IWC
Report of the 54th meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, Annex N Report of of the Working Group to Review Sanctuaries and Sanctuary Proposals Technical Report
no. 119, 2002.
BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, Madagascar, sanctuaries, Stock identity, whale, whaling
@techreport{,
title = {Report of the 54th meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, Annex N Report of of the Working Group to Review Sanctuaries and Sanctuary Proposals},
author = {IWC},
year = {2002},
date = {2002-01-01},
number = {119},
publisher = {International Whaling Commission},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, Madagascar, sanctuaries, Stock identity, whale, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Robineau,D.,Fiquet,P.
The Cetacea of the Jubail Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, Saudi Arabia Book
NCWCD, 1996.
BibTeX | Tags: Arabia, Arabian Gulf, cetacea, conservation, marine, oil, sanctuaries
@book{,
title = {The Cetacea of the Jubail Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, Saudi Arabia},
author = {Robineau,D.,Fiquet,P.},
year = {1996},
date = {1996-01-01},
journal = {A Marine Wildlife Sanctuary for the Arabian Gulf Environmental Research and Conservation Following the 1991 Gulf War Oil Spill.},
number = {208},
pages = {438-457},
publisher = {NCWCD},
keywords = {Arabia, Arabian Gulf, cetacea, conservation, marine, oil, sanctuaries},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
Alling,A.
A preliminary report of marine mammal fisheries in Djibouti, Oman and Sri Lanka Technical Report
no. 280, 1992.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arctic, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Fisheries, habitat, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, North Pacific, Oman, Porpoise, sanctuaries, skull, skulls, Sri Lanka, status, stomach contents, whale, whales
@techreport{,
title = {A preliminary report of marine mammal fisheries in Djibouti, Oman and Sri Lanka },
author = {Alling,A.},
year = {1992},
date = {1992-01-01},
volume = {694 },
number = {280},
pages = {1-10},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION During the 1982 and 1983 field seasons on Tulip, an effort was made to assess the status of small whale fisheries in Djibouti, Oman and Sri Lanka. In lieu of the fact that the World Wildlife Funds Indian Ocean Whale study still has one more year of field work, this preliminary report will only summarise our findings as of April, 1983. Officials and fisherman were contacted during port calls in 1982 to obtain information about local hunting and entrapment of cetaceans and members of the Tulip crew travelled to 9 harbours in Sri Lanka to interview fishermen. Dolphins seen in fish markets were measured, identified, stomach contents taken, and skulls collected for positive identification. In 1982 one fisherman on the west coast of Sri Lanka was asked to keep a daily log of all cetaceans entrapped or harpooned for a duration of one year. In 1983 we increased the number of harbours Monitored and four additional fishermen, three on the east coast and one on the west coast, were asked to keep these journals. A constant watch was kept at sea for all cetacean sightings. Species seen were identified using three identification guides: Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises of the Eastern North Pacific and Adjacent Arctic Waters (Leatherwood et al., 1982), Sea Guide to, Whales of the World (Watson, 1982), and A Field Guide to Whales and Dolphins (Captain Morzer Bruyns, 1971). When the identification was questionable, animals were photographed for confirmation of identity at a later date. },
keywords = {Arctic, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Fisheries, habitat, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, North Pacific, Oman, Porpoise, sanctuaries, skull, skulls, Sri Lanka, status, stomach contents, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
INTRODUCTION During the 1982 and 1983 field seasons on Tulip, an effort was made to assess the status of small whale fisheries in Djibouti, Oman and Sri Lanka. In lieu of the fact that the World Wildlife Funds Indian Ocean Whale study still has one more year of field work, this preliminary report will only summarise our findings as of April, 1983. Officials and fisherman were contacted during port calls in 1982 to obtain information about local hunting and entrapment of cetaceans and members of the Tulip crew travelled to 9 harbours in Sri Lanka to interview fishermen. Dolphins seen in fish markets were measured, identified, stomach contents taken, and skulls collected for positive identification. In 1982 one fisherman on the west coast of Sri Lanka was asked to keep a daily log of all cetaceans entrapped or harpooned for a duration of one year. In 1983 we increased the number of harbours Monitored and four additional fishermen, three on the east coast and one on the west coast, were asked to keep these journals. A constant watch was kept at sea for all cetacean sightings. Species seen were identified using three identification guides: Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises of the Eastern North Pacific and Adjacent Arctic Waters (Leatherwood et al., 1982), Sea Guide to, Whales of the World (Watson, 1982), and A Field Guide to Whales and Dolphins (Captain Morzer Bruyns, 1971). When the identification was questionable, animals were photographed for confirmation of identity at a later date.
