2006 Archives

21 December 2006

The Yangtze River dolphin is extinct

Researchers from six countries carried out a six-week expedition, surveying 3500 kilometres of the Yangtze River, in search of an endemic dolphin species. On December 13, the end of the “Yangtze Freshwater Dolphin Expedition 2006”, researchers came to the sad conclusion that the Yangtze River dolphin—also known as the baiji—is in all probability extinct. This is the first cetacean species to go extinct as a result of human activities.

The baiji was a freshwater dolphin species that lived exclusively in the Yangtze River. It migrated into the river from the Pacific Ocean approximately three million years ago. One of four dolphin species to take up exclusive residence in a fresh water habitat, the baiji was described as a “living fossil” having evolved separately from other cetacean species over the past 20 million years. It remained unchanged since its arrival in the Yangtze. This cetacean was nicknamed the “goddess of the Yangtze” in China. In the early 1980s the Yangtze was home to nearly 400 of these dolphins. They unfortunately fell victim to China's rapid economic development. A 1997 survey counted only 13 individuals. The last confirmed sighting of a baiji was in September 2004. The only captive living representative of this species, a male known as QiQi, died in 2002, 22 years after being captured.

The recent expedition gathered researchers from various institutions, such as the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (eawag), the U.S. based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Hubbs-Seaworld Institute of San Diego and Japan's Fisheries Research Agency. Two ships combed the River, considered to be one of the most polluted in the world with a shoreline population of some 350 million people. Using highly sophisticated visual and acoustic equipment, researchers attempted to document the presence of baiji, in vain. It is possible that one or two individuals managed to slip by the team's instruments, however these animals would have no chance of survival in the River. The baiji is functionally extinct. Technically, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the baiji cannot be classified as extinct until 50 years after the last sighting. The fate of this dolphin species is attributable to habitat degradation, chemical and noise pollution, illegal fishing, using explosives and poison, and ship strikes.

Along with the baiji, the research mission also recorded Yangtze River finless porpoises; a total 400 of these animals were sighted. This cetacean species is in a similar situation to that of the baiji 20 years ago. The recent demise of the “goddess of the Yangtze” underscores the importance of pursuing conservation and public awareness efforts to preserve the biodiversity of this Chinese river.

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30 November 2006

Two recent events in marine parks rekindle the debate around keeping cetaceans in captivity

A 25-day-old beluga whale—the first captive-born beluga whale in Europe—died in Valencia, Spain on Tuesday. Officials at the marine park stated that, despite efforts by aquarium staff, the young, eight-year-old mother beluga whale named Yulka was unable to nurse her infant. Furthermore, the newborn whale never adapted to artificial milk. According to officials, this experience will be useful in increasing both understanding and the chances of survival of future offspring.

Another captive cetacean made headlines the following day when a killer whale named Kasatka twice pulled her trainer under water during a show at Sea World in San Diego, California. The aquarium's head trainer, Mr. Mike Scarpuzzi, explained that the female killer whale had received the order to project her experienced trainer out of the water on her snout, a manoeuvre that she had carried out hundreds of times in the past. However, instead, the whale grabbed her trainer's foot between her teeth and pulled him some 12 metres below the surface. She then brought him back to the surface after about a minute, only to ignore orders to swim to the edge of the pool. She submerged him a second time, for approximately two minutes, before releasing him. The trainer finally managed to swim to the edge of the pool. He was taken by ambulance to the San Diego medical centre. He came out of the experience with a fractured left foot. The same type of incident had taken place several weeks earlier between a different killer whale and trainer; on this occasion the killer whale released the trainer as soon as the command to swim to the pool edge was given. Sea World officials report several similar incidents with injured trainers in 1987, 1993 and 1999. Two of these previous incidents involved Kasatka.

These events underline the delicate ethical questions surrounding captive cetaceans. On the one hand, captive cetaceans often enable researchers to obtain useful data for the conservation of wild populations, while numerous aquariums offer educative public awareness programmes. On the other hand, conditions in captivity are not equivalent to those found in the wild, limiting the extent of certain studies, distorting public opinion and reducing the life expectancy of cetaceans or limiting their reproductive potential. [CNN]

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16 November 2006

Slow-poke right whales raise concerns

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) was concerned about 50 North Atlantic right whales that were present, until recently, in the Bay of Fundy. DFO was apprehensive about a potential conflict between the presence of the whales and the opening of the lobster fishing season that was set to open on November 14.

Right whales usually leave the Bay of Fundy around the middle of October, heading down to the Gulf of Maine before continuing south. The problem is that this species, with only 350 individuals left, is listed as “endangered” by COSEWIC and is very susceptible to accidental entanglement in fishing gear. Seventy percent of North Atlantic right whales bear injuries or scars caused by fishing gear. Nearly half of all North Atlantic right whale deaths can be associated to human activities: either ship strikes or accidental entanglement in fishing gear.

Fishermen from southern New Brunswick were worried that the opening of the fishing season would be postponed. According to a representative of the Grand Manan Fishermen's Association, nearly 1000 families depend on this lucrative fishery. DFO representatives and fishermen have agreed on several measures to reduce the risk of entanglement. Fisheries agents will conduct aerial surveillance to spot the whales, while the Grand Manan Fisheries Association has launched a “whale hotline” to rapidly convey pertinent information. Fishermen have also agreed to not set lobster traps within 2 km of a right whale sighting. Furthermore, the type of gear used should also reduce risks.

The opening of the lobster-fishing season was finally postponed by one day due to bad weather and strong winds of up to 40 knots. DFO authorized the opening of the fishery on Wednesday morning. A dozen right whales were still present at the beginning of the week.

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9 November 2006

A new scientific panel to monitor the situation of grey whales and the Sakhalin oil development project

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has named a panel of 10 scientists from Canada, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States to monitor impacts of the development of phase II of the Sakhalin Project, a controversial oil and gas development project off Sakhalin Island in the Okhotsk Sea, Eastern Russia. This project threatens a sub-population of critically endangered grey whales that includes a mere 20 to 25 reproductively active females. The northeast coast of Sakhalin Island is the only known feeding ground for this population that is critically threatened with extinction.

The creation of a panel—which will be in place for a period of five years—is in response to recommendations put forward in a report published in 2005 by another group of scientists designated by the IUCN. The report presented potential impacts of the second phase of the Sakhalin Project on grey whales. Among other things, it highlighted a lack of scientific data and a need to monitor this population that is threatened by oil and gas development. The new panel of independent scientists is therefore a means to acquire scientific data and publish recommendations for the protection of the grey whales with the goal of inciting the Sakhalin Energy Investment Company to develop the best industrial practices available in the future.

The panel of scientists will hold its first meeting in Switzerland from November 9 to 11, 2006. [IUCN, Vancouver Aquarium]

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19 October 2006

Iceland begins commercial whaling

The Icelandic Fisheries Ministry declared this week that it would begin issuing permits to whalers for a total catch of nine fin whales and 30 minke whales from now through August 31, 2007. The hunt could begin as early as this week. This is to be a commercial enterprise for the purpose of exporting whale meat. Iceland will thus become the second country, after Norway, to commercially hunt whales after declaring its official opposition to the international whaling ban that has been in place since 1986. This hunt is strongly criticized. Most scientists reject the theory that it is possible to protect commercial fish stocks by controlling whale populations. Furthermore, the fin whale is an endangered species. Finally, the market for whale meat, either local or for export, is nearly inexistent in Iceland.

Iceland had stopped commercial whaling in 1982 when the international moratorium was put in place; three years later it ceased all whaling activities. It left the IWC (International Whaling Commission) in 1991 only to rejoin in 2002 declaring a “reservation” to the moratorium. Iceland began whaling for scientific reasons in 2003; this type of hunt is also carried out by Japan. A total of 161 minke whales have been killed under Iceland's quota of 200, which means that whalers can still take another 69 minke whales before the end of the scientific whaling season in August 2007.

The fisheries minister has declared that the decision to begin commercial whaling does not threaten cetacean populations. According to Iceland's estimates there are over 43,000 minke whales and 25,000 fin whales in Icelandic coastal waters. Based on these numbers, established quotas represent 0.2 percent of minke whales and 0.04 percent of fin whales in the North Atlantic. According to the minister, this commercial activity is “therefore consistent with the principle of sustainable development.”

Like its northern neighbour, Norway, Iceland emphasizes that the hunt is necessary in order to control minke whale populations so they do not increase to the point of threatening fish stocks. This argument is strongly condemned by a majority of scientists specialized in the study of marine food webs. As a result of the complexity of predator-prey interactions, it is impossible to conclude that a reduction of whale populations will protect commercial fish stocks. On the contrary, due to the fact that the main predators of fish are other species of fish, a reduction of marine mammal populations could eventually lead to a drop in commercial fish stocks. During the most recent IWC meeting in June of 2006, supporters of a resumption of commercial whaling—Japan, Norway and Iceland in the lead— succeeded in having the IWC adopt a resolution stating that the 1986 moratorium was no longer necessary and that whales now constitute a threat to fish resources. Although these countries were not able to convince the requisite three quarters of members to lift the ban, it was the first time in 20 years that a resolution so clearly opposed to the moratorium garnered the support of the majority of IWC members.

Conservation groups are outraged by this announcement. Greenpeace condemned the decision of Iceland's authorities, emphasizing that the fin whale is on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List. Furthermore, the Iceland Nature Conservation Association (INCA) is surprised and disappointed by the decision. They insist that there is no market for whale meat in Iceland and there is no possibility to export it to Japan, the largest world market for whale meat. Earlier, in 2003, Iceland was unable to export the products of its scientific whaling programme to Japan. This trade had been planned despite the fact that it is illegal under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Japan is already having difficulty selling the thousands of tonnes of whale meat and blubber—the by-product of its own scientific whaling programme—in its local markets. Although these products were valued in the past, sales and prices have been steadily dropping in recent years. Changes in Japanese tastes combined with growing concern about contaminants contained in whale meat are behind this transformation. Several years ago PCB levels measured in minke whale blubber extinguished any hope that Norwegian whalers would be able to sell their thousands of tonnes of this product to the Japanese. [BBC, IFAW]

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28 September 2006

Canadians will be able to unite with their American counterparts for the survival of a Pacific Ocean population of killer whales

Following a ruling by the U.S. Federal Court, Canadian conservation groups now have the right to participate in a U.S. lawsuit to defend the Northeast Pacific southern resident killer whale population along with their U.S. counterparts. They will thus be able to defend the position of the Canadian government that has listed this population as an endangered species.

