmonds Mark, Lymbery Philip, Troubled Waters: A review of the Welfare Implications of Modern Whaling Activities (World Society for the Protection of Animals, London, 2004) Butterwroth Andrew, Brakes Philippa, [eds.] Review of Norwegian Research on the Humanness of Whale Killing. (Paper submitted by the UK to the 2005 IWC Whale Killing Methods Working Group, IWC/57/WKM&AWI 10, 2005) Butterwroth Andrew, Brakes Philippa, and Sadler Leila, Report of the United Kingdom and New Zealand Workshops on determining criteria for insensibility and death in stranded cetaceans. (Paper submitted by the UK to the 2005 IWC Whale Killing Methods Working Group, IWC/57/WKM&AWI 9, 2005) de Boer Marejka and Simmonds Mark, An introduction to the web-based Data Recording System for the collection of data from whale watching operations (Paper submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, IWC/56/WW2, 2004) de Boer Marejka and Simmonds Mark, Improving the whale watching data recording system (Paper submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission SC/55/WW7, 2003) de Boer Marejka, and Simmonds Mark, WDCS/ Greenpeace Survey Report Small cetaceans along the coasts of Wales and Southwest England (WDCS Science Report, Chippenham, 2003) de Boer Marejka, Keith Simmon and Simmonds Mark, A preliminary report of a winter survey of fi sheries and cetaceans in the Western Approaches of the English Channel, (Paper submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, IWC/SC/56/SM10, 2004) de Boer Marejka, Keith Simmon and Simmonds Mark, Bardsey Cetacean Survey, July and September (Bardsey Observatory Report No. 47: 2003: ) de Boer Marejka, Kieth Simmon, Clark Jo and Simmonds Mark, Bardsey Cetacean Survey, (Bardsey Observatory Report No. 48: 2004: ) Dolman Sarah and Simmonds Mark, Noise Pollution some thoughts on mitigation and wider protection (Paper submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, IWC/SC/57/ E9, 2005) Dolman Sarah and Simmonds Mark, Update on the impacts of acoustic pollution: with particular regard to research developments (Paper submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, IWC/SC/55/E5, 2003) Dolman Sarah, Simmonds Mark and Keith Simmon, Marine wind farms and cetaceans (Paper submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission IWC/SC/55/E4, 2003) PROTECTING CETACEANS 41

