Small cetaceans The forgotten whales

A

Whaling Report.indd 35 15/06/2009 07:10 ne of the world’s first large environmental This report takes a look at the whales that the campaigns was ‘Save the Whales’, world forgot, highlighting how small cetaceans Olaunched when out-of-control commercial suffer from a severe lack of data and information, whaling had caused whale populations to are less well protected by international plummet to such levels that many were conventions than the large whales, and are teetering on the brink of extinction. suffering declines akin to many seen among However the great whales are only the tip of the large whales. In fact, one small cetacean the iceberg of the fascinating and varied group species, the baiji or Yangtze river dolphin, was termed ‘cetaceans’, which covers whales, recently declared probably extinct by IUCN dolphins and porpoises. Some of these smaller (The International Union for the Conservation whales, dolphins and porpoises, termed ‘small of Nature) – the first cetacean species to suffer cetaceans’, are just as enigmatic, and often just this fate at the hands of humans. This report as threatened, than their larger cousins. also puts the spotlight on the world’s 8 most Small cetaceans face a growing number of endangered small cetacean species, anthropogenic threats. Hundreds of thousands many of which have little time left before heading of small cetaceans die each year through the same way as the baiji. A species of cetacean bycatch and direct hunts, with other human is no less a critical part of its ecosystem, and induced threats such as habitat degradation, no less important to ecosystem and human sonar activities, shipping, climate change well-being, if it is small than if it is large.

© Cat HOLLOWAY / WWF-Canon © Cat HOLLOWAY and pollution also taking their toll.

2

Whaling ReportNEW.indd 2 11/06/2009 16:03 3

Whaling ReportNEW.indd 3 11/06/2009 16:03 Why do small cetaceans need our attention? © Francois Xavier PELLETIER / WWF-Canon

IUCN Red List Definitions Extinct (EX) The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is Extinct in the Wild (EW) widely recognized as the most comprehensive, Critically Endngered (CR) objective global approach for evaluating the (Adequate data) (Threatened) conservation status of plant and animal species. Endangered (EN) Species are categorised into broad groups, Vulnerable (VU) (Evaluated) as demonstrated in figure 1. The three groups Near Threatened (NT) ‘Critically Endangered’, ‘Endangered’, and Least Concern (LC) ‘Vulnerable’ together make up those species considered to be ‘Threatened.’ Data Deficient (DD)

Figure 1: Structure of IUCN Red List categories. Not Evaluated (NE) Figure taken from 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at: www.iucnredlist.org/static/catagories_criteria_3_1

4

Whaling ReportNEW.indd 4 11/06/2009 16:03 Crippling lack of data on small IUCN Red List Categories for Cetacean Species cetaceans Small cetaceans The first, and one of the most significant, IUCN Red list Category Number of species % disadvantages small cetaceans have CR 2 2.9 compared to their larger cousins is a EN 2 2.9 crippling lack of data. 40 out of 69 small VU 4 5.8 cetacean species, or 58%, are classified NT 4 5.8 by IUCN as data deficient, meaning there LC 17 24.6 is simply not enough information available DD 40 58 to determine whether they are threatened or not. For comparison, 4 out of 15 Great whales species (27%) of great whales are listed as IUCN Red list Category Number of species % data deficient, a much lower proportion, CR 0 0 despite the fact that many of the reasons EN 5 33.3 why small cetaceans are difficult to study VU 1 6.7 also apply to the great whales. It must NT 0 0 LC 5 33.3 never be assumed that “Data Deficient” DD 4 26.7 means that the species is out of danger— rather, it means that the world’s top Note: The above tables provide a summary of conservation status of cetacean species according to the IUCN Red List Version 2009.1. This assessment has been done at the level of scientists just don’t know. species only, and therefore masks the fact that many sub-species or sub-populations are Without even this fundamental level of listed by IUCN separately as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. data, making political decisions in terms of conservation and management for these species is difficult if not impossible. – i.e. whether the population is increasing that highlights the need for increased If governments and other decision in size, decreasing, or staying the same. attention and focus on these animals. makers do not have clear scientifically For conservation purposes, a population based information on the status and which is stable or increasing would Lack of international policy conservation threats to these species, it indicate a conservation success. support for small cetaceans is very unlikely that important decisions According to the IUCN Red List, all Several multilateral environmental required to conserve those species will small cetacean species for which the agreements (MEAs) exist to protect be taken, especially if they are politically population trend is known are in decline. and conserve our planet’s wildlife. unpopular (such as reducing fishing effort). For the majority of small cetacean For cetaceans the key MEAs are the Without appropriate scientific evidence, species (87%) their trend status is Convention on International Trade in decision making affecting the future of unknown, something which further Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and these species is effectively crippled. highlights the fundamental problem of Flora (CITES), the Convention on the This lack of data on small cetaceans lack of data noted above. For the great Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild highlights the urgent need for additional whales, the trend is only known for six Animals (also known as CMS or the Bonn research and analysis of small cetacean species (two are stable and four are Convention) and to a limited degree the species, their habitats and the threats that increasing). The increasing / stable International Whaling Commission (IWC). they face. The IWC Scientific Committee designations for the great whale species CITES helps protect species from (IWC SC) Sub-Committee on Small do not automatically translate into overexploitation through regulating Cetaceans would be an ideal place to conservation success as they are primarily international trade by including species expand this work. a result of the population correcting itself on one of its three Appendices. after the dramatic population declines Species on Appendix I are those that Small cetaceans in decline seen after commercial whaling. However are threatened, and cannot be traded The most important (yet hardest to the fact that all small cetacean species for internationally for primarily commercial measure) criterion in determining how well which the trend is known are decreasing purposes. Species on Appendix II include a species is doing is its population ‘trend’ in abundance should be a warning signal those that are not necessarily threatened with extinction now but may become so unless their trade is strictly regulated; Population Trends for Cetacean Species they can be traded internationally, but Small cetaceans within strict regulations ensuring that Population trend Number of species % trade is sustainable and legal. Appendix Decreasing 9 13 III includes species at the request of Unknown 60 87 the exporting country which needs the Stable 0 0 cooperation of other countries to help Increasing 0 0 prevent illegal exploitation. Presently 175 countries are a Party to CITES Great whales CMS aims to conserve terrestrial, Population trend Number of species % marine and avian migratory species Decreasing 0 0 throughout their range. CMS provides Unknown 9 60 strictest protection for those species Stable 2 13.3 listed on CMS Appendix I. CMS Parties, Increasing 4 26.7 of which there are 110, must strive

5

Whaling ReportNEW.indd 5 11/06/2009 16:03 © Mavic Matillano / WWF-Phillipines

towards strictly protecting these animals, The IWC was set up under the whales and the sperm whale). However conserving or restoring the places International Convention for the Regulation small cetaceans have most of the where they live, mitigating obstacles to of Whaling, signed in 1946. There are now characteristics which originally spurred the migration and controlling other factors 85 member nations to IWC. The main duty recognition that international management that might endanger them. Migratory of the IWC is to keep under review and was necessary for whales (highly species that need or would significantly revise as necessary the measures laid migratory, an international resource, benefit from international co-operation down in the Schedule to the Convention several species harvested unsustainably are listed in Appendix II. For Appendix which govern the conduct of whaling etc.) Therefore to segregate the two II species, the Convention encourages throughout the world. These measures, groups entirely makes no sense on either the Range States to conclude global or among other things, provide for the biological or management grounds. regional Agreements. The Agreements complete protection of certain species; As many IWC contracting parties may range from legally binding treaties designate specified areas as whale do recognise that small cetaceans are (called Agreements) to less formal sanctuaries; set limits on the numbers covered by the IWC, there is a small instruments, such as Memoranda of and size of whales which may be taken; cetaceans sub-committee of the IWC SC Understanding (MOUs). prescribe open and closed seasons and (as noted above). The Small Cetaceans areas for whaling; and prohibit the capture Subcommittee of the IWC SC regularly There are several CMS Agreements of suckling calves and female whales reviews the status of small cetaceans, and MOUs relevant to small cetaceans: accompanied by calves. In addition, the evaluates whether levels of human- t

Cetaceans of the Mediterranean Commission encourages, co-ordinates induced mortality are of conservation Sea, Black Sea and Contiguous and funds whale research, publishes the concern, and has assessed mortality of Atlantic Area – ACCOBAMS results of scientific research and promotes small cetaceans due to bycatch – the t


Small Cetaceans of the Baltic studies into related matters such as the incidental capture of cetaceans in fishing and North Seas – ASCOBANS humaneness of the killing operations. gear. However all IWC Contracting t MOU for Cetaceans of Pacific Some Governments are of the opinion Governments must recognise the Island States that the IWC has the legal competence competence of the IWC on small t
MOU for Small Cetaceans and to regulate catches of only the 15 whales cetacean issues in order for the Manatees of West Africa recognised by the IWC SC (the baleen useful analyses and recommendations

6

Whaling ReportNEW.indd 6 11/06/2009 16:03 Small cetaceans are less well represented and protected by policy fora than their cousins, the great whales.

