2012 COURSE DATES: AUGUST 4 – 17, 2012 - Sirenian International

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MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, 27(3): 606–621 (July 2011) C○ 2011 by the Society for Marine Mammalogy DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00435.x Using distance sampling techniques to estimate bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) abundance at Turneffe Atoll, Belize DOROTHY M. DICK 1 ELLEN M. HINES Department of Geography and Human Environmental Studies, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, HSS Room 279, San Francisco, California 94132, U.S.A. E-mail: doridick14@gmail.com ABSTRACT Reliable abundance estimates are critical for management and conservation of coastal small cetaceans. This is particularly important in developing countries where coastal human populations are increasing, the impacts of anthropogenic activities are often unknown, and the resources necessary to assess coastal cetaceans are limited. We adapted ship-based line transect methods to small-boat surveys to estimate the abundance of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at Turneffe Atoll, Belize. Using a systematic survey design with random start and uniform coverage, 34 dolphin clusters were sighted during small-boat line transect surveys conducted in 2005–2006. Distance sampling methods estimated abundance at 216 individuals (CV = 27.7%, 95% CI = 126–370). Due to species rarity in the Atoll, small sample size, and potential violations in line transect assumptions, the estimate should be considered preliminary. Nevertheless, it provides up-to-date information on the status of a regional population in an area under increasing threat of habitat loss and prey depletion via uncontrolled development and unsustainable fishing. This information will be useful as Belize develops a new conservation initiative to create a comprehensive and resilient marine protected area system. Our study illustrates the application of distance sampling methods to small-boat surveys to obtain abundance estimates of coastal cetaceans in a region lacking resources. Key words: survey design, small-boat surveys, distance sampling, line transects, Distance 5.0, abundance, bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, Turneffe Atoll, Belize. 1 Also affiliated with: Oceanic Society, Fort Mason Quarters 35, San Francisco, California 94123, U.S.A. Current address: Department of Geosciences, Geography Program, Oregon State University, 104 Wilkinson Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, U.S.A. 606
DICK AND HINES: BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN ABUNDANCE 607 Although the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is well studied and widespread across various marine habitats in temperate and tropical waters (Wells and Scott 1999), its worldwide status is unknown. In the IUCN 2008 Red List of Threatened Species update, T. truncatus was classified as Species of Least Concern and listed habitat destruction and degradation, disturbance and harassment, prey depletion, pollution, and direct/indirect takes as specific threats of concern (Hammond et al. 2008). While these threats apply to the species as a whole, any one may impact certain regional populations more than others as seen in the Mediterranean (Bearzi and Fortuna 2006, Bearzi et al. 2008), Moray Firth, Scotland (Wilson et al. 1997, Sini et al. 2005), and Peru (Van Waerebeek et al. 1997). Declines in regional populations of apex predators, such as bottlenose dolphins, could have far reaching effects on the community structure of an ecosystem (Currey et al. 2009), as seen in western Alaska when increased killer whale predation on sea otters lead to a dramatic rise in sea urchins and subsequent decreases in kelp forests (Estes et al. 1998). For these reasons, coastal bottlenose dolphin populations should be assessed on a regional scale when evaluating status, managing threats, and implementing conservation measures (Reeves et al. 2003, Currey et al. 2009). The effects of anthropogenic activities on coastal bottlenose dolphin populations are of particular concern as human populations continue to grow along coastlines, especially in developing countries (Aragones et al. 1997, Dawson et al. 2008). The extent of these activities, however, is generally unknown and the data needed to substantiate the impacts are rarely available. Without adequate knowledge about the status and life history of these populations future management actions are limited. Consequently, there is a strong need to conduct population assessment studies on coastal marine mammal populations in underdeveloped countries (Vidal 1993, Aragones et al. 1997, Hines et al. 2005, Dawson et al. 2008). Line transect surveys using distance sampling protocols are a common method used to assess marine mammal populations (Buckland et al. 2001). Surveys of this type typically use large ships or fixed-wing aircraft, sophisticated equipment (high powered binoculars, navigational tools, e.g., radar and electronic charts), and may traverse sizeable ocean expanses (Barlow 1988, 1995; Barlow et al. 1988; Calambokidis and Barlow 2004; Forcada et al. 2004; Mullin and Fulling 2004; Zerbini et al. 2007). As a result they are prohibitively expensive and inaccessible to developing countries with limited budgets and expertise and shallow coastal regions (Dawson et al. 2008). Adapting ship-based line transect methods to small-boat surveys (Vidal et al. 1997; Dawson et al. 2004; Williams and Thomas 2007, 2009) may be the best option to estimate coastal marine mammal populations in less affluent nations. Turneffe Atoll (Fig. 1), located in Belize, Central America, is the largest most biologically diverse of the nation’s three atolls (Stoddart 1962) and the only one without long-term ecological protection. Turneffe Atoll provides year-round habitat to a small population of coastal bottlenose dolphins (Grigg and Markowitz 1997, Campbell et al. 2002). Photo-identification studies from the 1990s estimated a population of less than 90 individuals (Campbell et al. 2002). More than a decade later there have been no new abundance estimates. Protected from import/export, wildlife trade, and hunting by Belize’s 1981 Wildlife Protection Act, threats from human induced mortality are currently minimal. However, unsustainable fishing (overfishing and illegal fishing) and rapid coastal development (mangrove clearing, dredging, and overdevelopment) have been identified as severe threats to the ecological integrity of Turneffe Atoll (World Resources Institute 2005, Granek 2006). There is a high probability that the small dolphin population could be threatened by
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ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR & CONSERVATION OF
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discomfort without proper protectio
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ABOUT BELIZE Research Site: The pro
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FIELD TRAINING AND ASSIGNMENTS Duri
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SBCRC is s
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HEALTH INFORMATION Routine Immuniza
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• Consult the CDC for immunizatio
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Oil or oil-based repellant (e.g. ol
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Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation
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MINIMUM / MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 6-24
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COURSE FEE & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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Ecology, Behavior & Conservation of
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FIELD JOURNALS You are required to
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OUR INVESTIGATION Figure 2. G. crut
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area on the north part of the islan
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Introduction Our Investigation Befo
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Introduction Sea stars have long be
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2010 VT: Scholar, BANNER, Safe Zone
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presentation to Horn Point Environm
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LaCommare, Katherine S. November 20
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• Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy,
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The Elusive Manatee -- An ethologic
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during the summer months while othe
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polyandrous - often mating with sev
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in the summer. Chessie, a male Flor
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ecords indicate that manatees have
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Florida manatee. National Biologica
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parturition: the action or process
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Manatees on the Belize Barrier Reef
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(a) (b) Manatees on the Belize Barr
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direction, and (e) when ‘travelli
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Season signi cantly aVected mean se
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male travelled at least as far as B
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NEWS OF THE WEEK MEETINGBRIEFS>> 10
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172 NOTES Caribbean Journal of Scie
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$1.2 million (Moore et al. 2009a).
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Conservation and Behaviour Richard
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animals may adopt microhabitat choi
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in 2006. Although this difference i
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a. b. c. Power Power Power 100 80 6
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2012 COURSE DATES: AUGUST 4 – 17, 2012 - Sirenian International

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