The Utilization of Aquatic Bushmeat from Small Cetaceans and Manatees in South America and West Africa

Abstract

Aquatic bushmeat can be defined as the products derived from wild aquatic megafauna (e.g., marine mammals) that are used for human consumption and non-food purposes, including traditional medicine. It is obtained through illegal or unregulated hunts as well as from stranded (dead or alive) and bycaught animals. In most South American and West African countries aquatic mammals are or have been taken for bushmeat, including 33 small cetaceans and all three manatee species. Of these, two cetacean species are listed in the IUCN red list as "near threatened," and one as "vulnerable," as are all manatee species. Additionally, 22 cetacean species are listed as "data deficient," hence some of these species may also be at risk. No reports (recent or otherwise) were found for some countries, caution is needed in concluding that aquatic bushmeat is not utilized in these nations. Moreover, although aquatic bushmeat is mostly obtained opportunistically and was likely originally taken only for local consumption, directed catches occur in most countries and may have reached unsustainable levels in some areas. For example, in Peru and Nigeria, thousands of small cetaceans are illegally hunted annually. Reliable, recent data and a better overall understanding of the drivers of aquatic bushmeat will be essential in the development of effective mitigation measures.

Fishers' experiences and perceptions of marine mammals in the South China Sea: Insights for improving community‐based conservation

“…These findings are very similar to previous studies of other regional coastal fisheries, including those in the Mediterranean, Scotland, Brazil, West Africa, and India (e.g. Cosentino & Fisher, ; Jog et al, ; Leeney, Dia, & Dia, ; Snape et al, ; Zappes et al, ). In these regions, marine mammals are often blamed by artisanal fishers for reducing fishery harvest (Goetz, Read, Santos, Pita, & Pierce, ; Gonzalvo et al, ), and may be killed deliberately in retaliation or accidentally in bycatch events (Bearzi, Bonizzoni, & Gonzalvo, ; Butler et al, ).…”

Audience research as a cornerstone of demand management interventions for illegal wildlife products: Demarketing sea turtle meat and eggs

“…While there has been a number of consumer research studies on wildmeat use in the context of terrestrial species, such as rodents, ungulates, and primates (Chausson et al, 2019;Schenck et al, 2006;Shairp, Veríssimo, Fraser, Challender, & MacMillan, 2016), there is a large knowledge gap in terms of wildmeat consumption in the aquatic context, or aquatic bushmeat (Aquatic Mammals Working Group of the Convention of Migratory Species, 2017; Cosentino & Fisher, 2016). This lack of consumer research within aquatic systems is concerning given close linkages of, for example, coastal and marine areas to issues of food security, poverty alleviation, wellbeing, and health, in addition to sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity conservation.…”

Cetacean rapid assessment: An approach to fill knowledge gaps and target conservation across large data deficient areas

“…Many uses of accidentally captured dolphins in Tanzania were identified, including consumption, but little commercial sale of the meat. Cetacean consumption is increasing worldwide, and can quickly shift from occasional consumption of accidentally entangled animals to intentional targeting and hunting (Cosentino & Fisher, 2016). Pemba is the main location where dolphins are known to be sold and regularly consumed and monitoring of fish markets may reveal that consumption and sale is more common than suggested by our interviews.…”

“…Cetacean consumption is increasing worldwide, and can quickly shift from occasional consumption of accidentally entangled animals to intentional targeting and hunting (Cosentino & Fisher, 2016). Cetacean consumption is increasing worldwide, and can quickly shift from occasional consumption of accidentally entangled animals to intentional targeting and hunting (Cosentino & Fisher, 2016).…”