Conservation and Management Implications of our Work
.JPG)
Findings from our various Cetos projects have been utilized
for conservation and in management of federally protected
marine mammal species. Our pelagic (deep water) surveys
and studies have been very successful in that first, we
have illustrated the effectiveness of combining tradition
visual-based field methods with newer, non-invasive, passive
acoustic methods, resulting in much higher encounter rates
than possible from using either method alone. We are able
to collect new and important information on a variety of
species (including, for example, some species rarely documented
in Hawaiian waters) in a relatively short period of time,
with minimal to no impacts to the animals.
One key example of this was our sighting of a minke whale
close (< 50 nm) to the Hawaiian Islands. This is a unique
data finding and provides new information about the occurrence
of this species in Hawaiian waters. In addition, it was
sighted in an area known to experience large vessel movements
and/or military operations, therefore the addition of our
species data to local marine resource assessment documents
will enhance protections for this protected species.
We have been able to detect (both visually and acoustically)
numerous other species, including sperm, pilot, and beaked
whales. Information on the ecology, behavior, distribution,
and habitat requirements for many of these deepwater species
is presently lacking, especially for the Hawaiian Islands
region. (See our detailed webpage on the offshore
acoustic and visual survey for more info on this project).
This information is critical if effective and informed
decisions are to be made about management and conservation
of these important living marine resources.
In addition to the aforementioned contributions, our research
from our in-water sound and behavior studies of humpback
whales has proven crucial for management of the endangered
humpback. First, the paucity of published data on social
sounds in humpback whales leaves a large data gap for the
natural history of this species. In addition, we are acquiring
detailed underwater behavior budgets for this species.
Our work contributes both locally, to the goals of managers
of the Humpback
Whale National Marine Sanctuary, as well as comprehensively,
to the goals of the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species
Act (ESA). Once these aspects of humpback whale ecology
and natural history are better documented, then the base-line
data from our studies may be used in follow-up analyses
that assess effects on this species from man-made disturbances.
Assessing impacts from human disturbance is increasingly
important and is a major goal of virtually every Large
Whale Final Recovery Plan. Our study adds to humpback
whale behavioral ecology in general. A better understanding
of humpback whales, pod interactions and mating/reproductive
activities, mother/calf exchanges, underwater behavior,
and vocalization patterns can be determined by our in-water
methods and acoustic research techniques. Questions that
have not been able to be answered in the last several decades
of work at the ocean surface are investigated and addressed
in the scope of our project.
Top
Our work on underwater behavioral budget of calves has
already been shown to be crucial towards protecting them
from boat strikes and injuries or mortalities. Our findings
show that calves spend more than half (>50%) of their
time just under the surface of the water while resting.
Thus, calves are especially vulnerable to injury and watercraft
collisions, as the photo below shows. We obtained top side
photographs and underwater video of this macerated calf
and showed it on the evening news the day the injury occurred
in Hawaii. We
also worked with local state and federal officials to educate
boat drivers during the breeding season on being more careful
around mother/calf pairs, and we are continuing to do this.
This year in Maui alone, there were at least 6 known incidences
of boat strikes on calves, a few resulting in calf mortality.
.JPG)
Impacts to marine wildlife from the increase in both man-made
noise and from greater human presence in marine habitats
is a growing problem. These impacts present greater stress
on success on a reproductive and population level. Background
(control) data is useful in environmental documentation
and mitigation efforts in compliance with Federal laws
such as the MMPA, the ESA, and the National
Environmental Policy Act. Acoustic studies coupled
with behavioral analysis contribute towards the preservation
effort for threatened and endangered species.
We work to help these mammals in the long term by distributing
the most up-to-date information to the right management
organizations in a timely manner. In a very short
time, Cetos has succeeding in doing this. We already has
a proven track record of moving the scientific process
along quickly - we collect, analyze, and distribute the
data to the right agencies promptly and efficiently.
For more information on our work with killer whale conservation,
see the section above on our work with the Northwest Fisheries
Science Center.
Please visit our sponsors:
The
Maine Coast Sea Vegetables.
Top
|
