Anderson, Charles,Herrera, Miguel,Ilangakoon, Anoukchika,Koya, KM,Moazzam, M,Mustika, Putu L,Sutaria, Dipani N
Cetacean bycatch in Indian Ocean tuna gillnet fisheries Journal Article
In: Endangered Species Research, vol. 41, no. 292, pp. 39-53, 2020, ISSN: 1863-5407.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bycatch, Estimates, Extrapolation, Gill net, gillnet, Indian Ocean, mortality, Observer programmes, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trends, tuna fishery
@article{,
title = {Cetacean bycatch in Indian Ocean tuna gillnet fisheries},
author = {Anderson, Charles,Herrera, Miguel,Ilangakoon, Anoukchika,Koya, KM,Moazzam, M,Mustika, Putu L,Sutaria, Dipani N},
url = {https://www.int-res.com/prepress/n01008.html},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01008},
issn = {1863-5407},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Endangered Species Research},
volume = {41},
number = {292},
pages = {39-53},
abstract = {Pelagic gillnet (driftnet) fisheries account for some 34% of Indian Ocean tuna catches. We combine published results from 10 bycatch sampling programmes (1981–2016) in Australia, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan to estimate bycatch rates for cetaceans across all Indian Ocean tuna gillnet fisheries. Estimated cetacean bycatch peaked at almost 100,000 individuals yr–1 during 2004–2006, but has declined by over 15% since then, despite an increase in tuna gillnet fishing effort. These fisheries caught an estimated cumulative total of 4.1 million small cetaceans between 1950 and 2018. These bycatch estimates take little or no account of cetaceans caught by gillnet but not landed, of delayed mortality or sub-lethal impacts on cetaceans (especially whales) that escape from gillnets, of mortality associated with ghost nets, of harpoon catches made from gillnetters, nor of mortality from other tuna fisheries. Total cetacean mortality from Indian Ocean tuna fisheries may therefore be substantially higher than estimated here. Declining cetacean bycatch rates suggest that such levels of mortality are not sustainable. Indeed, mean small cetacean abundance may currently be 13% of pre-fishery levels. None of these estimates are precise, but they do demonstrate the likely order of magnitude of the issue. Countries with the largest current gillnet catches of tuna, and thus the ones likely to have the largest cetacean bycatch are (in order): Iran, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Oman, Yemen, UAE and Tanzania. These 9 countries together may account for roughly 96% of all cetacean bycatch from tuna gillnet fisheries across the Indian Ocean. },
keywords = {Bycatch, Estimates, Extrapolation, Gill net, gillnet, Indian Ocean, mortality, Observer programmes, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trends, tuna fishery},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Pelagic gillnet (driftnet) fisheries account for some 34% of Indian Ocean tuna catches. We combine published results from 10 bycatch sampling programmes (1981–2016) in Australia, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan to estimate bycatch rates for cetaceans across all Indian Ocean tuna gillnet fisheries. Estimated cetacean bycatch peaked at almost 100,000 individuals yr–1 during 2004–2006, but has declined by over 15% since then, despite an increase in tuna gillnet fishing effort. These fisheries caught an estimated cumulative total of 4.1 million small cetaceans between 1950 and 2018. These bycatch estimates take little or no account of cetaceans caught by gillnet but not landed, of delayed mortality or sub-lethal impacts on cetaceans (especially whales) that escape from gillnets, of mortality associated with ghost nets, of harpoon catches made from gillnetters, nor of mortality from other tuna fisheries. Total cetacean mortality from Indian Ocean tuna fisheries may therefore be substantially higher than estimated here. Declining cetacean bycatch rates suggest that such levels of mortality are not sustainable. Indeed, mean small cetacean abundance may currently be 13% of pre-fishery levels. None of these estimates are precise, but they do demonstrate the likely order of magnitude of the issue. Countries with the largest current gillnet catches of tuna, and thus the ones likely to have the largest cetacean bycatch are (in order): Iran, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Oman, Yemen, UAE and Tanzania. These 9 countries together may account for roughly 96% of all cetacean bycatch from tuna gillnet fisheries across the Indian Ocean.
Minton, Gianna,van Bressem, M. F.,Willson, A.,Collins, T.,Al Harthi, S.,Sarrouf Willson, M.,Baldwin, R.,Leslie, M.,Robbins, J.,Van Waerebeek, K
Visual Health Assessment and evaluation of Anthropogenic threats to Arabian Sea Humpback Whales in Oman Technical Report
Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission no. 418, 2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Barnacle, Bycatch, disease, Fisheries, Humpback Whale, killer whale, lesions, megaptera novaeangliae, Oman, pathology, photo identification, predation, scarring, skin, tattoo
@techreport{,
title = {Visual Health Assessment and evaluation of Anthropogenic threats to Arabian Sea Humpback Whales in Oman},
author = {Minton, Gianna,van Bressem, M. F.,Willson, A.,Collins, T.,Al Harthi, S.,Sarrouf Willson, M.,Baldwin, R.,Leslie, M.,Robbins, J.,Van Waerebeek, K},
url = {https://arabianseawhalenetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sc_68b_cmp_16_rev1_visual-health-assessment-of-ashw-in-oman-1.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Paper presented to the meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
number = {418},
pages = {25},
publisher = {IWC},
institution = {Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
abstract = {Arabian Sea humpback whales have been a subject of conservation concern in the IWC since 1997. Research conducted primarily off the coast of Oman has contributed to understanding the population’s distribution, abundance, and conservation status, whilst information on the population’s health and specific threats is more limited. This study examines all available images of Arabian Sea humpback whales obtained between 2000 and 2018 for evidence of disease, predation, epizoites and human-induced scarring or injury to individuals. Tattoo-like skin disease was detected in 43.4% of 83 adult whales, with a roughly equal distribution between males and females. The prevalence of the disease was significantly higher in 2012-2018 (51.7%) than in 2000-2011 (24.1%). The lesions persisted for two to 14 years in 10 whales and progressed in prevalence and percentage of body cover in six of them. Killer whale tooth rakes were detected in 12% (95% CI 4.5-18%) of individuals based on examination of photographs showing the ventral surface of tail flukes (n=77), but no cookie cutter shark wounds were detected on any body parts of any of the whales examined. Roughly two thirds (66.6%: 95% CI 52-80%) of individuals represented by good quality photos of the caudal peduncle region (n=42) bore scarring patterns considered likely to be associated with entanglement in fishing gear, with no significant differences in entanglement scarring rates between males and females. Four individuals bore injuries consistent with vessel strikes and at least two individuals showed severe injuries and deformations likely to have been caused by interactions with vessels and/or fishing gear. Five documented entanglement events from Oman and Pakistan involved large-mesh nylon gillnets, which are known to be used extensively throughout the Arabian Sea. In light of this population’s endangered status, these findings indicate an urgent need to continue monitoring Arabian Sea humpback whales, with an emphasis on methods that allow continued and expanded assessment of health, body condition, and anthropogenic interactions, aimed toward designing effective conservation strategies to mitigate known threats. },
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Barnacle, Bycatch, disease, Fisheries, Humpback Whale, killer whale, lesions, megaptera novaeangliae, Oman, pathology, photo identification, predation, scarring, skin, tattoo},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Arabian Sea humpback whales have been a subject of conservation concern in the IWC since 1997. Research conducted primarily off the coast of Oman has contributed to understanding the population’s distribution, abundance, and conservation status, whilst information on the population’s health and specific threats is more limited. This study examines all available images of Arabian Sea humpback whales obtained between 2000 and 2018 for evidence of disease, predation, epizoites and human-induced scarring or injury to individuals. Tattoo-like skin disease was detected in 43.4% of 83 adult whales, with a roughly equal distribution between males and females. The prevalence of the disease was significantly higher in 2012-2018 (51.7%) than in 2000-2011 (24.1%). The lesions persisted for two to 14 years in 10 whales and progressed in prevalence and percentage of body cover in six of them. Killer whale tooth rakes were detected in 12% (95% CI 4.5-18%) of individuals based on examination of photographs showing the ventral surface of tail flukes (n=77), but no cookie cutter shark wounds were detected on any body parts of any of the whales examined. Roughly two thirds (66.6%: 95% CI 52-80%) of individuals represented by good quality photos of the caudal peduncle region (n=42) bore scarring patterns considered likely to be associated with entanglement in fishing gear, with no significant differences in entanglement scarring rates between males and females. Four individuals bore injuries consistent with vessel strikes and at least two individuals showed severe injuries and deformations likely to have been caused by interactions with vessels and/or fishing gear. Five documented entanglement events from Oman and Pakistan involved large-mesh nylon gillnets, which are known to be used extensively throughout the Arabian Sea. In light of this population’s endangered status, these findings indicate an urgent need to continue monitoring Arabian Sea humpback whales, with an emphasis on methods that allow continued and expanded assessment of health, body condition, and anthropogenic interactions, aimed toward designing effective conservation strategies to mitigate known threats.
Moazzam Khan ,Rab Nawaz, Babar Khan, Sudheer Ahmed.
In: Document presented to the meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, vol. SC/68B/CMP/08, no. 170, pp. 11, 2020, ISBN: SC/67A/CMP/05.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, balaenoptera edeni, Bryde's whale, Bycatch, Entanglement, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Observer programmes, Pakistan
@article{,
title = {Whale Distribution in the Northern Arabian Sea along Coast of Pakistan in 2019 based on the information obtained through Fisheries Crew-Based Observer Programme},
author = {Moazzam Khan ,Rab Nawaz, Babar Khan, Sudheer Ahmed. },
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341776439_Whale_Distribution_in_the_Northern_Arabian_Sea_along_Coast_of_Pakistan_in_2019_based_on_the_information_obtained_through_Fisheries_Crew-Based_Observer_Programme},
isbn = { SC/67A/CMP/05},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
urldate = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Document presented to the meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
volume = {SC/68B/CMP/08},
number = {170},
pages = {11},
institution = {Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
abstract = {In 2012 WWF-Pakistan initiated an observer programme to monitor tuna gillnet operations in the coastal and offshore waters of Pakistan. Among other things, these observers were assigned to report observations of whales encountered during fishing operations. These vessels (with onboard observers) provided a platform of opportunity for recording the spatial and temporal distribution of whales in the Northern Arabian Sea. During 2019 a total of 7 sightings of Arabian Sea humpback whales, 1 sighting each of blue whales and Bryde’s whales, 6 sightings of sperm whales,8 sightings of baleen whales (that could not be identified to species level due to lack of adequate photographic or video evidence) and 3 records of entanglement and mortality of Cuvier’s beaked whales..
Fewer whales were recorded through the programme in 2019 than 2018 and 2017 when a total of 35 and 95 sightings of whale were recorded respectively. This decrease in sightings is attributed to many factors, including early closure of the fishing season in early April 2019 because of low catches and unreliable prices of tuna in the market. As such the fishery was closed for four months from mid-April to mid-August instead of the usual two months of June and July.
Extremely high sea surface temperatures during September to October 2019 (possibly an oceanic heat wave) were believed to be the cause of reduced tuna catches. Therefore, only a few tuna boats remained operational during this period. An unprecedented jellyfish bloom of Crambionella orsini from September 2019 onward forced fishermen to stop fishing operations during this period. Furthermore, the observer programme was completed on September, 2019, after which only 45 out of 75 observers voluntarily continued to provide information about sightings. The paper also reports on two baleen whale strandings - a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera brydei) stranded on the rocky shore at Gunz, western coast of Pakistan and a blue whale in Pushukan, Gwadar (West Bay).},
keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, balaenoptera edeni, Bryde's whale, Bycatch, Entanglement, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Observer programmes, Pakistan},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In 2012 WWF-Pakistan initiated an observer programme to monitor tuna gillnet operations in the coastal and offshore waters of Pakistan. Among other things, these observers were assigned to report observations of whales encountered during fishing operations. These vessels (with onboard observers) provided a platform of opportunity for recording the spatial and temporal distribution of whales in the Northern Arabian Sea. During 2019 a total of 7 sightings of Arabian Sea humpback whales, 1 sighting each of blue whales and Bryde’s whales, 6 sightings of sperm whales,8 sightings of baleen whales (that could not be identified to species level due to lack of adequate photographic or video evidence) and 3 records of entanglement and mortality of Cuvier’s beaked whales..
Fewer whales were recorded through the programme in 2019 than 2018 and 2017 when a total of 35 and 95 sightings of whale were recorded respectively. This decrease in sightings is attributed to many factors, including early closure of the fishing season in early April 2019 because of low catches and unreliable prices of tuna in the market. As such the fishery was closed for four months from mid-April to mid-August instead of the usual two months of June and July.