IWC
Report of the 42nd meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, Report of of the Small Cetacean Subcommittee Technical Report
no. 117, 1992.
BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, Madagascar, sanctuaries, Stock identity, whale, whaling
@techreport{,
title = {Report of the 42nd meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, Report of of the Small Cetacean Subcommittee},
author = {IWC},
year = {1992},
date = {1992-01-01},
number = {117},
pages = {178-234},
publisher = {International Whaling Commission},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, Madagascar, sanctuaries, Stock identity, whale, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
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.
IUCN
Cetaceans and cetacean research in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary Book Chapter
In: no. 391, pp. 1-287, UNEP, 1991.
BibTeX | Tags: Antarctic, cetacean, cetaceans, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, megaptera novaeangliae, migration, Oman, Pacific Ocean, sanctuaries, Southern Hemisphere, stocks, Upwelling, whale, whales, whaling
@inbook{,
title = {Cetaceans and cetacean research in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary},
author = {IUCN},
year = {1991},
date = {1991-01-01},
journal = {UNEP marine Mammal Technical Report number 3},
number = {391},
pages = {1-287},
publisher = {UNEP},
keywords = {Antarctic, cetacean, cetaceans, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, megaptera novaeangliae, migration, Oman, Pacific Ocean, sanctuaries, Southern Hemisphere, stocks, Upwelling, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inbook}
}
Leatherwood, S.,Donovan, G.P.
Cetaceans and cetacean research in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary Book Chapter
In: no. 397, pp. 1-287, UNEP, 1991.
BibTeX | Tags: Antarctic, cetacean, cetaceans, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, megaptera novaeangliae, migration, Oman, Pacific Ocean, sanctuaries, Southern Hemisphere, stocks, Upwelling, whale, whales, whaling
@inbook{,
title = {Cetaceans and cetacean research in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary},
author = {Leatherwood, S.,Donovan, G.P.},
year = {1991},
date = {1991-01-01},
journal = {UNEP marine Mammal Technical Report number 3},
number = {397},
pages = {1-287},
publisher = {UNEP},
keywords = {Antarctic, cetacean, cetaceans, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, megaptera novaeangliae, migration, Oman, Pacific Ocean, sanctuaries, Southern Hemisphere, stocks, Upwelling, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inbook}
}
Papastavrou,V.,Salm,R.V.
A note on recent sightings and strandings of cetaceans in Oman: Ra's Sawadi to Rakhyut Book
United Nations Environment Programme, 1991.
BibTeX | Tags: cetacean, cetaceans, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, Oman, sanctuaries, Strandings, whale, whales
@book{,
title = {A note on recent sightings and strandings of cetaceans in Oman: Ra's Sawadi to Rakhyut},
author = {Papastavrou,V.,Salm,R.V.},
year = {1991},
date = {1991-01-01},
journal = {Cetaceans and Cetacean Research in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary: Marine Mammal Technical Report Number 3},
number = {427},
publisher = {United Nations Environment Programme},
keywords = {cetacean, cetaceans, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, Oman, sanctuaries, Strandings, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
Reeves,R.R.,Leatherwood,S.,Papastavrou,V.
