The First International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas

Summaries of Presentations:
Ship strikes in the Mediterranean Sea
Simone Panigada
Globally, evidence of ship strikes has been reported for 11 species of large whales, with
the fin whale the species hit most frequently. Based on data from stranding networks and
historical and anecdotal sources in the Mediterranean, there are 281 records of dead fin
whales from 1971 to 2001, of which 42 (14.9%) were killed by a vessel collision. More
than 85% of the reported ship strikes occurred in or adjacent to the Pelagos Sanctuary
for Marine Mammals, an MPA characterized by very high levels of ship traffic and a high
density of fin whales. Ship strike rates are unquestionably underestimated because not all
collision events are reported. <strong>The</strong> rates are nevertheless high enough to justify
management and mitigation efforts, e.g., ship traffic control measures, to reduce
accidents and keep mortality rates at sustainable levels.
Reducing humpback whale disturbance and risk of ship strike using vessel speed and course restrictions
in Glacier Bay, Alaska
Christine Gabriele
Glacier Bay National Park is a glacial fiord in southeastern Alaska that serves as a
summer feeding ground for humpback whales, which are listed under the U.S.
Endangered Species Act. Park regulations aim to reduce whale disturbance and the risk
of whale-vessel collisions. Vessel traffic in park waters is mainly tourism-related and
consists of motor vessels ranging from 300 m cruise ships to 5 m fishing or recreational
craft. Whale protection regulations include daily limits on the number of vessels allowed
in the bay, a minimum vessel approach distance to whales, and vessel course and speed
rules. Research is ongoing on the whale population and the effects of vessel noise on the
underwater acoustic environment. Information from such research is essential for
understanding the effectiveness of vessel management actions and modifying them if
necessary.
Entanglements and networking: how MMPAs can improve understanding and mitigate this human
impact on large whales
David Mattila
It has been estimated that hundreds of thousands of cetaceans die each year as a result of
entanglement (bycatch) in ropes and nets. However, the extent of this problem for large
whales is very difficult to determine because they often drag entangled gear away from
the initial point of encounter (a distance of more than 2,400 nmi has been documented).
<strong>The</strong> whale may die offshore and never be found or necropsied. Many countries and
MPAs rely on opportunistic reports, which can vary greatly in accuracy, depending on
the source. Direct evidence from disentanglement networks and indirect evidence from
scar analyses has been used to improve understanding of the issue and identify sources
of entangling gear and debris. <strong>The</strong> large whale disentanglement network initiated and
maintained by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and its
partners provides an example of how MMPAs can network within and beyond their
boundaries to learn about and mitigate this major threat to cetaceans.
ICMMPA <strong>Conference</strong> Proceedings
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