Marine mammals

Project details

Title: Aiming to protect Cetaceans in the Dutch Caribbean across their geographical range

Time: 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2027

Project leaders: Jeffrey Bernus

Project summary:

The Caribbean is an important area where cetaceans feed, rest, and breed. To ensure that the population of cetaceans is stable or increasing, the breeding, feeding, and migratory areas of cetaceans in the Wider Caribbean Region need to be protected. While it is known that at least 33 species of cetacean have been seen in the Wider Caribbean Region, little is known about their population size, distribution, migratory patterns and where they encounter threats. The protection of cetaceans in the Caribbean during their various life stages needs to be improved by identifying and implementing management plans to counteract the various threats they face.

The Caribbean Cetacean Society (CCS) works at the Caribbean scale to improve cetacean conservation through international cooperation, education, and research. Their objective is to improve understanding of, distribute and share the knowledge on cetaceans in the Caribbean, and ultimately to ensure adequate conservation measures are put in place. In this respect, WWF is establishing a strategic partnership with CCS for a multi-year cetacean conservation program. The current partnership targets two overarching strategic goals of WWF:
1.     Reducing man-made threats to cetaceans 
2.     Expanding coverage & improve management of MPAs / cetacean sanctuaries

WWF targets these goals by strengthening regional collaboration by identifying and protecting Blue Corridors in the WCR, to which CCS will actively contribute. 

Dutch and Papiamentu blow

The Yarari Sanctuary is now legally established as a nature park by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, representing a significant milestone in marine conservation for the Caribbean region. This nature park includes the territorial waters of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba and marks a crucial step towards safeguarding the rich biodiversity throughout the Caribbean Netherlands with a focus on marine mammals, sharks and rays. 

Origins 

The Yarari Sanctuary was first established in 2015 around the islands of Saba and Bonaire and since 2018, expanded to include St. Eustatius. The word “Yarari” comes from the Taino Indian language and means “a fine place”, as this area is meant to be a “fine place” for the 20 different marine mammals and over 30 species of sharks and rays which inhabit the waters of the Dutch Caribbean. These species rely on the network of linked habitats stretching across the region for vital hunting, breeding and calving areas. 

Megafauna 

Photo: Credit: Casper Douma/ WWF – all rights reserved

One of the core objectives of establishing the Yarari Sanctuary is the enhanced protection of these megafauna. Marine mammals, sharks and rays all play a pivotal role in the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. By designating these waters as a nature park, stricter regulations and measures can be put in place to safeguard these habitats. This includes creating designated zones where human activity is restricted to minimize disturbances to these animals during their critical breeding and feeding seasons. Increased protection will also help to limit fishing and other potentially harmful activities within the nature park. These changes have been incorporated into the updated BES Fisheries Decree (link included below). 

Protection Milestone  

The establishment of the Yarari Sanctuary is a significant milestone in the ongoing global effort to protect biodiversity. This initiative underscores the Caribbean Netherlands’ commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. The Yarari Sanctuary is not just a testament to the beauty of these islands but also a promise to future generations that the wonders of our oceans will endure for years to come. 

More information 

You can find the official designation here (https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0048395/2023-07-15) along with Implementation Decree (https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0048396/2023-07-15) and the updated Fisheries legislation (https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0028413/2023-07-15). 

Stay up to date about the latest news nature news from the six Dutch Caribbean Islands focused on research and monitoring by subscribing to the FREE digital newsletter BioNews: https://dcnanature.org/news/ 

For general information about the species in the Yarari Sanctuary see: 

• https://www.dcnanature.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BioNews-Yarari.pdf 
• https://www.dcbd.nl/sites/default/files/documents/DIGITAAL-YarariFolder-2018.pdf 

DCNA     

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) supports (science) communication and outreach in the Dutch Caribbean region by making nature-related scientific information more widely available through amongst others the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s news platform BioNews and the press. This article contains the results from several (scientific) studies but the studies themselves are not DCNA studies. No rights can be derived from the content. DCNA is not liable for the content and the in(direct) impacts resulting from publishing this article.     

Het Yarari-reservaat is nu wettelijk ingesteld als natuurpark door het Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit, wat een belangrijke mijlpaal vertegenwoordigt in het behoud van de zee voor het Caribisch gebied. Dit natuurpark omvat de territoriale wateren van Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba en markeert een cruciale stap in de richting van het veiligstellen van de rijke biodiversiteit in heel Caribisch Nederland, met een focus op zeezoogdieren, haaien en roggen.

Oorsprong

Het Yarari-reservaat werd voor het eerst opgericht in 2015 rond de eilanden Saba en Bonaire en sinds 2018 uitgebreid naar Sint Eustatius. Het woord “Yarari” komt uit de Taino-Indiaanse taal en betekent “een fijne plek”, aangezien dit gebied bedoeld is als een “fijne plek” voor de 20 verschillende zeezoogdieren en meer dan 30 soorten haaien en roggen die in de wateren van het Nederlandse Caribisch gebied leven. Deze soorten zijn afhankelijk van het netwerk van onderling verbonden leefgebieden dat zich over de regio uitstrekt voor vitale jacht-, broed- en afkalfgebieden.

Megafauna

Foto: Credit: Casper Douma/ WWF – all rights reserved

Een van de kerndoelstellingen van de oprichting van het Yarari-reservaat is de betere bescherming van deze megafauna. Zeezoogdieren, haaien en roggen spelen allemaal een cruciale rol in het delicate evenwicht van mariene ecosystemen. Door deze wateren aan te wijzen als natuurpark kunnen strengere regels en maatregelen worden getroffen om deze leefgebieden veilig te stellen. Dit omvat het creëren van aangewezen zones waar menselijke activiteit beperkt is om verstoringen voor deze dieren tijdens hun kritieke broed- en voederseizoenen tot een minimum te beperken. Een betere bescherming zal ook helpen de visserij en andere potentieel schadelijke activiteiten in het natuurpark te beperken. Deze wijzigingen zijn verwerkt in het vernieuwde Visserijbesluit BES (link hieronder).

Beschermingsmijlpaal

De oprichting van het Yarari-reservaat is een belangrijke mijlpaal in de voortdurende mondiale inspanningen om de biodiversiteit te beschermen. Dit initiatief onderstreept de inzet van Caribisch Nederland op het gebied van milieubeheer en duurzame ontwikkeling. Het Yarari-reservaat is niet alleen een bewijs van de schoonheid van deze eilanden, maar ook een belofte aan toekomstige generaties dat de wonderen van onze oceanen nog jaren zullen voortduren.

Meer informatie

De officiële aanduiding vindt u hier https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0048395/2023-07-15 samen met het Uitvoeringsbesluit https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0048396/2023-07-15 en de vernieuwde Visserijwetgeving https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0028413/2023-07-15.

Blijf op de hoogte van het laatste natuurnieuws van de zes Nederlands Caribische eilanden gericht op onderzoek en monitoring door u te abonneren op de GRATIS digitale nieuwsbrief BioNews: https://dcnanature.org/news/

Voor algemene informatie over de soorten in het Yarari Sanctuary zie:

• https://www.dcnanature.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BioNews-Yarari.pdf
• https://www.dcbd.nl/sites/default/files/documents/DIGITAAL-YarariFolder-2018.pdf

DCNA

De Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA)ondersteunt (wetenschaps) communicatie en outreach in de Nederlandse Caribische regio door natuurgerelateerde wetenschappelijke informatie breder beschikbaar te maken via onder meer de Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s nieuwsplatform BioNewsen de pers. Dit artikel bevat de resultaten van verschillende (wetenschappelijke) projecten, maar de projecten zelf zijn geen DCNA-projecten. Aan de inhoud kunnen geen rechten worden ontleend. DCNA is niet aansprakelijk voor de inhoud en de indirecte gevolgen die voortvloeien uit het publiceren van dit artikel.

Voor meer informatie, kunt u contact opnemen met:

Bonaire: STINAPA Bonaire: info@stinapabonaire.org

Saba: Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF): info@sabapark.org

St. Eustatius: St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA): outreach@statiapark.org

Algemeen: research@DCNAnature.org

Awor Santuario Yarari ta legalmente establesé komo parke di naturalesa di parti di Ministerio di Agrikultura, Naturalesa i Kalidat di Kuminda, loke ta representá un logro signifikante den konservashon di laman pa área di Karibe. E parke di naturalesa akí ta enserá e awanan teritorial di Boneiru, Sint Eustatius i Saba, i e ta marka un paso krusial den direkshon di salbaguardiá e biodiversidat riku den henter Karibe Hulandes, ku un enfoke riba mamífero di laman, tribon i chuchu. 

Orígen 

A establesé Santuario Yarari pa promé biaha na aña 2015 rònt di e islanan Saba i Boneiru i for di aña 2018 nan a ekspandé esaki pa inkluí Sint Eustatius. E palabra ‘Yarari’ ta bini for di idioma Taino Indio i e ta nifiká ‘un sitio bunita’, mirando ku e área akí ta intenshoná komo un ‘sitio bunita’ pa e 20 diferente mamíferonan di laman i e mas ku 30 espesie di tribon i chuchu ku ta biba den e awanan di Karibe Hulandes. E espesienan akí ta dependé di e ret di ambientenan natural ku ta konektá ku otro i ku ta ekstendé nan mes atraves di e region pa áreanan vital di yagmentu, reprodukshon i alimentashon.  

Megafouna  

Photo: Credit: Casper Douma/ WWF – all rights reserved

Un di e ophetivonan núkleo di establesimentu di Santuario Yarari ta mihó protekshon pa e megafouna akí. Mamífero di laman, tribon i chuchu tur ta hunga un ròl fundamental den e ekilibrio delikado di ekosistemanan marino. Pa medio di indiká e awanan akí komo parke di naturalesa, por implementá regla i medida mas estrikto pa salbaguardiá e ambientenan natural akí. Esaki ta enserá kreamentu di zonanan designá kaminda ta limitá aktividat humano pa asina minimalisá estorbo pa e animalnan akí durante nan temporada krítiko di reprodukshon i alimentashon. Un mihó protekshon lo yuda limitá piskamentu i otro aktividatnan potensialmente dañino tambe den e parke di naturalesa. A prosesá e kambionan akí den e Dekreto di Peska BES renobá (a inkluí e lenk akí bou). 

Logro di protekshon 

Establesimentu di Santuario Yarari ta un logro importante pa loke ta trata e esfuersonan mundial kontinuo pa protehá biodiversidat. E inisiativa akí ta suprayá e dedikashon di Hulanda Karibense riba tereno di maneho di medio ambiente i desaroyo sostenibel. Santuario Yarari no solamente ta un prueba di bunitesa di nos islanan, pero tambe un promesa na nos generashonnan di futuro ku e maravianan di nos oséanonan lo sigui kontinuá durante hopi aña mas.  

Mas informashon    

E indikashon ofisial bo ta haña akinan (https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0048395/2023-07-15) huntu ku e Dekreto di Ehekushon (https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0048396/2023-07-15) i e Legislashon di Peska renobá (https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0028413/2023-07-15).  

Keda na altura di e último informenan tokante naturalesa di e seis islanan di Karibe Hulandes ku enfoke riba investigashon i monitoreo, pa medio di tuma un abono grátis riba e boletin notisiero digital BioNews: https://dcnanature.org/news/  

Pa informashon general tokante e espesienan den Santuario Yarari, bishitá:    

• https://www.dcnanature.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BioNews-Yarari.pdf 
• https://www.dcbd.nl/sites/default/files/documents/DIGITAAL-YarariFolder-2018.pdf 

DCNA 

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) ta sostené komunikashon (sientífiko) i ‘outreach’ den region hulandes karibense pa medio di hasi informashon sientífiko relashoná ku naturalesa mas ampliamente disponibel via entre otro Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA su plataforma di notisia BioNews  i via prensa. E artíkulo akí ta forma parti di e resultadonan di diferente investigashon sientífiko, pero e investigashonnan mes no ta investigashon di DCNA. No por derivá ningun derecho for di e kontenido. DCNA no ta responsabel pa e kontenido i e konsekuensianan (in)direkto ku ta surgi for di publikashon di e artíkulo akí.   

Published in BioNews 68

Three regional Marine Mammal Stranding Response Workshops were organized according to the priorities defined in the 2008-2009 “Workplan and Budget for the SPAW Regional Programme” (2.4) concerning the preservation of threatened and endangered species, and the Action Plan for the Conservation of Marine Mammals in the Wider Caribbean Region’s General Timetable for Implementation (2.12 (2.7.2). These three workshops follow upon the first one organized by the Eastern Caribbean Cetacean Network (ECCN) in 2005 for the Eastern Caribbean region. This report is a brief summary of the three marine mammal stranding workshops whose objective is to focus on the recommendations resulting from the workshops. A complete and detailed report of each workshop is available on the SPAW-RAC website:
http://www.car-spaw-rac.org/

1. The Regional Workshop for the Dutch Caribbean Territories in response to Marine Mammal Strandings from 5-7 November 2009 was held in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles.
Twenty-one participants representing Protected Area management organizations, government departments, and non-governmental organizations from six Dutch Caribbean islands attended including Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and Saba. Trainers and presenters included Charles Potter (Smithsonian Institute’s Marine Mammal Laboratory), Dr. John Reynolds (Mote Marine Laboratory), Dr. Janet Whaley (NOAA Fisheries), Dr. Nathalie Ward (Eastern Caribbean Cetacean Network/U.S. Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Program); Ms. Andrea Bogomolni (Eastern Caribbean Cetacean Network/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), and Helene Souan (SPAW Regional Activity Centre, Guadeloupe.) Paul Hoetjes was the Southern Caribbean Cetacean Network (SCCN) Coordinator in Curacao and Dr. Nathalie Ward (ECCN) served as coordinator for workshop training preparations. The US Marine Mammal Commission, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), the Netherlands Antilles’ government, and the Curaçao Sea Aquarium/Dolphin Academy provided funding for the workshop.

Photos available here: https://www.smugmug.com/app/organize/SPAW-Workshop-2012

Nederlands and Papiamentu below

The whale and dolphin research program  Ti Whale An Nou started March 25, 2022 and the objective is to study the diversity, distribution and quantity of whales and dolphins in the Caribbean. Six scientific expeditions of 15 days will take place between March and September 2022. The results will be used to determine what is needed to protect these large mammals. This expedition is coordinated by the Caribbean Cetacean Society (CCS) and is made possible thanks to several partners. 

Fraser’s dolphin. Photo source: Caribbean Cetacean Society

First sightings

The name of the research project Ti Whale An Nou is a mixture of French and English Creole and it means ‘our little whales’. The first expedition of this year was recently finalized. In 12 days CCS encountered 9 species from Martinique to Grenada. The research team followed a group of orcas in St. Vincent and they could also study Fraser’s dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, pilot whales, humpback whales, sperm whales, dwarf sperm whales, pygmy killer whales, beaked whales.

Unfortunately CCS also took notice that 18 pilot whales were killed in St. Vincent on the last day of the expedition. This horrifying news affirms the importance of protecting marine mammals. The next expedition will take place from the 15th until 27th of April and will focus on the islands from Martinique to Montserrat.

Orca. Photo source: Caribbean Cetacean Society

Capacity building

The third expedition will be from May 17 to June 1 and it is open for candidates from the Dutch Caribbean to participate. Inhabitants from the Caribbean are invited to make use of the unique opportunity to join the research team of Ti Whale An Nou onboard for the expedition to learn more about their work and to contribute to this important research project. The team will study the zone from Montserrat to Anguilla, covering Sint Maarten, Statia, Saba and the Saba Bank. The goal of the expedition is also to do capacity building to improve the skills of local people to study whales and dolphins.

Importance for other Caribbean islands

This research program will provide an understanding of the migration routes of marine mammals and therefore an opportunity to improve the protection of these animals. A stable population of whales and dolphins is an indication of healthy oceans. In healthy oceans, fish stocks are stable which is important for the fisheries and the economy on the islands. Furthermore, whales play a significant role in capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Each great whale isolates an estimated 33 tons of CO2 on average, thus playing their part in the fight against climate change.

This research mission receives great support by the World Wide Fund for Nature – The Netherlands, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, Corail Caraibes, Orange, the EDF Group Foundation, Animal Wellfare Institute, and Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique, Région Guadeloupe and Collectivité Territoriale de la Martinique

Sperm whale. Photo source: Caribbean Cetacean Society

Results 2021

Last year this research project was conducted for the first time. 17 species were identified, 191 visual detections recorded, more than 10. 000 individuals studied and 29 families of sperm whales were encountered in 2021. Furthermore, there were acoustic recordings of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the West Indies and first photo identification of this species in Martinique. CCS also observed the rare species pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata) in the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, around Saba, Saba Bank, St. Maarten and St. Eustatius. This study was a first step to shed light on cetaceans in the Caribbean.

All results can be found at https://www.ccs-ngo.com/ti-whale-an-nou.

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Nederlands

Tweede Walvis en dolfijn onderzoeksprogramma in het Caribisch gebied

De walvis en dolfijn onderzoeksprogramma Ti Whale An Nou is op 25 maart 2022 van start gegaan. De expeditie staat in het teken van het in kaart brengen van de diversiteit, de migratie en het aantal walvissen en dolfijnen in het Caribisch gebied. Tussen maart en september 2022 vinden zes wetenschappelijke expedities van 15 dagen plaats. Op basis van de resultaten kan worden vastgesteld wat er nodig is voor een betere bescherming van deze grote zeezoogdieren. De expeditie wordt gecoördineerd door Caribbean Cetacean Society en wordt mogelijk gemaakt door verschillende partners.

Fraser’s dolphin. Foto van Caribbean Cetacean Society

Eerste waarnemingen

De naam van het onderzoeksproject Ti Whale An Nou is een combinatie van Frans en Engels Creools en het betekent onze kleine walvissen. Onlangs is de eerste expeditie van dit jaar afgerond. In 12 dagen registreerde CCS 9 soorten van Martinique tot Grenada. Het onderzoeksteam volgde een groep orka’s in St. Vincent en ze konden ook Fraser-dolfijnen, pantropische gevlekte dolfijnen, grienden, bultruggen, potvissen, dwerg potvissen, dwerg orka’s en spitssnuitdolfijnen bestuderen.

Op de laatste dag van de expeditie merkte CCS helaas ook op dat 18 grienden werden gedood in St. Vincent. Dit gruwelijke nieuws bevestigt het belang van de bescherming van zeezoogdieren. De volgende expeditie vindt plaats van 15 tot 27 april en zal zich concentreren op de eilanden van Martinique tot Montserrat.

Orca. Foto van Caribbean Cetacean Society

Capaciteitsopbouw 

De derde expeditie vindt plaats van 17 mei tot 1 juni en staat open voor kandidaten uit Caribisch Nederland. Bewoners in het Caribisch gebied kunnen gebruik maken van de unieke kans om zich bij het onderzoeksteam van Ti Whale An Nou aan boord van de expeditie toe te voegen om te leren over hun werk en om bij te dragen aan dit belangrijke onderzoeksproject. Het team gaat de zone van Montserrat tot Anguilla bestuderen, die Sint Maarten, Statia, Saba en de Saba Bank omvat. Het doel van de expeditie is ook om capaciteitsopbouw te doen om de vaardigheden van lokale mensen om walvissen en dolfijnen te bestuderen te verbeteren.

