@techreport{,

title = {Priorities for addressing whale and ship co-occurrence off the coast of Oman and the wider North Indian Ocean.},

author = {Willson, A.,Kowalik, J.,Godley, B.J.,Baldwin, R.,Struck, A.,Struck, L.,Nawaz, Rab,Witt, M.J.},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-01-01},

journal = {Report presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},

number = {503},

pages = {13},

publisher = {IWC},

abstract = {Satellite telemetry studies and habitat density mapping of the endangered Arabian Sea humpback whale

(Megaptera novaeangliae) has revealed overlap with shipping off the coast of Oman. To date the only other

Northern Indian Ocean (NIO) study to determine the risk of mortality to whales (Baleanoptera musculus)

from shipping was completed in Sri Lanka. A demonstration exercise reviewing vessel traffic (from AIS

data) passing through coarsely defined habitat reveals that container vessels may provide the highest risk to

whales based on speed of vessels, and given a three fold increase in container traffic in the NIO region

between 2004 and 2014. Traffic density heat maps show shipping routes are predominantly distributed

around the periphery of the NIO area in close proximity to the continental shelf showing overlap with

historical records of takes of blue, humpback, sperm (Physester macrocephalus) and Bryde’s whales

(Baleanoptridae edeni) during Soviet whaling between 1964 and 1966. The review presents a case for

immediately commencing risk assessment work on humpback and ship co-occurrence in Oman whilst

undertaking a wider spatial assessment of the region to at least determine priority areas for study. Given

overlapping habitat use between species in certain areas, a multi-species approach to reviewing mitigation

options is recommended.},

keywords = {AIS, Blue whale, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, mitigation, Oman, ship strike, vessel traffic, whales},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {techreport}

}