Possible stock affinities of humpback whales in the northern Indian Ocean Book
UNEP, 1991.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Antarctic, cetacean, cetaceans, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, megaptera novaeangliae, migration, Oman, Pacific Ocean, sanctuaries, Southern Hemisphere, stocks, Upwelling, whale, whales, whaling
@book{,
title = {Possible stock affinities of humpback whales in the northern Indian Ocean},
author = {Reeves,R.R.,Leatherwood,S.,Papastavrou,V.},
year = {1991},
date = {1991-01-01},
journal = {Cetaceans and Cetacean Research in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary: Marine Mammal Technical Report Number 3},
number = {443},
pages = {259-269},
publisher = {UNEP},
abstract = {Records of humpback whales. Megaptera novaeangliae. in the northern Indian Ocean are compiled and evaluated to test various hypotheses concerning stock relationships. The conventional view that all humpbacks in this region are migrants from the Southern Hemisphere or, less likely, from the Pacific Ocean has been challenged recently by other authors. There is no reason to doubt that some Antarctic humpbacks cross the. Equator during their winter breeding migration northward. However, sightings in the northern Indian Ocean during the austral spring, summer and fall arc sufficiently frequent and widespread to support the hypothesis that some whales remain north of the Equator in the Indian Ocean year-round. Humpbacks appear to be present off Oman throughout the year, including relatively large concentrations, apparently feeding, during boreal summer/fall. We postulate that areas of cool, highly productive upwelling near the coast of Oman create conditions suitable for humpback feeding. The northern Indian Ocean is characterised by a virtual absence of modern commercial whaling and a paucity of cetacean research. As a result. evidence is insufficient to determine the relationships between stocks of humpbacks in the northern Indian Ocean and stocks of humpbacks elsewhere.},
keywords = {Antarctic, cetacean, cetaceans, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, megaptera novaeangliae, migration, Oman, Pacific Ocean, sanctuaries, Southern Hemisphere, stocks, Upwelling, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
Records of humpback whales. Megaptera novaeangliae. in the northern Indian Ocean are compiled and evaluated to test various hypotheses concerning stock relationships. The conventional view that all humpbacks in this region are migrants from the Southern Hemisphere or, less likely, from the Pacific Ocean has been challenged recently by other authors. There is no reason to doubt that some Antarctic humpbacks cross the. Equator during their winter breeding migration northward. However, sightings in the northern Indian Ocean during the austral spring, summer and fall arc sufficiently frequent and widespread to support the hypothesis that some whales remain north of the Equator in the Indian Ocean year-round. Humpbacks appear to be present off Oman throughout the year, including relatively large concentrations, apparently feeding, during boreal summer/fall. We postulate that areas of cool, highly productive upwelling near the coast of Oman create conditions suitable for humpback feeding. The northern Indian Ocean is characterised by a virtual absence of modern commercial whaling and a paucity of cetacean research. As a result. evidence is insufficient to determine the relationships between stocks of humpbacks in the northern Indian Ocean and stocks of humpbacks elsewhere.
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.
De Silva,P.H.D.H..
Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) recorded off Sri Lanka, India, from the Arabian Sea and Gulf, Gulf of Aden and from the Red Sea Journal Article
In: Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, vol. 84 , no. 357, pp. 505-525, 1987.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Antarctic, Arabia, Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, behaviour, Blue whale, cetacea, cetacean, cetaceans, Delphinus tropicalis, dolphin, dolphins, fin whale, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Humpback Whale, India, Indian Ocean, mammals, marine, migration, Neophocaena phocaenoides, Oceanic, Oman, Pakistan, Porpoise, Red Sea, sanctuaries, skull, Sri Lanka, stranding, Strandings, survey, whale, whales
@article{,
title = {Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) recorded off Sri Lanka, India, from the Arabian Sea and Gulf, Gulf of Aden and from the Red Sea },
author = {De Silva,P.H.D.H..},
year = {1987},
date = {1987-01-01},
journal = {Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society},
volume = {84 },
number = {357},
pages = {505-525},