Extremely high sea surface temperatures during September to October 2019 (possibly an oceanic heat wave) were believed to be the cause of reduced tuna catches. Therefore, only a few tuna boats remained operational during this period. An unprecedented jellyfish bloom of Crambionella orsini from September 2019 onward forced fishermen to stop fishing operations during this period. Furthermore, the observer programme was completed on September, 2019, after which only 45 out of 75 observers voluntarily continued to provide information about sightings. The paper also reports on two baleen whale strandings - a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera brydei) stranded on the rocky shore at Gunz, western coast of Pakistan and a blue whale in Pushukan, Gwadar (West Bay).
Fewer whales were recorded through the programme in 2019 than 2018 and 2017 when a total of 35 and 95 sightings of whale were recorded respectively. This decrease in sightings is attributed to many factors, including early closure of the fishing season in early April 2019 because of low catches and unreliable prices of tuna in the market. As such the fishery was closed for four months from mid-April to mid-August instead of the usual two months of June and July.
Extremely high sea surface temperatures during September to October 2019 (possibly an oceanic heat wave) were believed to be the cause of reduced tuna catches. Therefore, only a few tuna boats remained operational during this period. An unprecedented jellyfish bloom of Crambionella orsini from September 2019 onward forced fishermen to stop fishing operations during this period. Furthermore, the observer programme was completed on September, 2019, after which only 45 out of 75 observers voluntarily continued to provide information about sightings. The paper also reports on two baleen whale strandings - a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera brydei) stranded on the rocky shore at Gunz, western coast of Pakistan and a blue whale in Pushukan, Gwadar (West Bay).
IWC
Report of the IWC Workshop on Bycatch Mitigation Opportunities in the Western Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea Technical Report
International Whaling Commission no. 124, 2019, ISSN: BMI workshop report 05-19.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Bycatch, Entanglement, Indian Ocean, International Whaling Commission, IOTC, mitigation, Pinger
@techreport{,
title = {Report of the IWC Workshop on Bycatch Mitigation Opportunities in the Western Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea},
author = {IWC},
url = {https://archive.iwc.int/pages/view.php?ref=9612&k=},
issn = {BMI workshop report 05-19},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
number = {124},
pages = {56},
publisher = {International Whaling Commission},
institution = {International Whaling Commission},
abstract = {The International Whaling Commission (IWC) held a technical workshop on Bycatch Mitigation
Opportunities in the Western Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea from 8-9 May 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. The
workshop was attended by 50 participants working in 17 different countries, with half of the
participants coming from within the Indian Ocean region. Workshop participants included national
government officials working in marine conservation and fisheries management, cetacean and
fisheries researchers, fisheries technologists, socio-economists and representatives from Regional
Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), inter- and non-governmental organisations. The focal
region of the workshop extended from South Africa, north to the Arabian Sea and east to Sri Lanka,
including coastal areas, national waters and high seas. The primary objectives of the workshop were
to (i) develop a broad-scale picture of cetacean bycatch across the North and Western Indian Ocean
region in both artisanal and commercial fisheries; (ii) explore the challenges and opportunities related
to the monitoring and mitigation of cetacean bycatch in the western and northern Indian Ocean
(Arabian Sea); (iii) identify key gaps in knowledge and capacity within the region and tools needed
address these gaps; (iv) introduce the Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (BMI) to Indian Ocean stakeholders
and assess how the initiative can be of use; (v) identify potential locations which could serve as BMI
pilot projects; (vi) start building collaborations to tackle bycatch at national, regional and international
level.
Presentations included the status of bycatch knowledge at the Indian Ocean scale and current tools
available to assess, monitor and tackle cetacean bycatch. A panel discussion and breakout group
sessions allowed for more in-depth discussion of the knowledge, gaps and challenges to addressing
bycatch shared across the region. Priority areas where cetacean bycatch is known to be occurring –
or considered likely to be occurring - were identified across the region (see summary map below).
The workshop recognised that bycatch is one of the most significant threats to cetacean species and
populations in the Indian Ocean region and concluded that there was an urgent need to raise
awareness of cetacean bycatch at local, national, regional and international scales. The best available
information suggests that very high numbers of animals are caught in medium-scale tuna gillnet
fisheries in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea region. Furthermore, despite the general lack of data on
cetacean bycatch regionally, it is likely that high numbers of cetaceans, including vulnerable species
and populations, are caught in the extensive coastal artisanal and small-scale fisheries (net, trap and
line) across the region. The workshop concluded that within the Indian Ocean region there was a need
to focus on gillnets (set and drifting) as the fishing gear most likely to be causing the highest and most
significant bycatch of cetaceans, and for which few effective solutions currently exist.
It was recognised that cetacean bycatch is generally very poorly documented in the region and that
this presents a major barrier to understanding the scale of the issue and making progress towards
bycatch reduction. The workshop concluded that a more systematic assessment of bycatch
information is critical, particularly for small-scale and medium-scale fisheries.
A number of common barriers to tackling bycatch were identified, including: under-reporting of
bycatch by fishers; lack of standardised monitoring programmes which are suitable and financially
viable for small-medium-scale vessels; lack of capacity to carry out bycatch monitoring and reduction
programmes; lack of reporting through RFMOs; lack of sustainable funding to carry out bycatch
reduction programmes; lack of awareness and political will to tackle the issue; lack of capacity and
clarity at national level on the steps, tools and approaches to tackle bycatch; lack of baseline
information on cetacean distribution and abundance; and lack of technical solutions proven to work
on the fisheries in the region.
Given the prevalence of small to medium-scale fisheries using passive fishing gears (gillnets, traps, etc)
across the Indian Ocean region, and the lack of financially viable and effective mitigation solutions for
these gears, the workshop concluded that further work to develop and trial low-cost and low-tech
solutions was urgently needed. The utility of existing tools and approaches for assessing and
8
monitoring bycatch in the numerous small to medium-scale fleets was also recognised, including rapid
bycatch risk assessments, remote electronic monitoring and crew-based observer schemes. The
workshop concluded that bycatch reduction efforts should aim to apply multi-disciplinary and multitaxa approaches wherever possible.
The workshop recognised the need for strong collaboration with fishing communities and the
importance of integrating and collecting information on socio-economic aspects of bycatch into
bycatch reduction programmes. Direct engagement with the seafood supply chain, certification
schemes and the culinary community can be a part of rewarding fishers who are working to reduce
bycatch, thereby incentivising participation in bycatch mitigation programs. The workshop concluded
that bycatch reduction programmes should aim, as far as is possible, to support the livelihoods of
fishing communities, and that this should also be considered when exploring options for alternative
livelihoods. It was also recognised that within this region that cetaceans can be the target of directed
catch, or that incidentally caught cetaceans can be used as bait or food, meaning that the term
‘bycatch’ is less well defined.
The workshop participants acknowledged the vital role for Regional Fisheries Management
Organisations (RFMOs) in tackling bycatch and that raising the profile of cetacean bycatch, and the
need to address it, within the context of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), and the Southwest
Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) and their contracting parties should be prioritised. It
recognised that underreporting of bycatch at IOTC remains a challenge. The workshop concluded that
there was an opportunity for the BMI to act as a catalyst to ensure more engagement on cetacean
bycatch and to communicate the relevant research priorities at future meetings.
The workshop noted that the regional focus of the meeting had helped collate existing information on
bycatch and that such an approach was potentially useful for other regions. It agreed that until now
there had not been an international body to champion cetacean bycatch mitigation, and that the IWC’s
Bycatch Mitigation Initiative could collaborate with and where appropriate assist other organisations,
RFMOs and national governments interested in tackling bycatch in a number of ways. The suggested
role and activities for the BMI includes the collaborative development of a regional road map for
tackling cetacean bycatch and a framework for more sustainable funding of bycatch work,
strengthened engagement with RFMOs in the region (e.g. IOTC and SWIOFC) and the provision of
training and technical assistance and development of toolboxes. These activities are envisaged as part
of a collaboration between the IWC and other relevant bodies and organisations that are already
working to tackle bycatch (e.g. the FAO, RFMOs, other IGOs and NGOs) and relevant national
governments and experts.
In light of these conclusions the workshop made the following recommendations as the next steps
across the region in order to progress cetacean bycatch reduction efforts. },
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Bycatch, Entanglement, Indian Ocean, International Whaling Commission, IOTC, mitigation, Pinger},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) held a technical workshop on Bycatch Mitigation
Opportunities in the Western Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea from 8-9 May 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. The
workshop was attended by 50 participants working in 17 different countries, with half of the
participants coming from within the Indian Ocean region. Workshop participants included national
government officials working in marine conservation and fisheries management, cetacean and
fisheries researchers, fisheries technologists, socio-economists and representatives from Regional
Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), inter- and non-governmental organisations. The focal
region of the workshop extended from South Africa, north to the Arabian Sea and east to Sri Lanka,
including coastal areas, national waters and high seas. The primary objectives of the workshop were
to (i) develop a broad-scale picture of cetacean bycatch across the North and Western Indian Ocean
region in both artisanal and commercial fisheries; (ii) explore the challenges and opportunities related
to the monitoring and mitigation of cetacean bycatch in the western and northern Indian Ocean
(Arabian Sea); (iii) identify key gaps in knowledge and capacity within the region and tools needed
address these gaps; (iv) introduce the Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (BMI) to Indian Ocean stakeholders
and assess how the initiative can be of use; (v) identify potential locations which could serve as BMI
pilot projects; (vi) start building collaborations to tackle bycatch at national, regional and international
level.
Presentations included the status of bycatch knowledge at the Indian Ocean scale and current tools
available to assess, monitor and tackle cetacean bycatch. A panel discussion and breakout group
sessions allowed for more in-depth discussion of the knowledge, gaps and challenges to addressing
bycatch shared across the region. Priority areas where cetacean bycatch is known to be occurring –
or considered likely to be occurring - were identified across the region (see summary map below).
The workshop recognised that bycatch is one of the most significant threats to cetacean species and
populations in the Indian Ocean region and concluded that there was an urgent need to raise
awareness of cetacean bycatch at local, national, regional and international scales. The best available
information suggests that very high numbers of animals are caught in medium-scale tuna gillnet
fisheries in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea region. Furthermore, despite the general lack of data on
cetacean bycatch regionally, it is likely that high numbers of cetaceans, including vulnerable species
and populations, are caught in the extensive coastal artisanal and small-scale fisheries (net, trap and
line) across the region. The workshop concluded that within the Indian Ocean region there was a need
to focus on gillnets (set and drifting) as the fishing gear most likely to be causing the highest and most
significant bycatch of cetaceans, and for which few effective solutions currently exist.
It was recognised that cetacean bycatch is generally very poorly documented in the region and that
this presents a major barrier to understanding the scale of the issue and making progress towards
bycatch reduction. The workshop concluded that a more systematic assessment of bycatch
information is critical, particularly for small-scale and medium-scale fisheries.
A number of common barriers to tackling bycatch were identified, including: under-reporting of
bycatch by fishers; lack of standardised monitoring programmes which are suitable and financially
viable for small-medium-scale vessels; lack of capacity to carry out bycatch monitoring and reduction
programmes; lack of reporting through RFMOs; lack of sustainable funding to carry out bycatch
reduction programmes; lack of awareness and political will to tackle the issue; lack of capacity and
clarity at national level on the steps, tools and approaches to tackle bycatch; lack of baseline
information on cetacean distribution and abundance; and lack of technical solutions proven to work
on the fisheries in the region.
Given the prevalence of small to medium-scale fisheries using passive fishing gears (gillnets, traps, etc)
across the Indian Ocean region, and the lack of financially viable and effective mitigation solutions for
these gears, the workshop concluded that further work to develop and trial low-cost and low-tech
solutions was urgently needed. The utility of existing tools and approaches for assessing and
8
monitoring bycatch in the numerous small to medium-scale fleets was also recognised, including rapid
bycatch risk assessments, remote electronic monitoring and crew-based observer schemes. The
workshop concluded that bycatch reduction efforts should aim to apply multi-disciplinary and multitaxa approaches wherever possible.
The workshop recognised the need for strong collaboration with fishing communities and the
importance of integrating and collecting information on socio-economic aspects of bycatch into
bycatch reduction programmes. Direct engagement with the seafood supply chain, certification
schemes and the culinary community can be a part of rewarding fishers who are working to reduce
bycatch, thereby incentivising participation in bycatch mitigation programs. The workshop concluded
that bycatch reduction programmes should aim, as far as is possible, to support the livelihoods of
fishing communities, and that this should also be considered when exploring options for alternative
livelihoods. It was also recognised that within this region that cetaceans can be the target of directed
catch, or that incidentally caught cetaceans can be used as bait or food, meaning that the term
‘bycatch’ is less well defined.
The workshop participants acknowledged the vital role for Regional Fisheries Management
Organisations (RFMOs) in tackling bycatch and that raising the profile of cetacean bycatch, and the
need to address it, within the context of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), and the Southwest
Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) and their contracting parties should be prioritised. It
recognised that underreporting of bycatch at IOTC remains a challenge. The workshop concluded that
there was an opportunity for the BMI to act as a catalyst to ensure more engagement on cetacean
bycatch and to communicate the relevant research priorities at future meetings.
