Marine protected areas for whales, dolphins, and porpoises: a world ...

28 Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
are in turn surrounded by a more or less defined transition zone where there
exists cooperation with local people and sustainable resources management is
practised.
The geographical arrangement of the core area and the zones is adaptable.
In marine areas, there might even be flexible, movable zones according to
seasonal or annual changes in local conditions. Upwellings and other good
fishing spots for cetaceans and humans sometimes change from year to year or
even within a season.
Biosphere reserves are enshrined in international convention by the Man
and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), part of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). The first MAB report on Criteria
and Guidelines for the Choice and Establishment of Biosphere Reserves
appeared in 1974 (Unesco, 1974). Since the first biosphere reserves were named
in 1976, hundreds of proposed and existing protected areas around the world
have applied for and received the prestigious distinction of being able to use the
‘biosphere reserve’ name. And some protected areas that use other names, in
fact, function as true biosphere reserves, demonstrating the value of the
concept. It is also recognized that in a few countries, biosphere reserves are not
well regarded by conservationists mainly because they fail to fulfil the protection
mandate. The high profile ‘biosphere reserve’ designation may not always be the
best protection available in a given situation for cetaceans or other species, or
for ecosystems. A biosphere reserve that is just a theoretical concept and has no
legislated protection is as useless as a paper reserve. Yet the biosphere reserve
stands as a rugged model that has survived and been enhanced by considerable
debate over the years. There are comparatively few marine biosphere reserves in
name, and even fewer with cetaceans, but in the marine sector too, the biosphere
reserve model can provide a valuable guiding concept.
DEFINING CRITICAL HABITAT
The most difficult scientific aspect of creating good biosphere reserves that
feature or include cetaceans is defining and identifying the core areas. Core
areas are equivalent to IUCN Category I, which is divided into Ia, strict nature
reserves, and Ib, wilderness areas. For many species, including cetaceans, the
key role of such highly protected core areas will be to preserve critical habitat
while allowing for essential non-invasive scientific research and environmental
monitoring.
What is critical habitat for cetaceans? The basic definition is a place or area
regularly used by a cetacean group, population or species to perform tasks
essential for survival and maintaining a healthy population growth rate. The
most crucial areas are those where feeding, breeding and calving take place. But
we must also look at the various important associated activities that precede or
follow these and may require additional activity areas or habitats, or extensions
of these areas. Thus, critical habitat must include areas not only for feeding, but
also for hunting; not only for the act of breeding, but also for socializing and