New Measures urged to protect Dolphins (28 Nov 2005)

U.S. Federals list Puget Sound orcas as Endangered (15 Nov 2005)

Poor evacuation plans to blame for captive dolphins being swept out to sea by Katrina (16 Sept 2005)

Military Practice in Taiwan may be the cause of abnormal cetacean stranding (9 Aug 2005)

Caught in nets: WWF identifies dolphins, porpoises most in need of urgent action (9 Jun 2005)

Plight of Japanese orcas further menaced - 11 orcas die in pack ice (9 Feb 2005)

28 Nov 2005

New Measures urged to protect Dolphins

The United Nations called Wednesday for stricter measures to protect dolphins and other marine mammals environmentalists see as adored by humans, since more than two-thirds of them face growing threats to their survival.

The Nairobi-based U.N. Environment Program said more than 70 percent of small cetaceans, including dolphins, porpoises and small whales, are at risk of being caught in fishing nets, while smaller numbers are threatened by dam building, sewage dumping and underwater military sonar operations. Tough new protective steps must be taken to ensure the survival of at least eight species of small cetaceans, it said in a report presented to parties of the Convention of Migratory Species at U.N. Environment Program headquarters in Kenya.

"Small cetaceans are amongst the world's most well-loved and charismatic creatures on the planet," U.N. Environment Program executive director Klaus Toepfer said in a statement. "Sadly, these qualities alone cannot protect them from a wide range of threats, so I fully endorse measures to strengthen their conservation through the (Convention of Migratory Species) and other agreements," he said.

His comments followed the release of the report on 71 small cetacean species, which found many increasingly at risk from fishing nets, being harvested for food or shark bait and noise and environmental pollution.

Hector's dolphin

Particularly threatened by fishermen are the Atlantic spotted dolphin, the pygmy sperm whale, the Blainville's beaked whale and the Hector's dolphin (See Photo) — the world's rarest marine mammal with fewer than 4,000 in existence — it said. Three species are at risk from noise pollution created by naval sonar tests, which have been linked to mass strandings and deaths of whales — like the Cuvier's and Blainville's — in the Ionian, Caribbean and Mediterrean seas, it said.

The report also said high concentrations of chemical pollutants in the Arctic Ocean were causing gastric ulcers and higher rates of parasitic infections in narwhals, beluga whales and pygmy killer whales.

Source : Animal Planet News

Photo Credit : Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society

15 Nov 2005

U.S. Federals list Puget Sound orcas as Endangered

A group of killer whales that visits Washington state's Puget Sound every summer has been listed as an endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) announced today.

Known officially as Southern Resident killer whales, they were proposed a year ago for "threatened" status under the Endangered Species Act.

"Recent information and further analysis leads our agency to conclude that the Southern Resident killer whale population is at risk of extinction, and should be listed as endangered," said Bob Lohn, regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries Service's Northwest region. "By giving it protection under the ESA, we have a better chance of keeping this population alive for future generations."

The Southern Resident killer whale population experienced a 20 percent decline in the 1990s, raising concerns about its future. Many members of the group were captured during the 1970s for commercial display aquariums.

The group continued to be put at risk from vessel traffic, toxic chemicals and limits on availability of food, especially salmon. It has only a small number of sexually mature males. Because the population historically has been small, it is susceptible to catastrophic risks, such as disease or oil spills.

Southern Resident killer whales already are protected, as are all marine mammals, by a 1972 law, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, under which the whales were officially listed as a depleted stock more than two years ago. A proposed conservation plan required by the depleted designation was published last month laying out the steps needed to restore the population to full health.

The population peaked at 97 animals in the 1990s and then declined to 79 in 2001. It currently stands at 89 whales, including a solitary male that has taken up residence in a small inlet in British Columbia.

Although researchers have collected more than 30 years' worth of information on the Southern Residents, agency biologists said there are major gaps in knowledge, such as where the animals go when they're not in local waters. Because killer whales may live up to 90 years in the wild, existing data doesn't cover even one full life span for older animals. Research by NOAA Fisheries Service scientists to fill these gaps will continue, the agency said.

Source: NOAA Fisheries Service

20 Oct 2005

Groups Vow to Stop Japan Dolphin Slaughter

An international consortium of environmental organizations today announced their ongoing dedication to bringing the horror and shame of the Japan dolphin killing to the world's attention.
Once again, Ric O'Barry, former trainer of TV star Flipper and marine mammal specialist for One Voice, a leading French animal welfare organization, and his coalition team will return shortly to the fishing village of Taiji, where the dolphin slaughter takes place annually.

