Nanayakkara, Ranil P.,Herath, Jayampathi,de Mel, Ruvinda K.
Cetacean Presence in the Trincomalee Bay and Adjacent Waters, Sri Lanka Journal Article
In: Journal of Marine Biology, vol. 2014, no. 180, pp. 819263, 2014, ISBN: 2633-4666.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, balaenoptera edeni, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, Bryde’s whale, Distribution, diversity, Indian Ocean, Physeter macrocephalus, sperm whale, Spinner dolphin, Sri Lanka, Stenella longirostris
@article{,
title = {Cetacean Presence in the Trincomalee Bay and Adjacent Waters, Sri Lanka},
author = {Nanayakkara, Ranil P.,Herath, Jayampathi,de Mel, Ruvinda K.},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/819263},
issn = {2633-4666},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Marine Biology},
volume = {2014},
number = {180},
pages = {819263},
publisher = {Hindawi Publishing Corporation},
abstract = {In Sri Lanka thirty species of cetaceans have been recorded to date. The canyon at Trincomalee bay is a multiple submarine canyon complex and anecdotal reports suggest that the Trincomalee bay and its adjacent waters are utilised by a number of cetacean species. Though Cetaceans are known to be abundant in the waters off Trincomalee there is a dearth of research and data pertaining to the abundance and species frequenting the Trincomalee bay and its adjacent waters. As such the current study was initiated, to get a consensus of the abundance and occurrences of species in Trincomalee Bay and its adjacent waters. Field surveys were carried out for 19 months and the research platform was a 35-foot commercial fishing vessel. 177 cetacean encounters were recorded on 67 of the 75 field days. Remarkably a total of 11 species of cetaceans which composed of two species of Baleen Whales and nine species of Toothed Whales were recorded. Delphinidae was the most common family recorded, followed by Balaenopteridae, Ziphiidae, Physeteridae, and Kogiidae. Spinner Dolphins were the most abundant cetacean owing to the large pods observed and the regularity of the sightings. They were the only species seen feeding/traveling with birds and fish (tuna). Sperm Whales, Blue Whales, and Bryde’s Whales were also relatively common. Two records of interspecific association between cetaceans were recorded. The increase in the human population in the study area has resulted in the overexploitation of marine resources which has dire repercussions on the marine mammal communities found in these waters.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, balaenoptera edeni, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, Bryde’s whale, Distribution, diversity, Indian Ocean, Physeter macrocephalus, sperm whale, Spinner dolphin, Sri Lanka, Stenella longirostris},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In Sri Lanka thirty species of cetaceans have been recorded to date. The canyon at Trincomalee bay is a multiple submarine canyon complex and anecdotal reports suggest that the Trincomalee bay and its adjacent waters are utilised by a number of cetacean species. Though Cetaceans are known to be abundant in the waters off Trincomalee there is a dearth of research and data pertaining to the abundance and species frequenting the Trincomalee bay and its adjacent waters. As such the current study was initiated, to get a consensus of the abundance and occurrences of species in Trincomalee Bay and its adjacent waters. Field surveys were carried out for 19 months and the research platform was a 35-foot commercial fishing vessel. 177 cetacean encounters were recorded on 67 of the 75 field days. Remarkably a total of 11 species of cetaceans which composed of two species of Baleen Whales and nine species of Toothed Whales were recorded. Delphinidae was the most common family recorded, followed by Balaenopteridae, Ziphiidae, Physeteridae, and Kogiidae. Spinner Dolphins were the most abundant cetacean owing to the large pods observed and the regularity of the sightings. They were the only species seen feeding/traveling with birds and fish (tuna). Sperm Whales, Blue Whales, and Bryde’s Whales were also relatively common. Two records of interspecific association between cetaceans were recorded. The increase in the human population in the study area has resulted in the overexploitation of marine resources which has dire repercussions on the marine mammal communities found in these waters.
Braulik,G.,Ranjbar,S.,Owfi,F.,Aminrad,T.,Dakhteh,S.M.H.,Kamrani,E.,Mohsenizadeh,F.
Marine Mammal Records from Iran Journal Article
In: Journal of Cetacean Research and Management, vol. 11, no. 334, pp. 49-63, 2010.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: abundance, bottlenose dolphin, Bryde's whale, Common dolphin, conservation, Distribution, dolphin, dugong, fin whale, Finless Porpoise, fishing gear, Gulf of Oman, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, incidental capture, killer whale, location, mammals, management, marine, marine mammal, Marine mammals, mortality, mysticete, mysticetes, Oman, Porpoise, Risso's dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, Spinner dolphin, whale, whales
@article{,
title = {Marine Mammal Records from Iran},
author = {Braulik,G.,Ranjbar,S.,Owfi,F.,Aminrad,T.,Dakhteh,S.M.H.,Kamrani,E.,Mohsenizadeh,F.},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Cetacean Research and Management},
volume = {11},
number = {334},
pages = {49-63},
abstract = {A total of 114 marine mammal records of 14 species were compiled from Iranian coastalwaters of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Eighty-one were from the Persian Gulf, 23from the Gulf of Oman and 10 were of unknown location. Records of finless porpoise(Neophocaena phocaenoides) (24), Indo-pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) (22)and Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) (21) were by far the most numerousa probable reflection of their inshore distribution and local abundance. Other speciesrecorded were common dolphin (Delphinus capensis tropicalis), rough-toothed dolphin(Steno bredanensis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), spinner dolphin (Stenellalongirostris), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens),sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and dugong (Dugong dugon). Records of 24Mysticetes were compiled, 11 of which were tentatively identified as Bryde's whales(Balaenoptera edeni), three as Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), three as Humpbackwhales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the remainder were unidentified. The largest threat tomarine mammals in Iran is likely to be incidental capture in fishing gear. Nine finlessporpoises were recorded as bycatch and this and other coastal species may be declining dueto unsustainable mortality rates. Other threats to the marine environment are discussed andrecommended marine mammal conservation and management small projects are described.},
keywords = {abundance, bottlenose dolphin, Bryde's whale, Common dolphin, conservation, Distribution, dolphin, dugong, fin whale, Finless Porpoise, fishing gear, Gulf of Oman, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, incidental capture, killer whale, location, mammals, management, marine, marine mammal, Marine mammals, mortality, mysticete, mysticetes, Oman, Porpoise, Risso's dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, Spinner dolphin, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A total of 114 marine mammal records of 14 species were compiled from Iranian coastalwaters of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Eighty-one were from the Persian Gulf, 23from the Gulf of Oman and 10 were of unknown location. Records of finless porpoise(Neophocaena phocaenoides) (24), Indo-pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) (22)and Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) (21) were by far the most numerousa probable reflection of their inshore distribution and local abundance. Other speciesrecorded were common dolphin (Delphinus capensis tropicalis), rough-toothed dolphin(Steno bredanensis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), spinner dolphin (Stenellalongirostris), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens),sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and dugong (Dugong dugon). Records of 24Mysticetes were compiled, 11 of which were tentatively identified as Bryde's whales(Balaenoptera edeni), three as Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), three as Humpbackwhales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the remainder were unidentified. The largest threat tomarine mammals in Iran is likely to be incidental capture in fishing gear. Nine finlessporpoises were recorded as bycatch and this and other coastal species may be declining dueto unsustainable mortality rates. Other threats to the marine environment are discussed andrecommended marine mammal conservation and management small projects are described.
Braulik, G.,Savadkouhi, O.S.,Fadakar, S.,Mohammadi, H.,Brownell Jr, R.L.,Reeves, R. R.,Nabavi, M.B.,Fernandez, A.
A retropsective investigation of two dolphin mass mortality events in Iran, autumn 2007 Journal Article
In: Zoology in the Middle East, vol. 49, no. 335, pp. 13-26, 2010.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Gulf, cetaceans, Gulf of Oman, Iran, mass mortality, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, stranding
@article{,
title = {A retropsective investigation of two dolphin mass mortality events in Iran, autumn 2007},
author = {Braulik, G.,Savadkouhi, O.S.,Fadakar, S.,Mohammadi, H.,Brownell Jr, R.L.,Reeves, R. R.,Nabavi, M.B.,Fernandez, A.},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {Zoology in the Middle East},
volume = {49},
number = {335},
pages = {13-26},
abstract = {During the autumn of 2007, two mass mortality events involving at least 152 small cetaceans were reported from southern Iran. Both events occurred on the Gulf of Oman coast near the town of Bandar Jask, and were separated by a month in time and more than 170 km in distance.
The first event, on 20 September 2007, involved 79 animals, probably all spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). Dead animals, all exhibiting a similar degree of decomposition, drifted to shore along 13 km of coastline over a period of approximately 24 hours. These circumstances suggest that the mortality was caused by a single acute event at sea. Several carcasses had evidence of traumatic injuries, the stranding event was spatially and temporally coincident with an active fishing ground, and other potentially bycaught and discarded species were found on the beach. This pattern is generally consistent with the hypothesis that the dolphin mortality was caused by fishing operations, although the available data are insufficient to confirm that hypothesis unequivocally.
On 24 October 2007 there was a mass stranding of 73 live striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). The striped dolphin is a pelagic species believed to be rare in the Gulf of Oman. The most likely explanation for this mass stranding is that the dolphin group was trapped by a falling tide among the complex sandbanks of the Kangan estuary. Striped dolphins are not normally found in shallow water or near shore, and their occurrence in this area is considered unusual. The factor or factors that caused them to enter this atypical habitat remain unknown.
The two mass mortality events involved different species and exhibited many different characteristics; there is no evidence to suggest that they were linked. As the cetacean fauna of Iran is little known, it is hoped that the great national and international interest generated by these events will enhance Iran’s capacity and motivation for research and conservation of marine mammals.},
keywords = {Arabian Gulf, cetaceans, Gulf of Oman, Iran, mass mortality, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, stranding},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
During the autumn of 2007, two mass mortality events involving at least 152 small cetaceans were reported from southern Iran. Both events occurred on the Gulf of Oman coast near the town of Bandar Jask, and were separated by a month in time and more than 170 km in distance.
The first event, on 20 September 2007, involved 79 animals, probably all spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). Dead animals, all exhibiting a similar degree of decomposition, drifted to shore along 13 km of coastline over a period of approximately 24 hours. These circumstances suggest that the mortality was caused by a single acute event at sea. Several carcasses had evidence of traumatic injuries, the stranding event was spatially and temporally coincident with an active fishing ground, and other potentially bycaught and discarded species were found on the beach. This pattern is generally consistent with the hypothesis that the dolphin mortality was caused by fishing operations, although the available data are insufficient to confirm that hypothesis unequivocally.
On 24 October 2007 there was a mass stranding of 73 live striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). The striped dolphin is a pelagic species believed to be rare in the Gulf of Oman. The most likely explanation for this mass stranding is that the dolphin group was trapped by a falling tide among the complex sandbanks of the Kangan estuary. Striped dolphins are not normally found in shallow water or near shore, and their occurrence in this area is considered unusual. The factor or factors that caused them to enter this atypical habitat remain unknown.
The two mass mortality events involved different species and exhibited many different characteristics; there is no evidence to suggest that they were linked. As the cetacean fauna of Iran is little known, it is hoped that the great national and international interest generated by these events will enhance Iran’s capacity and motivation for research and conservation of marine mammals.
The first event, on 20 September 2007, involved 79 animals, probably all spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). Dead animals, all exhibiting a similar degree of decomposition, drifted to shore along 13 km of coastline over a period of approximately 24 hours. These circumstances suggest that the mortality was caused by a single acute event at sea. Several carcasses had evidence of traumatic injuries, the stranding event was spatially and temporally coincident with an active fishing ground, and other potentially bycaught and discarded species were found on the beach. This pattern is generally consistent with the hypothesis that the dolphin mortality was caused by fishing operations, although the available data are insufficient to confirm that hypothesis unequivocally.
On 24 October 2007 there was a mass stranding of 73 live striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). The striped dolphin is a pelagic species believed to be rare in the Gulf of Oman. The most likely explanation for this mass stranding is that the dolphin group was trapped by a falling tide among the complex sandbanks of the Kangan estuary. Striped dolphins are not normally found in shallow water or near shore, and their occurrence in this area is considered unusual. The factor or factors that caused them to enter this atypical habitat remain unknown.
The two mass mortality events involved different species and exhibited many different characteristics; there is no evidence to suggest that they were linked. As the cetacean fauna of Iran is little known, it is hoped that the great national and international interest generated by these events will enhance Iran’s capacity and motivation for research and conservation of marine mammals.
Gheilani, H.M.,Jayabalan, N.
Sighting of Whales and Dolphins in the Arabian Sea off Oman during 2007-2008 Journal Article
In: Environment and Ecology, vol. 28, no. 378, pp. 2768—2776, 2010.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Common dolphin, Distribution, Gulf of Oman, Humpback Whale, Oman, Orca, Spinner dolphin
@article{,
title = {Sighting of Whales and Dolphins in the Arabian Sea off Oman during 2007-2008},
author = {Gheilani, H.M.,Jayabalan, N.},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {Environment and Ecology},
volume = {28},
number = {378},
pages = {2768—2776},
abstract = {During the fishery survey cruises of R. V. Al Mustaqila 1 conducted in the Arabian Sea EEZ of Oman
between September 2007 and September 2008, three species of whales such as humpback whale (Megaptera
novaeagliae), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and killer whale (Orcinus orca) and, two species of
dolphins, namely the long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and spinner dolphin (Stenella
longirostris) were recorded along with few unidentified whales and dolphins. Most whale sightings (85%)
were recorded between Ras al Hadd to Ras Madrakah at depths ranging from 20 m to 200 m during April,
May, September—November usually with 1—6 individuals. The seasons of sighting of dolphins were during
February and May (17 sightinga) and September and November (11 sightings) between Ras al Hadd and Ras
Soqarah and 70% of the sightings recorded less than 100 individuals. While the temperature of the water in
the survey ranged from 18.4 C to 24.7 C, there was less variation in salinity (35.68, 36.62 ppt) of the
water. The current study indicated that the Arabian Sea off Oman is an important site for the distribution
of the ceatacean fauna.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Common dolphin, Distribution, Gulf of Oman, Humpback Whale, Oman, Orca, Spinner dolphin},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
During the fishery survey cruises of R. V. Al Mustaqila 1 conducted in the Arabian Sea EEZ of Oman
between September 2007 and September 2008, three species of whales such as humpback whale (Megaptera
novaeagliae), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and killer whale (Orcinus orca) and, two species of
dolphins, namely the long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and spinner dolphin (Stenella
longirostris) were recorded along with few unidentified whales and dolphins. Most whale sightings (85%)
were recorded between Ras al Hadd to Ras Madrakah at depths ranging from 20 m to 200 m during April,
May, September—November usually with 1—6 individuals. The seasons of sighting of dolphins were during
February and May (17 sightinga) and September and November (11 sightings) between Ras al Hadd and Ras
Soqarah and 70% of the sightings recorded less than 100 individuals. While the temperature of the water in
the survey ranged from 18.4 C to 24.7 C, there was less variation in salinity (35.68, 36.62 ppt) of the
water. The current study indicated that the Arabian Sea off Oman is an important site for the distribution
of the ceatacean fauna.
between September 2007 and September 2008, three species of whales such as humpback whale (Megaptera
novaeagliae), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and killer whale (Orcinus orca) and, two species of
dolphins, namely the long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and spinner dolphin (Stenella
longirostris) were recorded along with few unidentified whales and dolphins. Most whale sightings (85%)
were recorded between Ras al Hadd to Ras Madrakah at depths ranging from 20 m to 200 m during April,
May, September—November usually with 1—6 individuals. The seasons of sighting of dolphins were during
February and May (17 sightinga) and September and November (11 sightings) between Ras al Hadd and Ras
Soqarah and 70% of the sightings recorded less than 100 individuals. While the temperature of the water in
the survey ranged from 18.4 C to 24.7 C, there was less variation in salinity (35.68, 36.62 ppt) of the
water. The current study indicated that the Arabian Sea off Oman is an important site for the distribution
of the ceatacean fauna.
Ellison, K.