In March of 2006, the Washington State Farm Bureau and the Building Industry Association of Washington legally challenged the listing of this population as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by arguing that it does not correspond to defined criteria for inclusion. However, under international law, neighbouring states are obliged to harmonize efforts for listing of endangered species and for the protection of endangered transboundary natural habitat.

This small killer whale population, estimated at 78 individuals in 2001, has declined by 20 percent in the past six years. With a weak recovery potential, it is particularly vulnerable to catastrophes such as disease or oil spills. From a genetic, biological and social organisation standpoint this population is quite distinct from other killer whale populations that live further north. It also has its own, distinct vocal repertoire. The summer range of these transborder killer whales—situated in a zone that covers southern British Columbian and northern Washington state waters—is threatened by human activity and the large-scale projects of the urban and industrial centres of Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver. Several threats weigh heavy against their survival, including loss of salmon prey, vessel traffic (ship strikes and noise pollution), accidental entanglement in fishing gear and toxic contamination. Organochlorine residue levels in their tissues are four times those of more northerly killer whale populations.

This killer whale population was granted the status of “Endangered” by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in 2001 and has been listed in Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in Canada. A recovery plan is to be completed in 2006. If it were to be included on the Endangered Species Act list in the United States, measures taken to protect and restore its habitat would include the restriction on industrial and residential development, military exercises and shipping traffic. [Vancouver Aquarium Aquanews, Georgia Strait Alliance, Environment Canada, NOAA'S National Marine Fisheries Service]

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28 September 2006

Canadians will be able to unite with their American counterparts for the survival of a Pacific Ocean population of killer whales

Following a ruling by the U.S. Federal Court, Canadian conservation groups now have the right to participate in a U.S. lawsuit to defend the Northeast Pacific southern resident killer whale population along with their U.S. counterparts. They will thus be able to defend the position of the Canadian government that has listed this population as an endangered species.

In March of 2006, the Washington State Farm Bureau and the Building Industry Association of Washington legally challenged the listing of this population as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by arguing that it does not correspond to defined criteria for inclusion. However, under international law, neighbouring states are obliged to harmonize efforts for listing of endangered species and for the protection of endangered transboundary natural habitat.

This small killer whale population, estimated at 78 individuals in 2001, has declined by 20 percent in the past six years. With a weak recovery potential, it is particularly vulnerable to catastrophes such as disease or oil spills. From a genetic, biological and social organisation standpoint this population is quite distinct from other killer whale populations that live further north. It also has its own, distinct vocal repertoire. The summer range of these transborder killer whales—situated in a zone that covers southern British Columbian and northern Washington state waters—is threatened by human activity and the large-scale projects of the urban and industrial centres of Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver. Several threats weigh heavy against their survival, including loss of salmon prey, vessel traffic (ship strikes and noise pollution), accidental entanglement in fishing gear and toxic contamination. Organochlorine residue levels in their tissues are four times those of more northerly killer whale populations.

This killer whale population was granted the status of “Endangered” by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in 2001 and has been listed in Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in Canada. A recovery plan is to be completed in 2006. If it were to be included on the Endangered Species Act list in the United States, measures taken to protect and restore its habitat would include the restriction on industrial and residential development, military exercises and shipping traffic. [Vancouver Aquarium Aquanews, Georgia Strait Alliance, Environment Canada, NOAA'S National Marine Fisheries Service]

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21 September 2006

Ocean noise has increased considerably in the Pacific Ocean

Results from this study, conducted at the University of California by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, have just been published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA). Acoustic recordings were made in 2003-2004 in an area situated 160 nautical miles west of San Diego and then compared with U.S. Navy recordings from 1964 to 1966. Results show that underwater ocean noise has increased tenfold, an average of three decibels per decade.

This intensification in noise pollution is attributable to the global increase of commercial shipping as well as the fact that ships are larger, faster and have more propulsion power. The world's commercial fleet has more than doubled in the past 38 years from 41 865 in 1965 to 89 899 in 2003. Researchers estimate that noise originates throughout the North Pacific and is representative of the entire ocean.