I of CMS, which offers the strongest lack of data availability for small mechanism to stop and reverse the cetaceans. In order to list species on declines in these animals. the Appendices of either CMS or CITES, t

Almost all great whales are listed in a full proposal must be completed by the CMS appendices (9 under the proponent government, which Appendix I, and 4 under Appendix II), outlines the case for listing backed up with the exception only of the common with appropriate scientific evidence. minke whales (although they are If scientific data is badly lacking for a included in the ACCOBAMS agreement) species, the possibilities of successfully and gray whales. completing a listing process are considerably diminished. One of the reasons behind this lack of representation of small cetaceans in international policy fora could be the

Number of Cetacean Species listed under International Conventions Small cetaceans Appendix l Appendix ll Not listed CITES 12 (17.4%) 57 (82.62%) 0 (0%) CMS 4 (5.8%) 29 (42%) 36 (52.2%) Note: If species listed under both Appendix l & ll, they were only counted under Appendix l

Great whales Appendix l Appendix ll Not listed CITES 15 (100%)1 0 (0%) 0 (0%) CMS 9 (60%) 4 (26.7%) 2 (13.3%) Note: If species listed under both Appendix l & ll, they were only counted under Appendix l

of the IWC SC Small Cetaceans Subcommittee to be truly effective. Not only do some governments try to prevent IWC from covering small cetaceans, but small cetaceans are also less well represented and protected by other policy fora than the great whales. t Relatively few small cetaceans species, only twelve (17%), are listed on Appendix I of CITES, which would provide them with the highest level of protection. 57 (83%) of species are included in Appendix II1. This compares poorly, in terms of protection, to the great whale species which are all listed on Appendix I. t
For small cetaceans, only 33 out of 69 Rescue of Indus river are listed on CMS Appendices meaning dolphin which had that CMS only covers 48% of small become trapped in cetacean species.2 The majority, 36 a canal. Sukkur, species (52%) are not listed at all under Province of Sind, CMS. Only four small cetacean Pakistan, Kirthar canal. species (6%) are listed on Appendix © Francois Xavier PELLETIER / WWF-Canon

1. Except the population of minke whales off West Greenland, which is included in Appendix II. 2. Except the population of minke whales off West Greenland, which is included in Appendix II 3. It should be noted however that the CMS regional agreements often cover all cetaceans species occurring in the geographical region of coverage, not just those species listed on the appendices of the Convention.

7

Whaling ReportNEW.indd 7 11/06/2009 16:03 The eight most endangered small The following summarises the status of and conservation efforts to protect the 8 most endangered small cetacean species across the globe – the species listed as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable in IUCN’s Red List. We have also included some of WWF’s work on these species, with the full appreciation that range state governments and many other NGOs are also working on these species.

conducted in Pakistan by WWF–Pakistan and the Ministry of Environment, the minimum population of Indus River dolphins is 1,341 animals. A small population of 10-15 dolphins has also © WWF USA/Eugene Lee been discovered in a 60 km stretch of the River Beas in northern India in 2008. In addition to efforts to conserve the dolphin’s habitat, including addressing problems such as river pollution, WWF- 1. Vaquita (CR) Pakistan has also been involved, together with local communities, in the rescue of Vaquita (CR) in the middle reaches of the Yangtze; individual dolphins that become trapped The vaquita (Phocoena sinus), however a 2006 survey, supported by in irrigation canals. Other activities include 1is the smallest porpoise in the world, WWF among other partners, failed to promoting improved agriculture practices, and the only cetacean species endemic find any individuals, raising fears that the sustainable fishing practices and finding to North America. However this unique species has become extinct. alternative livelihoods for fishermen. species is in imminent danger of Through a partnership with HSBC, WWF-India is developing a conservation extinction. Current estimates indicate WWF is working on the establishment plan for the Government of Punjab in as few as 150 surviving individuals in of a network of protected areas for the northern India that will seek to protect the a population critically threatened by Yangtze cetaceans (baiji and finless small population of Indus River dolphins entanglement in gillnets (bycatch). porpoise). The protection of these species found in the Beas River. Following the committed lead of the is dependent upon the protection of The Ganges River dolphin, or susu Mexican government, WWF is working their habitat. This requires a concerted (Platanista gangetica gangetica), inhabits closely with Mexican and international effort to restore a living river, not only for the Ganges river basin in Nepal, India, conservation scientists, and a dedicated the cetaceans but also for thousands of and Bangladesh. This vast area has been community of donors, to prevent the other species, and millions of people who altered by the construction of more than extinction of the vaquita. rely on the freshwater resources that the 50 dams and other irrigation-related WWF research helped to bring the Yangtze River Basin provides. projects, with dire consequences for the crisis to the attention of the current river dolphins. The Ganges River dolphin Mexican government, and WWF continues South Asian River dolphin (EN) lives in one of the world’s most densely to be a key investor and participant in South Asian River dolphins are populated areas, and is threatened by activities to introduce safe alternative 3 actually comprised of two distinct removal of river water and siltation arising fishing methods, help fishers transition subspecies, inhabiting the Indus and the from deforestation, pollution and bycatch. to sustainable alternative livelihoods, and Ganges River basins respectively: In addition, the construction of dams in establish the monitoring and enforcement The Indus River Dolphin (Platanista the river are separating populations of measures necessary to prevent the gangetica minor) is one of the world’s dolphins from each other. A recent survey extinction of the species. Now, for the first rarest mammals. Numbers of this dolphin conducted by WWF-India and its partners time in decades, scientists are increasing have dramatically declined since the in the entire distribution range in the the odds in favour of vaquita survival. construction of an irrigation system in Ganga and Brahamaputra river system – the Indus. According to the latest survey around 6,000 km - identified fewer than Yangtze River dolphin or baiji (CR) 2,000 individuals in India. The Critically Endangered Yangtze 2 River dolphin, or baiji (Lipotes Hector’s dolphin (EN) and Maui’s vexillifer), can only live in freshwater and dolphin (CR) has very poor eyesight. It once lived in the 4 Hector’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus lower and middle reaches of the Yangtze hectori), and its subspecies, Maui’s River, Fuchun River, and in Dongting dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui), and Poyang Lakes, China. Today it is live only in New Zealand’s shallow coastal the world’s most endangered cetacean. © Chinese Academy of Science waters – and nowhere else in the world. Fewer than 100 were thought to survive 2.Yangtze River dolphin or baiji (CR) Hector’s dolphins are listed on IUCN’s

8

Whaling ReportNEW.indd 8 11/06/2009 16:03 cetacean species on our planet © Francois Xavier PELLETIER / WWF-Canon

3.South Asian River dolphin (EN)

Red List as ‘endangered.’ Maui’s dolphins percent of people who say they buy fish showed that, since 2003, there have are even worse off – they are considered are less likely to buy fish caught in coastal been 88 dolphin deaths recorded, likely ‘critically endangered’ by the IUCN. waters because the nets used threaten making this population of freshwater Maui’s dolphins only live on the west Maui’s dolphins. Ironically, the resistance Irrawaddy dolphins the most threatened coast of the North Island of New Zealand. of fishers to the dolphin protection of all the sub-populations, and on the Their numbers are estimated at just 111 measures may hurt their own industry. verge of extinction. The results of this individuals, making them the rarest of any WWF is continuing its campaign to study show that the deaths have been of the world’s 32 marine dolphin species. ensure these dolphins get the protection caused by a combination of factors such WWF has long campaigned for they need. We are asking the New as infectious disease, environmental protection measures that will ensure Zealand government to develop a contaminants, and inbreeding depression. the survival of some of Hector’s and species recovery plan that will allow Under normal circumstances, this disease Maui’s dolphins. Research has clearly both Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins to would not be fatal to the dolphins. identified that the most serious threat regain their abundance throughout However, contaminates have weakened they face is entanglement in gill net and their natural range, and no longer be the dolphin’s natural defences, making trawl fisheries. However, efforts to protect threatened with extinction. it even more vulnerable to the disease. the dolphins are constantly stymied by WWF is also working with schools WWF is closely monitoring this population the self-interest of some inshore fishers. and communities along the west coast and is developing a recovery plan for the It is this fishing that is likely to cause of the North Island, and in the South dolphins, bearing in mind that dolphins the extinction of these dolphins. Island, to show them how they can help are not the only potential victims. Local In 2008, the New Zealand government protect the dolphins’ habitat. communities also depend on a clean announced a number of fishing bans to freshwater ecosystem. protect Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins. Irrawaddy dolphin (VU to CR for Several of these were challenged most populations) Atlantic hump-backed dolphin (VU) in the New Zealand High Court by 5 A few decades ago, the fishers of The Atlantic hump-backed representatives of the fishing industry. Burma summoned Irrawaddy dolphins 6 dolphin (Sousa teuszii) is found The fishers’ action to take the (Orcaella brevirostris) by tapping the sides off the coast of West Africa, from government’s decision to judicial review of their boats with oars. By swimming Mauritania to Angola, but its true flies in the face of strong public opinion in around the boat, the dolphins would distribution is insufficiently documented support of protection for these dolphins. attract fish into nets, and the fishermen and the species has not been widely WWF-commissioned surveys show that would then share their catch with the studied. This species prefers shallow 83 percent of New Zealanders support dolphins. Nowadays, Irrawaddy dolphins coastal waters, river channels, and the banning of gill nets and trawl nets are severely threatened by fisheries estuaries. Its common name comes from from places the dolphins live, and that 53 bycatch, habitat degradation and the shape of its unique dorsal fin, which chemical pollution. The fact that this curves to form a distinct hump. species lives in the limited habitats of Atlantic hump-backed dolphins are estuaries and freshwater rivers makes accidentally caught by fishermen in nets it particularly vulnerable to threats from (particularly shark nets) but it is thought human activities. Today, they are about that some fishermen may intentionally 6,000 animals in the Indo-Pacific waters. harvest the animals. WWF is particularly concerned about In December 2008 WWF’s office in

© Stephen DAWSON / WWF-Canon the Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin West Africa signed an agreement with the population, which has as few as 66-86 Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) 4.Hectors dolphin (EN) individuals in Cambodia. A report recently to conserve the West African Manatee

9

Whaling ReportNEW.indd 9 11/06/2009 16:03 Franciscana dolphin (VU) The Franciscana dolphin Spotlight 8 (Pontoporia blainvillei) is endemic to the coastal Atlantic waters off central South America (Argentina, Brazil and on Bycatch Uruguay). Although sometimes described 5. Irrawaddy dolphin (VU as a “river dolphin,” the Franciscana is not