The workshop noted that the regional focus of the meeting had helped collate existing information on
bycatch and that such an approach was potentially useful for other regions. It agreed that until now
there had not been an international body to champion cetacean bycatch mitigation, and that the IWC’s
Bycatch Mitigation Initiative could collaborate with and where appropriate assist other organisations,
RFMOs and national governments interested in tackling bycatch in a number of ways. The suggested
role and activities for the BMI includes the collaborative development of a regional road map for
tackling cetacean bycatch and a framework for more sustainable funding of bycatch work,
strengthened engagement with RFMOs in the region (e.g. IOTC and SWIOFC) and the provision of
training and technical assistance and development of toolboxes. These activities are envisaged as part
of a collaboration between the IWC and other relevant bodies and organisations that are already
working to tackle bycatch (e.g. the FAO, RFMOs, other IGOs and NGOs) and relevant national
governments and experts.
In light of these conclusions the workshop made the following recommendations as the next steps
across the region in order to progress cetacean bycatch reduction efforts.
Opportunities in the Western Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea from 8-9 May 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. The
workshop was attended by 50 participants working in 17 different countries, with half of the
participants coming from within the Indian Ocean region. Workshop participants included national
government officials working in marine conservation and fisheries management, cetacean and
fisheries researchers, fisheries technologists, socio-economists and representatives from Regional
Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), inter- and non-governmental organisations. The focal
region of the workshop extended from South Africa, north to the Arabian Sea and east to Sri Lanka,
including coastal areas, national waters and high seas. The primary objectives of the workshop were
to (i) develop a broad-scale picture of cetacean bycatch across the North and Western Indian Ocean
region in both artisanal and commercial fisheries; (ii) explore the challenges and opportunities related
to the monitoring and mitigation of cetacean bycatch in the western and northern Indian Ocean
(Arabian Sea); (iii) identify key gaps in knowledge and capacity within the region and tools needed
address these gaps; (iv) introduce the Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (BMI) to Indian Ocean stakeholders
and assess how the initiative can be of use; (v) identify potential locations which could serve as BMI
pilot projects; (vi) start building collaborations to tackle bycatch at national, regional and international
level.
Presentations included the status of bycatch knowledge at the Indian Ocean scale and current tools
available to assess, monitor and tackle cetacean bycatch. A panel discussion and breakout group
sessions allowed for more in-depth discussion of the knowledge, gaps and challenges to addressing
bycatch shared across the region. Priority areas where cetacean bycatch is known to be occurring –
or considered likely to be occurring - were identified across the region (see summary map below).
The workshop recognised that bycatch is one of the most significant threats to cetacean species and
populations in the Indian Ocean region and concluded that there was an urgent need to raise
awareness of cetacean bycatch at local, national, regional and international scales. The best available
information suggests that very high numbers of animals are caught in medium-scale tuna gillnet
fisheries in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea region. Furthermore, despite the general lack of data on
cetacean bycatch regionally, it is likely that high numbers of cetaceans, including vulnerable species
and populations, are caught in the extensive coastal artisanal and small-scale fisheries (net, trap and
line) across the region. The workshop concluded that within the Indian Ocean region there was a need
to focus on gillnets (set and drifting) as the fishing gear most likely to be causing the highest and most
significant bycatch of cetaceans, and for which few effective solutions currently exist.
It was recognised that cetacean bycatch is generally very poorly documented in the region and that
this presents a major barrier to understanding the scale of the issue and making progress towards
bycatch reduction. The workshop concluded that a more systematic assessment of bycatch
information is critical, particularly for small-scale and medium-scale fisheries.
A number of common barriers to tackling bycatch were identified, including: under-reporting of
bycatch by fishers; lack of standardised monitoring programmes which are suitable and financially
viable for small-medium-scale vessels; lack of capacity to carry out bycatch monitoring and reduction
programmes; lack of reporting through RFMOs; lack of sustainable funding to carry out bycatch
reduction programmes; lack of awareness and political will to tackle the issue; lack of capacity and
clarity at national level on the steps, tools and approaches to tackle bycatch; lack of baseline
information on cetacean distribution and abundance; and lack of technical solutions proven to work
on the fisheries in the region.
Given the prevalence of small to medium-scale fisheries using passive fishing gears (gillnets, traps, etc)
across the Indian Ocean region, and the lack of financially viable and effective mitigation solutions for
these gears, the workshop concluded that further work to develop and trial low-cost and low-tech
solutions was urgently needed. The utility of existing tools and approaches for assessing and
8
monitoring bycatch in the numerous small to medium-scale fleets was also recognised, including rapid
bycatch risk assessments, remote electronic monitoring and crew-based observer schemes. The
workshop concluded that bycatch reduction efforts should aim to apply multi-disciplinary and multitaxa approaches wherever possible.
The workshop recognised the need for strong collaboration with fishing communities and the
importance of integrating and collecting information on socio-economic aspects of bycatch into
bycatch reduction programmes. Direct engagement with the seafood supply chain, certification
schemes and the culinary community can be a part of rewarding fishers who are working to reduce
bycatch, thereby incentivising participation in bycatch mitigation programs. The workshop concluded
that bycatch reduction programmes should aim, as far as is possible, to support the livelihoods of
fishing communities, and that this should also be considered when exploring options for alternative
livelihoods. It was also recognised that within this region that cetaceans can be the target of directed
catch, or that incidentally caught cetaceans can be used as bait or food, meaning that the term
‘bycatch’ is less well defined.
The workshop participants acknowledged the vital role for Regional Fisheries Management
Organisations (RFMOs) in tackling bycatch and that raising the profile of cetacean bycatch, and the
need to address it, within the context of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), and the Southwest
Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) and their contracting parties should be prioritised. It
recognised that underreporting of bycatch at IOTC remains a challenge. The workshop concluded that
there was an opportunity for the BMI to act as a catalyst to ensure more engagement on cetacean
bycatch and to communicate the relevant research priorities at future meetings.
The workshop noted that the regional focus of the meeting had helped collate existing information on
bycatch and that such an approach was potentially useful for other regions. It agreed that until now
there had not been an international body to champion cetacean bycatch mitigation, and that the IWC’s
Bycatch Mitigation Initiative could collaborate with and where appropriate assist other organisations,
RFMOs and national governments interested in tackling bycatch in a number of ways. The suggested
role and activities for the BMI includes the collaborative development of a regional road map for
tackling cetacean bycatch and a framework for more sustainable funding of bycatch work,
strengthened engagement with RFMOs in the region (e.g. IOTC and SWIOFC) and the provision of
training and technical assistance and development of toolboxes. These activities are envisaged as part
of a collaboration between the IWC and other relevant bodies and organisations that are already
working to tackle bycatch (e.g. the FAO, RFMOs, other IGOs and NGOs) and relevant national
governments and experts.
In light of these conclusions the workshop made the following recommendations as the next steps
across the region in order to progress cetacean bycatch reduction efforts.
Moazzam, Mohammed,Nawaz, Rab,Khan, B.,Ahmed, S.
no. 169, 2019.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, balaenoptera edeni, Bryde's whale, Bycatch, Entanglement, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Observer programmes, Pakistan
@techreport{,
title = {The Distribution of Whales in the Northern Arabian Sea along the Coast of Pakistan Obtained through Crew-Based Observer Programme- Results of the 2018 fishing season},
author = {Moazzam, Mohammed,Nawaz, Rab,Khan, B.,Ahmed, S.},
url = {https://arabianseawhalenetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sc_68a_cmp_07_whale-sightings-from-pakistan-crew-based-observer-programme-1.pdf},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
urldate = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Document presented to the meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
volume = {SC/68A/CMP/07},
number = {169},
pages = {11},
abstract = {Sightings of whales made by WWF-Pakistan’s Crew Based Observers deputed on tuna gillnet vessels operating along Pakistan’s coast were reported for the 2018 fishing season. A total of 13 sightings of Arabian Sea humpback whales, 2 sightings of blue whales, 1 sightings of Bryde’s whales, 4 sightings of sperm whales and 15 sightings of baleen whales (that could not be identified to species level due to lack of adequate photographic or video evidence) were made during 2018. The number of whales recorded for the year 2018 is much less than 2017 when a total of 95 sightings of whale were recorded from the area. This decrease in sighting is attributed to early closure of fishing season in late April 2018 because of extremely low prices of tuna in the market. Usually a voluntary two month close season is observed between June and July, however, the new fishing season was started in September 2018. The close season, therefore, remained effective for about four months (May to August). In addition, a major part of tuna fishing fleet operated in the further offshore waters (known to have thin population of whales) to avoid checking by Government agencies for implementation on various legislation during November- December 2018. },
keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, balaenoptera edeni, Bryde's whale, Bycatch, Entanglement, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Observer programmes, Pakistan},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Sightings of whales made by WWF-Pakistan’s Crew Based Observers deputed on tuna gillnet vessels operating along Pakistan’s coast were reported for the 2018 fishing season. A total of 13 sightings of Arabian Sea humpback whales, 2 sightings of blue whales, 1 sightings of Bryde’s whales, 4 sightings of sperm whales and 15 sightings of baleen whales (that could not be identified to species level due to lack of adequate photographic or video evidence) were made during 2018. The number of whales recorded for the year 2018 is much less than 2017 when a total of 95 sightings of whale were recorded from the area. This decrease in sighting is attributed to early closure of fishing season in late April 2018 because of extremely low prices of tuna in the market. Usually a voluntary two month close season is observed between June and July, however, the new fishing season was started in September 2018. The close season, therefore, remained effective for about four months (May to August). In addition, a major part of tuna fishing fleet operated in the further offshore waters (known to have thin population of whales) to avoid checking by Government agencies for implementation on various legislation during November- December 2018.
Rabearisoa, Njaratiana,Sabarros, Philippe S.,Romanov, Evgeny V.,Lucas, Vincent,Bach, Pascal
Toothed whale and shark depredation indicators: A case study from the Reunion Island and Seychelles pelagic longline fisheries Journal Article
In: PLOS ONE, vol. 13, no. 440, pp. e0202037, 2018.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bycatch, depredation, Indian Ocean, longline, Reunion, Seychelles
@article{,
title = {Toothed whale and shark depredation indicators: A case study from the Reunion Island and Seychelles pelagic longline fisheries},
author = {Rabearisoa, Njaratiana,Sabarros, Philippe S.,Romanov, Evgeny V.,Lucas, Vincent,Bach, Pascal},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202037},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {PLOS ONE},
volume = {13},
number = {440},
pages = {e0202037},
publisher = {Public Library of Science},
abstract = {Depredation in marine ecosystems is defined as the damage or removal of fish or bait from fishing gear by predators. Depredation raises concerns about the conservation of species involved, fisheries yield and profitability, and reference points based on stock assessment of depredated species. Therefore, the development of accurate indicators to assess the impact of depredation is needed. Both the Reunion Island and the Seychelles archipelago pelagic longline fisheries targeting swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and tuna (Thunnus spp.) are affected by depredation from toothed whales and pelagic sharks. In this study, we used fishery data collected between 2004 and 2015 to propose depredation indicators and to assess depredation levels in both fisheries. For both fisheries, the interaction rate (depredation occurrence) was significantly higher for shark compared to toothed whale depredation. However, when depredation occurred, toothed whale depredation impact was significantly higher than shark depredation impact, with higher depredation per unit effort (number of fish depredated per 1000 hooks) and damage rate (proportion of fish depredated per depredated set). The gross depredation rate in the Seychelles was 18.3%. A slight increase of the gross depredation rate was observed for the Reunion Island longline fleet from 2011 (4.1% in 2007–2010 and 4.4% in 2011–2015). Economic losses due to depredation were estimated by using these indicators and published official statistics. A loss of 0.09 EUR/hook due to depredation was estimated for the Reunion Island longline fleet, and 0.86 EUR/hook for the Seychelles. These results suggest a southward decreasing toothed whale and shark depredation gradient in the southwest Indian Ocean. Seychelles depredation levels are among the highest observed in the world revealing this area as a “hotspot” of interaction between pelagic longline fisheries and toothed whales. This study also highlights the need for a set of depredation indicators to allow for a global comparison of depredation rates among various fishing grounds worldwide.},
keywords = {Bycatch, depredation, Indian Ocean, longline, Reunion, Seychelles},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Depredation in marine ecosystems is defined as the damage or removal of fish or bait from fishing gear by predators. Depredation raises concerns about the conservation of species involved, fisheries yield and profitability, and reference points based on stock assessment of depredated species. Therefore, the development of accurate indicators to assess the impact of depredation is needed. Both the Reunion Island and the Seychelles archipelago pelagic longline fisheries targeting swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and tuna (Thunnus spp.) are affected by depredation from toothed whales and pelagic sharks. In this study, we used fishery data collected between 2004 and 2015 to propose depredation indicators and to assess depredation levels in both fisheries. For both fisheries, the interaction rate (depredation occurrence) was significantly higher for shark compared to toothed whale depredation. However, when depredation occurred, toothed whale depredation impact was significantly higher than shark depredation impact, with higher depredation per unit effort (number of fish depredated per 1000 hooks) and damage rate (proportion of fish depredated per depredated set). The gross depredation rate in the Seychelles was 18.3%. A slight increase of the gross depredation rate was observed for the Reunion Island longline fleet from 2011 (4.1% in 2007–2010 and 4.4% in 2011–2015). Economic losses due to depredation were estimated by using these indicators and published official statistics. A loss of 0.09 EUR/hook due to depredation was estimated for the Reunion Island longline fleet, and 0.86 EUR/hook for the Seychelles. These results suggest a southward decreasing toothed whale and shark depredation gradient in the southwest Indian Ocean. Seychelles depredation levels are among the highest observed in the world revealing this area as a “hotspot” of interaction between pelagic longline fisheries and toothed whales. This study also highlights the need for a set of depredation indicators to allow for a global comparison of depredation rates among various fishing grounds worldwide.