abstract = {Cetacea is a highly specialized oceanic group of mammals with several of its species undertaking long migrations, often exceeding thousand miles during a single journey. During these migrations from cold polar and subpolar seas to warmer tropical and subtropical waters and their return to polar seas in summer both individual and mass strandings have very often occurred in many parts of the world, including Sri Lanka, India and the Arabian Gulf. The Cetacean records dealt with in this paper are of countries which lie at the extreme southern margin of the vast land mass of Asia with no land other than a few islands and vast stretches of the Indian Ocean between them and the Antarctica. Sri Lanka, in view of her geographic position at the southern extremity of this vast land mass (5ø 55' and 9§51'N latitude and 79§41' and 81§ 54' E longitude) has become a passing point in the movement of oceanic species including the larger whales. It has been suggested by Deraniyagala (1945, 1960b) that the movement of larger species towards the tropics from the southern temperate zone is partly associated with the periodic influx of Antarctic water toward the tropics. It is however, now fairly established that several larger species such as the Blue whale, the Fin whale and the Humpback whale show a regular migratory cycle. The majority of strandings recorded in this paper deal with individual strandings. Nevertheless there have been instances of both mass stranding and of apparent suicidal behaviour. This paper deals with 30 Cetacean species from the region. Of these records, records from Sri Lanka total 23 species, from India 24 species, from Pakistan 17 species, from the Gulf of Oman 10 species, from the Arabian Gulf 9 species, from the Gulf of Aden 6 species and from the Red Sea 7 species. Reference is also made to a skull of Delphinus tropicalis van Bree in the Colombo Museum (Skull No. 15 B) which appears to be its first record from Sri Lanka. Mention is also made of a specimen of Neophocaena phocaenoides (G. Cuvier) collected from the Wadge Bank by the Smithsonian Carangid Survey Team in March 1970 and of two incomplete skeletons of Balaenoptera physalus (Linn‚) (probably mother and calf) in the Zoological Museum, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All these specimens were identified by me. It is evident from this study that our present knowledge of the Cetacean fauna of the Indian Ocean is far from complete and that much could be accomplished by scientific institutions in the countries in the region by diligently maintaining proper records of sightings and strandings (with photographs) and by undertaking joint study surveys. It is gratifying to note that Sri Lanka, in recent years has been making much headway in this regard. During the last few years the Tulip Expedition led by Dr. Hal Whitehead has been studying the larger whales, especially the larger whales off the east coast and Dr. Stephen Leatherwood Of Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (Marine Science), San Diego, California has recently published (1985) a summary of available information on the Cetacea of the Indian Ocean Cetacean Sanctuary on behalf of the National Aquatic Resources Agency for Sri Lanka. It is hoped that the present paper will further stimulate interest among the scientific institutions in the region and help to increase our knowledge of a group of remarkable animals at least as far as the species which inhabit and visit our seas.has become a passing point in the movement of oceanic species including the larger whales. It has been suggested by Deraniyagala (1945, 1960b) that the movement of larger species towards the tropics from the southern temperate zone is partly associated with the periodic influx of Antarctic water toward the tropics. It is however, now fairly established that several larger species such as the Blue whale, the Fin whale and the Humpback whale show a regular migratory cycle. The majority of strandings recorded in this paper deal with individual strandings. Nevertheless there have been instances of both mass stranding and of apparent suicidal behaviour. This paper deals with 30 Cetacean species from the region. Of these records, records from Sri Lanka total 23 species, from India 24 species, from Pakistan 17 species, from the Gulf of Oman 10 species, from the Arabian Gulf 9 species, from the Gulf of Aden 6 species and from the Red Sea 7 species. Reference is also made to a skull of Delphinus tropicalis van Bree in the Colombo Museum (Skull No. 15 B) which appears to be its first record from Sri Lanka. Mention is also made of a specimen of Neophocaena phocaenoides (G. Cuvier) collected from the Wadge Bank by the Smithsonian Carangid Survey Team in March 1970 and of two incomplete skeletons of Balaenoptera physalus (Linn‚) (probably mother and calf) in the Zoological Museum, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All these specimens were identified by me. It is evident from this study that our present knowledge of the Cetacean fauna of the Indian Ocean is far from complete and that much could be accomplished by scientific institutions in the countries in the region by diligently maintaining proper records of sightings and strandings (with photographs) and by undertaking joint study surveys. It is gratifying to note that Sri Lanka, in recent years has been making much headway in this regard. During the last few years the Tulip Expedition led by Dr. Hal Whitehead has been studying the larger whales, especially the larger whales off the east coast and Dr. Stephen Leatherwood Of Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (Marine Science), San Diego, California has recently published (1985) a summary of available information on the Cetacea of the Indian Ocean Cetacean Sanctuary on behalf of the National Aquatic Resources Agency for Sri Lanka. It is hoped that the present paper will further stimulate interest among the scientific institutions in the region and help to increase our knowledge of a group of remarkable animals at least as far as the species which inhabit and visit our seas. A key to the identification of the species recorded from the region is given in Appendix. },