to CR for most populations) © Alain COMPOST / WWF-Canon a freshwater species: it is found mainly – the biggest in coastal marine waters (usually limited and Small Cetaceans in Western Africa to waters no deeper than 30 meters) and threat to small and Macaronesia. More than 30 small occasionally in estuaries. The primary cetacean species will be covered in this threat throughout most of its range is cetaceans agreement, in an area that stretches from bycatch in fishing nets, especially gillnets. Macaronesia, through Morocco to South There is no current abundance estimate Africa. This agreement will play a vital role for the species as a whole, but research odern fishing gear is very in future conservation efforts by helping suggests that dolphin populations cannot Mefficient at catching fish, along to facilitate transboundary cooperation sustain the current level of mortality with many other unwanted and/or and by providing an international platform resulting from bycatch. untargeted species in its path. These to negotiate and coordinate research and Since 2004, WWF and its partners other animals are called bycatch. conservation measures, especially those have been working to reduce bycatch of They are often thrown back into the tackling the greatest threat to cetaceans Franciscana dolphins in Argentina. WWF’s ocean – dying, or dead. Even if they are in West Africa – bycatch. associate organization, Fundación Vida used, they are still bycatch: unregulated, Silvestre Argentina (FVSA) along with the unreported, and untargeted. Finless porpoise (VU to EN, local NGO Aquamarina – CECIM tested Indiscriminate fishing makes depending on populations) the use of bottom hand-lines as an absolutely no sense. In many cases, 7 The finless porpoise (Neophocaena alternative fishing practice to replace bycatch costs fishers time and money, phocaenoides) once thrived in the Yangtze gillnets in Bahia Samborombon and and is a major killer of marine wildlife. River, sharing its habitat with the baiji Cabo San Antonio. Hand-lines involve It is estimated that more than 300,000 dolphin. But with the expansion of human the use of hooks rather than nets, and small whales, dolphins, and porpoises economic activity, the species has been are therefore much more selective die each year from entanglement in squeezed into two lakes and fragmented in what they catch. Local fishermen many types of fishing gear – thus sections of the Yangtze, where they are participated in trials using both hand- bycatch is causing one death every 2 only just surviving. There are between lines and gillnets; landings of both fishing minutes and is the single-largest cause 700 and 900 animals in the Yangtze River gear were compared and showed that of mortality for small cetaceans. itself, with about another 500 in Poyang longlines capture larger fish in size but a and Dongting Lakes. If conservation smaller volume of fish. A team of fisheries Gill nets actions are not immediately taken, the economists are currently running an Gillnets are probably the most finless porpoise, may go the same analysis of yields but the fishermen are problematic fishing gear, and are a way as the baiji. not too optimistic about it. In order to major threat to at least five of the eight The main threats affecting the Yangtze move on towards effective solutions to most endangered small cetacean River basin’s ecosystem are shipping, this problem, WWF is now testing with species documented here. A gillnet sand dredging, over-fishing and pollution. the same group of fishermen the use is a translucent curtain of net In Poyang Lake, where the population of of reflective gillnets (winner of Smart Gear designed to catch fish by their gills finless porpoise is mostly concentrated, Competition 2007; see www.smartgear. or fins; sometimes several kilometres sand dredging is conducted at such a org ) and will compare bycatch of long and 20-30 metres in height. high intensity that it has been the principal Franciscana dolphins with the The nets can be anchored to the cause of the death of the local dolphin ordinary gillnets. seafloor, or suspended at or below population. In order to save the species the surface (driftnets). and to create a larger breeding group Gill nets are intended to catch fish, of porpoises (which is more balanced in and occasionally shrimp or other terms of age and gender), the Tian’ezhou crustaceans. However everything larger Reserve has been created to give the than the net’s mesh is also trapped: porpoises a chance to meet other juvenile fish, non-target fish and sharks, members of their own species. WWF is seabirds, crustaceans, marine turtles, putting much effort into the conservation invertebrates… and cetaceans. Gillnets of this semi-wild population and is working that are lost at sea are rarely recovered. on restoring the wetlands in the Central These “ghost nets” can continue to and Lower Yangtze areas, which will not capture marine animals for many years. only benefit to porpoises, but also to other key species and local communities. Solutions In many cases bycatch is avoidable. Simple solutions exist in many fisheries 7. Finless porpoise (VU to EN, and for many different types of fishing

depending on populations) © Michel GUNTHER / WWF-Canon gear, and many fishers are working

10

Whaling ReportNEW.indd 10 11/06/2009 16:03 closures and/or gear restrictions may provide the clearest opportunity to help affected populations recover. These site-based fisheries management tools offer an effective and practical way to reduce bycatch and can be combined with enforced measures to implement more selective fishing gear.

These and many other techniques are available on a WWF interactive data base of bycatch solutions – listing over 80 different modifications currently in use all around the world to reduce bycatch for 16 different gear types. The database is searchable by gear, bycatch type, region/ target species and includes images and © Stephen DAWSON / WWF-Canon descriptions. WWF also holds a ‘Smart Gear’ competition every year, which hard to help reduce bycatch, but much with a readily available source of rewards practical, innovative fishing gear more needs to be done. Gillnets present food (the fish in the net). designs that reduce bycatch. Smart Gear a particular challenge as bycatch offers a US$30,000 grand prize, and two solutions are hard to devise for such an t
In mid-water driftnets, researchers runner up prizes of $10,000. For more indiscriminate fishing gear. have tried to reduce cetacean bycatch information visit www.smartgear.org by impregnating the nylon of gillnets However there are a few solutions: with a dense material, such as barium t

Pingers are small acoustic devices sulphate and iron oxide. It is thought that emit low-intensity sounds at that this increases the acoustic WWF also holds frequencies cetaceans can detect reflectivity of the net and allows a ‘Smart Gear’ with their sonar. They do not scare or cetaceans to detect the gillnet and harm the cetacean, rather, they alert avoid becoming entangled. Another competition every the cetacean to the presence of technique trialled is placing objects gillnets and discourage the cetacean’s in the gillnet to reflect the sonar, thus year, which rewards approach. However, there are some ensuring cetaceans have an easier concerns that pingers may make entire time detecting and avoiding the nets. practical, innovative regions off limits to cetaceans for fishing gear designs feeding, or that habituated cetaceans t
Marine Protected Areas, short term, may associate the sound of a pinger seasonal or permanent time/area that reduce bycatch.