Abdulqader, Ebrahim A. A.,Miller, Jeff,Al-Mansi, Ahmed,Al-Abdulkader, Khaled,Fita, Nabil,Al-Nadhiri, Hussein,Rabaoui, Lotfi
Turtles and other marine megafauna bycatch in artisanal fisheries in the Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf Journal Article
In: Fisheries Research, vol. 196, no. 1, pp. 75-84, 2017, ISBN: 0165-7836.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Gulf, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, marine turtles, Megafauna, Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia
@article{,
title = {Turtles and other marine megafauna bycatch in artisanal fisheries in the Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf},
author = {Abdulqader, Ebrahim A. A.,Miller, Jeff,Al-Mansi, Ahmed,Al-Abdulkader, Khaled,Fita, Nabil,Al-Nadhiri, Hussein,Rabaoui, Lotfi},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165783617302229},
issn = {0165-7836},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {Fisheries Research},
volume = {196},
number = {1},
pages = {75-84},
abstract = {Fisheries impacts on marine megafauna have received global attention and are recognized as a serious problem. In Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf, the artisanal fishery is responsible for 99.6% of landings. It uses a range of boat sizes and various types of fishing gears and operates in all accessible areas from shallow coastal bays to deep offshore waters. The objective of this work is to assess the captures and the impact of all fishing gear types used by the Saudi artisanal fishery on four marine megafauna groups: turtles, birds, dolphins, and dugongs (Dugong dugon). Nine questionnaire surveys were carried out from May 2013 to November 2014, covering a two-month period each. Ten main gear types were found to be used by 25 directed fisheries, including shrimp trawl, wire trap, hand line, troll, pelagic and demersal longline, and drift, surrounding, fixed, and set gillnets. Turtles were captured in relatively high numbers (4726 captures year−1) in nine directed fisheries, among which shrimp trawl fishery was responsible for 86.3% of the captures. The lowest capture rates were found with birds (13.1 captures year−1) and dolphins (7.4 captures year−1), related mainly with the Spanish mackerel longline and Indian mackerel surrounding gillnet fisheries. No dugong captures were recorded. In all, the Saudi artisanal fishery operating in the Arabian Gulf has a high impact on turtles and low impact on birds and dolphins. No impact on dugongs was reported during this study.},
keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, marine turtles, Megafauna, Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Fisheries impacts on marine megafauna have received global attention and are recognized as a serious problem. In Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf, the artisanal fishery is responsible for 99.6% of landings. It uses a range of boat sizes and various types of fishing gears and operates in all accessible areas from shallow coastal bays to deep offshore waters. The objective of this work is to assess the captures and the impact of all fishing gear types used by the Saudi artisanal fishery on four marine megafauna groups: turtles, birds, dolphins, and dugongs (Dugong dugon). Nine questionnaire surveys were carried out from May 2013 to November 2014, covering a two-month period each. Ten main gear types were found to be used by 25 directed fisheries, including shrimp trawl, wire trap, hand line, troll, pelagic and demersal longline, and drift, surrounding, fixed, and set gillnets. Turtles were captured in relatively high numbers (4726 captures year−1) in nine directed fisheries, among which shrimp trawl fishery was responsible for 86.3% of the captures. The lowest capture rates were found with birds (13.1 captures year−1) and dolphins (7.4 captures year−1), related mainly with the Spanish mackerel longline and Indian mackerel surrounding gillnet fisheries. No dugong captures were recorded. In all, the Saudi artisanal fishery operating in the Arabian Gulf has a high impact on turtles and low impact on birds and dolphins. No impact on dugongs was reported during this study.
Braulik, G.,Findlay, K,Cerchio, S,Baldwin, R,Perrin, W.
Sousa plumbea Book
e.T82031633A82031644. Downloaded on 10 December 2017., 2017.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Bycatch, conservation status, humpback dolphin, Indian Ocean, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, Sousa plumbea, Threat assessment
@book{,
title = {Sousa plumbea},
author = {Braulik, G.,Findlay, K,Cerchio, S,Baldwin, R,Perrin, W.},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species},
number = {49},
publisher = {e.T82031633A82031644. Downloaded on 10 December 2017.},
abstract = {Endangered: Justification:
In the places where studies have occurred, Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin subpopulations were found to be small: always fewer than 500 and generally fewer than 100 individuals in discrete, or semi-isolated areas. Humpback dolphins have one of the most specific habitat preferences and restricted distributions of any marine megafauna, and both of these characteristics are well known to reduce the resilience of species to environmental change and anthropogenic threats and to increase their extinction risk (Davidson et al. 2011, Dulvy et al. 2014, Purvis et al. 2000). Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins are concentrated in coastal waters within 2 km of shore and they are often sighted only a few hundred meters from land. This distribution places them in exactly the same location as the majority of small-scale fishing effort prevalent throughout their range in the same nearshore habitat. As a result, humpback dolphins encounter large numbers of coastal gillnets and are at high risk of entanglement. High and clearly unsustainable mortality rates have been reported from several areas and frequent encounters with fishing gear can be inferred from the high degree of scarring and injury—for example, 41% of individuals in Pemba, Tanzania bore gear-related scars (Braulik unpub. data). Although information on population size, threats and mortality is available only for portions of the species range, there are strong reasons to suspect and infer that the threats will be similar or possibly even more intense elsewhere.
The deaths of only 4.2 individuals per year from a population of 100 would result in a 50% decline (Moore 2015). The available evidence on the studied subpopulations in South Africa and all indications from elsewhere in the range suggest that mortality rates are consistently at or above the rate that would result in a 50% decline in 75 years (three generations). The species’ preferred habitat and small populations overlap in both space and time with several ubiquitous and pervasive threats that are increasing in severity, leaving no refuges for these dolphins. The threats are serious enough in a large enough proportion of the total species range that a range-wide decline of at least 50% over three generations spanning both the past and the future (about 75 years, from 1960 (the start of intensive mono-filament gillnetting in this region) to 2035) is suspected and inferred and the causes of the decline (bycatch and hunting [both considered here to constitute ‘exploitation’], decline in habitat quality and possibly pollution) have not ceased. Therefore, the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin qualifies for Endangered A4cd.
The factor primarily responsible for the decline is incidental mortality in small-scale coastal fisheries, but the loss, degradation and pollution of habitat in numerous coastal areas is a contributing and increasing factor. The threats have not been mitigated anywhere in the species’ range, even though threat levels are increasing virtually everywhere. All evidence suggests that threats and declines will continue and are likely to increase in the future and worldwide there are almost no examples where cetacean bycatch in small-scale artisanal fisheries has been successfully addressed. Alternative methods for small-scale fisheries to replace gillnets are not generally available. Therefore, the species also qualifies for Endangered 3cd as a decline of over 50% can be projected to occur over the next three generations (75 years from 2016 to 2091). It also qualifies for Endangered A2cd as a decline of over 50% is suspected over the last 75 years beginning with the expansion of the use of gillnets in global marine fisheries from around the end of the Second World War up to the present day.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Bycatch, conservation status, humpback dolphin, Indian Ocean, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, Sousa plumbea, Threat assessment},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
Endangered: Justification:
In the places where studies have occurred, Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin subpopulations were found to be small: always fewer than 500 and generally fewer than 100 individuals in discrete, or semi-isolated areas. Humpback dolphins have one of the most specific habitat preferences and restricted distributions of any marine megafauna, and both of these characteristics are well known to reduce the resilience of species to environmental change and anthropogenic threats and to increase their extinction risk (Davidson et al. 2011, Dulvy et al. 2014, Purvis et al. 2000). Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins are concentrated in coastal waters within 2 km of shore and they are often sighted only a few hundred meters from land. This distribution places them in exactly the same location as the majority of small-scale fishing effort prevalent throughout their range in the same nearshore habitat. As a result, humpback dolphins encounter large numbers of coastal gillnets and are at high risk of entanglement. High and clearly unsustainable mortality rates have been reported from several areas and frequent encounters with fishing gear can be inferred from the high degree of scarring and injury—for example, 41% of individuals in Pemba, Tanzania bore gear-related scars (Braulik unpub. data). Although information on population size, threats and mortality is available only for portions of the species range, there are strong reasons to suspect and infer that the threats will be similar or possibly even more intense elsewhere.
The deaths of only 4.2 individuals per year from a population of 100 would result in a 50% decline (Moore 2015). The available evidence on the studied subpopulations in South Africa and all indications from elsewhere in the range suggest that mortality rates are consistently at or above the rate that would result in a 50% decline in 75 years (three generations). The species’ preferred habitat and small populations overlap in both space and time with several ubiquitous and pervasive threats that are increasing in severity, leaving no refuges for these dolphins. The threats are serious enough in a large enough proportion of the total species range that a range-wide decline of at least 50% over three generations spanning both the past and the future (about 75 years, from 1960 (the start of intensive mono-filament gillnetting in this region) to 2035) is suspected and inferred and the causes of the decline (bycatch and hunting [both considered here to constitute ‘exploitation’], decline in habitat quality and possibly pollution) have not ceased. Therefore, the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin qualifies for Endangered A4cd.
The factor primarily responsible for the decline is incidental mortality in small-scale coastal fisheries, but the loss, degradation and pollution of habitat in numerous coastal areas is a contributing and increasing factor. The threats have not been mitigated anywhere in the species’ range, even though threat levels are increasing virtually everywhere. All evidence suggests that threats and declines will continue and are likely to increase in the future and worldwide there are almost no examples where cetacean bycatch in small-scale artisanal fisheries has been successfully addressed. Alternative methods for small-scale fisheries to replace gillnets are not generally available. Therefore, the species also qualifies for Endangered 3cd as a decline of over 50% can be projected to occur over the next three generations (75 years from 2016 to 2091). It also qualifies for Endangered A2cd as a decline of over 50% is suspected over the last 75 years beginning with the expansion of the use of gillnets in global marine fisheries from around the end of the Second World War up to the present day.
In the places where studies have occurred, Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin subpopulations were found to be small: always fewer than 500 and generally fewer than 100 individuals in discrete, or semi-isolated areas. Humpback dolphins have one of the most specific habitat preferences and restricted distributions of any marine megafauna, and both of these characteristics are well known to reduce the resilience of species to environmental change and anthropogenic threats and to increase their extinction risk (Davidson et al. 2011, Dulvy et al. 2014, Purvis et al. 2000). Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins are concentrated in coastal waters within 2 km of shore and they are often sighted only a few hundred meters from land. This distribution places them in exactly the same location as the majority of small-scale fishing effort prevalent throughout their range in the same nearshore habitat. As a result, humpback dolphins encounter large numbers of coastal gillnets and are at high risk of entanglement. High and clearly unsustainable mortality rates have been reported from several areas and frequent encounters with fishing gear can be inferred from the high degree of scarring and injury—for example, 41% of individuals in Pemba, Tanzania bore gear-related scars (Braulik unpub. data). Although information on population size, threats and mortality is available only for portions of the species range, there are strong reasons to suspect and infer that the threats will be similar or possibly even more intense elsewhere.
The deaths of only 4.2 individuals per year from a population of 100 would result in a 50% decline (Moore 2015). The available evidence on the studied subpopulations in South Africa and all indications from elsewhere in the range suggest that mortality rates are consistently at or above the rate that would result in a 50% decline in 75 years (three generations). The species’ preferred habitat and small populations overlap in both space and time with several ubiquitous and pervasive threats that are increasing in severity, leaving no refuges for these dolphins. The threats are serious enough in a large enough proportion of the total species range that a range-wide decline of at least 50% over three generations spanning both the past and the future (about 75 years, from 1960 (the start of intensive mono-filament gillnetting in this region) to 2035) is suspected and inferred and the causes of the decline (bycatch and hunting [both considered here to constitute ‘exploitation’], decline in habitat quality and possibly pollution) have not ceased. Therefore, the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin qualifies for Endangered A4cd.