The wrong spin on dolphins Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Ecology, vol. 7, no. 366, pp. 452, 2009.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: disturbance, Dolphin assisted therapy, dolphin watching, Hawaii, regulations, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, Threats
@article{,
title = {The wrong spin on dolphins},
author = {Ellison, K.},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
journal = {Frontiers in Ecology},
volume = {7},
number = {366},
pages = {452},
abstract = {I was kayaking in a bay along Hawai’i’s Big Island when they surfaced: an undulating line of fins that suggested
why so many ancient explorers believed in sea monsters. The pod of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) looked like
nothing so much as a dragon’s back, until one of the creatures leaped and twisted aloft, as if – it seemed to me, at least
– inviting admiration. My young son splashed into the water to swim with them, to my vicarious joy. Just seeing these wild creatures at such
close range was something we’d never forget. Only after returning to the pier did I notice the billboards posted by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Half-hidden, these urged visitors to stay at least 50
yards away from the dolphins, and never to approach them. The rule is more than reasonable. The dolphins hunt in
deep water by night, using the shallow bay – where it’s easier to spot predators – to rest. Dolphins can
nap even while they’re swimming together. In other words, we were paddling through their bedroom.
Nor were we alone. Half a dozen other kayaks and a noisy tour boat were also following the dolphin pod
that afternoon. While not endangered per se, these cetaceans are certainly at risk of being run ragged by misguided human affection. Take this
to the extreme and you get Joan Ocean and the Sirius Institute, both based on the Big Island. Ocean’s website
describes her as a psychologist, shaman, and “authority on the subject of Dolphin Tel-Empathic Communication”. She
runs week-long excursions – for $1795 – in which participants progress from swimming with dolphins to “merging
with their group mind, their patterns of higher consciousness, and their telepathic visions and loving messages”.
(Incidentally, Ocean has recently branched out into reporting on her alleged encounters with “Sasquatch”.) Several years ago, Ocean was charged and fined under a
federal statute prohibiting harassment of marine mammals. Yet according to Jayne LeFors, NOAA’s point woman for
dolphin protection in Hawai’i, the fine amounted to less than the revenue generated by one seminar participant, and,
understandably, wasn’t much of a deterrent. The similarly fervent Sirius Institute champions the “dolphinization
of the planet”. Among other activities, it has developed a center for women to give birth underwater,
“assisted” by dolphins. The institute’s cofounder, Paradise Newland, says she gave birth to her own son while surrounded
by dolphins, and maintains that a dolphin healed the injured vertebrae in her neck with its sonar.
Reports of such “dolphin-assisted therapy” are increasing worldwide, despite strong indications that many of them
amount to dangerous wishful thinking. The internet is brimming with stories of dolphins supposedly mitigating symptoms of disorders,
including cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, and autism. But in 2007, writing in Anthrozoös, the journal of the
International Society for Anthrozoology, two Emory University researchers warned that the trend is a “lose–lose”
proposition for both people and dolphins. They concluded that no valid evidence exists for any long-term benefit from
the therapy, while people who spend thousands of dollars to interact with dolphins not only lose money but put themselves
and the dolphins at risk of injury and infection. According to LeFors, Hawai’i’s dolphin-loving commerce has intensified in recent years, for several reasons. The law
meant to shield the creatures is not only toothless, but vexingly vague. As LeFors explained, “harassment” – defined as pursuit,
torment, and annoyance – is difficult to prove. “You almost have to be in the mind of the dolphin to know if
it’s being tormented or annoyed”, she added wearily. Furthermore, the dolphins may in fact approach swimmers
or boats in a seemingly playful manner, which LeFors compares to a child staying up watching videos,
long after bedtime. “They don’t necessarily know what’s good for them”, she explained. Another problem is a lack of data pointing to harm from
these activities. A 2006 study in Conservation Biology documented significant declines of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
truncatus) in Shark’s Bay, Australia, after several years of similar intrusions by tourists. LeFors suspects the Hawaiian
spinner dolphin population has also declined, a hunch that has led NOAA to commission research to explore this question.
Better data could help justify tighter restrictions. In 2004, Egypt set strict limits on swimming and boating in a
Red Sea bay frequented by spinner dolphins, after researchers demonstrated the toll from overenthusiastic
hordes of humans. As I learned to my embarrassment, it’s easy to misinterpret the charismatic dolphins. We see what we want to see, with
dolphins as with life. Where I’d anthropomorphically assumed their leaping in the air to be playful and friendly,
LeFors said it more likely meant they were annoyed at being disturbed. It’s a lot like that famous scene from The
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, in which the dolphins – after trying to warn humans about the planet’s impending
destruction, only to be cheered for their supposed antics – abruptly depart with},
keywords = {disturbance, Dolphin assisted therapy, dolphin watching, Hawaii, regulations, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, Threats},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
I was kayaking in a bay along Hawai’i’s Big Island when they surfaced: an undulating line of fins that suggested
why so many ancient explorers believed in sea monsters. The pod of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) looked like
nothing so much as a dragon’s back, until one of the creatures leaped and twisted aloft, as if – it seemed to me, at least
– inviting admiration. My young son splashed into the water to swim with them, to my vicarious joy. Just seeing these wild creatures at such
close range was something we’d never forget. Only after returning to the pier did I notice the billboards posted by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Half-hidden, these urged visitors to stay at least 50
yards away from the dolphins, and never to approach them. The rule is more than reasonable. The dolphins hunt in
deep water by night, using the shallow bay – where it’s easier to spot predators – to rest. Dolphins can
nap even while they’re swimming together. In other words, we were paddling through their bedroom.
Nor were we alone. Half a dozen other kayaks and a noisy tour boat were also following the dolphin pod
that afternoon. While not endangered per se, these cetaceans are certainly at risk of being run ragged by misguided human affection. Take this
to the extreme and you get Joan Ocean and the Sirius Institute, both based on the Big Island. Ocean’s website
describes her as a psychologist, shaman, and “authority on the subject of Dolphin Tel-Empathic Communication”. She
runs week-long excursions – for $1795 – in which participants progress from swimming with dolphins to “merging
with their group mind, their patterns of higher consciousness, and their telepathic visions and loving messages”.
(Incidentally, Ocean has recently branched out into reporting on her alleged encounters with “Sasquatch”.) Several years ago, Ocean was charged and fined under a
federal statute prohibiting harassment of marine mammals. Yet according to Jayne LeFors, NOAA’s point woman for
dolphin protection in Hawai’i, the fine amounted to less than the revenue generated by one seminar participant, and,
understandably, wasn’t much of a deterrent. The similarly fervent Sirius Institute champions the “dolphinization
of the planet”. Among other activities, it has developed a center for women to give birth underwater,
“assisted” by dolphins. The institute’s cofounder, Paradise Newland, says she gave birth to her own son while surrounded
by dolphins, and maintains that a dolphin healed the injured vertebrae in her neck with its sonar.
Reports of such “dolphin-assisted therapy” are increasing worldwide, despite strong indications that many of them
amount to dangerous wishful thinking. The internet is brimming with stories of dolphins supposedly mitigating symptoms of disorders,
including cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, and autism. But in 2007, writing in Anthrozoös, the journal of the
International Society for Anthrozoology, two Emory University researchers warned that the trend is a “lose–lose”
proposition for both people and dolphins. They concluded that no valid evidence exists for any long-term benefit from
the therapy, while people who spend thousands of dollars to interact with dolphins not only lose money but put themselves
and the dolphins at risk of injury and infection. According to LeFors, Hawai’i’s dolphin-loving commerce has intensified in recent years, for several reasons. The law
meant to shield the creatures is not only toothless, but vexingly vague. As LeFors explained, “harassment” – defined as pursuit,
torment, and annoyance – is difficult to prove. “You almost have to be in the mind of the dolphin to know if
it’s being tormented or annoyed”, she added wearily. Furthermore, the dolphins may in fact approach swimmers
or boats in a seemingly playful manner, which LeFors compares to a child staying up watching videos,
long after bedtime. “They don’t necessarily know what’s good for them”, she explained. Another problem is a lack of data pointing to harm from
these activities. A 2006 study in Conservation Biology documented significant declines of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
truncatus) in Shark’s Bay, Australia, after several years of similar intrusions by tourists. LeFors suspects the Hawaiian
spinner dolphin population has also declined, a hunch that has led NOAA to commission research to explore this question.
