Cetaceans Value and Conservation in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

This review provides an overview of the Mediterranean diversity and conservation status of cetaceans, and the value associated with their conservation and non-consumptive use. Mediterranean Sea is one of the world's diversity hotspots. Its biodiversity is increasingly under threat in the whole region and key species as cetaceans challenge for conservation. All the identified threats are interlinked and cumulatively contribute to the habitat degradation of the entire area as well as reduced health status of the cetaceans that live there. Whales and dolphins, defined as charismatic megafauna, flag species, apex predators and bio indicators of the marine environment health are demanding social substantial changes. Needs are for spatial prioritization within a comprehensive framework for regional conservation planning, the acquisition of additional information identifying critical habitats in data-poor areas and for data deficient species, and addressing the challenges of establishing transboundary governance and collaboration in socially, culturally and politically complex conditions. This paper examines research gaps, questions and issues (population abundance estimates, as well as the biological, ecological, physiological characteristics) surrounding cetacean species in the context of biodiversity conservation and highlights the need of targeted conservation management actions to reduce sources of disturb of key threatening processes in the Mediterranean Sea. The 'precautionary principle' must be adopted at all levels in attempts to mitigate impacts and thus provides scope for the translation of the principle into operational measures. As natural entities, cetaceans have their objective intrinsic value, not humanly conferred.

Motivaciones y expectativas de los turistas y desempeño de los viajes de observación de ballenas en Bahía de Banderas

“…De acuerdo con Sandaruwani et al (2016) los guías deben estar capacitados y transformar la experiencia del turista en una experiencia inolvidable que, además de darles información sobre la biología de las ballenas, pueda dejarles datos sobre la conservación de las ballenas y el ambiente en general. De esta manera, se atiende tanto a la expectativa inicial del turista sobre la información a recibir, sus deseos de no interrumpir a las ballenas (Tabla 4) como a los principios básicos del ecoturismo sustentable (Pace et al, 2015).…”

“…El ecoturismo es un viaje de placer que deja a los turistas una experiencia educativa y de conservación, donde se suelen visitar ecosistemas, culturas y tradiciones asociadas. Se caracteriza por tener un impacto mínimo y crear conciencia en los turistas (Pace et al, 2015). El ecoturismo sostenible es una forma de hacer turismo centrado en el estado natural del ambiente mientras se educa y conserva; generalmente, la población local es quien lo impulsa y se ve beneficiada (Mallard, 2019).…”

“…El ecoturismo sostenible es una forma de hacer turismo centrado en el estado natural del ambiente mientras se educa y conserva; generalmente, la población local es quien lo impulsa y se ve beneficiada (Mallard, 2019). La OB en su entorno natural cae dentro del ecoturismo y se centra en una experiencia visual y de naturaleza educativa que anima a los turistas a apreciar y preservar (Pace et al, 2015).…”

Modeling Plastics Exposure for the Marine Biota: Risk Maps for Fin Whales in the Pelagos Sanctuary (North-Western Mediterranean)

“…The Mediterranean basin is, in fact, among the most impacted ecoregions globally due to increasing anthropogenic pressure (Halpern et al, 2008), caused by rising coastal populations (Benoit and Comeau, 2012) and the intensification of maritime traffic (Campana et al, 2018). Human activities are causing habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation and harm during fishing activities, disturbance (from underwater noise to collisions between animals and ships) and several kinds of marine pollution: chemical pollution, noise, heat, electromagnetic radiation (Pace et al, 2015). These threats are worsened and amplified by the introduction of alien, invasive species (Zenetos et al, 2012;Micheli et al, 2013;Galil et al, 2018) and by the impacts of climate change (Lejeusne et al, 2010).…”

Artisanal fishing, dolphins, and interactive pinger: A study from a passive acoustic perspective

“…The interaction between dolphins and fisheries is a well-known issue, and its impact on both fishery and dolphin populations is a source of concern worldwide. It involves different economic, social, and ethical aspects for humans (Pardalou & Tsikliras, 2018;Geraci et al, 2019) and affects several dolphin species both directly and indirectly (Bearzi, 2002;Pace, Tizzi & Mussi, 2015). Effects on the animals may include direct bycatch (i.e.…”