The factor primarily responsible for the decline is incidental mortality in small-scale coastal fisheries, but the loss, degradation and pollution of habitat in numerous coastal areas is a contributing and increasing factor. The threats have not been mitigated anywhere in the species’ range, even though threat levels are increasing virtually everywhere. All evidence suggests that threats and declines will continue and are likely to increase in the future and worldwide there are almost no examples where cetacean bycatch in small-scale artisanal fisheries has been successfully addressed. Alternative methods for small-scale fisheries to replace gillnets are not generally available. Therefore, the species also qualifies for Endangered 3cd as a decline of over 50% can be projected to occur over the next three generations (75 years from 2016 to 2091). It also qualifies for Endangered A2cd as a decline of over 50% is suspected over the last 75 years beginning with the expansion of the use of gillnets in global marine fisheries from around the end of the Second World War up to the present day.
Jefferson, T.,Smith, B.D.,Braulik, G.,Perrin, W.
Sousa chinensis Book
e.T82031633A82031644. Downloaded on 10 December 2017., 2017.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Bycatch, conservation status, humpback dolphin, Indian Ocean, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, Sousa plumbea, Threat assessment
@book{,
title = {Sousa chinensis},
author = {Jefferson, T.,Smith, B.D.,Braulik, G.,Perrin, W.},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species},
number = {126},
publisher = {e.T82031633A82031644. Downloaded on 10 December 2017.},
abstract = {Vulnerable: Justification:
The only available population trend estimate for S. chinensis is an estimated 2.46% annual decline in the size of the subpopulation in HK/PRE (Huang et al. 2012), where there are a number of marine parks and reserves in place for dolphin protection, and where the Hong Kong authorities have put more effort into impact assessment and management than in any other part of the species’ range (see Jefferson et al. 2009). The situation elsewhere appears to be more dire, with fisheries bycatch being a nearly-universal threat. Population reductions of at least 3.7% per annum (see below for information that human-caused mortality rates of 3.7% would lead to a 30% decline in abundance over three generations) can therefore be inferred over most of the species’ range, due to known incidental mortality from intensive fishing effort using entangling gears, and ongoing habitat loss and degradation due to coastal development. Vessel collisions and environmental contamination appear to be factors as well, in at least some parts of the range. The above inference is supported in several areas by direct and/or indirect evidence, including documentation of bycatch, the intensive use of gillnets and other fishing gears known to entangle small cetaceans, interviews with fishermen who use entangling gears, and the abandonment of areas of previous occupancy (see Xu et al. 2015).
The Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin therefore qualifies for Vulnerable A3cd+4cd, based on an inferred population size reduction, where subcriterion c is interpreted as quality of habitat, and subcriterion d (actual or potential levels of exploitation) includes fisheries bycatch. We can infer a population reduction of greater than or equal to 30% over three generations (75 years), from approximately 1960 in the past to 2035 in the future. This takes into account that the main causes of the suspected/inferred decline in population size, bycatch and habitat destruction/degradation, have not ceased and are not well understood throughout most of the species’ range. Other than in Hong Kong (and to a lesser extent Taiwan), there have been virtually no conservation actions taken to address these threats, and available evidence suggests that they will continue and may even escalate in the future. The assessment of S. chinensis as Vulnerable based on criterion A3cd+4cd applies, regardless of whether or not the Bangladesh/eastern India animals are included, because it is based on population trends, rather than absolute numbers or a declining range.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Bycatch, conservation status, humpback dolphin, Indian Ocean, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, Sousa plumbea, Threat assessment},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
Vulnerable: Justification:
The only available population trend estimate for S. chinensis is an estimated 2.46% annual decline in the size of the subpopulation in HK/PRE (Huang et al. 2012), where there are a number of marine parks and reserves in place for dolphin protection, and where the Hong Kong authorities have put more effort into impact assessment and management than in any other part of the species’ range (see Jefferson et al. 2009). The situation elsewhere appears to be more dire, with fisheries bycatch being a nearly-universal threat. Population reductions of at least 3.7% per annum (see below for information that human-caused mortality rates of 3.7% would lead to a 30% decline in abundance over three generations) can therefore be inferred over most of the species’ range, due to known incidental mortality from intensive fishing effort using entangling gears, and ongoing habitat loss and degradation due to coastal development. Vessel collisions and environmental contamination appear to be factors as well, in at least some parts of the range. The above inference is supported in several areas by direct and/or indirect evidence, including documentation of bycatch, the intensive use of gillnets and other fishing gears known to entangle small cetaceans, interviews with fishermen who use entangling gears, and the abandonment of areas of previous occupancy (see Xu et al. 2015).
The Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin therefore qualifies for Vulnerable A3cd+4cd, based on an inferred population size reduction, where subcriterion c is interpreted as quality of habitat, and subcriterion d (actual or potential levels of exploitation) includes fisheries bycatch. We can infer a population reduction of greater than or equal to 30% over three generations (75 years), from approximately 1960 in the past to 2035 in the future. This takes into account that the main causes of the suspected/inferred decline in population size, bycatch and habitat destruction/degradation, have not ceased and are not well understood throughout most of the species’ range. Other than in Hong Kong (and to a lesser extent Taiwan), there have been virtually no conservation actions taken to address these threats, and available evidence suggests that they will continue and may even escalate in the future. The assessment of S. chinensis as Vulnerable based on criterion A3cd+4cd applies, regardless of whether or not the Bangladesh/eastern India animals are included, because it is based on population trends, rather than absolute numbers or a declining range.
The only available population trend estimate for S. chinensis is an estimated 2.46% annual decline in the size of the subpopulation in HK/PRE (Huang et al. 2012), where there are a number of marine parks and reserves in place for dolphin protection, and where the Hong Kong authorities have put more effort into impact assessment and management than in any other part of the species’ range (see Jefferson et al. 2009). The situation elsewhere appears to be more dire, with fisheries bycatch being a nearly-universal threat. Population reductions of at least 3.7% per annum (see below for information that human-caused mortality rates of 3.7% would lead to a 30% decline in abundance over three generations) can therefore be inferred over most of the species’ range, due to known incidental mortality from intensive fishing effort using entangling gears, and ongoing habitat loss and degradation due to coastal development. Vessel collisions and environmental contamination appear to be factors as well, in at least some parts of the range. The above inference is supported in several areas by direct and/or indirect evidence, including documentation of bycatch, the intensive use of gillnets and other fishing gears known to entangle small cetaceans, interviews with fishermen who use entangling gears, and the abandonment of areas of previous occupancy (see Xu et al. 2015).
The Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin therefore qualifies for Vulnerable A3cd+4cd, based on an inferred population size reduction, where subcriterion c is interpreted as quality of habitat, and subcriterion d (actual or potential levels of exploitation) includes fisheries bycatch. We can infer a population reduction of greater than or equal to 30% over three generations (75 years), from approximately 1960 in the past to 2035 in the future. This takes into account that the main causes of the suspected/inferred decline in population size, bycatch and habitat destruction/degradation, have not ceased and are not well understood throughout most of the species’ range. Other than in Hong Kong (and to a lesser extent Taiwan), there have been virtually no conservation actions taken to address these threats, and available evidence suggests that they will continue and may even escalate in the future. The assessment of S. chinensis as Vulnerable based on criterion A3cd+4cd applies, regardless of whether or not the Bangladesh/eastern India animals are included, because it is based on population trends, rather than absolute numbers or a declining range.
Jog, Ketki,Sule, Mihir,Bopardikar, Isha,Patankar, Vardhan,Sutaria, Dipani
Living with dolphins: Local ecological knowledge and perceptions of small cetaceans along the Sindhudurg coastline of Maharashtra, India Journal Article
In: Marine Mammal Science, vol. 34, no. 128, pp. 488-498, 2017, ISBN: 1748-7692.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Bycatch, cetacean-fisheries interactions, competition, Finless Porpoise, humpback dolphin, India, local ecological knowledge, Marine mammals, Neophocaena phocaenoides, perceptions, Sousa plumbea
@article{,
title = {Living with dolphins: Local ecological knowledge and perceptions of small cetaceans along the Sindhudurg coastline of Maharashtra, India},
author = {Jog, Ketki,Sule, Mihir,Bopardikar, Isha,Patankar, Vardhan,Sutaria, Dipani},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mms.12466},
issn = {1748-7692},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {Marine Mammal Science},
volume = {34},
number = {128},
pages = {488-498},
abstract = {Two near shore small cetaceans occur commonly along the Maharashtra coast, the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin and Indo Pacific finless porpoise. These cetaceans frequently interact with fisheries in this region due to overlap in space and resource use. Besides stranding records, little ecological information is available about these species from Maharashtra. We conducted 143 semistructured interviews to document local ecological knowledge and community perceptions of small cetaceans in 30 coastal fishing villages in Sindhudurg. Perceptions of finless porpoises were largely neutral, whereas humpback dolphins were negative. A classification regression tree (CART) analysis (root node error: 60%) showed that the annual cost of gear damage was an important predictor variable of humpback dolphin perceptions, followed by occupation (gear type) and age. Entanglements were reported for both species in large and small gill nets, and shore seines. Perceived net damage and catch loss due to humpback dolphins was six times greater than that of finless porpoises. However, finless porpoises were reportedly more frequently entangled in gear than humpback dolphins. We provide an insight into the perceptions of cetaceans in the local community and the fisheries-cetacean interactions that shape them.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Bycatch, cetacean-fisheries interactions, competition, Finless Porpoise, humpback dolphin, India, local ecological knowledge, Marine mammals, Neophocaena phocaenoides, perceptions, Sousa plumbea},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Two near shore small cetaceans occur commonly along the Maharashtra coast, the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin and Indo Pacific finless porpoise. These cetaceans frequently interact with fisheries in this region due to overlap in space and resource use. Besides stranding records, little ecological information is available about these species from Maharashtra. We conducted 143 semistructured interviews to document local ecological knowledge and community perceptions of small cetaceans in 30 coastal fishing villages in Sindhudurg. Perceptions of finless porpoises were largely neutral, whereas humpback dolphins were negative. A classification regression tree (CART) analysis (root node error: 60%) showed that the annual cost of gear damage was an important predictor variable of humpback dolphin perceptions, followed by occupation (gear type) and age. Entanglements were reported for both species in large and small gill nets, and shore seines. Perceived net damage and catch loss due to humpback dolphins was six times greater than that of finless porpoises. However, finless porpoises were reportedly more frequently entangled in gear than humpback dolphins. We provide an insight into the perceptions of cetaceans in the local community and the fisheries-cetacean interactions that shape them.
Moazzam, Mohammed,Nawaz, Rab
Arabian Humpback and Baleen Whale sightings along the Pakistan Coast: Information Generated Through WWF Pakistan’s Fishing Crew Observer Programme Technical Report
no. 168, 2017, ISBN: SC/67A/CMP/05.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, balaenoptera edeni, Bryde's whale, Bycatch, Entanglement, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Observer programmes, Pakistan
@techreport{,
title = {Arabian Humpback and Baleen Whale sightings along the Pakistan Coast: Information Generated Through WWF Pakistan’s Fishing Crew Observer Programme},
author = {Moazzam, Mohammed,Nawaz, Rab},
issn = { SC/67A/CMP/05},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {Document presented to the meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
number = {168},
pages = {16},
abstract = {Historical records and Soviet whaling data indicate the presence of baleen whales off the coast of
Pakistan up to 1965, but since then only a handful of strandings and opportunistic sightings
confirm their ongoing presence in the region. Between 2012 and 2016, observations of freeswimming
and entangled whales were recorded by fishing vessel crew members trained under a
bycatch observer scheme coordinated by WWF Pakistan. The scheme, which started with two
observers in 2012, now involves 75 participating vessels. Reported baleen whale observations
increased from none in 2012, to 16 in 2015. In 2016, 47 sightings of baleen whales were
recorded, including 12 confirmed sightings of Arabian Sea humpback whales, three sightings of
Bryde’s and 32 sightings of baleen whales that could not be identified to species level due to lack
of adequate photographic or video evidence. Sightings reported from 2012 through 2016 are
summarized and plotted, providing insight into the current distribution of Arabian Sea humpback
whales and other baleen whale species in the region. The authors recommend the continuation of
the programme, and suggest that it could serve as a useful model for crew-based reporting
schemes in a region where dedicated cetacean surveys are difficult to conduct, but fisheries are
widespread and active.},
keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, balaenoptera edeni, Bryde's whale, Bycatch, Entanglement, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Observer programmes, Pakistan},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Historical records and Soviet whaling data indicate the presence of baleen whales off the coast of
Pakistan up to 1965, but since then only a handful of strandings and opportunistic sightings
confirm their ongoing presence in the region. Between 2012 and 2016, observations of freeswimming
and entangled whales were recorded by fishing vessel crew members trained under a
bycatch observer scheme coordinated by WWF Pakistan. The scheme, which started with two
observers in 2012, now involves 75 participating vessels. Reported baleen whale observations
increased from none in 2012, to 16 in 2015. In 2016, 47 sightings of baleen whales were
recorded, including 12 confirmed sightings of Arabian Sea humpback whales, three sightings of
Bryde’s and 32 sightings of baleen whales that could not be identified to species level due to lack
of adequate photographic or video evidence. Sightings reported from 2012 through 2016 are
summarized and plotted, providing insight into the current distribution of Arabian Sea humpback
whales and other baleen whale species in the region. The authors recommend the continuation of
the programme, and suggest that it could serve as a useful model for crew-based reporting
schemes in a region where dedicated cetacean surveys are difficult to conduct, but fisheries are
widespread and active.
Pakistan up to 1965, but since then only a handful of strandings and opportunistic sightings
confirm their ongoing presence in the region. Between 2012 and 2016, observations of freeswimming
and entangled whales were recorded by fishing vessel crew members trained under a
bycatch observer scheme coordinated by WWF Pakistan. The scheme, which started with two
observers in 2012, now involves 75 participating vessels. Reported baleen whale observations
increased from none in 2012, to 16 in 2015. In 2016, 47 sightings of baleen whales were
recorded, including 12 confirmed sightings of Arabian Sea humpback whales, three sightings of
Bryde’s and 32 sightings of baleen whales that could not be identified to species level due to lack
of adequate photographic or video evidence. Sightings reported from 2012 through 2016 are
summarized and plotted, providing insight into the current distribution of Arabian Sea humpback
whales and other baleen whale species in the region. The authors recommend the continuation of
the programme, and suggest that it could serve as a useful model for crew-based reporting
schemes in a region where dedicated cetacean surveys are difficult to conduct, but fisheries are
widespread and active.
NOAA
Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals and Dolphin-Safe Tuna Products Journal Article
In: Federal Register, vol. 81, no. 421, pp. 3, 2016.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Bycatch, Fisheries, India, Marine mammals, NIO, Observer programmes, Oman, Pakistan, reporting scheme, Tanzania, tuna fishery
@article{,
title = {Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals and Dolphin-Safe Tuna Products },
author = {NOAA},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Federal Register},
volume = {81},
number = {421},
pages = {3},
abstract = { The Assistant Administrator
for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant
Administrator) has issued a
determination, under the Dolphin
Protection Consumer Information Act
(DPCIA), of regular and significant
mortality and serious injury of dolphins
in gillnet fisheries harvesting tuna by
vessels flagged under the Governments
of India, Iran, Mozambique, Pakistan,
Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka,
Tanzania, the United Arab Emirates,
and Yemen. This determination triggers
additional documentation requirements
for tuna product from those fisheries
that is exported from or offered for sale
in the United States, including that such
tuna must be accompanied by a written
statement executed by an observer
participating in a national or
international program acceptable to the
Assistant Administrator, in addition to
such statement by the captain of the
vessel, that certifies that no dolphins
were killed or seriously injured in the
sets or other gear deployments in which
the tuna were caught and certain other
required information regarding dolphin
interactions and segregation of tuna.
These determinations were based on
review of scientific information and,
when available, documentary evidence
submitted by the relevant government. },
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Bycatch, Fisheries, India, Marine mammals, NIO, Observer programmes, Oman, Pakistan, reporting scheme, Tanzania, tuna fishery},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Assistant Administrator
for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant
Administrator) has issued a
determination, under the Dolphin
Protection Consumer Information Act
(DPCIA), of regular and significant
mortality and serious injury of dolphins
in gillnet fisheries harvesting tuna by
vessels flagged under the Governments
of India, Iran, Mozambique, Pakistan,
Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka,
Tanzania, the United Arab Emirates,
and Yemen. This determination triggers
additional documentation requirements
for tuna product from those fisheries
that is exported from or offered for sale
in the United States, including that such
tuna must be accompanied by a written
statement executed by an observer
participating in a national or
international program acceptable to the
Assistant Administrator, in addition to
such statement by the captain of the
vessel, that certifies that no dolphins
were killed or seriously injured in the
sets or other gear deployments in which
the tuna were caught and certain other
required information regarding dolphin
interactions and segregation of tuna.
These determinations were based on
review of scientific information and,
when available, documentary evidence
submitted by the relevant government.
for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant
Administrator) has issued a
determination, under the Dolphin
Protection Consumer Information Act
(DPCIA), of regular and significant
mortality and serious injury of dolphins
in gillnet fisheries harvesting tuna by
vessels flagged under the Governments
of India, Iran, Mozambique, Pakistan,
Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka,
Tanzania, the United Arab Emirates,
and Yemen. This determination triggers
additional documentation requirements
for tuna product from those fisheries
that is exported from or offered for sale
in the United States, including that such
tuna must be accompanied by a written
statement executed by an observer
participating in a national or
international program acceptable to the
Assistant Administrator, in addition to
such statement by the captain of the
vessel, that certifies that no dolphins
were killed or seriously injured in the
sets or other gear deployments in which
the tuna were caught and certain other
required information regarding dolphin
interactions and segregation of tuna.
These determinations were based on
review of scientific information and,
when available, documentary evidence
submitted by the relevant government.
Escalle, L.,Capietto, A.,Chavance, P.,Dubroca, L.,Delgado De Molina, A.,Murua, H.,Gaertner, D.,Romanov, E.,Spitz, J.,Kiszka, J. J.,Floch, L.,Damiano, A.,Merigot, B.
Cetaceans and tuna purse seine fisheries in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans: interactions but few mortalities Journal Article
In: Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 522, no. 370, pp. 255-268, 2015.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Atlantic, Bycatch, cetaceans, Humpback Whale, Indian Ocean, megaptera novaeangliae, purse-Seine, tuna fishery
@article{,
title = {Cetaceans and tuna purse seine fisheries in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans: interactions but few mortalities},
author = {Escalle, L.,Capietto, A.,Chavance, P.,Dubroca, L.,Delgado De Molina, A.,Murua, H.,Gaertner, D.,Romanov, E.,Spitz, J.,Kiszka, J. J.,Floch, L.,Damiano, A.,Merigot, B.},
url = {http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v522/p255-268/},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Marine Ecology Progress Series},
volume = {522},
number = {370},
pages = {255-268},
abstract = {ABSTRACT: Fisheries bycatch is considered to be one of the most significant causes of mortality for many marine species, including vulnerable megafauna. In the open ocean, tuna purse seiners are known to use several cetacean species to detect tuna schools. This exposes the cetaceans to encirclement which can lead to incidental injury or death. While interactions between fishers and cetaceans have been well documented in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, little is known about these interactions and potential mortalities in the tropical Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Here, we provide the first quantification of these interactions in both oceans by analyzing a large database of captain’s logbooks (1980 to 2011) and observations collected by onboard scientific observers (1995 to 2011). Distribution maps of sightings per unit effort highlighted main areas of relatively high co-occurrence: east of the Seychelles (December to March), the Mozambique Channel (April to May) and the offshore waters of Gabon (April to September). The percentage of cetacean-associated fishing sets was around 3% in both oceans and datasets whereas 0.6% of sets had cetaceans encircled. Of the 194 cetaceans encircled in a purse seine net (122 baleen whales, 72 delphinids), immediate apparent survival rates were high (Atlantic: 92%, Indian: 100%). Among recorded mortalities, 8 involved pantropical spotted dolphins \textit{Stenella attenuata} and 3 involved humpback whales \textit{Megaptera novaeangliae}. These high survival rates suggest that setting nets close to cetaceans has a low immediate apparent impact on the species involved. Our findings will contribute to the development of an ecosystem approach to managing fisheries and accurate cetacean conservation measures.},
keywords = {Atlantic, Bycatch, cetaceans, Humpback Whale, Indian Ocean, megaptera novaeangliae, purse-Seine, tuna fishery},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
ABSTRACT: Fisheries bycatch is considered to be one of the most significant causes of mortality for many marine species, including vulnerable megafauna. In the open ocean, tuna purse seiners are known to use several cetacean species to detect tuna schools. This exposes the cetaceans to encirclement which can lead to incidental injury or death. While interactions between fishers and cetaceans have been well documented in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, little is known about these interactions and potential mortalities in the tropical Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Here, we provide the first quantification of these interactions in both oceans by analyzing a large database of captain’s logbooks (1980 to 2011) and observations collected by onboard scientific observers (1995 to 2011). Distribution maps of sightings per unit effort highlighted main areas of relatively high co-occurrence: east of the Seychelles (December to March), the Mozambique Channel (April to May) and the offshore waters of Gabon (April to September). The percentage of cetacean-associated fishing sets was around 3% in both oceans and datasets whereas 0.6% of sets had cetaceans encircled. Of the 194 cetaceans encircled in a purse seine net (122 baleen whales, 72 delphinids), immediate apparent survival rates were high (Atlantic: 92%, Indian: 100%). Among recorded mortalities, 8 involved pantropical spotted dolphins Stenella attenuata and 3 involved humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae. These high survival rates suggest that setting nets close to cetaceans has a low immediate apparent impact on the species involved. Our findings will contribute to the development of an ecosystem approach to managing fisheries and accurate cetacean conservation measures.
Thomas, Peter O.,Reeves, Randall R.,Brownell, Robert L.
Status of the world's baleen whales Journal Article
In: Marine Mammal Science, no. 242, 2015, ISBN: 1748-7692.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: anthropogenic noise, baleen whales, blue whales, Bycatch, cetaceans, Climate change, Endangered species, Entanglement, IUCN, ocean acidification, Red List, ship strike, status, whaling
@article{,
title = {Status of the world's baleen whales},
author = {Thomas, Peter O.,Reeves, Randall R.,Brownell, Robert L.},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mms.12281},
issn = {1748-7692},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Marine Mammal Science},
number = {242},
abstract = {No global synthesis of the status of baleen whales has been published since the 2008 IUCN Red List assessments. Many populations remain at low numbers from historical commercial whaling, which had ceased for all but a few by 1989. Fishing gear entanglement and ship strikes are the most severe current threats. The acute and long-term effects of anthropogenic noise and the cumulative effects of multiple stressors are of concern but poorly understood. The looming consequences of climate change and ocean acidification remain difficult to characterize. North Atlantic and North Pacific right whales are among the species listed as Endangered. Southern right, bowhead, and gray whales have been assessed as Least Concern but some subpopulations of these species - western North Pacific gray whales, Chile-Peru right whales, and Svalbard/Barents Sea and Sea of Okhotsk bowhead whales - remain at low levels and are either Endangered or Critically Endangered. Eastern North Pacific blue whales have reportedly recovered, but Antarctic blue whales remain at about 1% of pre-exploitation levels. Small isolated subspecies or subpopulations, such as northern Indian Ocean blue whales, Arabian Sea humpback whales, and Mediterranean Sea fin whales are threatened while most subpopulations of sei, Bryde's, and Omura's whales are inadequately monitored and difficult to assess.},
keywords = {anthropogenic noise, baleen whales, blue whales, Bycatch, cetaceans, Climate change, Endangered species, Entanglement, IUCN, ocean acidification, Red List, ship strike, status, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
No global synthesis of the status of baleen whales has been published since the 2008 IUCN Red List assessments. Many populations remain at low numbers from historical commercial whaling, which had ceased for all but a few by 1989. Fishing gear entanglement and ship strikes are the most severe current threats. The acute and long-term effects of anthropogenic noise and the cumulative effects of multiple stressors are of concern but poorly understood. The looming consequences of climate change and ocean acidification remain difficult to characterize. North Atlantic and North Pacific right whales are among the species listed as Endangered. Southern right, bowhead, and gray whales have been assessed as Least Concern but some subpopulations of these species - western North Pacific gray whales, Chile-Peru right whales, and Svalbard/Barents Sea and Sea of Okhotsk bowhead whales - remain at low levels and are either Endangered or Critically Endangered. Eastern North Pacific blue whales have reportedly recovered, but Antarctic blue whales remain at about 1% of pre-exploitation levels. Small isolated subspecies or subpopulations, such as northern Indian Ocean blue whales, Arabian Sea humpback whales, and Mediterranean Sea fin whales are threatened while most subpopulations of sei, Bryde's, and Omura's whales are inadequately monitored and difficult to assess.