42 Endo T, Haraguchi K, Cipriano F, Simmonds M.P, Hotta Y. and Sakata M., Contamination by mercury and cadmium in the cetacean products from Japanese market, (Chemosphere 54: , 2004) Fisher Sue, The Regulation of Whaling in Greenland (WDCS, Chippenham, 2003) Gordon J., Gillespie D., Potter J., Frantzis A., Simmonds M.P., Swift R. and Thompson D., A review of the effects of seismic surveys on marine mammals (Marine Technology Society Journal 37 (4): 16-34, 2004) Green M. and Simmonds M.P., Cardigan Bay and its conservation importance (Nature Cymru 7: ) Hoyt Erich, Marine Protect Areas for Whale, Dolphins and Porpoises: A Handbook for Cetacean Habitat Conservation (Earthscan, London, 2005) Macleod K., Simmonds M.P. and Murray E., Summer distribution and relative abundance of cetacean populations off north-west Scotland (J.Mar.Biol. Ass.U.K. 83: , 2003) Prideaux Margi, Conserving Cetaceans: The Convention on Migratory Species and its relevant Agreements for Cetacean Conservation (WDCS, Munich, 2003) Prideaux Margi, Marine species beyond borders: a case study of regional and interconnected species and habitat protection and understanding a migratory range approach, (CMS Workshop: Migratory Species: A Passport to 2010, IUCN World Conservation Forum, Bangkok, 2004) Prideaux Margi, Sheltering in Deep Water: Cetacean Critical Habitat Protection in all Oceans (Paper submiited to WDCS, Adelaide, 2003) Reijnders P.J.H. and Simmonds M.P., Global temporal trends of organochlorines and heavy metals in pinnipeds. Chapter 18 in J.G. Vos, G.D. Bossart, M. Fournier and T.J. O Shea [eds], Toxicology of Marine Mammals (Taylor and Francis, London and New York, 2004) Ross Ali and Isaac Stephen, The Net Effect? A review of cetacean bycatch in pelagic trawls and other fi sheries in the north-east Atlantic (WDCS Report for Greenpeace, Chippenham, 2004) Simmonds Mark The Black Sea bottlenose dolphin what next? (Paper submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission IWC/Sc/55/SM12, 2003) Simmonds Mark, Clark Jo and Williams Vanessa, A preliminary review of the management of whale (and dolphin) watching in the UK, (Paper submitted to the International Whale Watching Workshop, Cape Town, 2004) Simmonds Mark, Evaluating the threat from pollution, Chapter 11 in W.C.B. Burns and A. Gillespie [eds], The future of cetaceans in a changing world (Transnational Publishers, Inc., Ardsely, NY 10502: , 2003) Simmonds Mark, Policing the Whalers (Letter) (New Scientist 8 November 2003: 32, 2003) Simmonds Mark, Sperm Whales: Social Evolution in the Ocean. (Book Review). (Environmental Conservation 31(4): 360, 2004) Simmonds Mark, The Irrawaddy dolphin must the considered endangered. (Letter). (The Nation (Thailand) October 11, 2004: 11a) Simmonds Mark, The minds in the sea. (Whale and Dolphin Magazine, 8: 8-10, 2005) Simmonds Mark, Whale watching and monitoring: some considerations. (Paper submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission. IWC/SC/57/WW5, 2005) Simmonds Mark, Whales and Dolphins of the World. (New Holland Publishers Ltd, UK, 2004) (Also published by MIT Press in the US in 2005) Simmonds Mark, Dolman Sarah and Weilgart Lindy, Oceans of Noise A WDCS Science report. (Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Chippenham, 2004) Smyth Chris, Prideaux Margi, Davey Kate, Grady Michelle, Oceans eleven: The implementation of Commonwealth Oceans Policy and ecosystembased regional marine planning (Australian Conservation Foundation, Melbourne, 2003) 42 PROTECTING CETACEANS

43 Stachowitsch Michael and Brakes Philippa, Review of secondary killing methods employed for whales hunted under special permit, commercial whaling and aboriginal subsistence whaling (Paper submitted by Austria and New Zealand to the IWC Workshop on Whale Killing Methods, IWC/55/WK 22, 2003) PROTECTING CETACEANS 43

