The Use of Data from a Platform of Opportunity (Whale Watching) to Study Coastal Cetaceans On the Southwest Coast of South Africa

Vinding, Katja; Bester, Marthán N; Kirkman, Stephen P.; Chivell, Wilfred; Elwen, Simon Harvey

doi:10.3727/154427315x14398263718439

Cited by 17 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 52 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…For example underwater noise output from engines during the encounter spent in close proximity to animals and the number of vessels involved may result in behavioural responses or avoidance of high vessel impact areas [53]. It is therefore important when interpreting WTO data to consider information regarding the specific local legislation and vessel conditions [34]. The present data were collected using a relatively small platform, a 10 m long sailing catamaran which occasionally used 2 × 20 hp outboard engines.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although, data facilitated by WTOs have certain shortcomings (e.g. [34]), we highlight that the data collection protocols developed for this study secured efficient and precise data. We further recommend that collection protocols like this one could be made available to other WTOs and ultimately be implemented on a larger scale, requiring minimal investment [34] [90].…”

Section: N De Boer Et Al Open Journal Of Marine Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…[34]), we highlight that the data collection protocols developed for this study secured efficient and precise data. We further recommend that collection protocols like this one could be made available to other WTOs and ultimately be implemented on a larger scale, requiring minimal investment [34] [90]. Ultimately, when pooling these data they can also be used to enhance management and research monitoring efforts and this is especially true for areas where long temporal baseline data are lacking and where funding for dedicated surveys is limited (e.g.…”

Section: N De Boer Et Al Open Journal Of Marine Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Survey effort provides the much needed information to identify high density areas and can even improve designing future dedicated research surveys [36] [37]. However, temporal and spatial effort information is often not adequately recorded by WTOs [34]. WTOs may typically visit locations where they believe they have a better chance of finding animals and as such the sighting rates of species will be relatively high.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For some time, recommendations have been made supporting the development of systematic data collection protocols to secure the collection of high quality data from WTOs (i.e. whale-watch; [31] [32] [33] [34] [35]). However, to date, the number of WTOs actively collecting data related to distribution and relative abundance of marine fauna such as cetaceans remain limited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Spatial and Temporal Baseline Information on Marine Megafauna-Data Facilitated by a Wildlife Tour Operator

Boer¹,

Jones²,

Jones³

et al. 2018

OJMS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The protection of marine megafauna within Europe is rather fragmented. Developing conservation measures for highly mobile species presents definite challenges, particularly due to the many knowledge gaps. Recent studies have shown that these gaps can be filled in by Platforms of Opportunity (PO) which create low-cost approaches. However, the number of wildlife tour operators actively collecting PO data related to distribution and relative abundance of marine fauna remains limited. In this study, we investigated whether effort-corrected data on marine megafauna facilitated by a wildlife tour operator afforded robust long temporal data (2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015). Sightings data, collected in the wider Mount's Bay area (southwest Cornwall, UK), along with a GPS application, were collected to accurately record survey effort. In addition, radial sighting distances and detection curves were computed to explore the robustness of the data. Density maps of marine megafauna indicated that encounters occurred throughout the area in all three seasons but the temporal distribution was significantly different with numbers peaking in autumn. Odontocetes were mostly recorded during autumn, basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and ocean sunfish (Mola mola) were more abundant during summer and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) were recorded occasionally. Our data showed that this shallow coastal environment is particularly important as a nursing area for harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) showed a high semi-residency pattern for adults with calves within one core-habitat. As such, the study provides important spatial and temporal baseline data that are essential for the protection of marine megafauna through the development of an ecological network of marine protected areas within UK waters. Although, data facilitated by wildlife operators have certain shortcomings we highlight that the protocols developed here secured efficient and precise data. Such collection protocols can be implemented on a larger scale, ultimately enhancing research monitoring efforts and marine ecosystem management.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: N De Boer Et Al Open Journal Of Marine Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: N De Boer Et Al Open Journal Of Marine Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Spatial and Temporal Baseline Information on Marine Megafauna-Data Facilitated by a Wildlife Tour Operator