Why are small cetaceans so important?

Small cetaceans fulfil a critical role in the ecosystems in which they live, stabilising and ensuring a healthy and productive system. Small cetaceans are also part of the highly profitable whale and dolphin watching industry, which generates over US$1 billion per year, involving more than 492 communities in 87 nations. Communities which obtain livelihood and other benefits from whale watching enterprises often have few other alternative income sources, which heightens the importance of whale and dolphin watching for these areas. Finally, small cetacean conservation projects often deliver real benefits for local communities. One example of a conservation project supporting the Ganges river dolphin in India improved water quality which benefited local people as well as the dolphins, and significantly strengthened local governance systems in the village, enabling the community to more sustainably manage their natural resources4. THORSELL / WWF-Canon © James W.

4. For more information please read Linked Futures, http://assets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_mdgsummary_06.pdf’ 11

Whaling ReportNEW.indd 11 11/06/2009 16:03 For further information contact:

Species Programme WWF International Av. du Mont-Blanc 1196 Gland Switzerland

+41 22 364 91 11

www.panda.org/species/iwc

Conclusion

It is time that this wholly inadequate excuse for avoiding full and proper management of small cetacean species is eliminated, and for all IWC Contracting Parties to acknowledge that the IWC covers all cetaceans, large and small alike. It is time for the IWC Contracting Parties to take full responsibility for the conservation future of small cetaceans. In addition it is critical that the IWC considers small cetaceans as a priority issue It is clear that small cetaceans – the world’s to be discussed with equal importance as ‘forgotten whales’, have less known about commercial whaling, scientific whaling and them and are less well protected by sanctuaries. If small cetaceans are not central intergovernmental fora than the great whales, to negotiations on current whaling, it is and that many species of small cetacean are possible that conservation successes in significant decline. The eight most achieved for great whales could simply result endangered species of small cetaceans in a shift of problems from great whales to teeter on the brink of extinction at the hands small cetaceans. For example, there are of human-caused threats such as bycatch, concerns that any limitation placed on pelagic pollution and habitat loss. or ‘scientific’ whaling would do nothing to Why is it that these small cetaceans alleviate, and might even worsen, the haven’t received the attention they need? pressure on populations of small cetaceans One explanation may be that unsustainable that are already being subjected to commercial whaling - which rallied massive unsustainable takes, such as the Dall’s public opposition when it was responsible for porpoise in Japan. The quadrupling of the the near extinction of several whale species Dall’s porpoise catch in the late 1980s, soon in the last century – was focussed primarily after the moratorium on commercial whaling on great whale species. was put in place, is one indication of the link However whilst the great whales are between whaling and small cetacean hunts. now protected (to an extent) by the inter- If the IWC is to become an effective body, it national commercial whaling moratorium, must embrace the principles of Ecosystem small cetacean hunts continue around the Based Management and consider the globe, largely unmanaged and unchecked by impact of its decisions on a broader range the international community. The Japanese of species than great whales alone. hunt of Dall’s porpoise for example has been WWF looks forward to continuing and highlighted by the IWC SC several times strengthening its work on small cetacean as unlikely to be sustainable. However the species into the future, and working Japanese government has simply ignored collaboratively with the IWC and its IWC SC recommendations to reduce quotas, contracting governments to ensure that our claiming that IWC does not have competence species is not responsible for any more over small cetaceans. small cetacean extinctions.

This report was written by Wendy Elliott,

Heather Sohl and Valerie Burgener, June 2009 Images – this page: © Chinese Academy of Science Cover: Main image; © Stephen© DAWSONChinese / WWF-Canon Academy Inset: © Michel of Science GUNTHER © Alain / WWF-Canon COMPOST / WWF-Canon © FranÁois Xavier PELLETIER / WWF-Canon © Mavic Matillano / WWF-Phillipines

Whaling Report.indd 34 15/06/2009 07:10