44

45 II Appendix : Historical WDCS Funding Criteria Conserving cetaceans is an ongoing process that can never be considered complete. Conservation measures already in place need to be constantly reviewed and new approaches need to be developed to address threats which, until recently, were unrecognised or non-existent (IUCN 2003). It is likely, for example, that cetaceans have already been eradicated in some areas where fishing has been intensive and the insidious effects of toxic contaminants may have taken a toll that will never be well-understood and fully documented. To date, humans can claim that we have not caused the extinction of an entire cetacean species but, sadly, this is due to change very soon. Three species in particular: namely the baiji, Lipotes vexillifer, the vaquita, Phocoena sinus, and the Indus river dolphin, Platanista minor, are reduced to a few tens or hundreds and their numbers are still declining. Less than 350 Northern right whales survive: almost all are concentrated along the heavily-industrialised northeast US coast where they are threatened by a range of human activities. Many more cetaceans - at population or stock level - are under severe threat of extinction. WDCS acknowledges that no single strategy will facilitate the recovery of depleted cetacean populations, reverse trends of population decline and habitat deterioration and ensure that robust populations with high-quality habitat are secure; thus, it is essential to adopt a holistic view when attempting to formulate robust conservation strategies. The WDCS Species Programme (previously known as the WDCS Field Project Programme) was instigated in 1990 to complement and underpin the organisation s broad-based lobbying and campaign work across a range of cetacean conservation issues. The Programme s outputs and results are valuable at both micro and macro levels: project findings contribute to practical conservation initiatives at a population/stock or local/regional level; whilst also feeding into wider initiatives at the species or national/ international level. Since 1990, WDCS has funded over 130 field projects in over 40 countries, spanning every ocean region. All funding applications undergo a rigorous review and selection process. All projects funded by WDCS are required to be well-rounded and clearly demonstrate that they: 1. Fulfill WDCS objectives, namely: a. To reduce and, ultimately, eliminate the threats to cetaceans and their environment; and b. To raise awareness of whales and dolphins and our need to protect them and their natural environment. 2. Have relevant and achievable research objectives; 3. Demonstrably benefit cetaceans; and 4. Preferably employ non-invasive research techniques. Projects funded to date have met most, if not all, of the following criteria. They must aim to: 1. Discover more about cetaceans, including their habitat and conservation needs; 2. Provide information on cetacean abundance and highlight endangered populations and species; 3. Contribute research data to inform local, regional or national management plans for cetaceans and their habitat, and underpin and advise WDCS campaigns; 4. Identify threats and implement strategies to reduce and ultimately eliminate the threats to cetaceans and their environments; 5. Raise awareness in communities about cetaceans and the importance of protecting these animals and their natural environment; PROTECTING CETACEANS 45

46 6. Dispel any negative or inaccurate myths about cetaceans which lead to negative feelings and actions towards cetaceans and encourage the spread of local traditions and positive stories that benefit cetacean conservation; and 7. Encourage capacity-building and facilitate the development of national NGOs and individuals. 46 PROTECTING CETACEANS

47 III Appendix : CMS Resolutions and Recommendations that form the basis for the WDCS triennium pledge In the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in the marine environment and marine species within the bodies of the Convention, exemplified in the resolutions and recommendations adopted by the CMS Conference of the Parties. 1st Conference of the Parties, Bonn, October 1985 Resolution 1.7 Small cetaceans: Recognizing that a number of small cetaceans should be considered for inclusion in Appendix II of the Convention at the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties the Secretariat was instructed to set up a working group on small cetaceans to take forward this work. 2nd Conference of the Parties, Geneva, October 1988 Resolution 2.3 Small cetaceans: Following the work of the working group the Scientific Council was instructed to give priority to a global review of the conservation status of small cetaceans, including fresh water species, with a view to establishing the case for Parties to prepare proposals for additions to Appendix II of the Convention to be considered at the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties and the Secretariat and the Standing Committee to take appropriate measures to envisage and facilitate Agreements between Range States for species identified by the Scientific Council. 3rd Conference of the Parties, Geneva, 9-13 September 1991 Resolution 3.3 Small cetaceans: In response to the Scientific Council s global review of the conservation status of small cetaceans, Parties and non-parties to the Convention, which are Range States for the species and populations of small cetaceans listed by the Conference in Appendix II of the Convention, were urged to give priority to concluding agreements for their conservation. In particular Range States of the Mediterranean and Black Seas were urged to collaborate, under the sponsorship of a Party Range State, with a view to concluding under the Convention an agreement for the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Mediterranean and Black Seas. 4th Conference of the Parties, Nairobi, 7-11 June 1994 Recommendation 4.2 Research on migration in small cetaceans: Recognizing that the migratory behavior of most small cetaceans in most regions is scientifically very poorly known, making the nature and scope of international conservation problems difficult to determine, and making regional and international co-operation difficult to achieve, Parties were urged to carry out scientific studies to investigate and describe the migrations of small species in their waters, giving priority to species and populations of threatened or uncertain status and for Parties with expertise to assist other Parties and other Range States through appropriate mechanisms such as Memoranda of Understanding with this work. 5th Conference of the Parties, Geneva, April 1997 Resolution Concerted actions for Appendix I species: As part of the regular review of Appendix I and II species, the resolution recommended that the concerted actions and preparation of review reports envisaged within the framework of Resolution 3.2 also include Pontoporia blainvillei. Recommendation 5.5 Climate Change and its Implications for the Bonn Convention: Noting the increasing concern about the potential effects of PROTECTING CETACEANS 47

48 climate change on populations of migratory species, the Scientific Council was instructed to review and assess the relevance of current scientific work on this issue. 6th Conference of the Parties, Cape Town, November 1999 Resolution 6.2 By-catch: Recognising the gravity of by-catch as a major threat to migratory species, the resolution urges all Parties to strengthen the measures taken to protect migratory species against by-catch by fi sheries within their territorial waters and exclusive economic zones, and by vessels fishing on the high seas under their flags; to continue and strengthen measures within fisheries under their control, to minimize as far as possible the incidental mortality of migratory species listed in Appendices I and II, including seabirds, marine turtles and cetaceans; and to highlight the serious problem of incidental mortality of migratory species listed in Appendices I and II within regional fisheries organisations. Resolution 6.4 Strategic Plan for the Convention on Migratory Species: In adopting its Strategic Plan for the period the Convention committed to stimulate concerted actions in favour of each of the endangered marine mammal species listed in Appendix I that are not adequately covered by other instruments, and to facilitate the development and implementation of Agreements to address the conservation needs of these and other marine mammals on a regional or broader scale, as appropriate. Synergies should be sought with other organizations involved with marine mammal conservation, and attention given to putting in place or strengthening conservation measures at the national level. Recommendation 6.2 Cooperative Actions for Appendix II species: As part of the regular review of Appendix I and II species, the recommendation adds several species of dolphins of South America, namely Pontoporia blainvillei, Lagenorhynchus australis, L. obscura, Phocoena spinipinnis, Phocoena dioptrica Cephalorhynchus commersonii and C. eutropia to the list of species for cooperative action. 7th Conference of the Parties, Bonn, September 2002 Resolution 7.1 Concerted actions for Appendix I species: As part of the regular review of Appendix I and II species, the resolution recommends that the concerted actions also include Balaenoptera physalus, Balaenoptera borealis, Physeter macrocephalus, Eubalaena australis, Balaenoptera musculus, Megaptera novaeangliae. Resolution 7.2 Impact Assessment and Migratory Species: Concerned that avoidable detriment to migratory species often occurs through lack of adequate prior assessment of the potential environmental impacts of projects, plans, programmes and policies, carried out in a way that is systematic and formally taken into account in decisionmaking, the resolution urges Parties to include in Environmental Impact Assesssment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), wherever relevant, as complete a consideration as possible of effects involving impediments to migration and for the Secretariat to pursue its contacts with secretariats of other multilateral environmental agreements in evaluating with them the potential implications of the decisions of their Conferences of the Parties on the conservation of migratory species. Resolution 7.4 Oil Pollution and Migratory Species: Concerned about the continuing negative impacts of accidental spills and other discharges of crude and refined oils and wastes with well-known negative effects on nature, different components of biodiversity, on migratory species of wildlife and their food sources, as well as the synergistic effects of lethal and chronic toxicity, thermoregulation impairment and fouling, and by habitat degradation; and that there is a potential risk that significant numbers of migratory wildlife may be killed unnoticed every year in aquatic and terrestrial environments the resolution urges Parties to develop systems and partnerships to minimize these impacts and invites the Scientific Council to consider the role CMS may play in addressing oil pollution. 48 PROTECTING CETACEANS