Anderson, R Charles
Cetaceans and tuna fisheries in the Western and Central Indian Ocean Journal Article
In: International Pole and Line Federation Technical Report, vol. 2, no. 10, pp. 133, 2014.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, Gill net, mitigation, Northern Indian Ocean, Regional management units, Tuna
@article{,
title = {Cetaceans and tuna fisheries in the Western and Central Indian Ocean},
author = {Anderson, R Charles},
url = {http://www.fao.org/3/a-bg252e.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
journal = {International Pole and Line Federation Technical Report},
volume = {2},
number = {10},
pages = {133},
abstract = {This report reviews information on interactions between cetaceans (whales and
dolphins) and tuna fisheries in the western and central Indian Ocean. The average
annual catch of tuna and related species in the Indian Ocean was just over 1.5 million
tonnes during 2008-12. Of this, almost 1.1 million tonnes (71%) came from the
western and central Indian Ocean. The main fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species
in the region are gillnet (40% of reported catch during 2008-12), purse seine (26%),
longline (12%), handline and troll (11%) and pole-and-line (9%).
Major gillnet fishing nations include Iran, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Oman and Yemen.
Cetacean bycatch must be large, but is poorly documented. A rough estimation,
based on the limited published information available, suggests that something
in excess of 60,000 small cetaceans might be taken as bycatch each year. There is
an urgent need for monitoring and management of these fisheries including the
development of mitigation methods to reduce cetacean bycatch. Large-scale gillnetting
on the high seas (using nets in excess of 2.5km length) is banned by both
UN convention and IOTC resolution, but is being carried out by Iran, Pakistan and
possibly also other countries; compliance is required. More generally, the large and
still expanding gillnet capacity within the region needs to be assessed, and if appropriate
either capped or reduced.
Purse seining in the western and central Indian Ocean is dominated by French and
Spanish fleets. An increasing proportion of sets is made on drifting fish aggregating
devices (FADs) but there has been, and continues to be, a considerable number of
sets made on free schools (i.e. non-FAD-associated tuna schools). Most cetaceans do
not regularly associate with FADs and the major potential cetacean interactions are
with free school sets. During 1981-1999, 9.6% of all sets were reported to have been
made in association with baleen whales, probably Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera
brydei). When encircled, most whales are reported to escape by breaking through
the net. Mortality is unknown, but may have been of the order of 10s annually. The
association of free schools of large yellowfin tuna with dolphins (mostly spotted
dolphins Stenella attenuata and spinner dolphins Stenella longrostris) is more contentious.
This association (which is common in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and is
exploited by the purse seine fishery there) has always been reported to be rare in the
western Indian Ocean. However, the tuna-dolphin association is common in many
coastal areas of the region and widespread in the high seas of the western Indian
Ocean north of 10°S. Setting on dolphin schools has been also reported to be rare,
but its true scale is questioned. Setting on cetaceans has recently been banned by
EU regulation (2007) and IOTC resolution (2013), so cetacean bycatch and mortality
should be much reduced in the future. 100% coverage by international observers
would be ideal.
Longline fisheries were dominated for several decades by East Asian nations, but
now increasing catches are made by coastal countries, notably India, Sri Lanka and
Seychelles. A major issue for longliners is depredation – removal of bait and damage
of hooked fish by sharks and cetaceans. Several species of cetacean have been
implicated, but the main one appears to be the false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens).
There is also some entanglement of cetaceans in longlines (likely following
attempts at depredation). Development of mitigation measures is on-going and
needs to be continued. It is possible that some longline fishermen are deliberately
killing cetaceans.
Several coastal countries have handline fisheries for large yellowfin tuna, which fishermen
locate by their association with dolphins (mainly spotted and spinner dolphins).
There is anecdotal evidence that some dolphins are hooked. Although they
invariably break free or are released, the scale of any post-release mortality or of
sub-lethal impacts is unknown. From the Maldivian pole-and-line fishery, there are
reports of dolphins (probably Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops aduncus)
taking fish attracted by the lights used during night bait fishing. The scale and potential
impacts of these interactions require assessment.
There has been a widespread failure to monitor and manage cetacean bycatch in
Indian Ocean tuna fisheries, and to develop and implement mitigation measures.
The enormous, and still growing, gillnet capacity in the region should be of particular
concern. There is a need for increased observer coverage of all fisheries, supplemented
by electronic monitoring. Fishery-independent surveys of cetacean distribution
and abundance in the western Indian Ocean are also required to inform
management.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, Gill net, mitigation, Northern Indian Ocean, Regional management units, Tuna},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This report reviews information on interactions between cetaceans (whales and
dolphins) and tuna fisheries in the western and central Indian Ocean. The average
annual catch of tuna and related species in the Indian Ocean was just over 1.5 million
tonnes during 2008-12. Of this, almost 1.1 million tonnes (71%) came from the
western and central Indian Ocean. The main fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species
in the region are gillnet (40% of reported catch during 2008-12), purse seine (26%),
longline (12%), handline and troll (11%) and pole-and-line (9%).
Major gillnet fishing nations include Iran, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Oman and Yemen.
Cetacean bycatch must be large, but is poorly documented. A rough estimation,
based on the limited published information available, suggests that something
in excess of 60,000 small cetaceans might be taken as bycatch each year. There is
an urgent need for monitoring and management of these fisheries including the
development of mitigation methods to reduce cetacean bycatch. Large-scale gillnetting
on the high seas (using nets in excess of 2.5km length) is banned by both
UN convention and IOTC resolution, but is being carried out by Iran, Pakistan and
possibly also other countries; compliance is required. More generally, the large and
still expanding gillnet capacity within the region needs to be assessed, and if appropriate
either capped or reduced.
Purse seining in the western and central Indian Ocean is dominated by French and
Spanish fleets. An increasing proportion of sets is made on drifting fish aggregating
devices (FADs) but there has been, and continues to be, a considerable number of
sets made on free schools (i.e. non-FAD-associated tuna schools). Most cetaceans do
not regularly associate with FADs and the major potential cetacean interactions are
with free school sets. During 1981-1999, 9.6% of all sets were reported to have been
made in association with baleen whales, probably Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera
brydei). When encircled, most whales are reported to escape by breaking through
the net. Mortality is unknown, but may have been of the order of 10s annually. The
association of free schools of large yellowfin tuna with dolphins (mostly spotted
dolphins Stenella attenuata and spinner dolphins Stenella longrostris) is more contentious.
This association (which is common in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and is
exploited by the purse seine fishery there) has always been reported to be rare in the
western Indian Ocean. However, the tuna-dolphin association is common in many
coastal areas of the region and widespread in the high seas of the western Indian
Ocean north of 10°S. Setting on dolphin schools has been also reported to be rare,
but its true scale is questioned. Setting on cetaceans has recently been banned by
EU regulation (2007) and IOTC resolution (2013), so cetacean bycatch and mortality
should be much reduced in the future. 100% coverage by international observers
would be ideal.
Longline fisheries were dominated for several decades by East Asian nations, but
now increasing catches are made by coastal countries, notably India, Sri Lanka and
Seychelles. A major issue for longliners is depredation – removal of bait and damage
of hooked fish by sharks and cetaceans. Several species of cetacean have been
implicated, but the main one appears to be the false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens).
There is also some entanglement of cetaceans in longlines (likely following
attempts at depredation). Development of mitigation measures is on-going and
needs to be continued. It is possible that some longline fishermen are deliberately
killing cetaceans.
Several coastal countries have handline fisheries for large yellowfin tuna, which fishermen
locate by their association with dolphins (mainly spotted and spinner dolphins).
There is anecdotal evidence that some dolphins are hooked. Although they
invariably break free or are released, the scale of any post-release mortality or of
sub-lethal impacts is unknown. From the Maldivian pole-and-line fishery, there are
reports of dolphins (probably Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops aduncus)
taking fish attracted by the lights used during night bait fishing. The scale and potential
impacts of these interactions require assessment.
There has been a widespread failure to monitor and manage cetacean bycatch in
Indian Ocean tuna fisheries, and to develop and implement mitigation measures.
The enormous, and still growing, gillnet capacity in the region should be of particular
concern. There is a need for increased observer coverage of all fisheries, supplemented
by electronic monitoring. Fishery-independent surveys of cetacean distribution
and abundance in the western Indian Ocean are also required to inform
management.
dolphins) and tuna fisheries in the western and central Indian Ocean. The average
annual catch of tuna and related species in the Indian Ocean was just over 1.5 million
tonnes during 2008-12. Of this, almost 1.1 million tonnes (71%) came from the
western and central Indian Ocean. The main fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species
in the region are gillnet (40% of reported catch during 2008-12), purse seine (26%),
longline (12%), handline and troll (11%) and pole-and-line (9%).
Major gillnet fishing nations include Iran, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Oman and Yemen.
Cetacean bycatch must be large, but is poorly documented. A rough estimation,
based on the limited published information available, suggests that something
in excess of 60,000 small cetaceans might be taken as bycatch each year. There is
an urgent need for monitoring and management of these fisheries including the
development of mitigation methods to reduce cetacean bycatch. Large-scale gillnetting
on the high seas (using nets in excess of 2.5km length) is banned by both
UN convention and IOTC resolution, but is being carried out by Iran, Pakistan and
possibly also other countries; compliance is required. More generally, the large and
still expanding gillnet capacity within the region needs to be assessed, and if appropriate
either capped or reduced.
Purse seining in the western and central Indian Ocean is dominated by French and
Spanish fleets. An increasing proportion of sets is made on drifting fish aggregating
devices (FADs) but there has been, and continues to be, a considerable number of
sets made on free schools (i.e. non-FAD-associated tuna schools). Most cetaceans do
not regularly associate with FADs and the major potential cetacean interactions are
with free school sets. During 1981-1999, 9.6% of all sets were reported to have been
made in association with baleen whales, probably Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera
brydei). When encircled, most whales are reported to escape by breaking through
the net. Mortality is unknown, but may have been of the order of 10s annually. The
association of free schools of large yellowfin tuna with dolphins (mostly spotted
dolphins Stenella attenuata and spinner dolphins Stenella longrostris) is more contentious.
This association (which is common in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and is
exploited by the purse seine fishery there) has always been reported to be rare in the
western Indian Ocean. However, the tuna-dolphin association is common in many
coastal areas of the region and widespread in the high seas of the western Indian
Ocean north of 10°S. Setting on dolphin schools has been also reported to be rare,
but its true scale is questioned. Setting on cetaceans has recently been banned by
EU regulation (2007) and IOTC resolution (2013), so cetacean bycatch and mortality
should be much reduced in the future. 100% coverage by international observers
would be ideal.
Longline fisheries were dominated for several decades by East Asian nations, but
now increasing catches are made by coastal countries, notably India, Sri Lanka and
Seychelles. A major issue for longliners is depredation – removal of bait and damage
of hooked fish by sharks and cetaceans. Several species of cetacean have been
implicated, but the main one appears to be the false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens).
There is also some entanglement of cetaceans in longlines (likely following
attempts at depredation). Development of mitigation measures is on-going and
needs to be continued. It is possible that some longline fishermen are deliberately
killing cetaceans.
Several coastal countries have handline fisheries for large yellowfin tuna, which fishermen
locate by their association with dolphins (mainly spotted and spinner dolphins).
There is anecdotal evidence that some dolphins are hooked. Although they
invariably break free or are released, the scale of any post-release mortality or of
sub-lethal impacts is unknown. From the Maldivian pole-and-line fishery, there are
reports of dolphins (probably Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops aduncus)
taking fish attracted by the lights used during night bait fishing. The scale and potential
impacts of these interactions require assessment.
There has been a widespread failure to monitor and manage cetacean bycatch in
Indian Ocean tuna fisheries, and to develop and implement mitigation measures.
The enormous, and still growing, gillnet capacity in the region should be of particular
concern. There is a need for increased observer coverage of all fisheries, supplemented
by electronic monitoring. Fishery-independent surveys of cetacean distribution
and abundance in the western Indian Ocean are also required to inform
management.
Birkun Jr, A,Northridge, S,Willsteed, E.A.,James, F.A.,Kilgour, C.,Lander, M.,Fitzgerald, G.D.
Studies for Carrying Out the Common Fisheries Policy: Adverse Fisheries Impacts on Cetacean Populations in the Black Sea. Final report to the European Commission Technical Report
no. 329, 2014.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: black sea, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, management, mitigation
@techreport{,
title = { Studies for Carrying Out the Common Fisheries Policy: Adverse Fisheries Impacts on Cetacean Populations in the Black Sea. Final report to the European Commission},
author = {Birkun Jr, A,Northridge, S,Willsteed, E.A.,James, F.A.,Kilgour, C.,Lander, M.,Fitzgerald, G.D.},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
number = {329},
pages = {347},
abstract = {Four tasks were completed to achieve the objective of providing the European Commission with: an
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets. },
keywords = {black sea, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, management, mitigation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Four tasks were completed to achieve the objective of providing the European Commission with: an
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets.
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets.
Birkun Jr, A,Northridge, S,Willsteed, E.A.,James, F.A.,Kilgour, C.,Lander, M.,Fitzgerald, G.D.
