Risso’s dolphins face new threat in the Mediterranean
Cetaceans, especially dolphins such as Grampus griseus, are particularly prone to build up of persistent chemical toxic substances, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) as they are apex predators (at the top of the marine food web). This added to their long lifespan and wide home ranges, makes cetaceans, like Risso’s dolphin, excellent indicator species […]
Chile established new MPA to protect blue whales
After more than two decades of conservation efforts, the Chilean government approved the establishment of a new marine protected area (MPA) in Patagonia for the safeguarding of an important breeding and feeding areas for blue whales. that will safeguard an important feeding and breeding area for the endangered blue whales. Located south of the island […]
The Marine Mammal Twinning at the Humpback Whale World Congress
Between March 6 – 11 2023, the Marine Mammal Twinning attended the 3rd Humpback Whale World Congress, held in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic). The congress brought together all stakeholders involved in humpback whale conservation with this year’s edition being dedicated to “The Blue Economy for Sustainable Development” reflecting on the importance of humpback whales in […]
The Marine Mammal Twinning at the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress
On February 4th and 5th, the Twinning introduced the Marine Mammals Management Toolkit at two separate events during the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress in Vancouver, Canada, highlighting the toolkit as a innovative tool for marine mammal management within MPAs. The first presentation was part of the session “Effectively Managing MPAs: New Tools for Resilience and Marine Mammal […]
As sea ice declines in the Arctic bowhead whales are adjusting their migration patterns
The Arctic has warmed 4 times faster than the rest of the globe since 1979, with sea ice extent decreasing 13% per decade. Increased warming and the continued loss of sea ice will have significant negative impacts on marine mammals that rely heavily on sea-ice for survival. Amongst these species, the bowhead whale, the only […]
The Marine Mammals Management Toolkit – Community of Practice
To fully realise the potential of the Marine Mammals Management Toolkit in building capacity and empowering Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers to effectively manage marine mammals, the Community of Practice now sits as the 4th core element of the Toolkit. The Community of Practice is designed to connect MPA practitioners from around the world with […]
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). […]
