2008 Archives

23 October 2008

Cook Inlet beluga whales finally listed

A lawsuit was filed last June against the Bush administration over delays in protecting Alaska's Cook Inlet beluga whale population under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Environmental groups had put pressure on the government to list this population in 1999 and then again in 2006. The Cook Inlet beluga whale population should have been included on the endangered species list in 2008, but this decision was eventually delayed when the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) claimed that another population estimate was required. Environmental groups argued that this claim was linked to pressure from commercial and economic interests.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) finally announced on October 19, 2008, that this population would be included on the species at risk list as an “endangered” population. This despite the fact that Alaskan Governor, and Republican vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, had produced a 95-page report, including data and comments aimed at keeping the population off the list. NOAA will now endeavour to explain the decline of this population and define its essential habitats. Expansion of Anchorage's petroleum port and related infrastructure—a project estimated at $600 million—, ship ballast water discharge, oil, gas and mine activities that affect the entire Cook Inlet ecosystem, environmental changes and the fact that this population is showing no signs of recovery despite measures that have been put into place, all of these factors are arguments that justify the protection of this population under the Endangered Species Act.

Subsistence whaling in the 1970s contributed to the population's decline: it has fallen from 1300 to 375. The federal U.S. government had limited subsistence hunting to five beluga whales per year from 1999 to 2006, however, the population continued to decline at a rate of 1.5 percent annually instead of increasing by 2 to 4 percent as predicted. No whales were hunted in 2007 and 2008.

NOAA has identified a total of 18 threats that could affect the recovery of Cook Inlet beluga whales. Killer whale predation could be one limiting factor, as well as a drop in salmon numbers, a source of food for beluga whales in this area. This gregarious whale lives near the shore, which makes it vulnerable to oil spills and noise pollution. The Cook Inlet population occupies a small, 10-square-mile territory and is completely isolated from the four other Alaskan beluga whale populations. On the positive side, one researcher has noted that samples taken from this population have revealed low levels of contamination from heavy metals, PCBs and DDT. [NOAA, Anchorage Daily Ne ws]

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16 October 2008

No protection for killer whale habitat: Canada being sued

Six environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada on October 8. The department is being accused of not fulfilling its legal obligation to protect the critical habitat of British Columbia's resident killer whales. The lawsuit is a first in Canada since the Species at Risk Act (SARA) came into effect in 2003. SARA protects animals belonging to a species that is judged to be endangered or threatened, as well as their critical habitat.

The two populations involved are the Southern and Northern Resident killer whales. The Recovery Strategy put together by the Resident Killer Whale Recovery Team describes threats, such as declining salmon stocks, increased boat traffic, toxic contamination and acoustic impacts. The Recovery Strategy also describes critical habitats. For the Southern Resident population, these include the San Juan and Gulf Islands as well as the southern portion of Georgia Strait. For the Northern Resident population, critical habitats include the waters of Johnstone Strait and the southeastern portion of Queen Charlotte strait, along with the channels that link the two straits.

The Southern Resident population declined by 20 percent between 1993 and 2003; there are approximately 85 animals left in this population. Northern Resident killer whales number about 220. According to the Recovery Team, which includes leading experts in the field, critical habitat protection is key to the recovery of these fragile populations. The Recovery Team battled the federal government for two years to include and retain critical habitat in the Resident Killer Whale Recovery Strategy. The federal government finally adopted the strategy on March 14, 2008. On September 10, 2008, without consulting Recovery Team experts, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced that resident killer whale critical habitats were already sufficiently protected by current laws and acts, and that no supplementary measures were required.

This decision is the basis for the lawsuit filed against the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada by the David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Defence, Greenpeace Canada, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Raincoast Conservation Society and the Wilderness Committee, represented by Ecojustice lawyers. [Ecojustice]

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2 October 2008

Chile declares its jurisdictional waters to be a whale sanctuary

Last September 11, the Chilean government unanimously approved a bill declaring its Pacific Ocean territorial waters to be a whale sanctuary. Among others, these waters are a home to a recovering humpback whale population and a blue whale calving ground. Whaling, either commercial or scientific, is therefore banned.

