Fisheries - Enviro Dynamics Namibia

F I S H E R I E S , M A M M A L S A N D S E A B I R D S S P E C I A L I S T S T U D Y
Long finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) : Long-finned pilot whales have been recorded
from within southern Namibian waters, albeit in slightly deeper waters than the mining area
(Findlay et al. 1992).
There is a small likelihood that Long finned pilot whales will pass near to or may occur in
the MLA
Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) :Risso’s dolphins are found year round throughout southern
African oceanic waters (Findlay et al. 1992).
There is a small likelihood that Risso’s dolphins will be found in the MLA
Common dolphin : Although common dolphins are recorded from Namibian waters, an absence
of sightings within coastal neritic waters, suggest that common dolphins avoid the cooler inshore
waters of the Benguela Current region (Findlay et al. 1992). Consequently the species would not
be expected to occur in the mining area, but may occur in warmer offshore waters.
There is a small likelihood that common dolphins will be found in the MLA
Dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus): Dusky dolphins are a year round resident species
within coastal waters of the southern African west coast between southern Angola (12°S) and
Danger Point (19°20'E). Although generally occurring within the 50 m isobath, they may be found
out to the 500 m isobath (Findlay et al. 1992, Peddemors 1999).
There is a small likelihood that dusky dolphins will be found in the MLA
Heaviside’s (Benguela) dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) : Heaviside’s dolphin is a resident
species endemic to the nearshore waters of the west coast of southern Africa between Cape
Point (34°20'S) and northern Namibia (17°30'S). Although the species does occur out to the 200m
isobath, the highest densities have been recorded inshore of the 100 m isobath (Findlay et al.
1992).
There is small likelihood that Heaviside’s dolphins will be found in the MLA
Southern right-whale dolphin (Lissodelphis peronii) : Southern right-whale dolphins are generally
limited to the cooler waters of the Southern Hemisphere, between the Subtropical Convergence
and the Antarctic Convergence, or within the “West Wind Drift”, although they have been
recorded as far north as 19ºS in the Humboldt Current. However, an apparent isolated
distribution of southern right-wale dolphins occurs off the coast of southern Namibia between
24ºS and 30º30’S (Rose and Payne 1991, Findlay et al. 1992, Peddemors 1999). These animals
have been recorded year round in water depths between the 100 - 200 and 1000 - 2000 m
isobaths. This distribution is possibly associated with the Lüderitz upwelling cell.
There is a small likelihood that Southern right-whale dolphins will be found in the MLA
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) :Two forms of bottlenose dolphin occur in inshore
waters around the southern African coast (a smaller form on the east coast and a larger form in
Final Report
Namibian Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd.
Page 41