"Our team is here to bear witness to the tragedy of the largest deliberate dolphin slaughter in the world," Helene O'Barry, field correspondent for One Voice-France stated.  "We will be in Taiji and Futo documenting the slaughter, and we will not relent in our outreach and media efforts until this cruel practice is finally abolished."

"We know the international aquarium industry is secretly subsidizing the violent slaughter of thousands of dolphins in Taiji and Futo," stated David Phillips, Director of the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute.  "They are trafficking internationally in a few dolphins for the captive trade; the rest are ruthlessly slaughtered."

"On October 8th, demonstrations were held in thirty countries demanding an end to the Japan dolphin slaughter," David Phillips added.  "The Japan dolphin slaughter will no longer remain a shameful secret."

Sakae Hemmi, spokesperson for Elsa Nature Conservancy states that, "The aquarium industry subsidizes the slaughter by offering thousands of dollars to buy a few prime specimens of dolphins from the shallow waters of the blood-filled slaughter pools.  Without these enormous prices for prime specimens, it will be quite difficult for the drive fishery to survive, for dolphin meat is much contaminated with mercury."

Yet the Japan Fisheries Agency does nothing to stop the dolphin hunt nor give enough warning to Japanese consumers about the dangers of eating dolphin meat.  The Japan Fisheries Agency admits that dolphin meat is contaminated with mercury, but only gives limited advice on how to eat it.  

David Phillips stated:  "The public, including the people of Japan, would be outraged if they knew the truth -- that thousands of innocent dolphins die a horrible death so that a few can be shown doing tricks in aquariums.  

Added Ric O'Barry:  "The drive fishery and the slaughter must be stopped, and the aquarium industry should be ashamed of sponsoring the killing of thousands of dolphins annually."

Source ： One Voice France, Elsa Nature Conservancy of Japan , Earth Island Institute

16 Sept 2005

Poor evacuation plans to blame for captive dolphins being swept out to sea by Katrina

While praising the efforts of federal and local officials in a dramatic rescue of eight escaped dolphins found in the polluted waters of the Mississippi Sound, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) cautioned against allowing a repeat of the situation when the next big hurricane comes along.

HSUS urged that the government agencies involved carefully scrutinize the operator's decision to leave the animals behind and deny approval of any proposals to reconstruct the Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport, Miss. in a location that will not ensure the future safety of the animals.

The dolphins miraculously survived being left behind at the facility, but were swept out to sea as the storm surge overwhelmed their tank, an occurrence that should have been anticipated, given the urgent warnings and massive publicity about Katrina.

The escaped dolphins have lived most or all of their lives in captivity and do not necessarily have the survival skills to fend for themselves in the wild. They were found in a location heavily contaminated with oil and other toxic substances and the bodies of thousands of dead chickens from nearby factory farms. The dolphins are being treated for infected wounds and malnutrition.

"What happened to these dolphins this time will happen again if the aquarium is rebuilt in the same location," Dr. Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist for The HSUS, said. "Marine Life Oceanarium was right on the shore in a hurricane zone. Katrina's destruction has validated our long-held concerns about all coastal public display facilities in the Gulf and Caribbean regions. "

Before Katrina struck, six dolphins from the Oceanarium were moved inland to hotel swimming pools and were subsequently evacuated to Florida.  Nineteen sea lions also were missing from the Oceanarium, but most have now been recovered; five were confirmed dead. Two dolphins have already been rescued and are being held in a hotel swimming pool until the temporary saltwater tanks are prepared.

The HSUS recommends that all captive marine mammal facilities in hurricane prone zones reconsider the adequacy of their evacuation plans in light of this disaster.

Source: HSUS

9 Aug 2005

Military Practice in Taiwan may be the cause of abnormal cetacean stranding

In the past month, a number of cetacean stranding incidents occurred at northern coast of Taiwan. Altogether 20 individuals were washed ashore within 10 days, which belong to several oceanic or deep water species including striped dolphin, Longman's beaked whale, Blainville's beaked whale, pygmy sperm whale and dwarf sperm whale. It is thought that the recent frequent stranding events might be related to the “Hanguang” military exercise taking place in Taiwanese waters.

