WDCS Fieldwork Blog

We’re going to be posting on news, stories, discussions and all things relevant to the 85 currently recognised species of cetacean! I say “currently” as cetacean genetics are still at an early stage for many taxa, meaning that we may not know where one species begins or ends. Some genera appear, in fact, to be in the process of speciation; for example the two distinct populations of the tucuxi (known as the “other dolphin” of the Amazon) are likely to be reclassified as two distinct species very soon - Sotalia fluviatilis, the “tucuxi” being the river population and Sotalia guianensis, the “costero”, the coastal marine.

To kick us off I’d like to congratulate the Government of India for their recent declaration of the Ganges River dolphin as India’s national aquatic animal… !!

Found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and the Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems and their tributaries, the Ganges River dolphin is one of the most endangered cetaceans with an estimated 2,000 individuals remaining in India. This estimate however is not reliable and a comprehensive population assessment is of paramount importance. In addition to being classified as “Endangered” by the IUCN, the Ganges River dolphin is listed under the United Nations Convention for Migratory Species (CMS) as an Appendix I species (migratory species that have been categorised as being in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant proportion of their range) and as an Appendix II species (migratory species that have an unfavourable conservation status or would benefit significantly from international co-operation). It is also listed as an Appendix I species by the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), prohibiting international trade in the species.



Due to their riverine habitats and subsequent proximity to humans, they face more threats than other species of cetacean, and all in an extremely restricted habitat. Although now greatly reduced, there is some deliberate, illegal killing of Ganges River dolphins. They are taken due to the perceived fisheries competition, the value of their oil in traditional medicines, as bait, and for food. More significant however is habitat degradation due to declining flow, heavy siltation, increased growth of aquatic plants, chemical pollution and the construction of barrages, causing a physical barrier to these animals, isolating populations. Accidental capture in fishing operations, especially gill nets is also a major concern.



Let us just hope that this declaration of “national aquatic animal” for the remaining dolphins actually means proper conservation measures will be implemented and the drastic decline in population numbers can be reversed. Like it’s terrestrial counterpart, the tiger, only immediate and dedicated action can prevent this iconic species from enduring the same fate as the baiji, which was classified as “functionally extinct” not so long ago.

Interestingly, the Ganges River dolphin (or as it is otherwise referred to, the South Asian river dolphin) is another example of a genera in the process of speciation, as the classification continues to be hotly debated in scientific circles. Originally thought to be the same species, the Indus ‘bhulan’ and Ganges ‘susu’ were listed as separate species in 1971 due to apparent differences in skull structure and blood proteins. This speciation however, has never been fully accepted and currently the two populations are recognised as sub-species of the species Platanista gangetica; those found in Nepal, India and Bangladesh are classified as P.g. gangetica while those found in the Indus River in Pakistan are known as P. g. minor. WDCS has been funding research to help resolve this dispute (http://www.wdcs.org/protect/species/story_details.php?select=385 ... scrolling down to Pakistan) … so stay tuned for further updates!

Check out the following links if you want to learn more about river dolphins - http://www.wdcs.org/protect/river_dolphins/index.php - and/or the projects that WDCS supports - http://www.wdcs.org/protect/species/story_details.php?select=46

WDCS is heartbroken by the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti and its capital city Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, January 12.  A second major earthquake was reported today, the strongest of nearly 40 aftershocks that have panicked the nation and further crippled efforts to reach the injured.  As a nation, Haiti is the poorest in our hemisphere, where many people were homeless and barely subsisting prior to this tragedy.  Now, with its largest city in ruins and with the increased threat of disease and an inability to care for the injured, the magnitude of devastation in Haiti will only increase in the coming months.

Our outreach in Haiti began in 2008, well before the earthquake struck last Tuesday.  As the images flood the media, and the horrible realities facing a nation in crisis continue to dominate our hearts and minds, it is difficult to find perspective on the importance of our fledgling project in Haiti. We are challenged by continuing to believe in the long-term vision and value of a program whose primary focus is the protection of whales, dolphins and their environment, requiring us to acknowledge that the human element is not only a critical stressor in the complex ecosystem of cause and effect, but also a beneficiary, in our quest to raise awareness to the synergistic threats and choices facing all life on this planet.

Our Caribbean program has recently focused on education and outreach initiatives on the Island of Hispaniola, both within the Dominican Republic and Haiti. We have been working with Haitian representatives to bring positive programs of field research, education and whale and dolphin ecotourism to the country.  Most of the colleagues and friends that we have made over the past several years appear to be alive and unharmed at this time. However, we have not heard from a few. We are grateful for the information that brings us news of the survivors, while acknowledging the staggering level of loss and grief among all in that country, and among the Haitian Diaspora in the United States that has been working to bring security and hope back to its families and homeland.