keywords = {Antarctic, Arabia, Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, behaviour, Blue whale, cetacea, cetacean, cetaceans, Delphinus tropicalis, dolphin, dolphins, fin whale, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Humpback Whale, India, Indian Ocean, mammals, marine, migration, Neophocaena phocaenoides, Oceanic, Oman, Pakistan, Porpoise, Red Sea, sanctuaries, skull, Sri Lanka, stranding, Strandings, survey, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Cetacea is a highly specialized oceanic group of mammals with several of its species undertaking long migrations, often exceeding thousand miles during a single journey. During these migrations from cold polar and subpolar seas to warmer tropical and subtropical waters and their return to polar seas in summer both individual and mass strandings have very often occurred in many parts of the world, including Sri Lanka, India and the Arabian Gulf. The Cetacean records dealt with in this paper are of countries which lie at the extreme southern margin of the vast land mass of Asia with no land other than a few islands and vast stretches of the Indian Ocean between them and the Antarctica. Sri Lanka, in view of her geographic position at the southern extremity of this vast land mass (5ø 55' and 9§51'N latitude and 79§41' and 81§ 54' E longitude) has become a passing point in the movement of oceanic species including the larger whales. It has been suggested by Deraniyagala (1945, 1960b) that the movement of larger species towards the tropics from the southern temperate zone is partly associated with the periodic influx of Antarctic water toward the tropics. It is however, now fairly established that several larger species such as the Blue whale, the Fin whale and the Humpback whale show a regular migratory cycle. The majority of strandings recorded in this paper deal with individual strandings. Nevertheless there have been instances of both mass stranding and of apparent suicidal behaviour. This paper deals with 30 Cetacean species from the region. Of these records, records from Sri Lanka total 23 species, from India 24 species, from Pakistan 17 species, from the Gulf of Oman 10 species, from the Arabian Gulf 9 species, from the Gulf of Aden 6 species and from the Red Sea 7 species. Reference is also made to a skull of Delphinus tropicalis van Bree in the Colombo Museum (Skull No. 15 B) which appears to be its first record from Sri Lanka. Mention is also made of a specimen of Neophocaena phocaenoides (G. Cuvier) collected from the Wadge Bank by the Smithsonian Carangid Survey Team in March 1970 and of two incomplete skeletons of Balaenoptera physalus (Linn‚) (probably mother and calf) in the Zoological Museum, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All these specimens were identified by me. It is evident from this study that our present knowledge of the Cetacean fauna of the Indian Ocean is far from complete and that much could be accomplished by scientific institutions in the countries in the region by diligently maintaining proper records of sightings and strandings (with photographs) and by undertaking joint study surveys. It is gratifying to note that Sri Lanka, in recent years has been making much headway in this regard. During the last few years the Tulip Expedition led by Dr. Hal Whitehead has been studying the larger whales, especially the larger whales off the east coast and Dr. Stephen Leatherwood Of Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (Marine Science), San Diego, California has recently published (1985) a summary of available information on the Cetacea of the Indian Ocean Cetacean Sanctuary on behalf of the National Aquatic Resources Agency for Sri Lanka. It is hoped that the present paper will further stimulate interest among the scientific institutions in the region and help to increase our knowledge of a group of remarkable animals at least as far as the species which inhabit and visit our seas.has become a passing point in the movement of oceanic species including the larger whales. It has been suggested by Deraniyagala (1945, 1960b) that the movement of larger species towards the tropics from the southern temperate zone is partly associated with the periodic influx of Antarctic water toward the tropics. It is however, now fairly established that several larger species such as the Blue whale, the Fin whale and the Humpback whale show a