Indeed, scientists' belief that military maneuver at sea does threaten cetacean survival is valid. In 2002, the United States Navy used mid-frequency 53C sonar during their military maneuver in Bahamas, resulting in mass stranding of 15 individuals of beaked whale. Postmortem reports of six of the stranded beaked whales indicated that these carcasses were fresh; bore no sign of sickness, vessel collision and fishery bycatch. However, these carcasses had injuries with blood stasis at their auditory organs; and the part of their brains near ears showed signs of bleeding. Blood clots have also been found in their blood vessels, which appeared before death. These symptoms might not have caused their instant death or permanent loss of hearing ability, but might disturb them for a period and made them get lost and eventually strand. Also, three of the beaked whales stranded were found with blood stasis at their lower jaws and melons, which were believed to be caused by strong acoustic wave. Finally upon negotiations the US Navy agreed to halt the testing of Low-Frequency Active Sonar, which is stronger than the 53C mid-frequency sonar, in 75% of global seas, including Taiwanese offshore waters.

Dr. John Y. Wang of the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium of Taiwan stated in the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in July 2004 that a series of strandings occurring in Taiwanese and Chinese waters in February and March that year might be related to the military exercises carried out in Philippine water by the US Navy in February. Dr. Wang had conducted necropsy on a Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale stranded at Pingtung County in February 2004 and found that all its organs related to hearing and diving bore abnormal blood stasis and injuries. After investigation by other foreign experts, it was confirmed that death of the Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale resulted from powerful blast or acoustic energy (e.g. sonar). Whether the recent strandings in Taiwan are related to military maneuver is still awaiting investigations of experts.

The series of stranding events have also aroused attention and concerns from international conservation groups. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and the Natural Resources Defense Council have already written letters to the Taiwanese President Office and the Agriculture Council, requesting them to carry out necropsy by international experts on the cetaceans that were stranded for unknown reasons. However, the government has yet to respond to the requests at the moment.

Source: FormosaCetus Research and Conservation Group

6 Jul 2005

New dolphin species confirmed in Australia - Snubfin dolphin

A new species of dolphin has been found living in the warm tropical waters of northern Australia. Scientists had always thought the dolphins were a local variation of the Irrawaddy dolphin ( Orcaella brevirostris ) , a species which ranges into Southeast Asia. But marine biologists have found enough differences in the population to declare it a separate species, the Australian snubfin dolphin. It derives its name from its short, stubby dorsal fin.

Identifying a new species is a rare event in the cetacean world and researchers from James Cook University and the Museum of Tropical Queensland, both in Townsville, are celebrating the find. "There are clear differences between the two populations that had not been previously recognised and these were confirmed by the studies on DNA," said Isabel Beasley, a PhD student and research team member. The dolphins, mostly found in shallow coastal waters, are susceptible to being caught in fishing and anti-shark nets. Coastal development may also affect their health.

Scientists have no idea how numerous they are - around 200 are believed to live in the ocean off Townsville, northern Queensland, and there is an unknown number living in the rest of the species' range, which extends to Western Australia. "Even though Australia is a developed country ... more is known about the Mekong River dolphin population in Cambodia than the Australian species," said Peter Arnold, of the Museum of Tropical Queensland. They have been given the Latin name Orcaella heinsohni , after George Heinsohn, a researcher who studied dolphins in the 1970s.

Source: New Zealand Herald

9 Jun 2005

Caught in nets: WWF identifies dolphins, porpoises most in need of urgent action

Nine dolphin and porpoise populations around the world need immediate action if they are to survive the threat of entanglement in fishing gear. These are the findings of a new WWF report based on a first-ever assessment by leading marine scientists.  

According to WWF, bycatch – the capture in fishing gear of unwanted fish and other species – is one of the greatest global threats facing dolphins, porpoises, as well as whales. When caught in fishing nets, many of these cetaceans, which need to come to the surface for air, get trapped underwater and die.

Previous estimates show that more than 300,000 cetaceans are killed in fishing gear each year in the world's oceans.  The report indicates these dolphins and porpoises as languishing without attention, but stresses they could recover if changes to fishing methods and other conservation efforts were made.

They include harbour porpoises in the Black Sea, where thousands of porpoises are killed each year; Atlantic humpback dolphins off the coast of West Africa; Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins off the south coast of Tanzania; Spinner dolphins and Fraser's dolphins at Philippines; Irrawaddy dolphins in South East Asia; and Franciscana in South America etc.

Most of the species on the list are threatened by the widespread use of one type of fishing gear – gillnets. These nets are difficult for dolphins and porpoises to spot visually or detect with their sonar, so they may become tangled in the netting or in the ropes attached to the nets.  

