Whale strandings highlight an urgent need for practical solutions
In recent months, along the East Coast of the United States, humpback whales have been experiencing what’s known as an Unusual Mortality Event, with an elevated number of strandings being reported since 2016. While necropsies are still being performed, initial results from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center indicated that at least 2 whales of the recent strandings […]
How the Iroise Nature Marine Park is using the Marine Mammals Management Toolkit to support more effective management for marine mammals
The Iroise Marine Natural Park is a remarkable area boasting outstanding natural resources and playing host to traditional fishing activities. Located at the tip of Finistère between the island of Sein, Ouessant and the limits of the territorial sea, the Park protects 350 000 hectares of marine area. The cultural heritage is extremely varied and […]
New study finds that dolphins “shout” to compensate for high underwater noise levels
Oceans are full of sound. Waves, earthquakes and calving icebergs all contribute to the underwater soundscape. But so do human activities, with activities such as shipping, pile driving and sonar air-guns all contributing to the amount of noise present in the ocean. According to the European Commission, underwater background noise levels have doubled every decade […]
The Marine Mammal Twinning at IMPAC5
Marine mammals are increasingly subject to anthropogenic threats such as bycatch, ship strikes and noise pollution. There is a real need for effective conservation measures, which are often applied through the designation and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), as well as Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECSMS) and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). […]
5 year megafauna project announced in the Caribbean
A new exciting project “Caribbean Marine Megafauna and Anthropogenic Activities” (CAMAC) has been announced for 2023. CAMAC will focus on marine mammals, sea turtles, elasmobranchs and seabirds in the Lesser Antilles, over the time period of 5 years (2023-2028). The ecological niches of marine megafauna strongly overlap with human activities leading to frequent interactions. Such […]
Highest number of humpback whales recorded in the Salish Sea
The Salish Sea in the Pacific Northwest (Canada) is home to one of the most diverse assemblages of marine species in the world. Historically, many species of whales, including blue, sperm, grey and humpback whales used the waters of the Salish Sea. Recently, these magnificent animals are making a comeback from the historical exploitation of […]
Urgent need to effectively manage shipping activities within MPAs
Shipping is one of the main threats faced by marine mammals, specifically in the form of ship strikes, as well as through noise and chemical pollution. The underwater noise created by ships is significant. At normal cruising, propellers produce low frequency noise – which can be as high 190 decibels, much louder than a jet […]
36 New IMMAs Announced for the South East Tropical and Temperate Pacific Ocean
Important Marine Mammals Areas (IMMAs) are defined as discrete portions of habitat, important to marine mammal species, that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. Such areas include, for instance, reproductive, feeding and migratory areas, diversity hotspots as well as habitats that are critical for the survival of endangered marine mammal species. Most […]
New Training Manual for Marine Turtle Conservation
The Network of Marine Protected Areas of West Africa (RAMPAO) has developed in collaboration with the Association Chelonee, the “Training manual for the conservation of marine turtles in West Africa”. The manual, inspired by conservation success stories and indigenous knowledge, aimed at MPA managers and conservation stakeholder, fills important gaps in marine turtle conservation, which […]
New Research Redefines Habitat-use of North Atlantic Right Whales
With fewer than 350 North Atlantic Right whales remaining, obtaining a better understanding of their movements and habitat use is crucial to the species’ survival. A new study published in the journal of Limnology and Oceanography, examined areas that are critical for breeding, feeding and transiting for the North Atlantic Right Whale population across their […]