This measure was announced by president Michelle Bachelet during the most recent annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), that was held in Santiago, Chile last June. It aims to counterbalance pro-whaling countries such as Japan, Norway and Iceland. Other Latin American countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama, have already banned whaling in their waters and are working towards the sustainable use of whales through the development of whale watching. [Environment News Service]

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18 September 2008

Antarctic minke whales getting thinner, according to a controversial Japanese study

The analysis of 4 689 adult minke whales killed by Japanese whalers in Antarctica over the last 18 years under its controversial scientific whaling programme has led to the publication of an important study showing that these whales are getting thinner. Blubber thickness and overall fat weight has decreased by 9 per cent. The study states that this change is disturbing. It could be linked to global warming and its impact on krill, the mainstay of whales in the region. But the study also raises the possibility that the weight loss could be linked to a rise in other whale populations in these same areas.

This is the first wide scale study to come out of the scientific whaling programme. Several environmental organizations, including the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, have declared that the study should have been rejected for publication on ethical grounds. According to this group, risks outweigh conservation benefits due to the methods used to obtain results.

Furthermore, these same organizations are concerned that the study will open the door to extending the whaling programme to include other species, such as the humpback whale. Last year, Japan had announced its intention to kill 50 Antarctic humpback whales over the course of its whaling season. However, it eventually backed down under intense international pressure. [Guardian]

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28 August 2008

Humpback whale and southern right whale on road to recovery

According to the 2008 update of the IUCN Red List, the humpback whale has been downlisted from “Vulnerable” to “Least Concern” category. This means that the risk of extinction is minimal, although two subpopulations—the Arabian Sea and Oceania humpback whales—are “Endangered”. The southern right whale has also been downlisted to the “Least Concern” category. Specialists attribute the recovery of these species to the fact that they are protected from whaling.

The evaluation has shown deterioration for other cetacean species. Nearly a quarter of all cetacean species are considered to be at risk and 10 percent are in the two highest risk categories. Furthermore, two subspecies and 12 subpopulations are on the “Critically Endangered” list. The situation may be even worse; half of all cetacean species are classified as “Data Deficient” and some of them could be even more at risk.

The threats that weigh on these species are accidental entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, habitat degradation, prey reduction and noise pollution. Small, coastal cetaceans and river dolphins are particularly affected. The baiji or Yangtze River dolphin has been listed as “Critically Endangered, Possibly Extinct”. There is concern that the vaquita, a Mexican Gulf of California porpoise will follow the same path; only 150 of these animals remain.

According to IUCN Director General Julia Marton-Lefèvre, the conservation of whales for future generations will depend on working closely with the fishing industry, the military and shipping and oil developers. [IUCN]

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31 July 2008

Researchers interpret humpback whale sounds

Humpback whales produce two types of vocalizations that are associated with distinct functions: songs and social sounds. Roger Payne's groundbreaking humpback whale studies in the 1970s revealed that they produce complex sound sequences, five to 30 minutes in length. The precisely repeated sequences were categorized as “songs”. Only males produce songs. Thus, this type of vocalization likely plays a key role for humpback whales during the mating season, either to attract females or to signal a male's presence, or both.

A progression of understanding

Rebecca Dunlop from the University of Queensland, Australia affirms that many researchers have looked into the structure and meaning of humpback whale songs over the years. Yet, little information has been acquired pertaining to the other, more “raw” sounds produced by humpback whales, sounds that are not songs. Dunlop and her colleagues decided to follow a humpback whale population from 2002 to 2005 as it migrated between Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the Antarctic Ocean. Their data has recently been published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. A total of 660 sounds were recorded from 61 different groups. Through their three years of work with the Humpback Whale Acoustic Research Collaboration (HARC), the researchers discovered a minimum 34 different sound types, at least three times the number they were expecting. Some of the sounds endure less than one second, while others last up to 10 seconds. These sounds have been associated to specific social behaviour.

The wops and the thwops

The research team combined land-based observations with hydrophone recordings in order to establish correlations between sounds and social behaviour. They have discovered that the sounds humpback whales emit by blowing air through submerged blowholes is an aggressive signal often heard in groups where there is competition, when several males are available for one female. Another sound, called wop, is mainly used by females to establish contact with their calves. A similar sound, the thwop, is predominantly produced by solitary males seeking a female.