Better data could help justify tighter restrictions. In 2004, Egypt set strict limits on swimming and boating in a
Red Sea bay frequented by spinner dolphins, after researchers demonstrated the toll from overenthusiastic
hordes of humans. As I learned to my embarrassment, it’s easy to misinterpret the charismatic dolphins. We see what we want to see, with
dolphins as with life. Where I’d anthropomorphically assumed their leaping in the air to be playful and friendly,
LeFors said it more likely meant they were annoyed at being disturbed. It’s a lot like that famous scene from The
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, in which the dolphins – after trying to warn humans about the planet’s impending
destruction, only to be cheered for their supposed antics – abruptly depart with
why so many ancient explorers believed in sea monsters. The pod of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) looked like
nothing so much as a dragon’s back, until one of the creatures leaped and twisted aloft, as if – it seemed to me, at least
– inviting admiration. My young son splashed into the water to swim with them, to my vicarious joy. Just seeing these wild creatures at such
close range was something we’d never forget. Only after returning to the pier did I notice the billboards posted by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Half-hidden, these urged visitors to stay at least 50
yards away from the dolphins, and never to approach them. The rule is more than reasonable. The dolphins hunt in
deep water by night, using the shallow bay – where it’s easier to spot predators – to rest. Dolphins can
nap even while they’re swimming together. In other words, we were paddling through their bedroom.
Nor were we alone. Half a dozen other kayaks and a noisy tour boat were also following the dolphin pod
that afternoon. While not endangered per se, these cetaceans are certainly at risk of being run ragged by misguided human affection. Take this
to the extreme and you get Joan Ocean and the Sirius Institute, both based on the Big Island. Ocean’s website
describes her as a psychologist, shaman, and “authority on the subject of Dolphin Tel-Empathic Communication”. She
runs week-long excursions – for $1795 – in which participants progress from swimming with dolphins to “merging
with their group mind, their patterns of higher consciousness, and their telepathic visions and loving messages”.
(Incidentally, Ocean has recently branched out into reporting on her alleged encounters with “Sasquatch”.) Several years ago, Ocean was charged and fined under a
federal statute prohibiting harassment of marine mammals. Yet according to Jayne LeFors, NOAA’s point woman for
dolphin protection in Hawai’i, the fine amounted to less than the revenue generated by one seminar participant, and,
understandably, wasn’t much of a deterrent. The similarly fervent Sirius Institute champions the “dolphinization
of the planet”. Among other activities, it has developed a center for women to give birth underwater,
“assisted” by dolphins. The institute’s cofounder, Paradise Newland, says she gave birth to her own son while surrounded
by dolphins, and maintains that a dolphin healed the injured vertebrae in her neck with its sonar.
Reports of such “dolphin-assisted therapy” are increasing worldwide, despite strong indications that many of them
amount to dangerous wishful thinking. The internet is brimming with stories of dolphins supposedly mitigating symptoms of disorders,
including cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, and autism. But in 2007, writing in Anthrozoös, the journal of the
International Society for Anthrozoology, two Emory University researchers warned that the trend is a “lose–lose”
proposition for both people and dolphins. They concluded that no valid evidence exists for any long-term benefit from
the therapy, while people who spend thousands of dollars to interact with dolphins not only lose money but put themselves
and the dolphins at risk of injury and infection. According to LeFors, Hawai’i’s dolphin-loving commerce has intensified in recent years, for several reasons. The law
meant to shield the creatures is not only toothless, but vexingly vague. As LeFors explained, “harassment” – defined as pursuit,
torment, and annoyance – is difficult to prove. “You almost have to be in the mind of the dolphin to know if
it’s being tormented or annoyed”, she added wearily. Furthermore, the dolphins may in fact approach swimmers
or boats in a seemingly playful manner, which LeFors compares to a child staying up watching videos,
long after bedtime. “They don’t necessarily know what’s good for them”, she explained. Another problem is a lack of data pointing to harm from
these activities. A 2006 study in Conservation Biology documented significant declines of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
truncatus) in Shark’s Bay, Australia, after several years of similar intrusions by tourists. LeFors suspects the Hawaiian
spinner dolphin population has also declined, a hunch that has led NOAA to commission research to explore this question.
Better data could help justify tighter restrictions. In 2004, Egypt set strict limits on swimming and boating in a
Red Sea bay frequented by spinner dolphins, after researchers demonstrated the toll from overenthusiastic
hordes of humans. As I learned to my embarrassment, it’s easy to misinterpret the charismatic dolphins. We see what we want to see, with
dolphins as with life. Where I’d anthropomorphically assumed their leaping in the air to be playful and friendly,
LeFors said it more likely meant they were annoyed at being disturbed. It’s a lot like that famous scene from The
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, in which the dolphins – after trying to warn humans about the planet’s impending
destruction, only to be cheered for their supposed antics – abruptly depart with
Pande, Satish.,Sant, Niranjan.,Pednekar, Shivkumar.,Pradhan, M. S.
Definite records of Sperm Whale Journal Article
In: Journal of Threatened Taxa, vol. 1, no. 186, pp. 180-181, 2009.
BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, bottlenose dolphins, India, sperm whale, Spinner dolphin
@article{,
title = {Definite records of Sperm Whale },
author = {Pande, Satish.,Sant, Niranjan.,Pednekar, Shivkumar.,Pradhan, M. S.},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Threatened Taxa},
volume = {1},
number = {186},
pages = {180-181},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, bottlenose dolphins, India, sperm whale, Spinner dolphin},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Ponnampalam, L. S.
Ecological studies and conservation of small cetaceans in the Sultanate of Oman, with special reference to spinner dolphins, PhD Thesis
2009.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, diet, dolphin watching, Fisheries, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, stomach contents, tourism, Whale watching
@phdthesis{,
title = {Ecological studies and conservation of small cetaceans in the Sultanate of Oman, with special reference to spinner dolphins, },
author = {Ponnampalam, L. S.},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
journal = {University Marine Biological Station, Millport},
number = {434},
pages = {347},
publisher = {University of London},
abstract = {Small boat surveys were conducted in two main areas in Oman from 2004 to 2006: (1) the
Muscat capital area and (2) the Gulf of Masirah. Thirteen cetacean species were sighted during
surveys, comprising three species of mysticetes and ten species of odontocetes. Analyses of
sightings data relative to bathymetric and environmental variables revealed habitat trends in the
five most frequently encountered species. A previously undocumented calving ground for
Bryde’s whales was also revealed in the Gulf of Masirah.
Spinner dolphins in the Muscat capital area were consistently present nearshore in the mornings,
but moved offshore as the day progressed. ‘Resting’ behaviour occurred in the morning, although
‘resting’ probably also occurred during long periods of ‘slow travel’. ‘Feeding’ was confined to
the late afternoon, over deeper waters. Stomach contents of bottlenose, Indo-Pacific humpback
and spinner dolphins revealed a highly piscivorous diet. Bottlenose dolphin diet comprised prey
from a wide variety of habitats. Stomach contents of humpback dolphins concurred with their
shallow water, turbid habitats, while stomach contents of spinner dolphins indicated that their
movements offshore were to feed on organisms of the mesopelagic layer.
Spinner dolphins rested less and ‘milled’ significantly more when boat numbers around them
increased. While 82.8% of questionnaire respondents stated that the boat driver maintained a
good distance from the dolphins, only 25.4% were aware of legal guidelines. Most respondents
felt that legal guidelines should be in use and would have opted to join tours with companies
accredited as ‘responsible operators’. Omani fishermen around Muscat said that spinner dolphins
were the most frequent cetacean species in bycatch, usually in gillnets. Interviews also revealed
that fishermen elsewhere targeted dolphins for shark bait.
