Ilangakoon, A. D.
Exploring anthropogenic activities that threaten endangered blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) off Sri Lanka Journal Article
In: Journal of Marine Animals and their Ecology, vol. 5, no. 114, pp. 3-7, 2012.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, impacts, Northern Indian Ocean, shipping, Sri Lanka, Whale watching
@article{,
title = {Exploring anthropogenic activities that threaten endangered blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) off Sri Lanka},
author = {Ilangakoon, A. D.},
url = {http://www.oers.ca/journal/volume5/issue1/Ilangakoon_Gallery.pdf},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Marine Animals and their Ecology},
volume = {5},
number = {114},
pages = {3-7},
abstract = {The waters off Sri Lanka, an island in the northern Indian
Ocean, are an important habitat for blue whales, a species listed as
Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The
subspecies status, genetic affinities and movement patterns of this
northern Indian Ocean population of blue whales is not yet clearly
understood but off Sri Lanka they can be found throughout the
year. Sri Lanka also lies on a busy international shipping lane. Since
2009 a boat-based commercial whale-watching industry targeting
the blue whale, has been developing off the south coast, with
annual growth in numbers of boats and visitors. This industry
however remains unregulated in any formal or informal manner due
to the absence of regulatory mechanisms in this small, developing,
island nation. Consequently unethical practices are leading to
harassment resulting in direct and indirect impacts on the targeted
whales. Sighting and stranding data from before and after the
inception of whale watching activities indicate a spatial shift in the
area of occurrence and concentration of whales and a corresponding
increase in fatal vessel collisions along the southwest coastline of
the island. There are clear indications of displacement from
preferred near-shore feeding areas to the vicinity of the adjacent
shipping lane, causing an increase in collision risk. Although these
findings are based on limited data, it is recommended that a
precautionary principal is followed and anthropogenic activities are
quickly regulated to mitigate adverse impacts on these endangered
blue whales. },
keywords = {Arabian Sea, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, impacts, Northern Indian Ocean, shipping, Sri Lanka, Whale watching},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The waters off Sri Lanka, an island in the northern Indian
Ocean, are an important habitat for blue whales, a species listed as
Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The
subspecies status, genetic affinities and movement patterns of this
northern Indian Ocean population of blue whales is not yet clearly
understood but off Sri Lanka they can be found throughout the
year. Sri Lanka also lies on a busy international shipping lane. Since
2009 a boat-based commercial whale-watching industry targeting
the blue whale, has been developing off the south coast, with
annual growth in numbers of boats and visitors. This industry
however remains unregulated in any formal or informal manner due
to the absence of regulatory mechanisms in this small, developing,
island nation. Consequently unethical practices are leading to
harassment resulting in direct and indirect impacts on the targeted
whales. Sighting and stranding data from before and after the
inception of whale watching activities indicate a spatial shift in the
area of occurrence and concentration of whales and a corresponding
increase in fatal vessel collisions along the southwest coastline of
the island. There are clear indications of displacement from
preferred near-shore feeding areas to the vicinity of the adjacent
shipping lane, causing an increase in collision risk. Although these
findings are based on limited data, it is recommended that a
precautionary principal is followed and anthropogenic activities are
quickly regulated to mitigate adverse impacts on these endangered
blue whales.
Ocean, are an important habitat for blue whales, a species listed as
Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The
subspecies status, genetic affinities and movement patterns of this
northern Indian Ocean population of blue whales is not yet clearly
understood but off Sri Lanka they can be found throughout the
year. Sri Lanka also lies on a busy international shipping lane. Since
2009 a boat-based commercial whale-watching industry targeting
the blue whale, has been developing off the south coast, with
annual growth in numbers of boats and visitors. This industry
however remains unregulated in any formal or informal manner due
to the absence of regulatory mechanisms in this small, developing,
island nation. Consequently unethical practices are leading to
harassment resulting in direct and indirect impacts on the targeted
whales. Sighting and stranding data from before and after the
inception of whale watching activities indicate a spatial shift in the
area of occurrence and concentration of whales and a corresponding
increase in fatal vessel collisions along the southwest coastline of
the island. There are clear indications of displacement from
preferred near-shore feeding areas to the vicinity of the adjacent
shipping lane, causing an increase in collision risk. Although these
findings are based on limited data, it is recommended that a
precautionary principal is followed and anthropogenic activities are
quickly regulated to mitigate adverse impacts on these endangered
blue whales.