Discoveries that hold promise for the future

The study of whale vocalizations has conservation implications. As oceanic noise levels increase, it will be possible to evaluate the impact that this human-made noise pollution has on communication between the inhabitants of the world's oceans. [Nature News]

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17 July 2008

The Cook Inlet beluga whale still awaiting status listing

Conservation groups filed suit against the Bush administration in June over a delay in protecting Cook Inlet beluga whales under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Five groups consider the delay illegal. The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Washington by the Center for Biological Diversity, Cook Inletkeeper, Natural Resources Defense Council, North Gulf Oceanic Society and the Alaska Center for the Environment, is aimed at compelling the U.S. federal government to immediately list the Cook Inlet beluga population as “endangered”.

On the heels of a petition signed by environmental groups in 2006, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) had proposed legal protection for this population; a one-year delay was necessary to finalize procedures and to identify critical beluga whale habitat. The population should therefore have been registered on the endangered species list as of April 2008. On April 22, the NMFS instead declared that a new census of the population would be required before status could be granted; the final decision was therefore to be delayed until October. According to the Marine Mammal Commission, the delay is an unreasonable pretext given the necessity of protecting this population. The NMFS is being criticized for making this decision under pressure from stakeholders with commercial interests. A lawyer for the Center for Biological Diversity involved in the lawsuit has stated that, “It's simply unacceptable to sacrifice endangered whales on the altar of oil company profits.”

A threatened population

The Cook Inlet beluga whale population is genetically distinct and completely isolated from other populations. NMFS scientists have been studying these animals since 1993 and report 2.7 percent annual decline in their numbers since 1999. The population has dropped from 1300 in the 1980s to less than 400 today. Cook Inlet is the most heavily populated and fastest growing watershed in Alaska, and it is subject to development pressures from oil and gas production, infrastructure construction (bridges and ports), sewage discharge and contaminated runoff that affect the whale's habitat.

Federal fisheries authorities were also hoping for a finalized management plan by early August concerning subsistence beluga whaling in Cook Inlet. Steve Davis of the NMFS affirms that last year's survey put the population at 340 individuals; a minimum of 350 whales is required for the authorization of subsistence hunting. Uncontrolled whaling is what reduced the population to present levels in the first place. However, no whales were taken in 2006 or 2007, and none will be killed in 2008. [ENS, Alaska Journal of Commerce]

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3 July 2008

The International Whaling Commission advocates exchanges and conservation; details of the 60th annual meeting

The 60th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which brought together 81 member countries in Santiago, Chile, came to a close on June 25.

Status quo with respects to whaling Nothing has changed with regards to whaling activities; various countries are pursuing their post-whaling-ban activities. These include Iceland, with its recent commercial whaling plan, and Japan, which is pursuing its scientific whaling programmes. Japan actually presented a report on its whaling activities for the first time, recognizing that whaling is one of the factors that has caused changes in the Antarctic ecosystem. Over 1400 whales are killed annually. According to Richard Cowan, approximately 40 percent of these are gestating females.

Denmark denied The IWC has voted down a request by indigenous Greenland fishermen who were hoping to kill 10 humpback whales per year. The fishermen proposed that in exchange they would relinquish their right to kill eight fin whales. Copenhagen ensured other members that its position was based on an IWC report stating that the number of humpback whales in Greenland waters has seen an increase in recent years. The delegate from Chile deplored the “return of divisive propositions”, which have paralyzed the Commission for years. This inevitably led to increased tensions at the meeting.

In favour of discussions and improved exchanges The IWC has established a 24-member-country working group to make recommendations on a series of themes, coordinate member positions and find an accord on pending issues, such as Japan's proposal to resume commercial whaling and a proposal from Latin American countries for the creation of whale sanctuaries. No date has yet been set for the conclusion of such agreements, but the work group must submit its report to the next meeting of the IWC, which will be held in Madeira, Portugal from May 28 to June 26, 2009

The IWC encouraged approaches based on discussions, negotiations and fruitful exchanges on matters that divide members in order to avoid confrontations. The IWC does not pretend that these discussions will be easy, but insists on the importance of making progress, not only for the future of the organization, but also for the conservation and management of whales.

This new orientation was adopted and then employed for the proposition of a Pacific Ocean whale sanctuary; no vote was requested, but the proposition was discussed.

Well-being, conservation and research Other topics than whaling were dealt with during the 60th annual meeting of the IWC. A workshop on entanglement in fishing gear was announced. Reports on methods of euthanasia for stranded animals as well as information on killing methods were tabled by different countries. The subject of whale watching came up on the second day of meetings. Mexico also announced the creation of a 60 million dollar recovery fund for the vaquita. This porpoise is the most threatened cetacean in the world with a population of between 100 and 300 animals limited to the Sea of Cortez.