Scientific research, monitoring and cooperation between scientists, stakeholders and
governmental bodies is necessary to ensure proper conservation and management of cetaceans in
Oman.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, diet, dolphin watching, Fisheries, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, stomach contents, tourism, Whale watching},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
Small boat surveys were conducted in two main areas in Oman from 2004 to 2006: (1) the
Muscat capital area and (2) the Gulf of Masirah. Thirteen cetacean species were sighted during
surveys, comprising three species of mysticetes and ten species of odontocetes. Analyses of
sightings data relative to bathymetric and environmental variables revealed habitat trends in the
five most frequently encountered species. A previously undocumented calving ground for
Bryde’s whales was also revealed in the Gulf of Masirah.
Spinner dolphins in the Muscat capital area were consistently present nearshore in the mornings,
but moved offshore as the day progressed. ‘Resting’ behaviour occurred in the morning, although
‘resting’ probably also occurred during long periods of ‘slow travel’. ‘Feeding’ was confined to
the late afternoon, over deeper waters. Stomach contents of bottlenose, Indo-Pacific humpback
and spinner dolphins revealed a highly piscivorous diet. Bottlenose dolphin diet comprised prey
from a wide variety of habitats. Stomach contents of humpback dolphins concurred with their
shallow water, turbid habitats, while stomach contents of spinner dolphins indicated that their
movements offshore were to feed on organisms of the mesopelagic layer.
Spinner dolphins rested less and ‘milled’ significantly more when boat numbers around them
increased. While 82.8% of questionnaire respondents stated that the boat driver maintained a
good distance from the dolphins, only 25.4% were aware of legal guidelines. Most respondents
felt that legal guidelines should be in use and would have opted to join tours with companies
accredited as ‘responsible operators’. Omani fishermen around Muscat said that spinner dolphins
were the most frequent cetacean species in bycatch, usually in gillnets. Interviews also revealed
that fishermen elsewhere targeted dolphins for shark bait.
Scientific research, monitoring and cooperation between scientists, stakeholders and
governmental bodies is necessary to ensure proper conservation and management of cetaceans in
Oman.
Muscat capital area and (2) the Gulf of Masirah. Thirteen cetacean species were sighted during
surveys, comprising three species of mysticetes and ten species of odontocetes. Analyses of
sightings data relative to bathymetric and environmental variables revealed habitat trends in the
five most frequently encountered species. A previously undocumented calving ground for
Bryde’s whales was also revealed in the Gulf of Masirah.
Spinner dolphins in the Muscat capital area were consistently present nearshore in the mornings,
but moved offshore as the day progressed. ‘Resting’ behaviour occurred in the morning, although
‘resting’ probably also occurred during long periods of ‘slow travel’. ‘Feeding’ was confined to
the late afternoon, over deeper waters. Stomach contents of bottlenose, Indo-Pacific humpback
and spinner dolphins revealed a highly piscivorous diet. Bottlenose dolphin diet comprised prey
from a wide variety of habitats. Stomach contents of humpback dolphins concurred with their
shallow water, turbid habitats, while stomach contents of spinner dolphins indicated that their
movements offshore were to feed on organisms of the mesopelagic layer.
Spinner dolphins rested less and ‘milled’ significantly more when boat numbers around them
increased. While 82.8% of questionnaire respondents stated that the boat driver maintained a
good distance from the dolphins, only 25.4% were aware of legal guidelines. Most respondents
felt that legal guidelines should be in use and would have opted to join tours with companies
accredited as ‘responsible operators’. Omani fishermen around Muscat said that spinner dolphins
were the most frequent cetacean species in bycatch, usually in gillnets. Interviews also revealed
that fishermen elsewhere targeted dolphins for shark bait.
Scientific research, monitoring and cooperation between scientists, stakeholders and
governmental bodies is necessary to ensure proper conservation and management of cetaceans in
Oman.
Jayasankar, P.,Anoop, B.,Vivekanandan, E.,Rajagopalan, M.,Yousuf, K.M.M.,Reynolds, P.,Krishnakumar, P.K.,Kumaran, PL.,Afsal, V.V.,Krishnan, A.A.
Molecular identification of delphinids and finless porpoise (Cetacea) from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal Journal Article
In: Zootaxa, vol. 1853, no. 125, pp. 57-67, 2008.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: bottlenose dolphin, Common dolphin, D.capensis, DNA, Finless Porpoise, India, Neophocaena phocaenoides, sousa, species identification, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, taxonomy, tursiops aduncus
@article{,
title = {Molecular identification of delphinids and finless porpoise (Cetacea) from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal},
author = {Jayasankar, P.,Anoop, B.,Vivekanandan, E.,Rajagopalan, M.,Yousuf, K.M.M.,Reynolds, P.,Krishnakumar, P.K.,Kumaran, PL.,Afsal, V.V.,Krishnan, A.A.},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
journal = {Zootaxa},
volume = {1853},
number = {125},
pages = {57-67},
abstract = {The exact number of extant delphinid species from seas around India is still debated and the lack of adequate field keys
and reliable inventory has resulted in misidentification of several species. As a part of a project to develop a molecular
taxonomy of cetaceans from this region, partial sequences of mtDNA cytochrome b were generated from accidentally
caught/stranded delphinids and finless porpoise. Species were identified by phylogenetic reconstruction of sample
sequences with the reference sequences available in portals GenBank (NCBI) and the web-based program DNA Surveillance.
A comparison was made with the homologous sequences of corresponding species from other seas of the world.
Our molecular investigations allowed us to identify five species of cetaceans from Indian coasts, including Delphinus
capensis, previously reported as D. delphis. We detected unique haplotypes in Indo pacific humpbacked dolphin (Sousa
chinensis; n = 2) and finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides; n = 12) from Indian coast. On the other hand, some
haplotypes were shared with other regional populations in spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris; n = 16) and bottlenose
dolphin (Tursiops aduncus; n = 3). Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis; n = 2) had both unique and shared haplotypes
including one highly divergent sequence.},
keywords = {bottlenose dolphin, Common dolphin, D.capensis, DNA, Finless Porpoise, India, Neophocaena phocaenoides, sousa, species identification, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, taxonomy, tursiops aduncus},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The exact number of extant delphinid species from seas around India is still debated and the lack of adequate field keys
and reliable inventory has resulted in misidentification of several species. As a part of a project to develop a molecular
taxonomy of cetaceans from this region, partial sequences of mtDNA cytochrome b were generated from accidentally
caught/stranded delphinids and finless porpoise. Species were identified by phylogenetic reconstruction of sample
sequences with the reference sequences available in portals GenBank (NCBI) and the web-based program DNA Surveillance.
A comparison was made with the homologous sequences of corresponding species from other seas of the world.
Our molecular investigations allowed us to identify five species of cetaceans from Indian coasts, including Delphinus
capensis, previously reported as D. delphis. We detected unique haplotypes in Indo pacific humpbacked dolphin (Sousa
chinensis; n = 2) and finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides; n = 12) from Indian coast. On the other hand, some
haplotypes were shared with other regional populations in spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris; n = 16) and bottlenose
dolphin (Tursiops aduncus; n = 3). Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis; n = 2) had both unique and shared haplotypes
including one highly divergent sequence.
and reliable inventory has resulted in misidentification of several species. As a part of a project to develop a molecular
taxonomy of cetaceans from this region, partial sequences of mtDNA cytochrome b were generated from accidentally
caught/stranded delphinids and finless porpoise. Species were identified by phylogenetic reconstruction of sample
sequences with the reference sequences available in portals GenBank (NCBI) and the web-based program DNA Surveillance.
A comparison was made with the homologous sequences of corresponding species from other seas of the world.
Our molecular investigations allowed us to identify five species of cetaceans from Indian coasts, including Delphinus
capensis, previously reported as D. delphis. We detected unique haplotypes in Indo pacific humpbacked dolphin (Sousa
chinensis; n = 2) and finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides; n = 12) from Indian coast. On the other hand, some
haplotypes were shared with other regional populations in spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris; n = 16) and bottlenose
dolphin (Tursiops aduncus; n = 3). Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis; n = 2) had both unique and shared haplotypes
including one highly divergent sequence.
