PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
There are various species of cetaceans in the waters off Madeira. Those most frequently sighted are the bottle-nose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) and the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus). Within Community waters, the latter are found only in the Madeira archipelago, the Azores and the Canaries. Since 1986, regional law has protected cetaceans in the Madeira archipelago. However, there were gaps in the legislation, in particular as regards tourist activities such as whale- and dolphin-watching. This was partly due to a lack of basic information needed for drawing up effective management and regulation plans, such as data on the species' population trends and the impact of tourist activities.
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of this project were to determine the conservation status of the bottle-nose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) and the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and to determine the impact of whale- and dolphin-watching on them. The information collected was to be used to draw-up a proposed regulation of these activities, which the competent authorities have already agreed to consider. The project also aimed to achieve an increased level of awareness of fishermen, tourists, tourism operators, students and local populations about the importance of cetacean conservation. Among the actions planned to achieve its objectives, the project foresaw to: implement aerial and marine censuses of the cetacean populations; to collect and study dead animals; to assess whale- and dolphin-watching activities; to partially implement the proposed regulation using volunteers; and to implement several awareness-raising measures. The assessment of cetacean watching was to be achieved through the monitoring of ships and the observation of the animals' behaviour.
RESULTS
This project has achieved very good results. The beneficiary collected comprehensive biological information on several different cetacean species, not limited to the three initially targeted species (the bottle-nose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) and the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)) but also on several other whale and dolphin species living around Madeira. The project has provided a significant contribution to the previously scant knowledge of biology, population and conservation status of these cetacean species. Furthermore, LIFE had important pump-priming effects in the field of information collection. The beneficiary is the only Portuguese partner in the “Europhlukes” project, which is responsible for creating a European photo identification system and database for whales, dolphins and porpoises. He is also coordinating an INTERREG IIIB project together with scientist groups from the Azores and the Canary Islands aimed at assessing the range of some cetacean populations and delineating an integrated conservation approach for the three archipelagos. The project bought a vessel, which allowed not only the collection of data, but also the testing and adjustment of the Permanent Monitoring Plan, one of the main tools for cetacean conservation that resulted from the project. Being financially sustainable at long-term, it allows qualitative and quantitative monitoring of all biological parameters which are indicating potential changes to the already identified impacts or which develop to new potential threats in the future. The Plan was presented to the regional authorities, who should implement it within the coming years. Even after the end of the LIFE project, the vessel will continue to play an important role in whale conservation. The project evaluated the impact of whale- and dolphin-watching and assessed the potential threats for cetaceans. The project then directed its activities towards achieving an increased level of awareness among fishermen, tourists, tourism operators, students and the local population about the importance of cetacean conservation and appropriate behaviour when in proximity to these marine mammals. The project worked with four out of the six whale-watching operators in Madeira, as well as with the heads of sport fisheries boat companies, to come to common agreements how to protect the whales most effectively. For developing new regulations, the beneficiary also closely cooperated with the Regional Government, which is responsible for nature conservation, tourism activities in the sea, environmental quality and fisheries. This project has achieved very good results. The beneficiary collected comprehensive biological information on several different cetacean species, not limited to the three initially targeted species (the bottle-nose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) and the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)) but also on several other whale and dolphin species living around Madeira. The project has provided a significant contribution to the previously scant knowledge of biology, population and conservation status of these cetacean species. Furthermore, LIFE had important pump-priming effects in the field of information collection. The beneficiary is the only Portuguese partner in the “Europhlukes” project, which is responsible for creating a European photo identification system and database for whales, dolphins and porpoises. He is also coordinating an INTERREG IIIB project together with scientist groups from the Azores and the Canary Islands aimed at assessing the range of some cetacean populations and delineating an integrated conservation approach for the three archipelagos. The project bought a vessel, which allowed not only the collection of data, but also the testing and adjustment of the Permanent Monitoring Plan, one of the main tools for cetacean conservation that resulted from the project. Being financially sustainable at long-term, it allows qualitative and quantitative monitoring of all biological parameters which are indicating potential changes to the already identified impacts or which develop to new potential threats in the future. The Plan was presented to the regional authorities, who should implement it within the coming years. Even after the end of the LIFE project, the vessel will continue to play an important role in whale conservation. The project evaluated the impact of whale- and dolphin-watching and assessed the potential threats for cetaceans. The project then directed its activities towards achieving an increased level of awareness among fishermen, tourists, tourism operators, students and the local population about the importance of cetacean conservation and appropriate behaviour when in proximity to these marine mammals. The project worked with four out of the six whale-watching operators in Madeira, as well as with the heads of sport fisheries boat companies, to come to common agreements how to protect the whales most effectively. For developing new regulations, the beneficiary also closely cooperated with the Regional Government, which is responsible for nature conservation, tourism activities in the sea, environmental quality and fisheries.