Finally, the scientific committee, an international group of 200 biologists mandated by their respective governments, reported that the IWC's Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research (SOWER) programme has been proceeding with research projects in the Antarctic Ocean for 30 years. This research has provided extremely valuable information concerning various species, such as the blue whale and the humpback whale. The Government of Japan provides the vessel and crew. The results of the SOWER programme will soon be included in a dedicated section of the IWC website and a special scientific volume. [IWC, Romandie News]

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19 June 2008

Beluga whale birth at the Vancouver Aquarium

Qila gave birth on June 10 to a healthy 1.35 m long, 50 kg baby girl after a 15-month gestation period. The birth, which had been announced by hormonal changes on June 5, went off without a hitch before an attentive public and representatives from various media. This is the first time in Canada that a beluga whale is born in captivity from a mother who was also born in captivity.

This event presents itself as a privileged occasion to broaden limited scientific knowledge of the birth and development of newborn beluga whales. Being a first time mother, Qila was not immediately sure how to behave after her calf's birth; she appeared to be terrified and would evade her calf. The calf's grandmother, Aurora, was therefore brought into the basin and immediately took charge of the new born animal, going so far as to even attempt to nurse it. Qila eventually showed interest in her baby, nursed it and has since been developing her maternal skills. Vancouver Aquarium researchers are closely studying these behaviours 24 hours a day. One project is concentrating on the vocal developments between mother and calf.

Qila and her calf are presently isolated from the other Aquarium beluga whales in order to allow them to strengthen the bonds required to ensure the newborn's survival. The general public is allowed to visit, however a procedure has been established to minimize distractions to mom and calf. You can also view Qila and her calf on the Vancouver Aquarium's web cam. [Vancouver Aquarium]

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29 May 2008

Iceland resumes commercial whaling

On May 19, the government of Iceland announced a resumption of commercial whaling, setting a quota for 40 minke whales; whalers had requested a 100 minke whale quota. Three whaling ships set sail the following day and the whalers successfully killed their first whale. The season will last until September 1. After having respected the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) whaling ban since 1986, Iceland resumed commercial whaling in 2006. The 2007 Icelandic whaling season was ended in August when the quota of 45 minke whales was fulfilled and the meat was sold locally. The government then announced an end to whaling activities and that it would renew quotas when market demands called for it. Iceland has stated that commercial whaling has become an essential economic activity for fishermen ever since their fishing quotas were reduced. According to the government, with a quota set at 40, the commercial hunt for minke whales is sustainable, given a population of 50 000 whales around the country.

Anti-whaling campaigners and discordant voices within the Icelandic government are making themselves heard by arguing that this commercial hunt tarnishes the country's image, particularly for tourists who travel there to go whale watching. They believe that whaling could have a negative impact on the island's economy. They prone instead the development of commercial whale-watching activities, judging this activity to be more economically profitable, as well as being more respectful of marine mammals.

Iceland and Norway continue to commercially hunt whales. Japan conducts a “scientific” hunt; the meat from which is sold in local markets. Aboriginal subsistence whaling continues in several countries, with quotas being set by the IWC. Several non-member countries of the IWC hunt whales in accordance with their own rules. [Cyberpresse, News Actualités Environnement, BBC, ENS]

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15 May 2008

Controversy and tension surrounding Arctic species at risk

The accelerated melting of Arctic ice due to climate change has put several marine mammal populations at risk. These animals face the challenge of having to rapidly adapt to the modification of their habitat and food resources. The majority of observers—be they independent scientists, governmental organizations in charge of protection measures and hunting management or even members of the Inuit population—are in agreement on this point. However, opinions diverge in reference to population estimates, predictions and protection measures, in place or proposed. Furthermore, local Inuit, whose economy and cultural traditions are for the most part dependent on the hunt of these Arctic species, also feel threatened by cuts in hunting quotas. They are concerned about the loss of their legitimate rights.

The narwhal is more at risk than the polar bear

The polar bear, classified as a marine mammal because it lives in a marine environment, depends on ice cover for hunting, resting and mating. Following an evaluation by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), its status in Canada as species of “special concern” has just been maintained instead of being heightened to “threatened”, as proposed by several environmental organisations. According to this independent scientific organisation, polar bear populations in some areas appear to be in decline and nearing the criteria required to be classified as a threatened species—particularly those that inhabit the southern portion of its range—, while others appear to be on the increase.