Ponnampalam,L.,Collins,T.J.Q.,Minton,G.,Baldwin,R
Feeding ecology of small cetaceans in the Sultanate of Oman Journal Article
In: Poster presented at the 17th meeting of the Society for Marine Mammals in Cape Town, no. 433, 2007.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: bottlenose dolphin, bottlenose dolphins, cephalopod, cetacean, cetaceans, conservation, diet, Distribution, dolphin, dolphins, ecology, feeding, feeding ecology, fish, habitat, humpback dolphins, occurrence, Oman, prey, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, stomach contents, survey, tursiops
@article{,
title = {Feeding ecology of small cetaceans in the Sultanate of Oman},
author = {Ponnampalam,L.,Collins,T.J.Q.,Minton,G.,Baldwin,R},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-01-01},
journal = {Poster presented at the 17th meeting of the Society for Marine Mammals in Cape Town},
number = {433},
abstract = {Beach surveys were conducted along the coast of Oman between 2000 and 2006 to locate and examine cetacean remains. This study examines the stomach contents of 11 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.), 5 Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and 2 spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) that were found beach-cast along the Omani coastline. Across the three species examined, a total of 4796 fish otoliths and 214 cephalopod beaks were found, representing 36 species in 23 families. No crustacean remains were found. Prey item importance was calculated using the percentage by number (%N), and percentage by frequency of occurrence (%FO) methods, and a modified index of relative importance (IRI). Percentage similarity was also calculated to examine interspecific and intraspecific dietary overlap. All three species of dolphins examined here ate mainly fish. The fish families Apogonidae and Carangidae were the most numerically important prey in the diet of bottlenose dolphins. Sciaenidae was the most numerically important fish family for humpback dolphins. Mesopelagic fishes comprised the diet of spinner dolphins, with the myctophid Benthosema pterotum forming the bulk of the prey items. The cephalopod preys found in the stomach samples were represented by the families Sepiidae, Loliginidae and Onychoteuthidae. The frequency distribution of prey items indicate that the bottlenose dolphins fed in a wide variety of habitats, and may reflect the occurrence of at least two species or ecotypes of Tursiops in Oman. The humpback dolphin prey items indicate feeding in coastal, nearshore areas with soft substrate. Spinner dolphins appeared to feed in the upper 200m of the water column on nocturnal vertically migrating prey. Although most of the prey species do not appear to be of commercial importance, the findings of this study indicated that all three species of dolphins were feeding in areas where fishing occurs and this is likely to have conservation implications. },
keywords = {bottlenose dolphin, bottlenose dolphins, cephalopod, cetacean, cetaceans, conservation, diet, Distribution, dolphin, dolphins, ecology, feeding, feeding ecology, fish, habitat, humpback dolphins, occurrence, Oman, prey, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, stomach contents, survey, tursiops},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Beach surveys were conducted along the coast of Oman between 2000 and 2006 to locate and examine cetacean remains. This study examines the stomach contents of 11 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.), 5 Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and 2 spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) that were found beach-cast along the Omani coastline. Across the three species examined, a total of 4796 fish otoliths and 214 cephalopod beaks were found, representing 36 species in 23 families. No crustacean remains were found. Prey item importance was calculated using the percentage by number (%N), and percentage by frequency of occurrence (%FO) methods, and a modified index of relative importance (IRI). Percentage similarity was also calculated to examine interspecific and intraspecific dietary overlap. All three species of dolphins examined here ate mainly fish. The fish families Apogonidae and Carangidae were the most numerically important prey in the diet of bottlenose dolphins. Sciaenidae was the most numerically important fish family for humpback dolphins. Mesopelagic fishes comprised the diet of spinner dolphins, with the myctophid Benthosema pterotum forming the bulk of the prey items. The cephalopod preys found in the stomach samples were represented by the families Sepiidae, Loliginidae and Onychoteuthidae. The frequency distribution of prey items indicate that the bottlenose dolphins fed in a wide variety of habitats, and may reflect the occurrence of at least two species or ecotypes of Tursiops in Oman. The humpback dolphin prey items indicate feeding in coastal, nearshore areas with soft substrate. Spinner dolphins appeared to feed in the upper 200m of the water column on nocturnal vertically migrating prey. Although most of the prey species do not appear to be of commercial importance, the findings of this study indicated that all three species of dolphins were feeding in areas where fishing occurs and this is likely to have conservation implications.
Dudzinkski,K.M.,Frohoff,T.G.,Spradlin,T.R.
Wild Dolphin Swim Program Workshop Technical Report
no. 361, 1999.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Australia, behaviour, bottlenose dolphin, bottlenose dolphins, Brazil, Hawaii, Japan, management, Spinner dolphin, swim with dolphins, Whale watching
@techreport{,
title = {Wild Dolphin Swim Program Workshop},
author = {Dudzinkski,K.M.,Frohoff,T.G.,Spradlin,T.R.},
year = {1999},
date = {1999-01-01},
journal = {Workshop held in conjunction with the 13th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals},
number = {361},
pages = {1-72},
abstract = {The workshop addressed many issues related to swimming with wild dolphins and the report includes abstracts/summaries of presentations on the following subjects: Interactions between the public and wild dolphins in the United States: Biological Concerns and the Marine Mammal Protection Act; Interactions between humans and bottlenose dolphins near Panama City, FLConcerns about Hawaiian spinner dolphins in HawaiiManagement Policies in New Zealand regarding wild dolphin swim programmesManagement of commercial swim with dolphin programmes in AustraliaMinimizing Impact and maximizing research during human dolphin interactions in the BahamasVessel and human impact monitoring of the dolphins of Little Bahamas BankWhale and Dolphin watching and associated research programs in the Ogasawara Islands, Japanan Example Approach the dolphin swimming/watching programs around Mikura Island, JapanIncomplete history of spinner dolphin research in HawaiiThe Hawaiian spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris: effects of tourismSwimming with wild dolphins in New Zealand: a multispecies research exampleLearning dolphin "etiquette" by understanding their rules of behaviour and interactionConducting research on human-dolphin interactions: captive dolphins, free-ranging dolphins, solitary dolphins and dolphin groupsObservations of a lone sociable dolphin in BelizeApproaching wild dolphins in Brazil: potential risks in a near futureConsequences of swimming with a lone female bottlenose dolphin in the gulf of Eilat/AqabaStudying the human/dolphin interactions from a cliff-side in Kaikura, New ZealandBehavior and ecology of common dolphins and the impact of tourism in the Coromandel Bay of Plenty region, New ZealandResearch on Hawaiian Spinner dolphins in Kealakekua Bay, HawaiiA study of the Hawaiian spinner dolphins around OahuUnderwater research of dolphins in BelizeThe number of dolphin watching boats limited per day, according to a treaty about dolphin watching in Mikura Island watersBibliography of Human/Dolphin Interactions (19pp)},
keywords = {Australia, behaviour, bottlenose dolphin, bottlenose dolphins, Brazil, Hawaii, Japan, management, Spinner dolphin, swim with dolphins, Whale watching},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The workshop addressed many issues related to swimming with wild dolphins and the report includes abstracts/summaries of presentations on the following subjects: Interactions between the public and wild dolphins in the United States: Biological Concerns and the Marine Mammal Protection Act; Interactions between humans and bottlenose dolphins near Panama City, FLConcerns about Hawaiian spinner dolphins in HawaiiManagement Policies in New Zealand regarding wild dolphin swim programmesManagement of commercial swim with dolphin programmes in AustraliaMinimizing Impact and maximizing research during human dolphin interactions in the BahamasVessel and human impact monitoring of the dolphins of Little Bahamas BankWhale and Dolphin watching and associated research programs in the Ogasawara Islands, Japanan Example Approach the dolphin swimming/watching programs around Mikura Island, JapanIncomplete history of spinner dolphin research in HawaiiThe Hawaiian spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris: effects of tourismSwimming with wild dolphins in New Zealand: a multispecies research exampleLearning dolphin "etiquette" by understanding their rules of behaviour and interactionConducting research on human-dolphin interactions: captive dolphins, free-ranging dolphins, solitary dolphins and dolphin groupsObservations of a lone sociable dolphin in BelizeApproaching wild dolphins in Brazil: potential risks in a near futureConsequences of swimming with a lone female bottlenose dolphin in the gulf of Eilat/AqabaStudying the human/dolphin interactions from a cliff-side in Kaikura, New ZealandBehavior and ecology of common dolphins and the impact of tourism in the Coromandel Bay of Plenty region, New ZealandResearch on Hawaiian Spinner dolphins in Kealakekua Bay, HawaiiA study of the Hawaiian spinner dolphins around OahuUnderwater research of dolphins in BelizeThe number of dolphin watching boats limited per day, according to a treaty about dolphin watching in Mikura Island watersBibliography of Human/Dolphin Interactions (19pp)
Van Waerebeek,K.,Gallagher,M.,Baldwin,R.,Papastavrou,V.,Al-Lawati,S.M.
