Participatory science and directed survey methods: A case study with odontocetes in the Maui Nui region of the Hawaiian Islands

Abstract

Given the difficulties and costs often associated with surveying cetaceans, enlisting members of the public to collect data offers a promisingalternative approach. Comparison of cetacean ‘participatory science’ (also known as ‘citizen science’) data with data collected during traditionalscientific studies helps reveal the strengths and weaknesses of a participatory science approach. With a large number of vessel operators on thewater throughout the year, including dolphin-oriented tour boats, the Hawaiian Islands offer an ideal study site to employ such a dual-methodcomparison. The study aimed to enhance understanding of nearshore dolphin distributions relative to bathymetry. Operators of tour and fishingvessels within the shallow Maui Nui basin of the Hawaiian Islands were recruited to report delphinid sightings. Researchers conducted standarddolphin surveys within the same region. The participatory science approach was successful in generating a large sample size of sightings from fivedifferent species. Findings here demonstrate the potential value of participatory science and of using a multimethod approach to infer odontocetedistribution trends relative to bathymetry in areas where both methods are feasible. Important refinements for future projects are highlighted.

Investigating Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) Occurrence and Acoustic Activity in the Maui Nui Region

“…A mirror of this diel pattern was observed at the coastal EAR sites of this study, with more acoustic activity during the daytime hours, coinciding with spinner dolphin resting behavior, and little or no signaling at night. This strong diurnal bias supports the conclusion that the majority of acoustic signals recorded in this study was most likely produced by spinner dolphins, which associate with coastal waters more than any of the other species present in the region (Howe et al, 2019). However, a limited contribution of signals from bottlenose and/or spotted dolphins cannot be ruled out.…”

“…One major assumption of this study is that the significant majority of acoustic signals identified are spinner dolphin signals. Previous passive acoustic monitoring, vessel-based survey efforts, and sightings reported through a participatory science program in Maui Nui identified the following odontocetes in the region: melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), and bottlenose dolphins (Howe et al, 2019;Howe and Lammers, 2021). Melon-headed whales were a rare occurrence in Maui Nui and would be unlikely to have a significant acoustic presence in the recordings of this study (Howe et al, 2019).…”

“…Previous passive acoustic monitoring, vessel-based survey efforts, and sightings reported through a participatory science program in Maui Nui identified the following odontocetes in the region: melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), and bottlenose dolphins (Howe et al, 2019;Howe and Lammers, 2021). Melon-headed whales were a rare occurrence in Maui Nui and would be unlikely to have a significant acoustic presence in the recordings of this study (Howe et al, 2019). Similarly, short-finned pilot whales and false killer whales are also unlikely to have a significant acoustic presence, because both species more frequently occupy offshore waters beyond the detection range of the EARs (Howe and Lammers, 2021).…”

“…Similarly, short-finned pilot whales and false killer whales are also unlikely to have a significant acoustic presence, because both species more frequently occupy offshore waters beyond the detection range of the EARs (Howe and Lammers, 2021). Spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins had the most spatial overlap with spinner dolphins (Howe et al, 2019). Based on Howe and Lammers (2021) there was a strong diel pattern in which high frequency whistles, attributed to Stenella, had greater acoustic presence in deeper waters at night.…”