Boer¹,

Jones²,

Jones³

et al. 2018

OJMS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Bryde's whales in the North‐East Atlantic: New insights on site fidelity and connectivity between oceanic archipelagos

Ferreira

Dinis

Badenas

et al. 2021

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The conservation of marine megafauna presents numerous difficulties owing to their high mobility over difficult‐to‐access oceanic areas that impairs the collection of basic, but essential, biological information. The Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) is one of the most elusive species of baleen whales, and although it is known to be a seasonal visitor to several archipelagos in Macaronesia (the Azores, Madeira, and Canaries), there are no studies regarding its occurrence or geographical connectivity in this area of the Atlantic. A 14‐year photographic database was used to determine short‐term (intra‐seasonal) and long‐term (inter‐annual) Bryde's whale site fidelity and to estimate individual residency times in Madeira, whereas photographic catalogues from Madeira and the Canaries were compared in order to assess large‐scale movements (i.e. on the scale of hundreds of kilometres). In Madeira, 59 individuals were identified, 27 (45.8%) of which were recaptured. Of these, 10 individuals (37.0%) presented short‐term site fidelity and 17 individuals (63.0%) presented long‐term site fidelity, with a maximum recapture interval of 12 years. Lagged identification rates showed that five individuals (SE = 2) remained in the area for 32 days (SE = 108 days) before leaving and not returning during the same year. Seven individuals were seen both in Madeira and the Canaries (catalogue comprising 51 individuals), three of which were identified multiple times in both archipelagos, with a minimum of 43 days between consecutive sightings. This information combined with the fact that this species is commonly sighted accompanied by calves and feeding in both archipelagos highlights the ecological importance of this area for Bryde's whales. This should be taken into consideration by policymakers when implementing conservation measures, where coordination of effort among countries is needed. This study also reinforces the value of using data from platforms of opportunity and of making photographic data open access.

show abstract

Spatio-temporal distribution and habitat preferences of cetaceans in Algoa Bay, South Africa

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Increasingly, baseline knowledge of habitat preferences and movement patterns of marine species is required to inform anthropogenic developments. The aim of this study was to determine baseline spatio-temporal distribution and habitat preference of cetaceans in the coastal waters of Algoa Bay. Areas of potential conflict with anthropogenic activities were also assessed. Monthly sea-based surveys were conducted between June 2008 and May 2011. A total of 500 cetacean sightings comprising six species were recorded in 106 surveys. Tursiops aduncus (Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin), Sousa plumbea (Indian Ocean humpback dolphin), Delphinus capensis (long-beaked common dolphin) and Balaenoptera brydei (Bryde's whale) were observed year-round, while Eubalaena australis (southern right whale) and Megaptera novaeangliae (humpback whale) were recorded from May to December. A large portion of sightings were associated with a Marine Protected Area and shipping zones. Eubalaena australis, T. aduncus and S. plumbea were found inshore (water depths < 12 m), while the other species were associated with deeper waters. Tursiops aduncus were most commonly seen (233 sightings). Megaptera novaeangliae were sighted often in austral winter, with 113 sightings. Only nine D. capensis sightings were recorded. Spatial distributions of species were corrected for search effort to identify habitat preferences. A number of key observations were made, including opportunistic foraging in M. novaeangliae, and the expansion of nursery grounds for E. australis, to include Algoa Bay. Four preferred habitat areas are proposed, providing important information for conservation and management of cetaceans in Algoa Bay. The spatial approach can be used to inform future relevant management decisions elsewhere.

show abstract

The Use of Data from a Platform of Opportunity (Whale Watching) to Study Coastal Cetaceans On the Southwest Coast of South Africa

Cited by 17 publications

References 52 publications

Spatial and Temporal Baseline Information on Marine Megafauna-Data Facilitated by a Wildlife Tour Operator

Spatial and Temporal Baseline Information on Marine Megafauna-Data Facilitated by a Wildlife Tour Operator

Bryde's whales in the North‐East Atlantic: New insights on site fidelity and connectivity between oceanic archipelagos

Spatio-temporal distribution and habitat preferences of cetaceans in Algoa Bay, South Africa

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About