Belang voor andere Caribische eilanden

Door dit onderzoek komt er inzicht in de migratieroutes van de zeezoogdieren en daarmee biedt het een kans om deze dieren beter te beschermen. Een stabiele populatie walvissen en dolfijnen is in een indicatie van gezonde oceanen. In gezonde oceanen is de visstand ook op peil en dat is van belang voor de visserij alsmede de economie op de eilanden. Bovendien spelen walvissen een belangrijke rol bij het vastleggen van koolstofdioxide (CO2) uit de atmosfeer. Elke grote walvis isoleert naar schatting gemiddeld 33 ton CO2 en speelt zo een rol in de strijd tegen klimaatverandering.

Deze onderzoeksmissie ontvangt enorme steun van het Wereld Natuur Fonds, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, Corail Caraibes, Orange, EDF Group Foundation, Animal Wellfare Institute, en Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique.

Sperm whale. Foto van Caribbean Cetacean Society

Resultaten 2021

Vorig jaar is dit onderzoeksproject voor het eerst uitgevoerd. In 2021 werden 17 soorten geïdentificeerd, 191 visuele waarnemingen geregistreerd en 29 families potvissen geobserveerd. Verder waren er akoestische opnamen van orka’s (Orcinus orka) in West-Indië en de eerste foto-identificatie van deze soort in Martinique. CCS heeft ook de zeldzame soort pygmee-orka (Feresa attenuata) waargenomen in het Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, rond Saba, Saba Bank, St. Maarten en St. Eustatius. Deze studie was een eerste stap om een situatie te schetsen over walvisachtigen in het Caribisch gebied. Alle resultaten zijn te vinden op https://www.ccs-ngo.com/ti-whale-an-nou.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Papiamentu

Di dos programa di investigashon di bayena i dòlfein den Karibe

E programa di investigashon di bayena i dòlfein Ti Whale An Nou a kuminsá riba 25 di mart 2022. E ekspedishon ta trese dilanti e diversidat, migrashon i kantidat di bayena i dòlfein den Karibe. Entre mart i sèptèmber 2022 tin 6 ekspedishon sientífiko di 15 dia lo tuma lugá. A base di e resultadonan por ser konstatá kiko ta nesesario pa brinda un mihó protekshon na e mamíferonan marítimo grandi aki. E ekspedishon ta ser kordiná dor di Caribbean Cetacean Society i hasí posibel dor di diferente partner.

Fraser’s dolphin. Foto di Caribbean Cetacean Society

Promé observashonnan

E nòmber di e proyekto di investigashon ta un kombinashon di kreol franses i ingles i ta nifiká nos bayenanan chikí. Resientemente e promé ekspedishon a finalisá. Den 12 dia CCS a registrá 9 sorto entre Martinique ku Grenada. E tim di investigashon a sigui un grupo di Orka na St. Vincent i nan por a observá tambe diferente otro tipo di bayena i dòlfein manera ‘Fraser-dolfijnen, pantropische gevlekte dolfijnen, grienden, bultruggen, potvissen, dwerg potvissen, dwerg orka’s’.

Riba e último dia por a nota tambe ku 18 bayena a ser matá na St.Vincent. E notisia kruel aki ta konfirmá e importansia di protehá mamalnan marítimo. E siguiente ekspedishon lo tuma lugá di 15 pa 27 di aprel i lo ta konsentrá riba e islanan entre Martinique ku Montserrat.

Orka. Foto di Caribbean Cetacean Society

Desaroyo di kapasidat

E di tres ekspedishon lo tuma lugá di 17 di mei pa promé di yüni i ta habrí pa kantidatonan di Karibe Hulandes. Habitantenan di Karibe Hulandes por hasi uso di e oportunidat úniko pa forma parti di e tim di ekspedishon di Ti Whale An Noun a bordo pa asina siña di e trabou ku nan ta hasi i tambe pa kontribuí na e proyekto di investigashon importante aki. E tim ta bai studia e zona entre Montserrat ku Anguilla, ku ta enserá e islanan Sint Maarten, Statia, Saba i e Saba Bank. E meta di e ekspedishon ta tambe pa desaroyá kapasidat pa mehorá e abilidatnan di personanan lokal pa por studia bayena i dòlfèin.

Importansha pa islanan di karibe

Dor di e investigashon aki ta bin bista riba e rutanan di migrashon di e mamíferonan marítimo i e ta brinda di e forma aki e posibilidat pa por protehá e animalnan mihó. Un populashon stabil di bayena i dòlfein ta un indikashon di e un oséano saludabel. Den oséanonan saludabel tin tambe un bon kantidat di piská den e awanan kual ta di importansia pa peska. I esaki ta importante pa ekonomia di e islanan. Ademas bayenanan ta hunga un ròl grandi den saka karbodióksido (CO2) for di atmósfera. Kada bayena grandi ta isolá un promedio di 33 tonelada di karbodióksido i ta hunga un ròl den e lucha kontra kambio di klima. E mishon di investigashon ta risibí sosten grandi di Wereld Natuur Fonds, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, Corail Caraibes, Orange, EDF Group Foundation, Animal Wellfare Institute, en Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique.

Sperm whale. Foto di Caribbean Cetacean Society

Resultadonan 2021

Aña pasá a hasi e proyekto di investigashon aki pa promé bia. Den 2021 a identifiká 17 sorto, a registrá 191 observashon visual i 29 famia di ‘potvis’. Banda di esaki tabata tin grabashon akústiko di orka (Orcinus orka) na India oeste i e promé identifikashon di e sorto aki na Martinique. CCS a mira tambe un sorto skars di orka (Feresa attenuate) den e Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary rondo di Saba, St. Maarten i Statia. E estudio aki tabata un promé paso pa skèts situashon di tiponan di bayena den Karibe. Por haña tur resultado riba  https://www.ccs-ngo.com/ti-whale-an-nou.

Published in BioNews 53

A new collaborative study provides new insight into how two species of minke whales utilize the Caribbean and neighboring Atlantic waters throughout their life cycle. The findings add further conservation value and significance to the relatively new Yarari marine sanctuary of the Netherlands. By combining scientific, citizen science and public information, this study provides key information which will help guide conservation efforts moving forward.

Minke whales are the smallest of the “great whales” and can be found in waters world-wide. There are actually two different species of Minke whale, the common minke whale, or northern minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and the Antarctic minke whale, or southern minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis).

Yarari Sanctuary

Minke whales are known to migrate over long distances, with both species using the warm waters of the Caribbean to breed and calf during the winter months. Within the Caribbean, there are a number of marine protected areas, such as the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, which includes the territorial waters around Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius. In addition to providing vital protection of the marine ecosystem, the Yarari Sanctuary is used to help focus research for greater insight into the life cycles and migration patterns of both resident and migratory species. Understanding how these species travel during the year and use Caribbean waters is critical in designing effective conservation plans in the future.

New Study

A recent study brought together a wide array of researchers and conservation groups including the Institute of Environmental Sciences from Leiden University and the Aruba Marine Mammal Foundation. This study reviewed literature, citizen science and scientific records to compile spatial and temporal data for both species of minke whales. The goal of the study was to learn more about how these species use the Wider Caribbean Area throughout their life cycles.

In total, 130 records were collected, most of which were from scientific studies (100) and the rest from citizen science (30). Minke whales are notoriously inquisitive, frequently approaching boats, which makes them the perfect species to be spotted by citizen scientists. Improvements in civilian camera equipment, and increased initiatives to record and share biodiversity observations on social networks and public databases have led to a recent surge in citizen science reports for all species.

Findings

Photo credit: Hans Verdaat

This study was able to integrate scattered species records to provide new insights that point to the importance of the Yarari Sanctuary which lies in the center of an Eastern Caribbean wintering area for the common minke whale and thus add conservation value and significance to this relatively new marine sanctuary of the Netherlands. These new insights are in large part thanks to two previous studies conducted by Wageningen University & Research together with the Saba Bank Managing Unit and were generously funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV). These latter results were aligned with similar studies and were found to be consistent with large-scale seasonal migration routes of the Minke whales.

Interestingly, this study highlighted that although it was previously believed that only the northern minke whale used the Gulf of Mexico, there were confirmed stranding incidents involving both species. Furthermore, the fact that there were strandings of minke whales throughout the year suggested that some whales stay year-round within the Gulf.

Report your Sightings

Every sighting can provide useful data that can contribute to the understanding needed to protect these species. Help further conservation efforts by reporting your (minke) whale (or other species) sightings and photos on the website Observation.org or download the free app (iPhone (iObs) & Android (ObsMapp)). These tools are available in over 40 languages and can be used by biologists, citizens and tourists alike.

For more information you can find the full report on the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database by clicking the button below.

https://www.dcbd.nl/document/spatial-temporal-distribution-minke-whales-...

Article published in BioNews 46

A new study from the Aeres University of Applied Sciences combined expert knowledge and an analysis of historical data concerning whale ship strikes.  The goal was to provide a list of recommendations to avoid future collisions. As boat traffic within the Caribbean continues to increase, finding ways to minimize the fatal impacts will be vital for protecting these species in the future.

Humpback whale. Photo credit: Todd Cravens

Whales play a critical role in the ocean ecosystems.  They occupy all of the world’s oceans (from coastal areas to deep sea) and serve as an indicator of overall ocean health.  Whales help preserve healthy fish stock by eliminating weaker fish, serve as a food source for sharks and other whales and lastly provide a wealth of nutrition to the seafloor when their carcasses sink and decompose.  In this way, whales act as a pump, recirculating nutrients throughout the ocean.

Ship Strikes

There are more than twenty different species of marine mammals found throughout the Dutch Caribbean. Overall, impact between whales and ships within these waters is probably low, however poor tracking and limited information has made it difficult to fully grasp this issue.  There is one recorded incident, from 2000, where Bonaire’s harbor master reported a Bryde’s whale pinned to the front of an incoming ship’s bow.  The ship’s crew was unaware until notified by the harbor master.

Boat traffic in the Caribbean is significant.  Heavy commercial traffic along with one third of all of the world’s cruise boat tourists puts migrating humpback whales at risk for collision.  Four students, Laetitia Geraets, Nehis Osagie, Tamara Raven and Angélica Verschragen, from the Aeres University of Applied Sciences in Almere, Netherlands are looking to shed light on the problem of ship strikes with humpback whales. The goal of the study was to examine past collision reports to offer insight into ways to reduce or prevent ship strikes in the future.

Results

Humpback whale. Photo credit: Mike Doherty

They discovered that an average of thirty whales are killed each year due to ship collisions, which has nearly doubled when compared to five years ago.  This is predominately due to a significant overlap of whale migration routes and shipping lanes, high speeds of vessels and the fact that lactating whales spend more time at shallow depths making them vulnerable to collision (particularly within calving grounds such as near the windward Dutch Caribbean islands).

They suggest developing and implementing a reporting system with the coast guard, while simultaneously establishing speed limits within Dutch waters and temporary precautionary zones around areas with recent whale sightings. Ultimately, they propose the use of an app which will allow individuals to report sightings and also provide timely recommendations to captains.  To ensure participation, they suggest a label be given to vessels which are compliant with all the rules and who actively use the app.  This label would help promote mindfulness along important whale migration areas.

Through an increased awareness and the creation of safe spaces such as the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, we can all work together to protect these vital species in the future. You can help contribute to our overall understanding of these species by reporting any sightings on Observation.org and by supporting and encouraging whale safe practices.

https://www.dcbd.nl/document/humpback-whales-and-shipping-collisions-dut...

Article published in BioNews 44

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and World Wide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL) are proud to support Caribbean Cetacean Society’s (CCS) new “Ti Whale An Nou” Project. This project will provide key insight which will be used to estimate population sizes, distribution, movements and social structure of sperm whales in the Lesser Antilles between the islands of Grenada and Anguilla, including the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, around Saba, Saba Bank, St. Maarten and St. Eustatius. These results will be valuable for improving marine mammal protection in the Wider Caribbean region.

Caribbean Hot Spot

Humpback whale calf
Photo credit: Tomas Kotouc

There are over 33 species of cetaceans (marine mammals) which can be found within the Caribbean region, representing over a third of the total global population. Marine mammals can be a valuable indicator for the overall health of oceans and help maintain balance within the very complex marine environment. As predators, they serve to thin out weak or injured fish, and as prey they provide an important food source for other species. They serve as a carbon pump, relocating nutrients ingested near the surface as nitrogen-rich fecal matter which settles along the ocean floor. This fecal matter is an important food source for phytoplankton, small animals that consume CO2 and convert into oxygen. In this way, marine mammals contribute in our fight against effects of climate change. Furthermore, when marine mammals die, their bodies sink bringing important nutrients to even the deepest parts of the ocean. Lastly, these species can have great economic impact, serving to improve local fish stock while also being a significant tourist driver.

Locally Driven Study

Unfortunately, still much is unknown about the marine mammals of the Caribbean. Luckily, studies such as the newly announced Caribbean Cetaceans Society’s (CCS) “Ti Whale An Nou” help fill in these knowledge gaps. This study will work to increase international collaboration and involvement of local Caribbean organizations (such as the DCNA and Saba Conservation Foundation), improving understanding and building capacity for years to come. This project builds off previous studies conducted in 2016 by the Dominica Sperm Whale Project and 2019/2020 by Dalhousie University. This research mission has received great support by not only DCNA and WWF-NL, but from Corail Caraibes, Orange, the EDF Group Foundation, Animal Wellfare Institute, and Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique as well.

Sperm whale.  Photo credit: Alexis Rosenfeld

Ti Whale An Nou

“Ti Whale An Nou” is Haitian creole for “Our Little Whales” and serves as a reminder of how interlinked humans are to the ocean. The study will take place over six expeditions, focused on three main zones reaching between Anguilla and Granada. The goal is to improve understanding of the diversity, distribution and relative densities of marine mammal species, specifically sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the Lesser Antilles. This project will also provide new acoustic data to help improve the ability to identify species through an artificial intelligence system. Lastly, this project will provide new insight into the role of environmental variables in the diversity and distribution of marine mammals throughout the West Indies.

Importance of cooperation

As experts continue to learn more about these complex and dynamic areas, more impactful conservation strategies can be implemented. Transboundary species, especially those with migration routes as long reaching as whales, dolphins and sharks, require a network which crosses international borders. One such example is the Yarari Marine Mammal and Sanctuary, which helps to create safe passage for marine mammals and sharks throughout the waters of the Caribbean Netherlands. Through collaborative efforts, driven at the local level, the Caribbean can serve as a leader in international cooperation for marine conservation.

Report your Sightings

Have you (ever) observed whales in the Caribbean? Every sighting can provide useful data for researchers and provides critical information needed to protect these species. Help us by reporting your (old) nature sightings and photos on the website Observation.org or download the free app (iPhone (iObs) & Android (ObsMapp)). These tools are available in over 40 languages and can be used by biologists and citizens and tourists alike.

More information

To find out more, visit the project’s website (https://www.ccs-ngo.com/ti-whale-an-nou-2021). Outcomes of this expedition will be made available in Obsenmer, FlukeBook, Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, Observation.org and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

Article published in BioNews 44.

The CARI’MAM project

More than 30 species of marine mammals inhabit the waters of the Caribbean,which makes it a world hotspot. These highly mobile species are known to move between different Caribbean territories and beyond. Between 2018 and 2021, the CARI’MAM (CaribbeanMarine MammalPreservation Network) project was carried out to develop a network and foster collaboration between Caribbean actors involved in the conservation of marine mammals in the region. Co-funded by the INTERREG Caribbean Program from the European Union, it aimed at providing territories withvarious socio-economic, legislative and regulatory situations the opportunity to join forces to:

-Improve knowledge on the presence and movements of cetaceans in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR);

-Develop MPAs’ efficiency in managing marine mammals and their habitats within their borders.

This project wascoordinated by four organisations:

-SPAW-RAC, the Regional Activity Center for the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife from the Cartagena Convention;

-The St Martin Natural Reserve;

-The Grand Connetable Island Natural Reserve in French Guyana;

-The Agoa Sanctuary, which is the CARI’MAM project leader.

The CARI’MAM network grew all along the project, gathering more than 50 organisations from about 30 territories from Bermuda to French Guyana, Barbados to Jamaica and Central America.

The main objectives of the CARI’MAM project were to:

-Create a network of MPAs dedicated to marine mammals in the WCR and beyond;

-Building capacities and knowledge among MPA managers;

-Develop common management and evaluation tools;

-Supporting the development of a sustainable whale watching industry in the WCR and beyond;

Specifically, nine Work Packages were identifiedto reach those objectives. Work Package 2 (WP2), intitled “Data acquisition” aimed at acquiring knowledge on marine mammals and testing field methodology through several scientific campaigns at sea.

Therefore, two scientific campaigns were organized in 2021, covering the waters of Anguilla, St Martin, St Barthelemy, Saba, Statia, Guadeloupe and Martinique. The objective of this survey was to evaluate cetacean abundance and distribution during the dry season and the wet season respectively. This report presents the methodology and final results of this survey.

There has been a recent increase in public awareness of environmental issues as the effects of climate change have become ever more noticeable in our daily lives. As we enter a new decade, it becomes useful to review what conservation efforts have worked so far, and take inventory of what efforts will be required for the future. Starting with the constitutional referendum creating the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES), the response to conservation challenges of all six Dutch Caribbean islands have varied. Since 2010, the BES islands have seen an overall increase in funding support and conservation actions, and therefore presumably also saw greater improvements when compared to Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, though clearly not enough (Sanders et al, 2019).

The goal of this Transboundary Species special edition of BioNews is to provide an update on the latest published research results and highlight the need for transboundary protection. These species know no boundaries, and thus move between the Dutch Caribbean islands and beyond. Their protection will require broadscale conservation efforts which cover the entire Caribbean, including the six Dutch Caribbean islands. Collaboration between all six islands is of the utmost importance. This is one of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance’s (DCNA) main goals: working together and sharing skills, knowledge and resources to maintain a solid network and support nature conservation in the entire Dutch Caribbean.

The Antillean Island chain is a known breeding and calving ground for North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). However, while most research efforts for this species have focused on the largest aggregation of whales, located on Silver Bank, off the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, there are still significant knowledge gaps with respect to humpback whale movements along the Antillean Island chain. Even less is known about the spatio-temporal distribution of other marine mammal and fish species in the region. This report summarizes analysis results of acoustic data (10-8000 Hz effective analysis bandwidth recorded at a 25% duty cycle), recorded on the north east of Saba Bank from October 2011 to April 2012. The results show the consistent presence of humpback whales in the vicinity of Saba Bank during their winter breeding season, occasional presence of minke whales and the presence of sound producing fish assemblages. Humpback whale song occurred from the end of December to the end of the recording period in April. From February to April humpback whale song was recorded on more than 89 % of all recording days, though it occurred most frequently in March. All recording days in March showed song presence, with an average of 8.5 ± 2.8 (mean ± SE) hours of recorded song per day. In contrast, for minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) 48 pulse trains (n = 32) were detected less frequently between February to April 2012. A variety of unidentified fish sounds were present throughout the recordings. Although the occurrence of these sounds was not quantified, notable fish choruses (e.g. grouper spp. Epinephelinae) consisting of one to two distinct pulsed calls in the frequency range of 100 - 600 Hz were documented from October to December 2011 in particular. The results of this pilot project highlight the feasibility of using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) to explore year-round marine mammal and fish presence and distribution in otherwise understudied and remote field sites.