Historical accounts of large whales in Peruvian waters existed before modern commercial whaling. Research on baleen and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales was intense during whaling, thus producing essential knowledge on these species. The populations of large whales have declined considerably with whaling pressure since 1925 in Peruvian waters. After the whaling moratorium in 1985, research on these species decreased, and a considerable gap in knowledge exists until nowadays. This review aims to conduct a historical analysis of the spatial distribution and abundance of baleen and sperm whales in the waters of Peru. During whaling, sperm whale distribution and abundance received most of the research effort as this species was the most important target of the whaling fleet. Also, blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and Bryde’s whale (B. edeni brydei) were considered abundant in Peru. Changes in their distribution and abundance were evaluated mainly based on captures or climatic events. Following the cessation of whaling, sightings of these species were restricted to occasional surveys, limiting the assessment of possible current changes in their distribution and abundance, as well as the updating of existing information. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were considered overexploited at the beginning of commercial whaling. After the moratorium, this species population started to grow, expanding its distribution along the northern coast. Currently, the humpback whale is the most studied species due to the onset of whale-watching activities in 2009. This allowed us to update and increase the knowledge about its distribution and abundance in northern Peru. The findings of this study point at a need to considerably increase the research effort on large whales, particularly surveys to estimate population sizes of the species inhabiting the waters of Peru.
Existen relatos históricos de cetáceos mayores en aguas peruanas antes del inicio de la caza comercial de ballenas. La investigación sobre ballenas barbadas (suborden: Mysticeti) y cachalotes (Physeter macrocephalus) (suborden: Odontoceti) fue intensa durante la caza de ballenas, produciendo así un conocimiento esencial sobre estas especies. Las poblaciones de cetáceos mayores disminuyeron considerablemente con la presión ballenera desde 1925. Tras la moratoria de la caza de ballenas en 1985, la investigación sobre estas especies disminuyó considerablemente, produciendo un considerable vacío de conocimiento hasta la actualidad. El objetivo de esta revisión es realizar un análisis histórico de la abundancia y distribución espacial de ballenas barbadas y cachalotes en las aguas de Perú. Los resultados mostraron que, durante la época de caza comercial de ballenas, la abundancia y distribución de los cachalotes recibió la mayor parte del esfuerzo de investigación, ya que esta especie era el objetivo más importante de la flota ballenera. Después del cese de las actividades balleneras, todavía hay una considerable falta de información sobre la ballena azul (Balaenoptera musculus), la ballena de aleta (Balaenoptera physalus) y la ballena de Bryde (Balaenoptera edeni), mientras que la ballena jorobada (Megaptera novaeangliae) es la especie más estudiada debido a la actividad de observación de ballenas que se produce en la costa norte de Perú. Es necesario el desarrollo continuo de investigaciones para actualizar y complementar la información histórica.
En el Perú, los delfines mulares Tursiops truncatus se encuentran amenazados por la captura directa e incidental. A pesar de su conspicua presencia en la costa, el estado de conservación de esta especie en el país continúa siendo desconocida, y los estudios que describen la ecología de esta especie son notoriamente escasos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la ocurrencia, distribución espacial, la dinámica del tamaño del grupo y el comportamiento de los delfines mulares en la costa sur de Lima, en Perú central (aprox. 11°S). Se realizaron un total de ocho salidas de muestreo durante el otoño y la primavera austral de 2021, cubriendo la zona costera entre el puerto de Pucusana y la playa Arica. Los resultados confirman la presencia de un grupo de delfines mulares de ecotipo costero en el área de estudio, registrándose 52 individuos foto-identificados. A excepción de la profundidad del avistamiento, y el comportamiento de desplazamiento indefinido, no se detectaron diferencias significativas en los demás parámetros estudiados entre las estaciones de muestreo. Además, se observó una ocurrencia continua de la especie, con 20 individuos (38.5%) re-identificados en ambas estaciones de muestreo. La descripción de los aspectos ecológicos y del comportamiento, así como la ocurrencia de los delfines mulares, confirma la importancia de este hábitat para la especie.
1. Although the coastal common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus is under legal protection, this species is threatened by bycatch and direct hunting along the Peruvian coast.2. Species conservation can be better achieved if communities are empowered with knowledge and actions to mitigate negative impacts on vulnerable species. Thus, it is important to understand people's degree of knowledge about a species and its conservation issues. 3. This study evaluated the knowledge and perception of aspects of the biology, ecology and conservation status of the common bottlenose dolphin in coastal communities along the central coast of Peru. Structured questionnaires were completed by 197 people, and seven people participated in open-ended interviews in January 2022.4. Most respondents were knowledgeable of the distribution and ecology of common bottlenose dolphins. Seventy per cent of those surveyed were aware of some threats to this species. Some respondents were eager to take part in actions that would aid in the conservation of the species. However, 69.5% (n = 137) were unfamiliar with the word 'bycatch'. Charismatic species can engage the public in conservation actions. This researchshows that common bottlenose dolphin can be used as a flagship species for marine conservation. It is important to actively involve all stakeholders, particularly fishers, in conservation efforts and the measures that need to be taken to improve common bottlenose dolphin conservation.
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