regular migratory cycle. The majority of strandings recorded in this paper deal with individual strandings. Nevertheless there have been instances of both mass stranding and of apparent suicidal behaviour. This paper deals with 30 Cetacean species from the region. Of these records, records from Sri Lanka total 23 species, from India 24 species, from Pakistan 17 species, from the Gulf of Oman 10 species, from the Arabian Gulf 9 species, from the Gulf of Aden 6 species and from the Red Sea 7 species. Reference is also made to a skull of Delphinus tropicalis van Bree in the Colombo Museum (Skull No. 15 B) which appears to be its first record from Sri Lanka. Mention is also made of a specimen of Neophocaena phocaenoides (G. Cuvier) collected from the Wadge Bank by the Smithsonian Carangid Survey Team in March 1970 and of two incomplete skeletons of Balaenoptera physalus (Linn‚) (probably mother and calf) in the Zoological Museum, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All these specimens were identified by me. It is evident from this study that our present knowledge of the Cetacean fauna of the Indian Ocean is far from complete and that much could be accomplished by scientific institutions in the countries in the region by diligently maintaining proper records of sightings and strandings (with photographs) and by undertaking joint study surveys. It is gratifying to note that Sri Lanka, in recent years has been making much headway in this regard. During the last few years the Tulip Expedition led by Dr. Hal Whitehead has been studying the larger whales, especially the larger whales off the east coast and Dr. Stephen Leatherwood Of Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (Marine Science), San Diego, California has recently published (1985) a summary of available information on the Cetacea of the Indian Ocean Cetacean Sanctuary on behalf of the National Aquatic Resources Agency for Sri Lanka. It is hoped that the present paper will further stimulate interest among the scientific institutions in the region and help to increase our knowledge of a group of remarkable animals at least as far as the species which inhabit and visit our seas. A key to the identification of the species recorded from the region is given in Appendix.
Alling,G.,Gordon,J.,Rotton,N.,Whitehead,H.
Indian Ocean Sperm Whale study, 1981 - 1982 interim report Technical Report
no. 281, 1982.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: behaviour, dolphin, dolphins, Eubalaena glacialis, Fisheries, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, megaptera novaeangliae, objectives, Oman, physeter, population, populations, sanctuaries, sperm whale, sperm whales, survey, whale, whales
@techreport{,
title = {Indian Ocean Sperm Whale study, 1981 - 1982 interim report},
author = {Alling,G.,Gordon,J.,Rotton,N.,Whitehead,H.},
year = {1982},
date = {1982-01-01},
number = {281},
pages = {1-43},
publisher = {WWF},
abstract = {The establishment of the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary in 1979 gave whale science an opportunity and a challenge: the opportunity to study protected whale; and the challenge to show that whale populations can be monitored purely through studies of living animals. The sperm whale (Physeter catodon), is commercially the most important, and the most numerous, large whale. It may be a significant link in the food web on account of returning nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface through its faeces. Analysis of the composition of sperm whale catches suggests that the sperm whale possesses a unique and interesting social system (Best 1979), a thorough knowledge of which is essential if these exceptional animals are to be properly protected.It was thus appropriate to carry out a study of the behaviour of the sperm whales in the Indian Ocean, principally using the methods developed on living right, grey and humpback whales, and the money raised by WWF-Netherlands. In order to obtain significant results it was thought necessary to have three field seasons of several months each.As very little was known of the whales of the Indian Ocean the first season consisted of a survey of those parts of the NW Indian Ocean which might have been suitable for studying sperm whales. During the survey methods of studying living sperm whales were to be developed, and other whales, dolphins, and marine mammal fisheries examined as circumstances permitted. From this survey we were to decide on the most suitable area and methods for studying sperm whales in subsequent seasons. We were also to recommend which other marine mammal research projects in the area should be undertaken, either as part of our project or separately.We report here on the first field season. Because of the deadline (within two weeks of the end of the field work) the data has not been rigorously analysed, and we can give only the most basic results. However we hope that this report indicates that the study was successful within its objectives.},