Although scientists and the media have strongly focused their attention on the polar bear, the narwhal is even more vulnerable to climate change, which is more pronounced and rapid in the Polar Regions than elsewhere in the world. According to a U.S. study, the narwhal is less able to adapt to habitat degradation and the intrusion of predators, such as the killer whale. Furthermore, the narwhal has undergone fewer studies and is therefore not monitored as closely as the polar bear. Despite species numbers evaluated at between 50 000 and 80 000 head, the narwhal could disappear before the polar bear. Other species, such as the ringed seal, the bowhead whale, the beluga whale and the sea lion, are also vulnerable.

Inuit hunters oppose hunting quotas

Beluga whale hunters and the federal government are at odds in Nunavik, Northern Quebec. By virtue of the different Arctic beluga whale population statuses—six of the seven populations are listed as either of “special concern” or “endangered”—and because 2007 quotas were exceeded, the government has lowered quotas for 2008. The same situation exists for Inuit hunters from the northern Canadian territory of Nunavut with regards to polar bears. Hunters question population estimates, arguing that an erroneous COSEWIC evaluation of bowhead whales in 1996 seriously underestimated their numbers, leading to drastic quota reductions for this species. The WWF recommends a ban on hunting of Nunavut polar bears until 2074; their numbers were estimated at 2 100 in 1997 and 1 500 in 2008. [The Gazette, Associated Press, National Post, Nunatsiaq News]

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1 May 2008

Multiple whale strandings in Scotland and Ireland

Approximately 40 beaked and pilot whales have stranded on the west coast of Scotland and Ireland since early February. This unusually high number represents an increase over the average annual number of strandings for these species in these regions. The strandings could be linked to the use of military sonar during training exercises that were underway at the time. Furthermore, they occurred just as British and NATO forces were preparing additional military exercises—code named Joint Warrior 081—set to begin on April 19 in a sensitive marine area that is home to several whale and dolphin species.

The carcasses of 11 Cuvier's beaked whales, 10 pilot whales and three Sowerby's beaked whales came ashore on the west coast of Scotland in advanced stages of decomposition, revealing that these cetaceans did, in fact, die at sea. The spokesman for the British Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society emphasizes that other cetaceans likely died and drifted at sea or stranded unnoticed on any of the hundreds of isolated Scottish west coast beaches, rocky shores and inaccessible islands. Five beaked whales and 12 pilot whales also stranded during the same period on the west coast of Ireland.

Is military sonar to blame, as it is in other regions of the globe?

Marine mammal conservation groups in this portion of the North Atlantic are requesting that the British Minister of Defence proceed with an inquest to establish whether or not there is a connection between these strandings and the use of military sonar. They are also pushing the military for a long-term engagement to prevent these deaths and requesting funding to carry out independent studies on cetacean distribution in these areas at different times of the year. They are asking that concrete measures be established to reduce the impacts of sonar-generated sound. While this may be a first in the U.K., proof of a direct association between military sonar use and multiple strandings of various whale species is mounting elsewhere in the world.

Although scientist have very little data on the lives of these three cetacean species—particularly the beaked whales that live at great depths—there is great interest in counting them and gaining more information about how they live in order ensure better protection. Beaked whales are especially sensitive to sonar frequencies that can force them to surface too quickly, leading to serious internal injuries. Meanwhile, a similar issue in the United States has led to a federal justice decision to require that the U.S. Navy reduce sonar transmissions off California and not use sonar within 12 nautical miles of the coast or in an area inhabited by marine mammals. [Stornoway Gazette, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Independent.ie, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, NRDC]

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17 April 2008

Ships slow down when they hear whales

A network of ten acoustic buoys has been deployed in the shipping lanes that pass through the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Massachusetts Bay, U.S.A. Ships heading to Boston and Gloucester use the shipping lane, which crosses through the right whale summer range. The goal of this enterprise is the peaceful coexistence of right whales and ships by reducing ship strikes. Along with accidental entanglement in fishing gear, collisions are responsible for a large number of right whale deaths. The buoys send a signal to ships that are then required to slow down to 10 nautical miles per hour and post a lookout to search for whales in order to avoid them. Hopefully this system will reduce loss of life. The North Atlantic right whale population has been reduced to about 400 individuals; the death of just one gestating female could significantly increase the risk of extinction.