Morphology and distribution of the spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, rough-toothed dolphin, Steno brednanensis and melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra, from waters off the Sultanate of Oman Journal Article
In: The Journal of Cetacean Research and Management, vol. 1, no. 491, pp. 167-177, 1999.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Distribution, Indian Ocean, length, melon-headed whale, morphometrics, Oman, rough-toothed dolphin, Spinner dolphin, Stock identity, taxonomy
@article{,
title = {Morphology and distribution of the spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, rough-toothed dolphin, Steno brednanensis and melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra, from waters off the Sultanate of Oman},
author = {Van Waerebeek,K.,Gallagher,M.,Baldwin,R.,Papastavrou,V.,Al-Lawati,S.M.},
year = {1999},
date = {1999-01-01},
journal = {The Journal of Cetacean Research and Management},
volume = {1},
number = {491},
pages = {167-177},
abstract = {Two previously mis-identified specimens at the Oman Natural History Museum are re-identified as a melon-headed whale and a rough-toothed dolphin. Body lengths of adult male spinner dolphins were smaller than any known stock of spinner dolphins except the dwarf forms in Thailand and Australia and skulls were indistinguishable from those of the eastern spinner dolphins (S.l. orientalis). Two colour morphs of spinner dolphins were observed. The paper concludes that Oman spinner dolphins should be treated as a discrete population, morphologically distinct from all known spinner dolphin sub-species.},
keywords = {Distribution, Indian Ocean, length, melon-headed whale, morphometrics, Oman, rough-toothed dolphin, Spinner dolphin, Stock identity, taxonomy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Two previously mis-identified specimens at the Oman Natural History Museum are re-identified as a melon-headed whale and a rough-toothed dolphin. Body lengths of adult male spinner dolphins were smaller than any known stock of spinner dolphins except the dwarf forms in Thailand and Australia and skulls were indistinguishable from those of the eastern spinner dolphins (S.l. orientalis). Two colour morphs of spinner dolphins were observed. The paper concludes that Oman spinner dolphins should be treated as a discrete population, morphologically distinct from all known spinner dolphin sub-species.
Van Waerebeek,K.,Baldwin,R.M.,Gallagher M.,Papastavrou,V.
Spinner dolphins Stenella longirostris from waters off the Sultanate of Oman and the Arabian Peninsula Journal Article
In: unknown, no. 490, 1997.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: dolphin, dolphins, Iran, Oman, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, United Arab Emirates
@article{,
title = {Spinner dolphins Stenella longirostris from waters off the Sultanate of Oman and the Arabian Peninsula },
author = {Van Waerebeek,K.,Baldwin,R.M.,Gallagher M.,Papastavrou,V.},
year = {1997},
date = {1997-01-01},
journal = {unknown},
number = {490},
abstract = {Confirmed coastal range states include Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Sultanate of Oman, Somalia, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Egypt. },
keywords = {dolphin, dolphins, Iran, Oman, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, United Arab Emirates},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Confirmed coastal range states include Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Sultanate of Oman, Somalia, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Egypt.
Gallagher,M.D.
Collection of skulls of cetacea: Odondoceti from Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman, 1969 - 1990 Book
UNEP, 1991.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: bottlenose dolphin, cetacea, cetacean, cetaceans, Common dolphin, Cuvier's beaked whale, dwarf sperm whale, false killer whale, fishing gear, hump-backed dolphin, incidental capture, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, mass mortality, morphology/anatomy, mortality, Oman, Risso's dolphin, sanctuaries, skull, skulls, sperm whale, Spinner dolphin, spotted dolphin, Strandings, Striped dolphin, tropical dolphin, United Arab Emirates
@book{,
title = {Collection of skulls of cetacea: Odondoceti from Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman, 1969 - 1990},
author = {Gallagher,M.D.},
year = {1991},
date = {1991-01-01},
journal = {Cetaceans and Cetacean Research in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary: Marine Mammal Technical Report Number 3},
number = {375},
pages = {89-97},
publisher = {UNEP},
abstract = {This paper details the collections of odontocete cetacean skulls from Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, 1969-90. Causes of death of specimens are unknown but the likelihood of natural strandings, incidental capture in fishing gear and mass mortality are discussed.},
keywords = {bottlenose dolphin, cetacea, cetacean, cetaceans, Common dolphin, Cuvier's beaked whale, dwarf sperm whale, false killer whale, fishing gear, hump-backed dolphin, incidental capture, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, mass mortality, morphology/anatomy, mortality, Oman, Risso's dolphin, sanctuaries, skull, skulls, sperm whale, Spinner dolphin, spotted dolphin, Strandings, Striped dolphin, tropical dolphin, United Arab Emirates},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
This paper details the collections of odontocete cetacean skulls from Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, 1969-90. Causes of death of specimens are unknown but the likelihood of natural strandings, incidental capture in fishing gear and mass mortality are discussed.
Small,J.A..,Small,G.J.
Cetacean observations from the Somali Democratic Republic, September 1985 through May 1987 Journal Article
In: CEtaceans and Cetacean Research in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary: UNEP - Marine Mammal Technical Report No.3, no. 476, pp. 179-210, 1991.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Antarctic, Blue whale, bottlenose dolphin, Bryde's whale, cetacean, cetaceans, Common dolphin, dolphin, false killer whale, Gulf of Aden, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, killer whale, location, marine, megaptera novaeangliae, melon-headed whale, migration, occurrence, Oman, Pacific Ocean, Risso's dolphin, sanctuaries, Southern Hemisphere, sperm whale, Spinner dolphin, spotted dolphin, stocks, Striped dolphin, survey, trend, Upwelling, whale, whales, whaling
@article{,
title = {Cetacean observations from the Somali Democratic Republic, September 1985 through May 1987},
author = {Small,J.A..,Small,G.J.},
year = {1991},
date = {1991-01-01},
journal = {CEtaceans and Cetacean Research in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary: UNEP - Marine Mammal Technical Report No.3},
number = {476},
pages = {179-210},
abstract = {Two vessels operated along the Gulf of Aden and northern Indian Ocean coasts of Somalia from Aug. 1985 through May 1987. Their fishing activities carried them on a routine basis from Djibouti to the Horn of Africa and, on many cruises, into the Indian Ocean as far south as 8øN. The frequent and regular presence of these vessels afforded a unique opportunity for research since few previous surveys along the Somalian coast were transitory and/or of short duration. There were 398 sightings of cetaceans representing at least 14 species: blue whale, Bryde's whale, sperm whale, melon-headed whale, false killer whale, killer whale, short-finned pilot whale, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, Risso's dolphin, spotted dolphin, striped dolphin and spinner dolphin (NO humpback whales!!). Sightings locations and related environmental data are discussed. Some trends between years were seen in the occurrence and location of blue, killer and short-finned pilot whales.},
keywords = {Antarctic, Blue whale, bottlenose dolphin, Bryde's whale, cetacean, cetaceans, Common dolphin, dolphin, false killer whale, Gulf of Aden, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, killer whale, location, marine, megaptera novaeangliae, melon-headed whale, migration, occurrence, Oman, Pacific Ocean, Risso's dolphin, sanctuaries, Southern Hemisphere, sperm whale, Spinner dolphin, spotted dolphin, stocks, Striped dolphin, survey, trend, Upwelling, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Two vessels operated along the Gulf of Aden and northern Indian Ocean coasts of Somalia from Aug. 1985 through May 1987. Their fishing activities carried them on a routine basis from Djibouti to the Horn of Africa and, on many cruises, into the Indian Ocean as far south as 8øN. The frequent and regular presence of these vessels afforded a unique opportunity for research since few previous surveys along the Somalian coast were transitory and/or of short duration. There were 398 sightings of cetaceans representing at least 14 species: blue whale, Bryde's whale, sperm whale, melon-headed whale, false killer whale, killer whale, short-finned pilot whale, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, Risso's dolphin, spotted dolphin, striped dolphin and spinner dolphin (NO humpback whales!!). Sightings locations and related environmental data are discussed. Some trends between years were seen in the occurrence and location of blue, killer and short-finned pilot whales.
