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.
Phillip Clapham, Sharon Young, Robert L. Brownell Jr
Baleen whales: conservation issues and the status of the most endangered populations Journal Article
In: Mammal Review, vol. 29 , no. 69, pp. 35-60, 1999.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: abundance, Arabian Sea, Arctic, Balaena mysticetus, baleen whale, baleen whales, Blue whale, bowhead whale, bowhead whales, conservation, contaminants, disease, endangered, Entanglement, Eubalaena glacialis, fishing gear, gray whales, habitat degradation, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, mortality, Okhotsk Sea, population, populations, right whale, right whales, ship-strike, southern right whales, status, stocks, whale, whales, whaling
@article{,
title = {Baleen whales: conservation issues and the status of the most endangered populations },
author = {Phillip Clapham, Sharon Young, Robert L. Brownell Jr},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2907.1999.00035.x},
year = {1999},
date = {1999-01-01},
urldate = {1999-01-01},
journal = {Mammal Review},
volume = {29 },
number = {69},
pages = {35-60},
abstract = {Most species of baleen whales were subject to intensive overexploitation by commercial whaling in this and previous centuries, and many populations were reduced to small fractions of their original sizes. Here, we review the status of baleen whale stocks, with an emphasis on those that are known or thought to be critically endangered. Current data suggest that, of the various threats potentially affecting baleen whales, only entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes may be significant at the population level, and then only in those populations which are already at critically low abundance. The impact of some problems (vessel harassment, and commercial or aboriginal whaling) is at present probably minor. For others (contaminants, habitat degradation, disease), existing data either indicate no immediate cause for concern, or are insufficient to permit an assessment. While the prospect for many baleen whales appears good, there are notable exceptions: populations that are of greatest concern are those suffering from low abundance and associated problems, including (in some cases) anthropogenic mortality. These include: all Northern Right N hales Eubalaena glacialis. Bowhead Whales Balaena mysticetus of the Okhotsk Sea and various eastern Arctic populations. western Gray Whales Eschrichtius robustus, and probably many Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus populations. We review the status of these populations and. where known, the issues potentially affecting their recovery. Although Humpback Whales Megaptera novaeangliae and Southern Right Whales Eubalaena australis were also heavily exploited by whaling. existing data indicate strong recovery in most studied populations of these species.},
keywords = {abundance, Arabian Sea, Arctic, Balaena mysticetus, baleen whale, baleen whales, Blue whale, bowhead whale, bowhead whales, conservation, contaminants, disease, endangered, Entanglement, Eubalaena glacialis, fishing gear, gray whales, habitat degradation, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, mortality, Okhotsk Sea, population, populations, right whale, right whales, ship-strike, southern right whales, status, stocks, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Most species of baleen whales were subject to intensive overexploitation by commercial whaling in this and previous centuries, and many populations were reduced to small fractions of their original sizes. Here, we review the status of baleen whale stocks, with an emphasis on those that are known or thought to be critically endangered. Current data suggest that, of the various threats potentially affecting baleen whales, only entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes may be significant at the population level, and then only in those populations which are already at critically low abundance. The impact of some problems (vessel harassment, and commercial or aboriginal whaling) is at present probably minor. For others (contaminants, habitat degradation, disease), existing data either indicate no immediate cause for concern, or are insufficient to permit an assessment. While the prospect for many baleen whales appears good, there are notable exceptions: populations that are of greatest concern are those suffering from low abundance and associated problems, including (in some cases) anthropogenic mortality. These include: all Northern Right N hales Eubalaena glacialis. Bowhead Whales Balaena mysticetus of the Okhotsk Sea and various eastern Arctic populations. western Gray Whales Eschrichtius robustus, and probably many Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus populations. We review the status of these populations and. where known, the issues potentially affecting their recovery. Although Humpback Whales Megaptera novaeangliae and Southern Right Whales Eubalaena australis were also heavily exploited by whaling. existing data indicate strong recovery in most studied populations of these species.