A pioneering survey of deep-diving and off-shore cetaceans in the northern South China Sea

A pioneering boat-based survey was conducted in 2019, to gather baseline information regarding the presence, composition, relative abundance, and spatial distribution of deep-diving and off-shore cetaceans in the northern South China Sea (SCS). A total of 27 sightings comprising at least 8 cetacean species were recorded during the 13-day survey, including 5 deep-diving species (i.e. Risso's dolphin [Grampus griseus], short-finned pilot whale [Globicephala macrorhynchus], sperm whale [Physeter macrocephalus], Cuvier's beaked whale [Ziphius cavirostris], and an unidentified beaked whale [either the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, Mesoplodon ginkgodens, or Deraniyagala's beaked whale, Mesoplodon hotaula]), as well as 3 off-shore dolphins (i.e. pantropical spotted dolphin [Stenella attenuate], striped dolphin [Stenella coeruleoalba], and Fraser's dolphin [Lagenodelphis hosei]). With the exception of pantropical spotted dolphins, all other species were sighted and recorded at sea in the northern SCS for the first time. The pantropical spotted dolphin was the most frequently sighted species, comprising 30% of the total sightings. Deep-diving cetaceans were mainly sighted in the northern Xisha Archipelago, whereas off-shore dolphins were distributed across the survey area. The pantropical spotted dolphin was observed in aggregations of more than 100 individuals and nearly all encountered species included calves; these findings suggested that the survey area functions as an important feeding and calving ground for various cetacean species. This pioneering survey provides fundamental information regarding cetacean fauna in the northern SCS and highlights the need to strengthen research and conservation efforts concerning these species.     

Patterns of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the baleen of common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata from the western North Pacific

ABSTRACT:   Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were determined in the baleen plates of 17 common minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata from the north-western Pacific Ocean off Japan, as well as prey species (krill Euphausia pacifica , Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus and Pacific saury Cololabis saira ) collected in the stomach contents, to investigate the trophic relationship between the minke whales and their prey. A few δ¹⁵N-depleted peaks occurred along the length of baleen plates for 10 males irrespective of stomach content (anchovies and sauries). Similar δ¹⁵N-depleted peaks were also found for one female and two immature individuals. It was likely that these δ¹⁵N-depleted peaks formed in early summer. The stable nitrogen isotope ratio (δ¹⁵N) values in Pacific saury (9.3 ± 1.4‰) did not differ significantly from that in Japanese anchovy (8.8 ± 0.9‰). In contrast, δ¹⁵N in krill (7.2 ± 0.5‰ in July and 8.0 ± 0.2‰ in September) were significantly lower than in the Pacific saury. Thus, these peaks may reflect the dietary change from krill to fishes in the feeding migration of the whales. Growth rate of the baleen plate was estimated to be 129 mm/y, and it appeared that a dietary record of about 1.4 years remained in the baleen plate. For two immature whales, the maximum value of δ¹⁵N occurred at the tip of baleen. This δ¹⁵N enrichment may possibly be useful for discriminating weanlings and older whales.     

The Norwegian minke whale DNA register: a data base monitoring commercial harvest and trade of whale products

The application of genetics for the management of natural resources is expanding, and within this field, DNA registers will play an increasing role. The Norwegian minke whale DNA register, established in 1996, was designed primarily as a control system to detect any attempts at illegal trade of products derived from other stocks of minke whale, or other whale species, under cover of the legal Norwegian harvest originating from the Northeast Atlantic. The register contains genetic data for 7644 of 7751 whales landed in the period 1997–2010. Profiles are established from sequencing part of the mtDNA control region, analysis of 10 STRs and a sex‐determining marker. Probabilities of genotypes matching between two randomly selected whales are 6.0^?04 and 3.0^?08 for five and eight of the STR loci, respectively. This permits verification of traded whale products via match to the register. The register has also been used in a number of ad hoc scientific studies resulting through the accumulation of genetic, demographic and biological data. Here, we review the register’s logistics, specifications and evaluate the potential to apply similar registers to control the exploitation of other marine species.     

Opportunistic observations of interactions between sperm whales and deep‐water trawlers based on sightings from fisheries observers in the northwest Atlantic

• 1. Cetacean observations were made by fisheries observers on trawlers targeting Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) in the area around the Flemish Cap, northwest Atlantic.
• 2. Data from four observers amounted to a total of 291 observer days at sea aboard fishing vessels. This effort was mainly concentrated in the periods July to September 1996 and February to April 1997.
• 3. Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were the most frequently sighted cetacean, with 82 encounters on 64 different days. Pilot whales were encountered on nine occasions.
• 4. Sighting rates of sperm whales during net hauling were significantly (approximately 30 times) greater than during shooting or steaming. Sperm whales were observed in aggregations of up to six animals close to the vessel and net during hauling. It is suggested that the sperm whales were attracted by the potential food source within the net, and possibly were feeding on fish escaping from the net. This represents rarely reported behaviour for this species.

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The decline of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in the North Pacific: insights from indigenous people,ethnohistoric records and archaeological data

A number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain the most recent decline (1977–2012) of Steller sea lions (SSL; Eumetopias jubatus) in the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands. We examined hypotheses about fisheries competition, environmental change, predation, anthropogenic effects and disease using observations of modern Aleut and archaeological, ethnohistoric and ethnographic data from the western Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands. These data indicate that Steller sea lion numbers have declined and recovered repeatedly over the past 4500 years and were last at critically low numbers during the 1870s–1930s. Steller sea lions appear to have been more abundant during the cool periods – and lower during the warmer periods. Observations by local peoples, explorers, early government surveyors and biologists since the late 1800s suggest that low populations of SSL have been associated with high populations of Gadidae fishes (Pacific cod – Gadus macrocephalus and walleye pollock – Theragra chalcogramma) and are consistent with the ocean climate hypothesis to explain the decline of sea lions. They suggest that removals by people and killer whales (Orcinus orca) did not cause the sea lion declines, but could have compounded the magnitude of the decline as sea lion numbers approached low densities. Archaeological, anthropological and ethnohistorical analyses demonstrate that fluctuations have occurred in the North Pacific over hundreds to thousands of years and provide context for understanding the changes that occur today and the changes that will continue to occur in the future.     

Sperm whales associated with Gulf Stream features off the north-eastern USA shelf

Marine mammal surveys were conducted during sum Mer 1990 and 1991 in shelf-edge and off-shelf waters between Cape Hatteras and Georges Bank. Sperm whales were the most frequently sighted large whale in both years, constituting 27.9% and 12.7% of total sightings in 1990 and 1991, respectively. Sighting rates of sperm whales that were within a 9.3 km buffer (5 n.m.) of the Gulf Stream north wall were not significantly different (x²= 2.86, P > 0.05) from those within the Gulf Stream during 1990. In 1991, however, significantly more (x²= 51.0, P < 0.05) sightings were associated with shelf-edge areas where warm core rings were located.     

Southern Ocean iron fertilization by baleen whales and Antarctic krill

Iron is the limiting micronutrient in the Southern Ocean and experiments have demonstrated that addition of soluble iron to surface waters results in phytoplankton blooms, particularly by large diatoms. Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) eat diatoms and recycle iron in surface waters when feeding. Baleen whales eat krill, and, historically, defecation by baleen whales could have been a major mechanism for recycling iron, if whale faeces contain significant quantities of iron. We analysed the iron content in 27 samples of faeces from four species of baleen whale. Faecal iron content (145.9 ± 133.7 mg kg^?1) is approximately ten million times that of Antarctic seawater, suggesting that it could act as a fertilizer. Furthermore, we analysed the iron content of seven krill species and of muscle tissue of two species of baleen whales; all samples had high iron levels. Using these figures, together with recent estimates of the range and biomass of krill, we calculate that the Antarctic krill population contains ～24% of the total iron in the surface waters in its range. Thus, krill can act as a long‐term reservoir of iron in Antarctic surface waters, by storing the iron in their body tissue. Pre‐exploitation populations of whales and krill must have stored larger quantities of iron and would have also recycled more iron in surface waters, enhancing overall ocean productivity through a positive feedback loop. Thus, allowing the great whales to recover might actually increase Southern Ocean productivity through enhancing iron levels in the surface layer.     

Historical distribution of right whales in the North Pacific

Fisheries records provide some of the only information on pre‐fishing distribution and abundance for species that were depleted before the advent of modern scientific investigations. This paper interprets records of the early history of whaling for North Pacific right whales (Eubalaena pacifica). The current population occupies only a fraction of its historical range. Historical distributions of several whale species have been inferred from charts prepared by Matthew Fontaine Maury in the early 1850s and Charles Haskins Townsend in the 1930s based on data from American whalers’ logbooks. In the North Pacific, Maury’s chart has been interpreted to show that right whales occurred continuously across the entire basin. However, we find plotting errors when we compare the North Pacific chart to the corresponding data worksheets prepared for Maury (the ‘Maury Abstracts’) and the chart appears to have misled historians and biologists. Although these charts and those in the North Atlantic are wrong, the Maury Abstracts themselves appear largely consistent with the original whaler logbooks. Our analysis shows that right whales were likely not distributed continuously across the North Pacific, but instead had a pronounced longitudinally bimodal distribution and were encountered infrequently in the central‐northern North Pacific. This work shows how valuable information can be obtained by examining original source material. The American whaling logbooks are extensive and have been largely overlooked in studies of whale populations.