Lal Mohan,R.S.
Osteology of dolphins Journal Article
In: Proc. Symp. Endangered Mairne Animals and Marine Parks, vol. 1, no. 140, pp. 93-99, 1985.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, bottlenose dolphin, Common dolphin, gillnet, humpback dolphins, India, Indian Ocean, skull, Spinner dolphin
@article{,
title = {Osteology of dolphins},
author = {Lal Mohan,R.S.},
year = {1985},
date = {1985-01-01},
journal = {Proc. Symp. Endangered Mairne Animals and Marine Parks},
volume = {1},
number = {140},
pages = {93-99},
abstract = {Osteology of four dolphins (Common, Spinner, Bottlenose and Humpback) are studied from the south-west coast of India. The measurements of the skulls are compared with information available from other parts of the world. Specimens were obtained from bycatch in gillnets off the Calicut coast.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, bottlenose dolphin, Common dolphin, gillnet, humpback dolphins, India, Indian Ocean, skull, Spinner dolphin},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Osteology of four dolphins (Common, Spinner, Bottlenose and Humpback) are studied from the south-west coast of India. The measurements of the skulls are compared with information available from other parts of the world. Specimens were obtained from bycatch in gillnets off the Calicut coast.
Harwood,J.
Observations of cetaceans in the Arabian Sea, November - December 1980 Technical Report
no. 384, 1980.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Gulf of Oman, killer whale, killer whales, Oman, Spinner dolphin, whale, whales
@techreport{,
title = {Observations of cetaceans in the Arabian Sea, November - December 1980
},
author = {Harwood,J.},
year = {1980},
date = {1980-01-01},
number = {384},
pages = {1-7},
publisher = {Sea Mammal Research Unit, Cambridge},
abstract = {This is a brief report of cetacean sightings made during the voyage of the sailing ship SOHAR (a 26m long reconstruction of a ninth century Arab dhow from Muscat to Calicut, from 23 Nov to 21 Dec.1980. The cruise covered only the Gulf of Oman Coast of Oman from roughly Muscat to Tiwi, and then head across to the Indian Sub-continent. Only 26 sightings were made during intermittent watches. Sightings off Oman included pygmy killer whales (uncertain ID), two groups of unidentified dolphins and spinner dolphins.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Gulf of Oman, killer whale, killer whales, Oman, Spinner dolphin, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This is a brief report of cetacean sightings made during the voyage of the sailing ship SOHAR (a 26m long reconstruction of a ninth century Arab dhow from Muscat to Calicut, from 23 Nov to 21 Dec.1980. The cruise covered only the Gulf of Oman Coast of Oman from roughly Muscat to Tiwi, and then head across to the Indian Sub-continent. Only 26 sightings were made during intermittent watches. Sightings off Oman included pygmy killer whales (uncertain ID), two groups of unidentified dolphins and spinner dolphins.
Harwood,J.
Observations of cetaceans in the Arabian Sea, November - December 1980 Technical Report
no. 384, 1980.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Gulf of Oman, killer whale, killer whales, Oman, Spinner dolphin, whale, whales
@techreport{,
title = {Observations of cetaceans in the Arabian Sea, November - December 1980
},
author = {Harwood,J.},
year = {1980},
date = {1980-01-01},
number = {384},
pages = {1-7},
publisher = {Sea Mammal Research Unit, Cambridge},
abstract = {This is a brief report of cetacean sightings made during the voyage of the sailing ship SOHAR (a 26m long reconstruction of a ninth century Arab dhow from Muscat to Calicut, from 23 Nov to 21 Dec.1980. The cruise covered only the Gulf of Oman Coast of Oman from roughly Muscat to Tiwi, and then head across to the Indian Sub-continent. Only 26 sightings were made during intermittent watches. Sightings off Oman included pygmy killer whales (uncertain ID), two groups of unidentified dolphins and spinner dolphins.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Gulf of Oman, killer whale, killer whales, Oman, Spinner dolphin, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This is a brief report of cetacean sightings made during the voyage of the sailing ship SOHAR (a 26m long reconstruction of a ninth century Arab dhow from Muscat to Calicut, from 23 Nov to 21 Dec.1980. The cruise covered only the Gulf of Oman Coast of Oman from roughly Muscat to Tiwi, and then head across to the Indian Sub-continent. Only 26 sightings were made during intermittent watches. Sightings off Oman included pygmy killer whales (uncertain ID), two groups of unidentified dolphins and spinner dolphins.
Harwood,J.
Observations of cetaceans in the Arabian Sea, November - December 1980 Technical Report
no. 384, 1980.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Gulf of Oman, killer whale, killer whales, Oman, Spinner dolphin, whale, whales
@techreport{,
title = {Observations of cetaceans in the Arabian Sea, November - December 1980
},
author = {Harwood,J.},
year = {1980},
date = {1980-01-01},
number = {384},
pages = {1-7},
publisher = {Sea Mammal Research Unit, Cambridge},
abstract = {This is a brief report of cetacean sightings made during the voyage of the sailing ship SOHAR (a 26m long reconstruction of a ninth century Arab dhow from Muscat to Calicut, from 23 Nov to 21 Dec.1980. The cruise covered only the Gulf of Oman Coast of Oman from roughly Muscat to Tiwi, and then head across to the Indian Sub-continent. Only 26 sightings were made during intermittent watches. Sightings off Oman included pygmy killer whales (uncertain ID), two groups of unidentified dolphins and spinner dolphins.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Gulf of Oman, killer whale, killer whales, Oman, Spinner dolphin, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This is a brief report of cetacean sightings made during the voyage of the sailing ship SOHAR (a 26m long reconstruction of a ninth century Arab dhow from Muscat to Calicut, from 23 Nov to 21 Dec.1980. The cruise covered only the Gulf of Oman Coast of Oman from roughly Muscat to Tiwi, and then head across to the Indian Sub-continent. Only 26 sightings were made during intermittent watches. Sightings off Oman included pygmy killer whales (uncertain ID), two groups of unidentified dolphins and spinner dolphins.
Harwood,J.
Observations of cetaceans in the Arabian Sea, November - December 1980 Technical Report
no. 384, 1980.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Gulf of Oman, killer whale, killer whales, Oman, Spinner dolphin, whale, whales
@techreport{,
title = {Observations of cetaceans in the Arabian Sea, November - December 1980
},
author = {Harwood,J.},
year = {1980},
date = {1980-01-01},
number = {384},
pages = {1-7},
publisher = {Sea Mammal Research Unit, Cambridge},
abstract = {This is a brief report of cetacean sightings made during the voyage of the sailing ship SOHAR (a 26m long reconstruction of a ninth century Arab dhow from Muscat to Calicut, from 23 Nov to 21 Dec.1980. The cruise covered only the Gulf of Oman Coast of Oman from roughly Muscat to Tiwi, and then head across to the Indian Sub-continent. Only 26 sightings were made during intermittent watches. Sightings off Oman included pygmy killer whales (uncertain ID), two groups of unidentified dolphins and spinner dolphins.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Gulf of Oman, killer whale, killer whales, Oman, Spinner dolphin, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This is a brief report of cetacean sightings made during the voyage of the sailing ship SOHAR (a 26m long reconstruction of a ninth century Arab dhow from Muscat to Calicut, from 23 Nov to 21 Dec.1980. The cruise covered only the Gulf of Oman Coast of Oman from roughly Muscat to Tiwi, and then head across to the Indian Sub-continent. Only 26 sightings were made during intermittent watches. Sightings off Oman included pygmy killer whales (uncertain ID), two groups of unidentified dolphins and spinner dolphins.