keywords = {behaviour, dolphin, dolphins, Eubalaena glacialis, Fisheries, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, megaptera novaeangliae, objectives, Oman, physeter, population, populations, sanctuaries, sperm whale, sperm whales, survey, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The establishment of the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary in 1979 gave whale science an opportunity and a challenge: the opportunity to study protected whale; and the challenge to show that whale populations can be monitored purely through studies of living animals. The sperm whale (Physeter catodon), is commercially the most important, and the most numerous, large whale. It may be a significant link in the food web on account of returning nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface through its faeces. Analysis of the composition of sperm whale catches suggests that the sperm whale possesses a unique and interesting social system (Best 1979), a thorough knowledge of which is essential if these exceptional animals are to be properly protected.It was thus appropriate to carry out a study of the behaviour of the sperm whales in the Indian Ocean, principally using the methods developed on living right, grey and humpback whales, and the money raised by WWF-Netherlands. In order to obtain significant results it was thought necessary to have three field seasons of several months each.As very little was known of the whales of the Indian Ocean the first season consisted of a survey of those parts of the NW Indian Ocean which might have been suitable for studying sperm whales. During the survey methods of studying living sperm whales were to be developed, and other whales, dolphins, and marine mammal fisheries examined as circumstances permitted. From this survey we were to decide on the most suitable area and methods for studying sperm whales in subsequent seasons. We were also to recommend which other marine mammal research projects in the area should be undertaken, either as part of our project or separately.We report here on the first field season. Because of the deadline (within two weeks of the end of the field work) the data has not been rigorously analysed, and we can give only the most basic results. However we hope that this report indicates that the study was successful within its objectives.
Ross,J.P.
Recent marine mammal sightings in the Sultanate of Oman (1980-1981) Technical Report
no. 462, 1981.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: breeding grounds, cetacean, cetaceans, dugong, feeding, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, Oman, sanctuaries, Strandings, whale, whales
@techreport{,
title = {Recent marine mammal sightings in the Sultanate of Oman (1980-1981)},
author = {Ross,J.P.},
year = {1981},
date = {1981-01-01},
journal = {Report presented to the special meeting of the IWC to plan a programme of scientific research on cetaceans in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary, Zeist, Netherlands.},
volume = {Document 23},
number = {462},
abstract = {This brief report summarises observations of live cetaceans, strandings and interviews with local fishermen. The source of sighting and stranding information is not always clear - stranded specimens referred to in this report were curated at the Zoological Museum in Amsterdam and the ONHM are also summarised in Gallagher 1991. JPR describes one stranding of a Dugong near Barka. He also describes Masirah fishermen's observations of a large whale with "bumps on its head like coffee cups" and long white flippers that they slap on the surface. He concludes that these are almost certainly humpback whales "migrating between summer feeding and winter breeding grounds. He also suggests that they were feeding on sardines which were abundant in the region during "these months" (although months not specified). Although he indicates that Oman's coast is abundant in food, yet tropical and thus suitable for breeding, he does not explicitly suggest that the humpbacks are year-round residents.},
keywords = {breeding grounds, cetacean, cetaceans, dugong, feeding, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, Oman, sanctuaries, Strandings, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This brief report summarises observations of live cetaceans, strandings and interviews with local fishermen. The source of sighting and stranding information is not always clear - stranded specimens referred to in this report were curated at the Zoological Museum in Amsterdam and the ONHM are also summarised in Gallagher 1991. JPR describes one stranding of a Dugong near Barka. He also describes Masirah fishermen's observations of a large whale with "bumps on its head like coffee cups" and long white flippers that they slap on the surface. He concludes that these are almost certainly humpback whales "migrating between summer feeding and winter breeding grounds. He also suggests that they were feeding on sardines which were abundant in the region during "these months" (although months not specified). Although he indicates that Oman's coast is abundant in food, yet tropical and thus suitable for breeding, he does not explicitly suggest that the humpbacks are year-round residents.