John Hildebrand, the professor in charge of the research, has said that recurring acoustic measurements at multiple sites are required for a better understanding of the impacts of this noise on marine species and that the effects on marine mammals are still poorly understood. He goes on to theorize that possible steps could be taken to protect marine mammals and, as an example, proposes shipping lanes be moved away from areas where marine mammals are concentrated. According to Hildebrand, the impact of noise pollution can be minimized by reducing sound at its source or by separating the noise from animals that are sensitive to it. He is attempting to determine why, on an individual basis, modern ships have become noisier. [AquaNews, Scripps]

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7 September 2006

Dumber than goldfish? The dolphin controversy

Professor Paul Manger of Johannesburg's University of the Witwatersrand has just revealed the results of his seven-year study concerning dolphin intelligence. This finding enlivens the dolphin intelligence debate among marine biologists.

Little grey matter in this large brain

For years it was presumed that the very large brains of dolphins meant that these animals were intelligent. The proportional size of dolphin brains, when compared to other animal species, put dolphins in second place for brain size after humans. However, according to Dr. Manger, this large brain is essentially made up of glia cells—literally “glue” cells. These cells create the environment for neurons to work properly. The dolphin brain contains a lot of white matter and little grey matter, an adaptation that protects it from the cold of the marine environment.

If dolphins had a “thinking” brain, capable of solving problems, we would know it, according to Dr. Manger. His supporting arguments include the fact that dolphins are not able to free themselves from tuna nets by jumping over them, nor are they able to leap over the small walls that maintain captive dolphins in separate basins. A goldfish or a rat, on the other hand, would jump at the chance of escaping an enclosure.

A happy idiot high on serotonin

On the other hand, Dr. Manger does not question the fact that dolphins are as happy as they appear to be. In fact their brains secrete heavy doses of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, commonly referred to as a pleasure substance, that regulates mood and such basic metabolic functions as sleep and appetite. He adds that if dolphins are able to perform tricks it is because they have been trained to through conditioning and that this is not proof of intelligence. Paul Manger believes that whales are no more intelligent than dolphins as their brains are similarly constructed.

Yet, its friends and its sense of direction prove the opposite

On the other side of the planet, Lance Barrett-Lennard, in charge of cetacean research at the Vancouver Aquarium, retorts that the glia-neuron ratio is as improbable as the body-brain ratio when it comes to measuring intelligence. As proof of their intelligence, he indicates the high level of socialization that these mammals display, a complicated network of relationships based on allegiances and hierarchies. They are quite capable of orienting themselves in the wild, innovating to find food and even using tools.

This debate confirms that it is very difficult to define intelligence and even harder to measure it. [IOL, Techno-Science]

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24 August 2006

Humpback whales are as old as their telomeres

Humpback whales are as old as their telomeres

A non-invasive method enables researchers to age living humpback whales from pieces of skin harvested at the water's surface. These pieces of sloughed skin, which are like giant dandruff, some as big as the palm of a hand, are collected using a kitchen sieve. Genetic analysis is then used to determine the length of telomeres contained in the DNA of their cells. In humans and many animal species, telomeres, which make up the tips of chromosomes, shorten with age.

An untested method for population monitoring

Daniel Burns, a Ph.D. student at Southern Cross University in Lismore, New South Wales, is developing this method with a research team led by Peter Harrison. Although the validity of the method has yet to be established, results from tests carried out on adult and young humpback whales are nonetheless promising. Yet, many difficulties remain to be ironed out. The skin is often made up of dead and damaged tissue containing DNA of less than optimal quality. Also, pieces of skin from different whales can get mixed up in the water. The method must therefore be completed by photo-identification and a database that includes the genetic fingerprint of every individual. In time, the team hopes to be able to attain a degree of precision of 5 to 10 years in the determination of the age of the whales. Once validated, this method could be extended to include other whale species.

An argument against scientific whaling

Up until now, the best way to determine the age of a whale was to track it from birth or to study samples taken from dead animals. Such study involved counting teeth enamel layers or ear wax laminations. The telomere analysis method presents the advantage of knowing the ages of a large number of living whales. Researchers can therefore accumulate information on population structures and the dynamics of their recovery since the end of commercial whaling, which was carried out for centuries and which led some species to the brink of extinction. Japan conducts so-called scientific whaling by capturing and dissecting minke whales and other species in order to better determine population structure and status.

Two biologists from Quebec have been working to develop the same method for the study of the St. Lawrence beluga whale population. Unfortunately, for this odontocete species the shortening of telomeres does not occur. Other researchers are pursuing the same investigations on dolphins in Florida. [Cyberpresse, Inthenews, Nature, Joanna Prime]

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3 August 2006

Fourth North Atlantic right whale death of the year

On July 24, the carcass of a North Atlantic right whale was found drifting in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, bearing the deep scar of a boat propeller. When the carcass was eventually towed to a beach, researchers belonging to several Canadian and U.S. groups performed a necropsy.

This female right whale, which was less than a year old, belongs to an endangered species that numbers a mere 350 individuals. Decimated by several centuries of intensive whaling, less than one hundred individuals remained in the early 1900s. Today, over half of all North Atlantic right whale deaths are caused by human activities, essentially ship strikes or accidental entanglement in fishing gear.

While, in the present case, the cause of death could be a ship strike, it is also possible that the whale died of another cause and that its carcass was struck by a ship. This is the fourth right whale to have died this year. Two calves died off the coasts of Florida and Georgia—one in a ship strike and the other by entanglement—while the third mortality, that of a juvenile off the New England coast, has not been explained.