Applied science

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) developed the network of automated recording buoys. The ship strike avoidance process consists of five steps: detection of right whale calls by the auto-detection buoys, automatic transmission to Cornell Laboratory, sound analysis and validation by qualified technicians, notification of ships of the presence of whales and, finally, avoidance of cetaceans. The buoys, which are placed at five nautical mile intervals, operate on a permanent basis. Each buoy can detect sound from a distance of five nautical miles and at a depth of 20 to 40 metres.

Funding from a shipping company

The costs of the entire project over the expected 40-year operation are estimated at about $47 million. Liquefied natural gas importer Excelerate Energy has picked up the tab. This company has recently completed the construction of a deepwater liquefied natural gas terminal 13 nautical miles south east of Gloucester and 2.5 nautical miles from the western boundary of the Sanctuary. This same company is planning on building a second port nearby that will also participate in project funding. Three other automated recording buoys have been installed south of the shipping lanes, in Cape Cod Bay.

Research fallout

Cornell University researcher Chris Clark and his team will use these recordings to gain a better understanding of the vocal behaviour of right whales in Cape Cod Bay, which has become increasingly noisy due to human activities such as shipping and port and pipeline construction. Recordings are already showing that whales are more frequently in commercial shipping lanes than was previously thought. These recordings will also allow researchers to monitor noise levels during the construction of the future port. [The Oregonian, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Excelerate Energy]

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3 April 2008

Conservation on paper will not stop the disappearance of dolphins

Italian researchers have sent out a distress call to various media on behalf of a population of short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) that live near the island of Kalamos in the Ionian Sea. While population estimates 10 years ago were a relatively abundant 150 animals, only about 15 remain in the area, their final refuge in the Ionian Sea. These dolphins have fallen victim to the over fishing of their prey and their accidental entanglement in drift nets and other industrial fishing gear. This population is representative of all common dolphins that inhabit the Mediterranean Sea, which have become quite rare, living in small, scattered groups. These gregarious cetaceans-easily recognizable by their yellow flank markings-eat sardines, anchovies and other small, pelagic, schooling fish.

Tethys Research Institute biologist Giovanni Bearzi recounts all concerns, studies, status, recommendations and strategies that the international scientific community has produced for the recovery of this species since the 1970s. He also lists international accords that have led to resolutions to protect the cetaceans of the Mediterranean, particularly the banning of drift nets. Yet, threats linked to industrial fishing continue to weigh heavily on the remaining survivors. In 2006, the ACCOBAMS scientific committee revised its recovery plan, judged to be perhaps too ambitious for the political agenda. It focuses on priority actions to be implemented immediately: a complete ban on using or even taking driftnets on board, the adoption of fisheries management measures to limit over fishing and the creation of a network of Marine Protected Areas to conserve common dolphin habitat. The committee invites the general public and the media to put pressure on governments to take action, arguing that the situation of the Kalamos Island dolphins goes way beyond the Island's immediate geographical area. The committee talks of ecological disaster and of our inability to preserve marine ecosystems. It also stresses that the economic and social survival of local fishing families has become precarious. It refers to the example of a population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that lives normally in the enclosed Gulf of Amvrakikos, 10 km away, where food is abundant, commercial fishing is banned and where only artisanal fishing is allowed.

Elsewhere in the world

The editorial in the bi-annual ACCOBAMS bulletin, FINS, reminds us that 2007 marks the beginning of a new era in the history of marine species conservation: that of the disappearance of cetaceans. It refers to two species: China's baiji river dolphin, declared extinct, its habitat no longer able to support the impacts of human activities, and Mexico's vaquita porpoise, which will likely be next on the list, victim of bycatch and illegal fishing. The St. Lawrence River beluga whale population is also at risk. Initially decimated by commercial whaling, these whales have more recently undergone the effects of various other human activities such as chemical pollution, noise pollution, disturbance and ship strikes. Despite sustained conservation efforts, this population, which has no natural predators and has not been hunted since 1979, is not recovering; population growth has stagnated at around 1 000 individuals. [ACCOBAMS, e arthOCEAN]

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13 March 2008

The North Pacific right whale obtains distinct conservation status

The North Pacific right whale has just been declared “endangered” under the federal U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Presently the most highly threatened great whale in the world, this species was decimated in the past by commercial whaling. It was especially prized by whalers due to a combination of several singular characteristics; right whales are slow swimmers, spend a great deal of time at the surface, contain large quantities of oil in the form of a thick layer of blubber and float once killed. The North Pacific right whale is divided into two populations: the eastern stock is estimated at less than 50 individuals, the western stock at around 100.