Studies for Carrying Out the Common Fisheries Policy: Adverse Fisheries Impacts on Cetacean Populations in the Black Sea. Final report to the European Commission Technical Report
no. 329, 2014.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: black sea, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, management, mitigation
@techreport{,
title = { Studies for Carrying Out the Common Fisheries Policy: Adverse Fisheries Impacts on Cetacean Populations in the Black Sea. Final report to the European Commission},
author = {Birkun Jr, A,Northridge, S,Willsteed, E.A.,James, F.A.,Kilgour, C.,Lander, M.,Fitzgerald, G.D.},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
number = {329},
pages = {347},
abstract = {Four tasks were completed to achieve the objective of providing the European Commission with: an
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets. },
keywords = {black sea, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, management, mitigation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Four tasks were completed to achieve the objective of providing the European Commission with: an
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets.
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets.
Birkun Jr, A,Northridge, S,Willsteed, E.A.,James, F.A.,Kilgour, C.,Lander, M.,Fitzgerald, G.D.
Studies for Carrying Out the Common Fisheries Policy: Adverse Fisheries Impacts on Cetacean Populations in the Black Sea. Final report to the European Commission Technical Report
no. 329, 2014.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: black sea, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, management, mitigation
@techreport{,
title = { Studies for Carrying Out the Common Fisheries Policy: Adverse Fisheries Impacts on Cetacean Populations in the Black Sea. Final report to the European Commission},
author = {Birkun Jr, A,Northridge, S,Willsteed, E.A.,James, F.A.,Kilgour, C.,Lander, M.,Fitzgerald, G.D.},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
number = {329},
pages = {347},
abstract = {Four tasks were completed to achieve the objective of providing the European Commission with: an
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets. },
keywords = {black sea, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, management, mitigation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Four tasks were completed to achieve the objective of providing the European Commission with: an
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets.
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets.
Birkun Jr, A,Northridge, S,Willsteed, E.A.,James, F.A.,Kilgour, C.,Lander, M.,Fitzgerald, G.D.
Studies for Carrying Out the Common Fisheries Policy: Adverse Fisheries Impacts on Cetacean Populations in the Black Sea. Final report to the European Commission Technical Report
no. 329, 2014.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: black sea, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, management, mitigation
@techreport{,
title = { Studies for Carrying Out the Common Fisheries Policy: Adverse Fisheries Impacts on Cetacean Populations in the Black Sea. Final report to the European Commission},
author = {Birkun Jr, A,Northridge, S,Willsteed, E.A.,James, F.A.,Kilgour, C.,Lander, M.,Fitzgerald, G.D.},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
number = {329},
pages = {347},
abstract = {Four tasks were completed to achieve the objective of providing the European Commission with: an
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets. },
keywords = {black sea, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, management, mitigation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Four tasks were completed to achieve the objective of providing the European Commission with: an
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets.
analysis of historical and current status of cetacean populations in the western Black Sea; qualitative and
quantitative assessments of their by-catch in Black Sea fisheries by fishery and fishing gear; and the
provision of recommendations for measures to reduce by-catch in fisheries identified as having high rates
of by-catch. A summary of work achieved for each task follows.
A review and analysis of all national and international legislation aiming at the protection and
conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea was completed, including the identification of gaps in the
legislation. A rapid assessment of the capacity of existing national fisheries legislation in Bulgaria,
Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in context of cetacean conservation was also completed. Questionnaires
were distributed to national authorities and experts to develop a list of domestic legal tools. To determine
the awareness of fishermen regarding national legislation designed to protect cetaceans, a questionnaire
was distributed to leaders of fishing cooperatives in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Recommendations regarding improvement of national legislation and its implementation in the Black Sea
were developed.
New data from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine was collected and a review of existing information
from all coastal States on harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins in the Black Sea
was completed. Information was reviewed to determine the existing state of knowledge of Black Sea
cetaceans and their interactions with fisheries historically and currently. This involved the consolidation
of existing datasets on cetacean abundance and distribution, and by-catch records from Black Sea coastal
states. To provide information on fishing capacity and effort, surveys were conducted at representative
fishing harbours in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. In conjunction with the surveys, interviews
were held with fishermen to provide information about perceptions of by-catch, by-catch rates in
different gear types and seasonality of by-catch. This information was combined with the historical
information to enable the assessment of fisheries and fishing gears associated with adverse impacts on
cetacean populations. Estimation of bycatch rates were developed and are presented in this report. The
virtual absence of information on smaller fishing vessels in Black Sea coastal states surveyed necessitated
a change in approach to surveying and leads to uncertainties about the accuracy of fleet effort estimates.
Together with the paucity of observed by-catch records, estimates of by-catch are subject to significant
caveats are should be used with caution in the absence of further data to improve confidence in the
estimates.
Surveys of cetacean population distribution and abundance were completed for the western Black Sea,
including the waters of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Aerial and boat surveys were completed using
the accepted double-platform method of observation. Both the aircraft and vessel underwent
modifications prior to surveying to support this method of surveying. An additional opportunistic survey
was completed using ferry routes between Ukraine and Georgia to provide a snapshot of populations in
the eastern waters. National permits were obtained for surveying after a lengthy process and an
international team of observers was recruited and trained. Records of cetacean sightings, distances,
angles and concomitant data were collected and stored prior to analysis using Distance 6.0 to derive
estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution in the western Black Sea and to provide crude estimates
for the Black Sea.
Finally, to provide a draft regional strategy for improving cetacean conservation in the Black Sea, a critical
review of global existing approaches and methods to prevent and mitigate cetacean by-catch was
completed, measures were identified in context of the Black Sea to reduce the problem, and a draft
strategy was developed, which is presented in this report.
RESULTS
s, the review of legislation indicates that there is sufficient legislation in place,
particularly within Member State jurisdictions, to research, assess and manage pressures and threats to
cetacean species, and to designate SACs. Strengthening the capacity of the Member States and the
coordination and capacity of regional bodies to implement legislation and to conduct the required
research would appear to be more appropriate than the determination and enactment of additional
legislative instruments.
For most of the 20th century, mass commercial killing remained the principal human activity affecting
Black Sea cetaceans. Purse-seining and shooting were the two principal methods used to capture and kill cetaceans in the Black
Sea cetacean fisheries. Between these two fishery methods, it is commonly acknowledged that the Black
Sea cetacean populations were strongly reduced and that perhaps they have not recovered until recently.
Poaching (illegal, unreported or unregulated – IUU – fishing) is one of the major environmental, economic
and social problems concerning the entire Black Sea region.
More generally, by-catches in fishing gear constitute the major source of human-induced mortality of
Black Sea cetaceans. Porpoises almost always dominate by-catches (often >90% of annual
estimates) when compared to by-catches of common and bottlenose dolphins. With regards to fishing
gear type, bottom set gillnets for turbot are always recorded as the greatest threat to cetaceans although
spiny dogfish set nets are also reported to be a problem.
The
Conservation Plan also draws on various recommendations from regional forums. Generally, five broad
approaches are required, in parallel which encompass specific conservation actions. These approaches
include: 1) Refinement of information on spatial, temporal and metier specific by-catch rates to further
identify areas, seasons and fishery types for focused by-catch mitigation, including a better understanding
of the rates at which each species is taken by each fishery. 2) Improved information of fleet dynamics and
effort. 3) Implementation of by-catch mitigation strategies where there are already obvious requirements.
4) Further investigation of the population dynamics, distribution, density and migration patterns of the
three species of concern. 5) The building or improvement of a management organisation to deliver on
conservation goals, shared management, fleet documentation, training and outreach. The most urgent
action was identified as eliminating illegal fishing for turbot with gillnets.
Hall, Martin ,Román-Verdesoto, Marlon
Bycatch and Non-Tuna Catch in the Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fisheries of the World Technical Report
no. 382, 2013.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bycatch, FAO, non-tuna fisheries, tuna fisheries
@techreport{,
title = {Bycatch and Non-Tuna Catch in the Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fisheries of the World},
author = {Hall, Martin ,Román-Verdesoto, Marlon},
url = {http://www.fao.org/3/i2743e/i2743e.pdf},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-01-01},
journal = {FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper},
number = {382},
pages = {262},
publisher = {FAO},
keywords = {Bycatch, FAO, non-tuna fisheries, tuna fisheries},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Moore, AlecB M.
Elasmobranchs of the Persian (Arabian) Gulf: ecology, human aspects and research priorities for their improved management Journal Article
In: Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, vol. 22, no. 172, pp. 35-61, 2012, ISBN: 0960-3166.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: Batoids, Bycatch, Chondrichthyes, conservation, Fisheries, Middle East, Sharks, Western Indian Ocean
@article{,
title = {Elasmobranchs of the Persian (Arabian) Gulf: ecology, human aspects and research priorities for their improved management},
author = {Moore, AlecB M.},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11160-011-9222-x},
issn = {0960-3166},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-01-01},
journal = {Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries},
volume = {22},
number = {172},
pages = {35-61},
publisher = {Springer Netherlands},
keywords = {Batoids, Bycatch, Chondrichthyes, conservation, Fisheries, Middle East, Sharks, Western Indian Ocean},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Romanov, Evgeny V
Bycatch in the tuna purse-seine fisheries of the western Indian Ocean Journal Article
In: Fishery Bulletin, vol. 100, no. 455, pp. 90-105, 2002, ISBN: 0090-0656.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: balaenoptera, Bryde’s whale, Bycatch, Indian Ocean, purse-Seine, tuna fishery
@article{,
title = {Bycatch in the tuna purse-seine fisheries of the western Indian Ocean},
author = {Romanov, Evgeny V},
issn = {0090-0656},
year = {2002},
date = {2002-01-01},
journal = {Fishery Bulletin},
volume = {100},
number = {455},
pages = {90-105},
abstract = {Bycatch taken by the tuna purse-seine fishery from the Indian Ocean pelagic ecosystem was estimated from data collected by scientific observers aboard Soviet purse seiners in the western Indian Ocean (WIO) during 1986–92. A total of 494 sets on free-swimming schools, whale-shark-associated schools, whale-associated schools, and log-associated schools were analyzed. More than 40 fish species and other marine animals were recorded. Among them only two species, yellow-fin and skipjack tunas, were target species. Average levels of bycatch were 0.518 metric tons (t) per set, and 27.1 t per 1000 t of target species. The total annual purse-seine catch of yellowfin and skipjack tunas by principal fishing nations in the WIO during 1985–94 was 118,000–277,000 t. Nonrecorded annual bycatch for this period was estimated at 944–2270 t of pelagic oceanic sharks, 720–1877 t of rainbow runners, 705–1836 t of dolphinfishes, 507–1322 t of triggerfishes, 113–294 t of wahoo, 104–251 t of billfishes, 53–112 t of mobulas and mantas, 35–89 t of mackerel scad, 9–24 t of barracudas, and 67–174 t of other fishes. In addition, turtle bycatch and whale mortalities may have occurred. Because the bycatches were not recorded by some purse-seine vessels, it was not possible to assess the full impact of the fisheries on the pelagic ecosystem of the Indian Ocean. The first step to solving this problem is for the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission to establish a pro-gram in which scientific observers are placed on board tuna purse-seine and longline vessels fishing in the WIO.},
keywords = {balaenoptera, Bryde’s whale, Bycatch, Indian Ocean, purse-Seine, tuna fishery},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Bycatch taken by the tuna purse-seine fishery from the Indian Ocean pelagic ecosystem was estimated from data collected by scientific observers aboard Soviet purse seiners in the western Indian Ocean (WIO) during 1986–92. A total of 494 sets on free-swimming schools, whale-shark-associated schools, whale-associated schools, and log-associated schools were analyzed. More than 40 fish species and other marine animals were recorded. Among them only two species, yellow-fin and skipjack tunas, were target species. Average levels of bycatch were 0.518 metric tons (t) per set, and 27.1 t per 1000 t of target species. The total annual purse-seine catch of yellowfin and skipjack tunas by principal fishing nations in the WIO during 1985–94 was 118,000–277,000 t. Nonrecorded annual bycatch for this period was estimated at 944–2270 t of pelagic oceanic sharks, 720–1877 t of rainbow runners, 705–1836 t of dolphinfishes, 507–1322 t of triggerfishes, 113–294 t of wahoo, 104–251 t of billfishes, 53–112 t of mobulas and mantas, 35–89 t of mackerel scad, 9–24 t of barracudas, and 67–174 t of other fishes. In addition, turtle bycatch and whale mortalities may have occurred. Because the bycatches were not recorded by some purse-seine vessels, it was not possible to assess the full impact of the fisheries on the pelagic ecosystem of the Indian Ocean. The first step to solving this problem is for the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission to establish a pro-gram in which scientific observers are placed on board tuna purse-seine and longline vessels fishing in the WIO.