Bay of Fundy shipping lanes were moved three years ago in order to prevent ships from passing through the area most frequented by right whales, thus reducing collision risk. The United States is also getting ready to implement new regulations aimed at reducing ship speeds in right whale habitat along the New England coastline. [Bangor Daily News, CTV]

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20 July 2006

The use of military sonar near the Hawaiian Islands: a compromise between the military and environmentalists

On July 18, in the presence of the federal justice system, environmental groups and the U.S. Navy came to an agreement over the use of mid-frequency active sonar in the newly created marine nature preserve. Situated near the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean, this zone is frequented by several species of whales and dolphins.

In October of 2005, these same environmental groups lodged a complaint demanding the postponement of sonar tests. They believe that this type of sonar threatens the lives of marine mammals. According to these groups, the Navy was breaking U.S. laws; it was required to supply an evaluation before taking any action that could have an impact on the environment and threatened species. On July 4, the federal judge from Los Angeles temporarily restricted the U.S. Navy from using these types of sonar, judging that the plaintiffs had based their complaint on undeniable scientific data.

In order to carry out tests the military must therefore maintain a buffer of 25 nautical miles from this zone. Before using the sonar they must also fly over the area and carry out acoustic surveys in order to ensure that marine mammals are not near their vessels.

These types of sonar are used to detect the most recent generation of silent submarines. They fill the water column with very powerful sound explosions (approximately 215 decibels) that can cause serious disturbance to the echolocation systems of marine mammals, along with acute internal injuries that can even cause death. [Chicago Sun-Times, IOL, Universal Press Agency]

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7 July 2006

Critical habitat designated for North Pacific right whales

Along with its North Atlantic cousin, the North Pacific right whale is the most threatened whale in the world. NOAA Fisheries (the U.S. equivalent of Fisheries and Oceans Canada) has just designated two specific areas in the eastern North Pacific as critical habitat for this species. One of these areas is in the Gulf of Alaska, the other in the Bering Sea.

The North Pacific right whale was listed as endangered in 1973. Population size remains unknown. Biologists believe that there are several hundred of these animals in the western North Pacific. Sightings are rare in the east, and specialists estimate that there are likely no more than 100 right whales in this area.

This designation comes as an oil and gas development project in the Bering Sea opposes conservationists and the United States government. The project could represent several different threats to right whales including injury or death related to ship strikes or oil spills. Mating, as well as the care of young calves, could be compromised. An increase in noise from seismic exploration or drilling and transport operations could also affect the whales' movements and lead them to avoid essential feeding areas. [Alaska Report News, NOAA, Vancouver Aquarium Aquanews]

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22 June 2006

58th annual meeting of the IWC: a call for the “normalisation” of the Commission

The annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) took place between June 17 and 20 on the island of St. Kitts and Nevis, in the Caribbean Sea. A total of 67 of the 70 member nations were present. Discussions and voting once again demonstrated the discord that divides this organization, with whaling nations on one side and those formally opposed to whaling on the other.

The most significant portion of this meeting was the vote surrounding the “St. Kitts and Nevis Declaration” that called for the “normalisation” of the IWC. A weak majority of 33 in favour, 32 opposed (with one abstention) supported this text, which is a synthesis of the position defended by Japan. The Declaration states that the IWC should return to its original purpose, which was to manage whaling, that the whaling ban is not necessary, that several stocks are abundant and that sustainable whaling is possible and should be carried out in order to protect cultural rights and the economic development of coastal communities. The text also calls for the use of international scientific standards for the management of whaling, all the while using scientifically questionable arguments to plead its case. For instance, the text states that whales threaten the food security of coastal nations because they consume huge quantities of fish. This statement is far from representing any scientific consensus as to the role of cetaceans in the marine food web. Several countries that voted against the adoption of this declaration formally disassociated themselves from it after the result of the vote was declared.

Another demonstration of the impasse in which the IWC finds itself is the discussion surrounding the “Revised Management Scheme”. These discussions are at a standstill and no activity is planned for the coming year. Member countries must accept this management plan before the moratorium can be lifted. It includes measures to ensure quotas are respected (such as observers aboard whaling ships, genetic tracking of killed animals, etc.) and whaling methods meant to minimize animal suffering.

The “St. Kitts and Nevis Declaration” raises the spectre of the collapse of the IWC. Without the clear prospect of an eventual resumption of commercial whaling, a parallel international organization comprised solely of whaling nations may someday be created.

The Declaration also mentions the importance of not returning to the historic over-harvesting that characterized whaling in the past. Yet, the obvious question is what an increase in whaling would mean for several whale populations that have been weakened by past whaling and are now faced with new threats related to human activities, such as chemical and noise pollution, increased shipping and climate change, especially since pro-whaling countries, Japan in the lead, continually question the pertinence of these IWC conservation issues. [IWC]

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11 May 2006

Noise from port and marine platforms disturbs dolphins

British researcher, J.A. David has just published a study on bottlenose dolphins suffering from the effects of noise pollution on the West Coast of the United Kingdom. Although these dolphins live in special conservation zones, they are at risk of being affected by sound generated by machinery used in the construction of near shore port and industrial structures.

