Annotated checklist and fisheries interactions of cetaceans in Togo, with evidence of Antarctic minke whale in the Gulf of Guinea

Abstract

Based on strandings and captures, 9 cetacean species, including 6 odontocetes and 3 mysticetes, are documented (photos and specimens) in Togo's coastal waters (newly-recorded species marked with an asterisk): Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis*), Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei or B. edeni), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps*), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus*), pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata*), common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and common dolphin Delphinus sp. An anecdotal sighting record for killer whale (Orcinus orca) is considered reliable. The lack of Sousa teuszii records in Togo is consistent with its apparent contemporaneous absence in Ghana. The B. bonaerensis specimen, entangled in a purse seine set on small pelagics, is a first record for the Gulf of Guinea. The occurrence of this Southern Ocean species north of the equator underscores the severe gaps in our understanding of cetacean distribution off western Africa. The majority of artisanal fishermen operating in Togolese coastal waters are of Ghanaian origin and are thought to promote trade and consumption of cetacean bushmeat. Because captures are illegal, enforced with some success in the main fishing centers, covert landings of cetaceans are exceedingly difficult to monitor, quantify or sample. Concern is expressed about pollution of Togo's coastal waters with heavy metals due to phosphorite mining and export from the coastal basin near Hahotoé and Kpogamé.

New records of Atlantic humpback dolphin in Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon and Togo underscore fisheries pressure and generalised marine bushmeat demand

“…first suggested the existence of a small population of Atlantic humpback dolphin (called 'kposso' by one fisher) off western Togo. This notion was reiterated laterSegniagbeto and Van Waerebeek 2010;Segniagbeto et al 2014). However, photographic evidence or scientific observations remained elusive for years.…”

“…However, photographic evidence or scientific observations remained elusive for years. A first checklist of Togo's cetaceans from authenticated stranding and bycatch records for 2003-2010 revealed nine cetacean species, but not S. teuszii(Segniagbeto and Van Waerebeek 2010;Segniagbeto et al 2014). Sightings.…”

“…The sporadic occurrence of sightings (4 over a 7-year period) and small group sizes point however to low abundance. Also, till date, no specimen records are available from Togo(Segniagbeto and Van Waerebeek 2010;Segniagbeto et al 2014), Ghana (Ofori-Danson et al 2003Debrah et al 2010; or Benin(Sohou et al 2013).Folk knowledge. Fishermen reported inshore dolphins, likely S. teuszii and/or inshore T. truncatus from beaches around Benin's Mono River estuary (Bouche du Roy) near Grand Popo, west to about Gbetsogbé (N06°09.135', .585686184891936&type=3protected from hunting or any harm, evidently these cannot prevent accidental net entanglements.…”

First record of Antarctic minke whale, Balaenoptera bonaerensis, in the northern Gulf of Mexico

“…Tips are labeled with abbreviated species names and GenBank accession numbers. Species abbreviations: Bbon Balaenoptera bonaerensis; Bacu B. acutorostrata; Bomu B. omurai; Bede B. edeni; Bbor B. borealis; Bede_GOMx B. edeni from the Gulf of Mexico; Bphy B. physalus; B. mus B. musculus; Mnov Megaptera novaeangliae Antarctic minke whale based on morphological characteristics (Segniagbeto et al 2014).…”

The status and trends of small cetacean landings at Dixcove artisanal fishing port, western Ghana

“…9 km inland of Dixcove (Figure 1), for distribution to the northern hinterland where it reportedly merges with the traditional (terrestrial) bushmeat markets. Segniagbeto et al (2012) of mainstream language for generations while it is universally used in literature and legal texts (e.g. Brashares et al, 2004;Clapham and Van Waerebeek, 2007;Oxley, 2018;.…”