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