The pile drivers used in this type of construction produce repetitive detonations. Noise from the detonations is detectable up to 40 km from the source and can mask dolphin vocalizations, interfering with their ability to communicate and echolocate. Dolphins send and receive sounds as they move through the water to orient themselves, detect prey and avoid predators. The study demonstrates that females and their offspring are particularly vulnerable; after being subjected to this type of noise pollution, they present signs of hearing loss and temporarily change habitat.

Noise pollution is increasing…

The traditional construction of bridges, wharves and dykes in port areas requires the use of this type of machinery that strikes and perforates the seabed in order to place pylons for their foundations. More recently, this same method has also been used in the construction of off-shore oil platforms and coastal platforms for the establishment of wind farms, the number of which has been on the increase in several countries.

but it can be limited

The study also mentions the possibility of introducing mitigating measures to reduce the negative effects of these machines. The creation of a bubble curtain around work areas has been used to keep animals at a distance and to reduce the propagation of sound caused by the pile drivers. Other methods of limiting disturbance include interrupting operations when cetaceans are present, restricting the use of pile drivers to low tide periods and suspending all activity during calving season. These measures—recently tested in a U.S. research programme and on several constructions sites around the world—are recommended, especially in sensitive habitats or in marine mammal migration corridors. [Environment News Service, Edie News Centre, Matinternet]

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4 May 2006

The polar bear threatened with extinction by environmental and climate change

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has just published the 2006 Red List of Threatened Species. After having evaluated the state of the polar bear population, the organization of scientific experts has listed this marine mammal as vulnerable to extinction. Classified since its last evaluation in 1996 as a conservation dependent species, it is now considered Vulnerable. The UICN predicts a 30-percent decline in this population over the next 50 years.

In polar regions, the warming climate provokes the rapid reduction of ice cover, both in surface area and in thickness. The entire polar bear environment is being modified in the Arctic. Drifting ice floes make up its habitat, hunting ground and mating ground. Over the past 15 years, observations of these bears indicate that their weight is declining, their birth rate is falling and they are showing serious signs of stress.

A mammal adapted to northern marine conditions

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is considered a marine mammal and lives in polar regions to which it is perfectly adapted. An excellent swimmer, its body is covered by a very thick layer of fat and its white fur gives it a perfect camouflage; it feeds essentially on ringed seals. In 2002, the worldwide population was estimated between 25 000 and 40 000 specimens.

From awareness to action: an urgent matter

For three decades the fate of the white bear has concerned Canadian wildlife specialists. According to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), its status is one of Special Concern. Commercial hunting is prohibited, while females and cubs less than a year old are protected from subsistence hunting by aboriginal peoples.

On a recent visit to Ottawa, Australian scientist Dr. Tim Flannery stated that the polar bear could disappear within the next 25 years.

World renowned and influential, the IUCN organization includes thousands of scientific experts. The publication of its latest Red List of Threatened Species underlines the fact that the loss of biodiversity is accelerating around the world and that it is everyone's responsibility to become aware of the situation and act in an efficient and urgent manner to reverse the trend. Although the signal is alarming, there is room for hope. Conservation measure taken to protect their habitats, reduce sources of pollution and ban hunting of certain threatened species have led to the status of these species being downgraded. [Radio-Canada, IUCN, Actualités News Environment, BBC, CBC]

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20 April 2006

Collision between a ferry and a hypothetical whale in Japan

On Sunday, April 9 in Japan, the Toppy 4, a high-speed ferry, collided with a non-identified object that could have been a whale. Of the 103 passengers and six crewmembers that were aboard, over 40 were hospitalized; 13 of them were seriously injured.

The rear wing of the hydrofoil—constructed of a metal alloy and developed to travel at 80 km/h—was damaged, sustaining a 1.9-metre-long, 30-centimetre-wide dent. After the wounded were evacuated aboard coast guard boats, the ferry was towed to port. The impact was violent due to the high speed at which the vessel was travelling and caused the bow of the ship to dive. Passengers, most of which were not wearing life jackets, were thrown about within the ship and suffered fractures and internal injuries. The collision occurred when the ship was travelling three kilometres off the west coast of Kyushu Island, heading towards the Port of Kagoshima at near top speed. A total of 13 times per day, four similar ferries ensure the movement of passengers between the region's islands.

Hydrofoils combine the hydrodynamics of a ship with the aerodynamics of an aeroplane. The external appearance of a hydrofoil is similar to that of an ordinary ship. However, below the water line, foils shaped like aeroplane wings lift the hull of the ship out of the water when it reaches a critical speed, thus diminishing resistance due to water and waves. Companies in the business of transporting passengers have been using this type of vessel for decades. The advantages of hydrofoils over traditional ferries include a higher number of crossings, fewer crew and increased comfort. Yet, this race against time and for increased efficiency does have certain repercussions on the environment. Due to their high speed, the risk of collisions between hydrofoils and cetaceans is higher. Furthermore, the wakes of these ships can represent a danger to fishermen and pleasure-boaters, modify the coastline and increase shore erosion. A hydrofoil consumes more fuel and produces significantly more noise than other motorized vessels for the same number of passengers transported.