Almost nothing is known about marine mammals in Haitian waters.  A review of scientific literature reveals scant information regarding marine mammal populations there. However, anecdotal information from local fishermen and several scoping trips off Petite Riviere de Nippes have revealed the presence of sperm whales and other whale and dolphin species. This information, coupled with the migratory nature of marine mammals, provide good reasons for assessing Haitian marine mammal populations with a goal of fostering appreciation and protection.  And with the additional goal of promoting sustainable and positive activities that will benefit local communities, we have proposed a pilot whale and dolphin watching program to be located at Petite Riviere de Nippes to assess the potential of responsible whale and dolphin viewing as a positive tourism draw for this locale, and others, in Haiti. 

Decades of research in the Dominican Republic has been focused on manatees, humpback whales and various dolphin species, resulting in significant protections for these species. Our project proposes to expand marine mammal research and education to the entire Island of Hispaniola, while bringing together the political, research and popular communities of both countries under the common interest of the conservation of marine mammals. The project will draw upon the considerable expertise that already exists within the Dominican Republic  and other WDCS educational initiatives [‘Live Free in the Sea’ and ‘Pier2Pier’ ] to develop a network of research, education and cooperation in Haiti.

Tourism is the main industry throughout most of the Greater Caribbean region, and it is timely that Haiti look to benefit from this reality.  Caribbean destinations received a total of nearly 40 million people last year.  Gross expenditure by all visitors reaches in the billions of dollars.  Whale watching is a comparatively small though growing part of this, and it is arguably a crucial aspect of image making. For those countries that have successful whale watching tours, the presence of whales and dolphins and the possibility of seeing them can lend a natural allure which can feed into existing national images, or help create new ones. 

For too long, Haiti has suffered from the stigma of a negative public image, one associated with the destructive aspects of a country fraught with political, economic and environmental strife.  Warnings about traveling to Haiti were focused mainly on the risks associated with travel to Port-Au-Prince, a city befallen by many of the risks inherent in any large city, even in the United States.  Before this tragedy struck, Haiti was poised and on the verge of turning a corner in attracting and enlisting the investment and confidence of national and foreign interests ready to boost the quality of life and provide a positive outlook for investing in the tourism potential of Haiti.   Former President Clinton and his initiatives made recent and great strides in assembling a massive vote of confidence in the growing political stability and tourism offerings that could define a brighter future for Haiti.

If tourism is largely about selling an image, whales and dolphins offer considerable possibilities. For this to be successful, however, attention must be paid to the educational, scientific, conservation, as well as to the commercial aspects of these initiatives. The protection of whales and dolphins in their natural environment has driven a secondary benefit of significant economic activity in thousands of communities around the world. The establishment of long-term, sustainable and financially valuable whale watching there is just one step towards the development of similar activities to serve as both an incentive and a reward for protecting marine mammals in Haiti.

Jamie Aquino, a teacher from south Florida that has spearheaded the development of WDCS’ Pier2Pier initiative and serves as the Island Coordinator for Haiti, adds:  "Long before the earthquake hit, I took a trip to Haiti, to explore the potential and see the possibilities of developing a marine conservation and education project.  At the time, I was horrified at the level of widespread poverty and environmental degradation in the country.  At the same time, I was in awe of the beautiful blue waters and magnificent whales and genuine people.  I have chosen to focus on what Haiti could be, rather than what Haiti is right now.  I believe that there is hope for this country and I am so thankful for the support of Courtney Vail and WDCS for their long-term commitment to the project."

Yes, the challenges in Haiti are huge, where priorities such as the provisioning of clean drinking water are still paramount.  And now, the immediate focus must be on the saving of lives as the country faces yet another natural disaster. But there will be a future for Haiti, and we maintain our optimism that a focus on the protection of a life-sustaining marine environment, and the whales and dolphins in it, will lend purpose and hope to communities in Haiti looking for a better future. The children at the Petite Riviere de Nippes school with whom we have met coined our project “HOPE—Haiti Oceanic Project for the Environment.  We will continue to work towards a program of positive education and outreach that may enrich and embolden the lives of many in Haiti.   Please send your warm thoughts, and of course your prayers, to all effected by this tragedy in Haiti, and here at home.

Some links provided below reveal the extent of the devastation:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/34845071#34845071

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/wealthofnations/archive/2010/01/13/haiti-hopeful-yesterday-suddenly-plunged-back-into-chaos.aspx?GT1=43002

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34928950/ns/world_news-haiti_earthquake

The Humpback are being sighted on a regular basis down in the Turk and Caicos. I suggest we all take a break from the cold and go visit.

Bula,

This is the first of many installments that will provide you with details about WDCS’s work in the Pacific Islands Region. I’ve been fortunate to work in the region for many years now including some very interesting locations like Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea and the Federated States of Micronesia. In 2008 I moved to Fiji on a more permanent basis and have been working in collaboration with the University of the South Pacific and Flinders University as I run the Pacific Islands Programme for WDCS.

I’ll shortly be telling you about some of our ongoing projects including research on spinner dolphin resting habitat, short-finned pilot whale acoustics, and humpback whale migration. I’ll also be updating you on other WDCS initiatives including technical work with the UN Convention of Migratory Species and regional capacity building trainings and workshops.

I’ll also be throwing in some insights about living on a small tropical island in the middle of the very large Pacific Ocean.

More soon … so stay tuned.

Moce, Cara