Protecting small cetaceans from coastal development: Impact assessment and mitigation experience in Hong Kong

Sounds of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in West Hong Kong: A preliminary description

“…This is of particular concern with the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin population in Hong Kong, where there are many sources of anthropogenic disturbances, e.g., dredging, heavy vessel traffic, chemical pollution, and noise pollution (Wü rsig and Greene, 2002;Jefferson et al, 2009). This study characterized some of the vocalizations recorded from Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Hong Kong; however, more research is needed to more fully describe the sound repertoire of the Hong Kong population, and in assessing the impacts of anthropogenic activities.…”

Análisis espacial de los hábitats críticos del delfín nariz de botella <i>(Tursiops truncatus)</i> y la ballena jorobada <i>(Megaptera novaeangliae)</i> en el Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica: Consideraciones acerca de un proyecto de construcción de marina

“…Análisis espacial de los hábitats críticos del delfín nariz de botella (Tursiops truncatus) y la ballena jorobada 2009) por estar estas más expuestas a las presiones por actividades humanas en sus hábitats críticos (Bowen, 1997;Thompson et al 2000;Whitehead et al 2000;Gowans et al 2007;Jefferson et al 2009). …”

Best Practice Framework and Principles for Monitoring the Effect of Coastal Development on Marine Mammals

“…Development along the coastal fringe and catchments relating to infrastructure, industrial, urban, port, shipping, fishing/aquaculture, tourism industries and other activities leads to multiple and diverse alterations in the environment over relatively short (days-months) to long-term (years-decades) time-scales (Castilla, 1999). These alterations can lead to extensive changes in coastal habitats through, for example, increased ambient noise, land reclamation, increased sedimentation, increased nutrient and pollutant loads, changes in environmental processes and the intensification of human activities such as boating and fishing (Frihy, 2001;Evans, 2009;Jefferson et al, 2009). These activities and environmental changes often result in behavioral, physiological and ecological changes to some species and/or extensive changes to their prey and habitat availability, which can cause long-term population effects (Cubero-Pardo et al, 2011).…”

“…Under EIA legislation, the onus and responsibility is placed on both developers and decision makers to minimize the adverse impacts associated with activities on the environment (Elliott, 2014), particularly areas of critical importance, species of special interest or species of high conservation priority (Jefferson et al, 2009;Tyne et al, 2015). Marine mammals typically trigger the last two criteria.…”

“…Political, economic and social pressures can add to this challenge. Historically economic gain has been prioritized over the environment, and developments can occur without sufficient consideration, mediation or offsetting of impacts (Wang et al, 2007;Jefferson et al, 2009).…”