The Toppy 4 is equipped with a device that emits underwater sounds to ward off whales. Unfortunately, the device is not efficient for all cetacean species. Furthermore, with swim speeds varying between 7 and 36 km/h, depending on species, it is difficult for even the most rapid of these animals to avoid ships travelling at high speeds. This is especially true of resting whales. In order to continue breathing, certain whale species float immobile at the surface when resting.

The maritime region situated to the southwest of Japan is highly frequented by whales. A total of four ship strikes between high-speed ships and marine mammals have been reported so far this year. [BBC News, MarSeaMer, ISEMAR].

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30 March 2006

Marine acoustics and the development of protected marine zones: an exchange of expertise between Canada and Portugal

European and North American researchers met in late January in the Azores to discuss underwater acoustic detection and the development of protected areas for marine mammals and fish. A Canadian-Portuguese research project is being considered; specialists from the two countries will exchange know-how in their respective fields of expertise. Canada's Yvan Simard, researcher at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and the Institut des sciences de la mer (University of Quebec at Rimouski) is specialized in the tele-detection of krill and marine mammals. He carried out his research in the St. Lawrence. Portugal, represented by Professor Ricardo Santos of University of Azores' Oceanographic and Fisheries Department, has abundant oceanographic experience in the development of protected marine zones.

This project, which is presently seeking funding, could link transfers of knowledge and technology to exchanges between students and researchers of these two countries. The instigators of this exchange aim to attract the attention of other teams elsewhere in the world that are also interested in enriching their understanding and modernizing their techniques in the domain of environmental protection.

The Azores Archipelago is situated on an undersea, North Atlantic crossroads where numerous species of marine mammals and fish mingle. It is therefore an ideal area to spy on marine mammals using acoustic receptors attached to underwater buoys. Recordings of vocalizations furnish researchers with a better understanding of the state of these populations, their lifestyles and migratory movements.

This international cooperation project addresses concerns about climate change. Models predict that climate change will lead to the modification of major ocean currents; researchers are interested in the reaction and adaptation of marine species to these changes.

The project is a continuation of a joint mission by the University of Azores Oceanographic and Fisheries Department and ISMER-UQAR that deals with commercial over fishing and its consequences for the Azores. In addition to the protection of ecosystems, the project goal is also the sustainable management of oceanic resources development. [UQAR]

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16 March 2006

Luna, the solitary Pacific Coast killer whale, killed in accident

On march 10 Luna was caught in the propeller of a tugboat that had taken refuge from stormy conditions in Nootka Strait, near Gold River on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The killer whale's identity was confirmed through genetic testing carried out this week by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Luna, a seven-year-old male killer whale whose code number was L98, had been living apart from his family group based around Vancouver Island since 2001. He would frequently interact with vessels, sometimes impeding their movements or even immobilizing them by huddling up against their hulls. Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are gregarious animals that live in stable families. When isolated from their groups, they compensate for their lack of social ties by seeking out human contact.

Luna's story had seen numerous developments; Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and U.S. scientific committees had successively envisaged several options. The question was whether or not an attempt should be made to reunite Luna with his group. Finally, while the capture and relocation of the killer whale was being organized in June 2003, the local First Nations community opposed the move by guiding the whale away, believing it to be the reincarnation of their dead chief. Luna had since been the subject of public awareness measures aimed at boaters and the curious in order to limit interactions and give the whale a chance to reunite with its family on its own.

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has classified resident Pacific Coast killer whales as an endangered population since 2001. However, there is insufficient data for the classification of western North Atlantic populations. The last killer whales observed were a pair sighted in the St. Lawrence Estuary in October 2003. Between 1984 and 1997, a group of four killer whales that included Jacknife—an easily recognizable male with a blade-shaped dorsal fin—regularly frequented the Gulf of St. Lawrence near the Mingan Archipelago. [DFO, BBC, ENN]

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2 March 2006

Investigation into the decline of the Cook Inlet beluga whale population

Scientists working for the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are undertaking a status review of the Cook Inlet beluga whale population in Alaska. This small population is isolated from other Arctic beluga whales. The purpose of the review is to determine if the population requires special protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

There were approximately 1300 beluga whales in Cook Inlet in the 1970s. Thirty years later less then 280 have survived. Until recently, aboriginal hunting was believed to be responsible for the decline. U.S. authorities actually refused to place the Cook Inlet population under Endangered Species Act protection in 2000 for this very reason. For seven years the harvest quota has been set at one and two beluga whales per alternate year. It was believed that this measure would allow the population to grow at a rate of two to four percent per year. This has not occurred. In fact, according to NMFS survey data, the population is not growing at all.