49 Resolution 7.5 Wind Turbines and Migratory Species: Noting that wind turbines especially in marine areas represent a new technique of large scale energy production, the actual effects of which on nature and on different components of biodiversity cannot be fully assessed or predicted at present; and recognising the lack of sufficient and relevant research on such effects, especially on nature, and the lack of data on the distribution and migration of species concerned; while noting concern about the possible negative impacts of wind turbines on migratory species of mammals and birds, as well as on their food sources and habitats the resolution requests the Parties to assess the possible impacts on migratory species of wind energy parks before authorizing their construction and instructs the Scientific Council to assess existing and potential threats from offshore wind turbines in relation to migratory mammals and birds, including their habitats and food sources, to develop specific guidelines for the establishment of such plants and to report to the Conference of the Parties accordingly at its next meeting. Resolution 7.7 Implementation of existing agreements and development of future agreements: As part of the ongoing development of instruments for Appendix I and II species the resolution urges the further development and allocation of funds towards an instrument for Small Cetaceans and Sirenians in West Africa and Small Cetaceans and Dugongs in South-East Asia and to monitor the non-governmental initiative on cetaceans in the Indian Ocean and as appropriate explore further options with regard to the development of a CMS instrument. Resolution 7.15 Future Action on the Antarctic Minke, Bryde s and Pygmy Right Whales Under the Convention on Migratory Species: Noting that the Scientific Council recognises the ongoing conservation needs of the Antarctic minke, Bryde s and Pygmy right whales the resolution calls on Parties, to take action for these species and to identify the status of the populations of these great whales, to determine the nature and scope of threats to those species and, in doing so, to address the key data and information gaps in the proposals for listing the Antarctic minke, Bryde s and Pygmy right whales on Appendix I of the Convention, with a view to revising the proposals for future consideration by the Scientific Council and recommends that Parties and international and regional organizations with a role to play in the conservation of these species maintain and, where possible, enhance current measures to ensure the conservation of these great whales. Recommendation 7.1 Cooperative Actions for Appendix II Species: As part of the regular review of Appendix I and II species, the recommendation suggests that Neophocoena phocaenoides; Sousa chinensis, Tursiops aduncus, Stenella attenuata, Stenella longirostris, Lagenodelphis hosei and Orcaella brevirostris should be the subject of cooperative action. Recommendation 7.2 Implementation of Resolution 6.2 on By-Catch: Encouraging the implementation of Resolution 6.2 in the shortest possible period of time and an adequate assessment of its outcomes, the recommendation urges Parties to compile information, implement schemes and encourage research proposals to mitigate bycatch and to minimise discarded gear in domestic jurisdictions and on the high seas. Recommendation 7.3 Regional Coordination for Small Cetaceans and Sirenians of Central and West Africa: Aware that threats to these species, notably destruction or modification of habitats by the development of coastal areas and of the riverbanks of inland waters, pollution, agriculture, increasing mortality and by-catch could, if not properly managed, lead to further decline in small cetacean and sirenian populations the recommendation encourages all Parties in the distribution range to consider the establishment of a memorandum of understanding on these species and the implementation of collaborative actions, notably through action plans, which would consider the particular characteristics of inland and marine waters. Recommendation 7.4 Regional Coordination for Small Cetaceans and Dugongs in Southeast Asia PROTECTING CETACEANS 49

50 and Adjacent Waters: Recognising that illegal and indiscriminate catch of these and other large marine animals continues in Southeast Asian countries, thereby jeopardizing the integrity and viability of the marine ecosystem and that threats to these species include most notably incidental and deliberate mortality, habitat destruction and modification due to coastal and river bank development, and pollution the recommendation encourages all Parties and Range States in the distribution range to consider the establishment of an appropriate instrument of cooperation for the conservation of these species, which would consider the particular characteristics of inland and marine waters. 50 PROTECTING CETACEANS

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52 WDCS CMS Programme Coordinating Office PO Box 720, Port Adelaide Business Centre, South Australia 5015, Australia, Phone: Fax: Web: WDCS UK and International Brookfield House, 38 St Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1LY Phone: Fax: Web: WDCS Deutschland Altostr. 43, München, Deutschland Phone: Fax: WDCS North America 70 East Falmouth Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536,USA Phone: Fax: WDCS South America Saavedra 486 (Z9310CAD) San Julian, Santa Cruz, Argentina Phone: Fax: WDCS Australasia PO Box 720, Port Adelaide Business Centre, South Australia 5015, Australia Phone: Fax: