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SC/69B/HIM/04  

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Resource details

Resource ID

22097

Access

Open

Document Number

SC/69B/HIM/04

Full Title

ENTANGLEMENT AND STRANDING OF HUMPBACK WHALES (Megaptera novaengliae) ON THE PERUVIAN COAST DURING THE PERIOD 1997 ? 2023

Author

Chauca-Hu nuco Jennifer, Macalup Joe, Aguilar-Arakaki Regina, Romero Cynthia, Casta eda Javier, Sarmiento David, Aleman Solange, Torres David, Flores Lorenzo, Campos-Le n Sarita, Lucero-P rez Stevens, Baldarrago Danny, Jim nez Cristhian

Authors Summary

The objective of this study was to compile the stranding events of Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on the Peruvian coast from 1997 to 2023, especially those related to interaction with fisheries. This information was obtained through monitoring the coast of the country and reports from citizens attended by the Instituto del Mar del Peru. 78 stranded specimens were counted and 32% (n=25) presented signs of entanglement such as impressions, cuts in the body, and/or remnants of gear entangled in the body. The northern zone was identified as having the highest occurrence and a greater number of events from June to November, as well as those related to entanglement. In addition, the characteristics of the fishing nets presented by some stranded individuals were evaluated. Surface gillnets targeting sharks, tuna, Pacific bonito (Sarda chiliensis chiliensis), billfishes, among other large pelagic fish, and trammel fisheries targeting coastal resources, dogfish, and billfishes were found. These results indicate that there is an issue throughout the Peruvian coast, especially in the northern area, between fishing activities and humpback whales during the migratory route to their breeding areas. Therefore, joint work between authorities and artisanal fishermen is urgently needed to mitigate threats to humpback whales and to benefit the fishing community, such as placing markings on used fishing nets, alternative economic income options, reports of interactions and/or loss of nets to mitigate ghost fishing, among others. Finally, it highlights the greater interest of citizens to report these events and the need for training and capacity-building programs for post-mortem internal and external assessment of strandings that allow better data collection and contribute to be better understanding of threats existing in the Peruvian marine ecosystem.

Publisher

IWC

Publication Year

2024

Abstract

The growth of the artisanal fishing fleet in Peru have a significant and exponential progress in recent years, as likewise the interactions of fishing gear with marine fauna, including cetaceans. This paper gathers information on the stranding records of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on the Peruvian coast, attended by the Instituto del Mar del Per through sporadic reports and scheduled monitoring. A total of 78 stranded whales were counted during the period 1997-2023, where 32 % (n=25) showed signs of interaction with fishing activities. Of the fishing nets observed in some stranded individuals, the majority were surface gillnets and trammel nets in smaller numbers. The migratory patterns of humpback whales and their reproductive habitat in northern Peru make the species more vulnerable to threats that occur on the coast, especially those related to fishing gear. Therefore, it is necessary the joint collaboration of authorities, researchers, and the fishing community with the aim of generating measures and/or coexistence plans that benefit both humpback whales and fishermen.

Key words: Megaptera novaeangliae, artisanal fishery, interaction, gillnet, trammel net, Peru

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