Logo MITECO

AHAB Project: Deep Diving cetaceans and other species in the northern sector of the Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor

MITECO

  • More than 100 acoustic detections.
  • More than 70 whale sightings.
  • Six different species of cetaceans have been observed, 4 of them being deep-diving species (sperm whale, Cuvier’s beaked whale, pilot whale and pilot whale).

Line of action:

Marine ecosystems

Status:

Finalizado

Execution date:

2020

The Marine Protected Area “Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor” covers 46,000 km2 between the Levant, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, being one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Therefore, obtaining data that help to know the density, movements, seasonality and habitat use of cetaceans in the area is essential to achieve correct management of the area.

The northern part of the Corridor borders the Natura 2000-SCI “ESZZ16001-Western submarine canyon system of the Gulf of Lion”, identified in the INDEMARES Project as a possible feeding area for deep-diving cetaceans, the sperm whale in particular. The project aims to confirm the area as relevant for the feeding and connectivity of these cetaceans in the Corridor area with the population of the north-east of the Balearic Islands. The data collection will also be used to estimate abundance and create generalized linear models (GLMs) of other deep-diving species in the area.

To reinforce the value of the “Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor” area as an area of importance for cetacean species, by obtaining updated data on the status and distribution of the populations of cetacean species in the northern limit of the Marine Protected Area “Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor”, mainly deep diving and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) species, in order to provide a proposal for management measures adapted to the characteristics of the area and protection figure.

Carrying out the sighting, photo-identification and acoustic campaign by means of a linear transect Design and realization of linear transects (Distance sampling) throughout the study area:

  1. Study of sperm whales, as well as other deep-diving cetaceans (pilot whales, beaked whales).
  2. Sighting data collection for the rest of the cetaceans.
  3. Photo-identification session in the species that can be carried out this non-invasive marking. 
  4. Collection of information and sighting data of other marine species (such as turtles and sharks) that are detected.

  • More than 100 acoustic detections:
  1. More than 70 whale sightings.    
  2. Herself have Observed six species of cetaceans Different being 4 of they species of dive  deep (sperm whale, beaked whale of Cuvier pilot whale and pilot whale).
  • Thank you  to  the  data  Obtained  acoustically  herself  has  Could  carry out  the  first  esteem  of  abundance of sperm whale in the area of the Cannons of Cap of Creus and Palamós, Getting one  abundance  total  dear  of  around  of  21  animals  and  one  density  of  0.007162 animals/km2 by spatial modelling. 
  • The presence a lot of Males how of groups of Females of sperm whale Mean what this  zone  herself  try  of  one area  of feeding  and  of  breeding  Increasing the value and importance of these cannons. 
  • Analysis of the Threats for the cetaceans in the  zone of study and one series of actions to  take  for  power  determine  the  measurement  of  management  Appropriate  to  the  zone  and target species.

programa
linea de actuación

AHAB Project: Deep Diving cetaceans and other species in the northern sector of the Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor