Mediterranean fin whales at risk from fatal ship strikes

Panigada, Simone; Pesante, Giovanna; Zanardelli, Margherita; Capoulade, Frédéric; Gannier, Alexandre; Weinrich, Mason T.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2006.03.014

Cited by 179 publications

(184 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…With only two documented collision records for SH fin whales, collision mortality might be small compared to that for the Mediterranean fin whale, where 16% of 287 carcasses .3%) were attributed to ship strikes (Panigada et al, 2006). However, only few stranded fin whales have been examined by scientists in the SH, and at least some of 12 unidentified struck Balaenoptera sp.…”

Section: Incidence In Southern Hemisphere Large Whalesmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Fin whales are the most commonly reported whale struck and killed by ships in the NH (Laist et al, 2001;Jensen and Silber, 2004;Nelson et al, 2007), especially in the Mediterranean Sea (Panigada et al, 2006) and in the NE Pacific (Norman et al, 2004). In the SH, however, we are aware of only two cases, both in Chile.…”

Section: Fin Whale Balaenoptera Physalusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nowacek et al, 2001Nowacek et al, , 2004, humpback whale (Wiley et al, 1994;Laist et al, 2001;Lammers et al, 2007) and fin whale (e.g. Panigada et al, 2006), a general lack of understanding of the circumstances and factors that cause vessels to collide with cetaceans can at least in part be traced back to a shortage of authenticated datasets. In addition, small cetaceans and nautical information for the colliding vessels are rarely addressed, and information is limited to the few areas where reporting systems exist, and even there is considerable underreporting suspected.…”

Section: Global Standardised Databasementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Kraus, 1990;Knowlton et al, 1997;Wells and Scott, 1997;Visser, 1999;Knowlton and Kraus, 2001;Laist et al, 2001;IWC, 2003;Jensen and Silber, 2004;Norman et al, 2004;Silber et al, 2004;de Stephanis et al, 2005 11 ;Félix and Van Waerebeek, 2005;Weinrich, 2005;Panigada et al, 2006;Van Waerebeek et al, 2006). For purposes of management, lethal collisions with cetaceans are considered equivalent to bycatch.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vessel collisions with small cetaceans worldwide and with large whales in the Southern Hemisphere, an initial assessment

Waerebeek¹,

Baker²,

Félix³

et al. 2007

Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Mamm.

167

168

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ABSTRACT:Collisions with vessels are a well-documented conservation problem for some populations of large whales (LW) in the Northern Hemisphere. Less attention has been given to incidents in the Southern Hemisphere or to small cetaceans (SC) worldwide, therefore an experimental database was compiled (N=256; 119 LW, 137 SC) to allow a rapid assessment. Confirmed collision records were identified for 25 species (7 LW, 18 SC) and unconfirmed but probable records for 10 other species (2 LW, 8 SC). Among LW, ship-caused mortality and traumatic injuries seem to affect primarily southern right (56 reported cases), humpback (15) and Bryde's whales (13), but also sperm (8), blue (5), sei (4) and fin whales (2) are involved, and probably Antarctic minke and dwarf minke whales. Southern right whale populations off South Africa and off eastern South America (Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina) suffer significant mortality. Incidence and potential population impact vary widely among the 26 small cetacean species for which collision records exist. Vessel strikes in at least two populations each of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Xiamen and Hong Kong/Pearl River, possibly western Taiwan), Irrawaddy dolphin (Mahakam River, Chilika Lagoon, possibly Laos) and finless porpoise (Yangtze River, Hong Kong) may directly compromise long-term survival. Annual vessel-caused mortality (min. 2.9% of population) for Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mahakam River may not be sustainable. The quasi-extinction of the baiji warns for a potential similar fate for the Yangtze River finless porpoise and Ganges river dolphin. Two calves of the endangered Hector's dolphin are known killed by boats. All highly impacted species have a neritic, estuarine or fluviatile habitat, areas where vessel traffic is concentrated. Species that may receive a moderate impact from collisions but which may be sustainable at species level (because many strikes are nonlethal), include common bottlenose dolphins, killer whales, short-finned pilot whales and pygmy sperm whales. Almost 2% of common bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Guayaquil showed propeller-inflicted injuries and scars. Propeller guards should be made compulsory for all boat-based cetacean tourism, as habituation to boat traffic seems a contributing factor in accidents. Low impact occurs in 15 small cetacean species with only few reported vessel strikes. However, vast underreporting is thought to be the norm and there is a need for a global, standardised database. RESUMEN:Las colisiones con barcos constituyen un problema de conservación bien documentado en el caso de ballenas grandes (BG) en el hemisferio norte. Menos atención se le ha brindado a los incidentes en el hemisferio sur y a los cetáceos menores (CM) alrededor del mundo. A fin de realizar una evaluación rápida de este problema se ha compilado una base de datos preliminar (N=256; 119 BG, 137 CM), la cual incluye registros confirmados de colisión para 25 especies (7 BG, 18 CM) y registros no confirmados pero probables para otras 10 (2 BG, 8 CM). Entre B...

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Section: Incidence In Southern Hemisphere Large Whalesmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Fin Whale Balaenoptera Physalusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Global Standardised Databasementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Vessel collisions with small cetaceans worldwide and with large whales in the Southern Hemisphere, an initial assessment

Waerebeek¹,

Baker²,

Félix³

et al. 2007

Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Mamm.

167

168

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…According to a global assessment by the Ship Strike Working Group of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), fin whales suffer the highest mortality rate of all cetaceans due to vessel strikes, with the highest number of dead whales stuck on the bow of vessels (Van Waerebeek & Leaper 2008). The reason why this species is particularly prone to collision remains unclear, but some authors suggest that collisions occur mainly with juvenile individuals which spend more time at the surface and possibly have not yet acquired the necessary experience for avoiding vessels (Panigada et al 2006). Therefore, it is important to document the presence of this species in areas where the potential for collision is evident.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Presence of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in Mejillones Bay, a major seaport area in northern Chile

Pacheco

Villegas

Riascos

et al. 2015

Rev. biol. mar. oceanogr.

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Abstract.-In this paper we report the apparently seasonal presence of fin whales in Mejillones Bay (23°S), in northern Chile.We compiled a total of 19 sightings representing 95 whales, including 2 mother-calf pairs, between July and October 2006-2014. We observed groups of 1-10 individuals (mean 5 ± 2.7 ind.) principally in nearshore waters, 30-1000 m off the southwestern tip of Mejillones Bay in austral winter/spring. Fin whales came close to, and potentially overlapped with, the main port access routes of large cargo vessels. Information from real-time monitoring of whale presence relayed to Port Authorities is suggested as to avoid collisions.

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Geostatistical modelling of spatial distribution of sperm whales in the Pelagos Sanctuary based on sparse count data and heterogeneous observations

Fiori¹,

Giancardo

Aissi³

et al. 2014

Aquatic Conservation

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1. The Mediterranean sperm whale sub-population is classified as endangered by the IUCN. The conservation\ud management of this species demands further knowledge of its habitat use.\ud 2. In this study, a generalized additive model was used to evaluate the spatial distribution of sperm whales in the\ud Pelagos Sanctuary.\ud 3. The results suggested a preference for areas characterized by a particular sea floor topography. The estimated\ud encounter probabilities were highest above bathymetric features such as the Imperia and Genoa canyons and the\ud seamounts of the Ligurian Sea, highlighting differences in the habitat preference of sperm whales

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Mediterranean fin whales at risk from fatal ship strikes

Cited by 179 publications

References 27 publications

Vessel collisions with small cetaceans worldwide and with large whales in the Southern Hemisphere, an initial assessment

Vessel collisions with small cetaceans worldwide and with large whales in the Southern Hemisphere, an initial assessment

Presence of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in Mejillones Bay, a major seaport area in northern Chile

Geostatistical modelling of spatial distribution of sperm whales in the Pelagos Sanctuary based on sparse count data and heterogeneous observations

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