The challenge of conserving marine mammals High value species that are ecologically challenged.
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Transcript of The challenge of conserving marine mammals High value species that are ecologically challenged.
The challenge of conserving marine mammals
High value species that are ecologically challenged
Marine Mammals taxonomically diverse - similar policy implications
Sirenia: 4 species
Cetacea: 83 species Sirenia: 4 species
Carnivora: 36 species
Ecologically challenged!!
Ecologically challenged!!!Typical life history
• Lifespan < 70 yr• Age first breeding 6-17 yr• Gestation period 13-15 mth• Calving interval > 2.5 yr• Lactation ~ 1.5 yr• Adult survivorship >95%• Max rate of increase < 5%• Sustainable harvest ~2%
Dugong
Threatened• 126 species• 88 on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species • 3 extinct • 3 critically endangered • 12 endangered • 18 vulnerable • 40 data deficient
In the past the major pressures involved consumptive use for food, oil or skins
Now pressures are associated with the growth of the human population in the coastal zone:50% of people live within 60km of the coast -? 75% by 2020
Pressures on marine mammals associated with the increase in the human population in the coastal zone
Collisions with boats
Land-based pollution
D
Collisions with boats
Benign disturbance?
In the past
By catch in gill nets
Fisheries impacts
Discarded gear
Trawling
Generic solutions:Establish marine protected areas with community involvement an d support
• Breeding, juvenile, feeding or resting areas
• Movement corridors
• Rare or unique habitats
• Best done as part of comprehensive system of marine protected areas
• Marine mammals significant, flagship species
Protected Areas to prevent dugongs from drowning in gill nets within Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Regional Agreements facilitate marine mammal conservationConvention on Migratory Species
•Agreement on small Cetaceans on the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS)•Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black and Mediterranean Seas (ACCOBAMS)
Similar agreements needed for other areas such as Southeast Asia , Indian Ocean, Arabian region and East Africa
•Most problems confronting marine mammals are similar to (but often more acute than) problems of many other marine species
•Flagship species play an important role in generic solutions to marine conservation problems
•Community involvement is essential
High profile indicators of marine environmental problems