Genetics, a petition and a law suit

The North Pacific right whale has been listed under this status since 1970, but not as a distinct species. Associated with the North Atlantic right whale, both were considered the same species until recent genetic studies were used to classify them as two separate species. Although a recovery plan has been in place since 1991, the shared status did not provide North Pacific right whales with sufficient attention and protection. Following a petition in 2005 and a lawsuit led by the Center for Biological Diversity in 2006, the federal agency eventually listed the North Pacific right whale as a distinct species in early 2008. There are two types of status on this list: “threatened” and “endangered”, the latter being closer to extinction.

Still, oil and gas development threatens

A new recovery plan in the works should provide this whale with better chances at protection and eventual population growth as additional measures and regulations will have to be instituted to protect its habitat. Under judicial pressure from the Center for Biological Diversity since 2000, the federal agency designated Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea range as critical North Pacific right whale habitat. Unfortunately, the federal government had previously authorized an oil and gas exploration zone in the Bering Sea. Another oil and gas development zone also exists in the Okhotsk Sea, east of Russia. Noise pollution, engendered by exploration and production activities, pose a serious threat, adding to the chemical pollution already associated with industrial activities, the risk of ship strikes and accidental entanglement in fishing gear. [Center for Biological Diversity, Common Dreams, Wikipedia]

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28 February 2008

Bowhead whale hunting in Alaska: public consultations in the United States

Alaskan natives continue their traditional subsistence hunt of the bowhead, a baleen whale exclusive to the Arctic Ocean. The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed an annual quota of 67 whales for the 2008 - 2012 period. As many as 15 unused strikes can be transferred to the following year up to an annual maximum of 82 whales, not to exceed a total of 255 landed whales for the five year period.

This proposition takes into account the needs of natives and the variability of hunting conditions from one year to the next. These whales belong to what is known as the Western Arctic population that inhabits the Bering Sea in winter and the Beaufort Sea in summer. The proposed catch rate is considered negligible in light of current abundance trends; this population is presently made up of over 10 000 bowhead whales. An independent team of researchers published a report in 2007 that actually recommended removing this population from the U.S. endangered species list.

The NMFS proposition is open to public consultation until March 3. A final decision will be made public around March 14. The proposition is based on authorized International Whaling Commission (IWC) quotas identical to those of the previous five-year period. These quotas are shared between Alaskan villages and Russian communities of the Tchouktche Peninsula. The NMFS and the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC) jointly manage quotas in the United States. [NMFS, Gerber et al.]

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14 February 2008

The U.S. Navy has been ordered to respect laws aimed at protecting marine mammals from the effects of sonar

The decision and its fallout

On January 3, a federal judge from California imposed restrictions on the Navy's use of mid-frequency active sonar; they are banned from being used within 22 kilometres of the California coast during Navy exercises scheduled to be carried out between now and January 2009. In essence this decision was motivated by the presence of marine mammals that could have been threatened by the effects of the submarine seeking sonar. This type of sonar has been linked to the mass stranding of whales in several regions, including the Bahamas and the Canary Islands.

Subsequent to this ruling, U.S. president George W. Bush decreed an exemption of the Navy from the environmental laws cited in the judgment. This presidential decision therefore allowed the Navy to ignore the January 3 decision under the guise of national security. The Navy maintains that the lives of its troops depend on their level of training in detecting submarines operated by China, Iran, North Korea and other nations “hostile” to the United States. Recently, on February 3, the same judge rejected George Bush's decree, declaring it “invalid” and refused to acknowledge the “emergency circumstances” cited by the president.

A victory for whales and dolphins

Marine mammals are dependent on sound to navigate, communicate and carry out their vital daily activities. This dependence leaves them vulnerable to increases in ocean noise. Researchers assert that the powerful and continuous pulses of sonar could affect the reproductive success of whales or even lead to death, as in the case of the mass stranding of beaked whales and two minke whales in the Bahamas in 2000 after the U.S. Navy had deployed its sonar. This new judgment will thus give a much-required respite to these animals. [Environmental News Service, Los Angeles Times]

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31 January 2008

The Australian lesson: whale watching and sustainable development

A population of bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia, that supports a small cetacean watching industry is also the subject of a long-term research programme. A recent publication, which describes this situation, has allowed researchers to document the disturbing effects of tourist boats on dolphins. The results of this study have led decision makers to take unprecedented measures to protect the dolphins. The authors are pleased with the measures taken, which they see as a step forward in the co-existence between tourism and conservation. Yet, they emphasize that the case of Monkey Mia also raises important questions about other sites around the world where cetacean watching is carried out, often on a larger scale and with less controls.