“Almost 1,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises die every day in nets and fishing gear. That's one every two minutes," said Dr Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF's Global Species Programme. "Some species are being pushed to the brink of extinction. Urgent action is needed - and we developed this ranking to help governments and aid agencies know where their money and efforts can really make a difference." 

For example, between 1993 and 2003, fisheries in the United States introduced changes, such as modifications of fishing gear, that reduced cetacean bycatch to one-third of its previous levels.

But so far, few of these successful measures have been transferred to other countries, and in much of the rest of the world, progress to reduce bycatch has been slow or nonexistent. 
 
"Rather than simply identifying the species or populations at greatest risk, or the geographical locations where the bycatch problem is most severe, the group of scientists was asked to emphasize where the prospects for successful intervention were especially good," said Dr Randall Reeves, lead author of the report and the chairman of the IUCN Species Survival Commission's Cetacean Specialist Group. 

The report will be submitted to the International Whaling Commission's scientific committee at its annual meeting next week in the Republic of Korea.

Source: WWF International

14 Apr 2005

Japan to expand whaling quota

It is reported that Japan will expand its already controversial whaling programme in Antarctica this year; nearly doubling its hunt of minke whales, and adding humpback and fin whales to the species targeted.

Japan's plan will be submitted to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) for discussion in June in Korea, although it does not need approval from the Commission to proceed with the expanded hunt.

Japan currently kills about 440 minke whales each year in its Antarctic Scientific Whaling Programme, and another 160 minkes in the North Pacific along with 50 Bryde's, 100 sei and 10 sperm whales. Although the IWC banned commercial whaling in 1986, the killing of whales for scientific research is permitted, and Japan's whaling operations exploit this loophole for commercial gain.

Japan began its scientific whaling operations in 1987 and has killed over 7,600 whales since then. During that time, the IWC has adopted over 20 resolutions calling on Japan to stop, and describing its scientific programmes as “an act contrary to the spirit of the moratorium on commercial whaling and to the will of the Commission.”

This latest plan from Japan will face intense criticism from anti-whaling countries and groups like WDCS, who maintain that these operations in defiance of the moratorium are commercial and should cease.

Source: WDCS

Jan 2005

Dolphins got trapped by tsunami

Whilst the awful human tragedy resulting from the recent tsunami is still becoming clear, it is apparent that some coastal wildlife has also been affected. In particular, it appears that the giant waves caused a mother dolphin and her calf to become stranded in a small lagoon in Thailand . They are believed to be Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and were spotted by a man searching for his missing wife.

Photo Credit : MSNBC News

This 10 year-old humpback dolphin, which had been trapped in an old mining lake in Takua Pa district for 11 days, was returned to the Andaman Sea on 5 Jan 2005 by a rescue team of almost 100 local fishermen, marine biologists and foreign dolphin experts after three rescue attempts - a rare story of survival of 11 days after the massive disaster. But the fate of the smaller dolphin also spotted in the murky, stagnating water was unclear.

The rescue operation started early in the morning when eight divers from the navy and the Phuket Marine Biological Centre cleared debris from the bottom of the lake so that fishing nets could be laid. In the afternoon, local fishermen led by kamnan Tawee Paeyai used two large nets to guide the dolphin towards a corner of the lake where it was captured in another net. About 20 soldiers and local fishermen then lifted the two-metered dolphin of 60kg up to prevent it from diving back into the water. The dolphin was laid on a military stretcher, put on a pick-up truck and quickly driven to the beachfront, about 500 metres from the lake.

On the pick-up truck, veterinarians let the dolphin drink seawater from a bottle and injected it with antibiotics as it had suffered minor bruising. After arriving at the beach, up to 20 rescuers carried the stretcher to the sea. The dolphin was released and it swam off vigorously, ending the three-day rescue operation.

Cooperation between local fishermen, who were keen on using large fishing nets, marine biologists and wildlife rescuers was the key to success. Foreign dolphin experts and marine biologists had been worried that the local fishermen's capture method might harm the dolphin as they thought it would become entangled in the net. Thai marine biologists, however, continued to work closely with the fishermen to ensure the dolphin was not hurt by the net.

“We are glad that the dolphin is safe. We will now inspect nearby lakes to ensure no other marine animals are trapped inland,” said Mr. Wannakiat, director of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.

Photo Credit: MSNBC News