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Cetacean sightings and strandings: evidence for spatial and temporal trends?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 June 2011

Stephen K. Pikesley ,
Mathew J. Witt ,
Tom Hardy ,
Jan Loveridge ,
Jeff Loveridge ,
Ruth Williams  and
Brendan J. Godley
Stephen K. Pikesley
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Tremough, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK
Mathew J. Witt
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Tremough, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK
Tom Hardy
Affiliation:
Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, TR4 9DJl, UK
Jan Loveridge
Affiliation:
Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, TR4 9DJl, UK
Jeff Loveridge
Affiliation:
Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, TR4 9DJl, UK
Ruth Williams
Affiliation:
Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, TR4 9DJl, UK
Brendan J. Godley*
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Tremough, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: B.J. Godley, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Tremough, Penryn, Cornwall. TR10 9EZ, UK email: B.J.Godley@exeter.ac.uk
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Abstract

Cetacean species and their habitats are under threat and effective marine management mitigation strategies require knowledge and understanding of cetacean ecology. This requires data that are challenging and expensive to obtain; incidental sightings/strandings data are potential underused resources. In this study, incidental cetacean sightings (N = 6631) and strandings (N = 1856) in coastal waters of Cornwall, south-west Britain (1991 to 2008) were analysed for evidence of spatial and temporal patterns or trends. Eighteen species were recorded sighted and/or stranded; key species were identified as bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) and minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). There were significant decreases in bottlenose dolphin sightings and pod size but an increase in harbour porpoise and minke whale sightings. Cetacean strandings showed a recent decrease over time although there was a significant positive trend in harbour porpoise strandings that correlated with sightings. Incidence of sightings and strandings were both greater on the south coast than the north coast. When Marine Tour Operator data were analysed, distinct species-specific inshore and offshore habitat use was evident. With rigorous interrogation and editing, significant patterns and trends were gained from incidentally collected data, highlighting the importance of public engagement with such recording schemes and the potential of these underused resources.

Keywords

conservationhabitat usemarine managementmarine mammal
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 92 , Issue 8: Marine Mammals , December 2012 , pp. 1809 - 1820
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2011

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