Monkey Mia welcomes some 100 000 visitors annually, 69 percent of whom come primarily to see the dolphins. One vessel has been offering tours since 1993, while a second vessel was added in 1998. The dolphin population that frequents this area is among the best studied in the world, having been the subject of a research programme since 1984. As a result, data have been collected describing the situation before commercial observation activities commenced, while they were taking place with just one boat and since there have been two. Furthermore, the dolphin population is divided into sub-groups that use different sites where they are exposed to different levels of interaction with boats. In this context, researchers were able to come to solid conclusions concerning the impact of boats on the dolphins… and these conclusions are alarming.

While the arrival of the first boat does not appear to have had any impact on the dolphins, the increase to two boats led to a drop in the number of dolphins. This situation is due—in part at least—to the fact that exposed females are less successful at reproducing.

These results led to a vast consultation procedure that involved researchers, governmental decision makers and local stakeholders. Two decision were made by the Western Australian Minister of the Environment in order to ensure the sustainable development of dolphin watching activities at Monkey Mia:

According to authors James Higham and Lars Bedjer, the Monkey Mia case demonstrates a major attitude change: an acceptance that wildlife observation may be unsustainable if improperly managed. A world first, this type of management, which considers the long-term development of the tourist industry represents a competitive edge for Western Australia. It may also include important lessons for other sites where stakeholders are attempting to contend with tourism development and nature conservation. [Current Issues in Tourism]

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Original publication:

17 January 2008

The identity of the ancestor of whales is becoming clearer

What we already knew: whales are mammals, their story began in southern Asia some 50 million years ago, they evolved from a terrestrial ancestor; an even-toed, hoofed animal, like a cow or a pig, known as an artiodactyl.

What Dr. Thewissen teaches us with his December 2007 publication in Nature is that this artiodactyl was a member of the raoellidae family similar to Indohyus, a kind of antler-less deer the size of a racoon. A minor revolution in this field of study: Indohyus was already semi-aquatic and its ear contained a bony structure thought to be unique to whales: the involucrum.

You are what you eat… So, whales did not become whales by jumping into the water; their ancestor had already done that. According to Dr. Thewissen and his colleagues, they became distinct from their ancestors by becoming carnivores, adapting their teeth, skulls and sensory organs accordingly. Eventually they became increasingly aquatic until they took on the shape of modern whales.

A convincing link Several hypotheses have circulated about the probable ancestor of whales since the 1990s. Yet, one after another they were discarded as their weak points were highlighted. A good example of this is the Mesonyx, a hoofed animal without paired toes that belongs to a group that no longer exists. However, genetics defined Mesonyx as a very distant cousin to whales and any resemblances between the two were so superficial that they could be chalked up to chance. Another candidate, the hippopotamus, was disqualified because it evolved after the whale! Dr. Thewissen now believes the ancestor to be related to Indohyus. Fossil characteristics suggest that raoellids are more closely related to cetaceans than they are to any other artiodactyl. Also, a direct lineage is possible as both co-existed at the same time and in the same area of the world.

An already semi-aquatic ancestor The first known whale, Pakicetus, shared its time between water and land; it was able to run. Before Pakicetus, Indohyus had already adopted a semi-aquatic lifestyle, either for protection or when feeding. Its thick bones indicate that it moved by walking on the lake or sea bottom, not by swimming. It ate land plants, invertebrates or aquatic plants. This distinguishes it from ancient whales, which were all carnivorous.

A lucky accident Up until now, no one suspected a link between raoellids and cetaceans. The latter were only known through a few teeth and jaw portions discovered in the Kashmir area 30 years ago by an Indian geologist, A Ranga Rao. He had also recovered other material that he was unable to prepare and analyze before his death several years ago. Ranga Rao's widow handed these precious fossils over to Dr. Thewissen. A lucky accident put the researcher on the right trail: a clumsy technician broke open a skull revealing that Indohyus had an ear similar to that of a whale! Which just goes to show how advances in science are sometimes fortu itous in nature. [Nature]

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