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SC/69A/HIM/14
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Resource ID
20016
Access
Open
Document Number
SC/69A/HIM/14
Full Title
Identifying threats for inshore bottlenose dolphins off central Ecuador
Author
Castro C., Félix F., Barragán-Tabares L. & J. Castrillón
Authors Summary
The coastal ecotype of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is one of the cetaceans most vulnerable to human activities. It is thought to be distributed in small communities along the Ecuadorian coast, overlapping with areas of human settlement. Like other bottlenose dolphin communities in southern Ecuador, the communities on the central coast of Ecuador are thought to be experiencing a significant demographic decline, which is believed to be affecting all bottlenose dolphin communities along the Ecuadorian coast.
Over the past two years, research efforts have focused on field surveys in central Ecuador. The aim was to gather information about the bottlenose dolphins in the area, to improve our understanding of the potential threats they face and to develop conservation management measures. By analyzing the skin scars on their bodies, mainly on the dorsal fin, it has been possible to identify the main anthropogenic threats to these communities.
According to the scar analysis, the main threat identified was fishing interactions. A high proportion of the coastal dolphin population (n= 30, 85.7%) had scars on their bodies from fishing interactions. The other major threat found was marine pollution, highlighting the impact of plastic. On five occasions, interactions between coastal dolphins and marine debris (plastic) were documented.
Publisher
IWC
Publication Year
2023
Abstract
The coastal ecotype of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is one of the cetaceans most vulnerable to human activities. It is thought to be distributed in small communities along the Ecuadorian coast, overlapping with areas of human settlement. Like other bottlenose dolphin communities in southern Ecuador, the communities on the central coast of Ecuador are thought to be experiencing a significant demographic decline, which is believed to be affecting all bottlenose dolphin communities along the Ecuadorian coast.
Over the past two years, research efforts have focused on field surveys in central Ecuador. The aim was to gather information about the bottlenose dolphins in the area, to improve our understanding of the potential threats they face and to develop conservation management measures. By analyzing the skin scars on their bodies, mainly on the dorsal fin, it has been possible to identify the main anthropogenic threats to these communities.
According to the scar analysis, the main threat identified was fishing interactions. A high proportion of the coastal dolphin population (n= 30, 85.7%) had scars on their bodies from fishing interactions. The other major threat found was marine pollution, highlighting the impact of plastic. On five occasions, interactions between coastal dolphins and marine debris (plastic) were documented.