NMFS biologists will attempt to determine the reason for this serious decline. They will consider all possible causes, including noise generated by shipping traffic—commercial, recreational and tourism—, regional development, waste discharge and the impacts of oil and gas development. NMFS biologist Brad Smith has stated that none of these causes stand out as the main one for the moment.

The NMFS will maintain a low harvesting quota of one to two beluga whales per year until 2009. Only one aboriginal community will be allowed to kill the whales. For the biologists, it is essential that they determine the cause, or causes, of this decline; the Cook Inlet population is at a level that renders it vulnerable to natural catastrophes. [CNN]

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23 February 2006

Military sonar: a U.S. federal agency sides with environmentalists

In a technical letter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expressed reticence and concern over the underwater sonar training range that the U.S. Navy plans to build in the North Atlantic off North Carolina. NOAA is the federal U.S. agency specialized in dealing with questions regarding the marine environment. According to U.S. environmental law, the Navy must obtain NOAA approval in order to carry out a project with the potential to disturb or kill marine mammals.

The proposed range, made up of mid-frequency sonar, would cover a 1730 km² area. It would be used to train sailors to detect submarines. In their environmental impact study, the U.S. Navy predicted their sonar could disturb marine mammals, not kill them. NOAA condemns this conclusion asserting that the U.S. Navy has neglected recent reports that establish a link between fatal whale strandings and the use of mid-frequency sonar. The agency also questions the Navy statement that sounds generated nearly 80 km off shore would not disturb highly endangered North Atlantic right whales. In fact, several individual right whales travel much closer to the proposed training zone than the Navy has acknowledged. Finally, the sounds used would be between 10 and 100 times stronger than the level recommended by NOAA.

This gesture by NOAA has been applauded by environmental groups, which are trying to put a stop to the U.S. Navy project. A U.S. Navy training session in 2000 off the Bahamas led to the death of several whales of different species. In 2002, a number of beaked whales died in the Canary Island as a result of NATO training exercises. Several other whale-stranding events are suspected of being linked to the use of military sonar. Notably, one such event occurred in January 2005 when 37 cetaceans came ashore on the beaches of North Carolina.

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9 February 2006

The discovery of ten carcasses of one of the most endangered species of dolphins raises concerns.

The deaths of ten Irrawaddy dolphins in Cambodia's Mekong River has raised major concerns as to the future of this specie, which has been classified by the World Conservation Union as one of the most endangered mammals in the world. These deaths represent a 10 percent drop in the Mekong population of 80 to 100 animals. An estimated 1000 Irrawaddy dolphins remain in the world, isolated in small groups in Thai estuaries and other Asian freshwater systems. According to WWF, it is common to find dolphin carcasses at this time of the year, however the discovery of 10 carcasses in two months represents a particularly high rate. Three or four carcasses were discovered at the same time last year. At least one of the 10 dolphins drowned after becoming entangled in fishing gear, which represents the greatest threat to the Mekong population. WWF estimates that six cetacean species could disappear in the coming decades due to accidental entanglement in fishing gear. Other factors, such as pollution, may be responsible for the deaths of young Irrawaddy dolphins. According to WWF, the Irrawaddy dolphin is a sentinel species. The high levels of contaminants found in their tissues reflect the poor quality of their environment; human populations living along this river also depend on it. The carcasses will be examined in order to determine exact cause of death [ENN, WWF].

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26 January 2006

The final voyage of the northern bottlenose whale that visited London

Londoners held their breath last weekend from the time a whale arrived in London, via the Thames, until its death the following day.

On Friday, January 20, a man crossing a commuter train bridge alerted authorities after he was surprised by the whale's blow and the appearance of its dorsal fin. Very quickly, the local press was broadcasting images of this nearly seven tonne, five-metre-long juvenile female northern bottlenose whale that was swimming in the Battersea district, in the western portion of the British capital.

The last whale to swim up the Thames dates back some five years and this is the first sighting of this species since recordkeeping began in 1913. The northern bottlenose whale generally frequents the cold and deep waters of the North Atlantic.

The following day, after the whale had twice become stranded, authorities chose to intervene by moving the whale towards the open sea. Representatives of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue organized the rescue that required over one hundred people. The whale was immobilized and then hauled onto a barge using a padded sling. During this time the animal was kept wet with soaked blankets while the barge was driven towards the North Sea. The whale's condition rapidly deteriorated until, on arrival at the mouth of the Thames sixty kilometres downstream from the City, it died after multiple convulsions.

According to Paul Jepson of the Zoological Society of London, who conducted post-mortem examinations, the cause of death was dehydration, muscle deterioration and kidney failure. The fact that the whale had not eaten in nearly three days explains the dehydration. Thus, the hypothesis put forward that the whale's death was linked to U.S. Navy sonar was proven wrong. The whale had no parasite infections, illness or internal injuries. Forthcoming tissue analyses will determine contaminant levels and may reveal the possible presence of bacteria or viral infection.

The London's natural history museum will expose the impressive skeleton of this northern bottlenose whale that became such an unwilling celebrity. [Bloomberg, New York Times, The San Diego Union Tribune]

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