The purpose of this project is to determine the risk factors to which the pilot whale population in the southwest of Tenerife is subjected.

The purpose of this Tonina Association project is to scientifically determine the risk factors to which the pilot whale population in the southwest of Tenerife is subjected. The project will also serve to know the current state of the population involving the operators of the commercial activity of cetaceans, the tourism sectors that involve nautical activities and other users of the area. In addition, the monitoring of other cetacean populations in the area will be carried out.

This will establish an integration of measurable qualitative data on which are the anthropic factors with the greatest impact, in at least 50% of the social groups residing in the study area. A database will also be created that will collect the sightings, the type of groups sighted and the degree of impact to which they are subjected.

On the other hand, the areas of high use of the species and the routes of the ships with a high risk of collision will be identified on maps and a plan of mitigating measures will be developed depending on the degree of threat of each of the factors.

Among the activities to be developed within the framework of this project, the following stand out:

• Data collection: scientific campaigns for seasonal monitoring of pilot whale groups, acoustic data collection and biopsies.
• Data analysis: analysis of individuals by photoidentification, social composition of groups, number of visiting boats, analysis of acoustic data and biopsies. Calculation of the environmental impact matrix integrating the results obtained.
• Publication of results: Development of a plan to communicate the results to the sectors involved in order to adopt palliative measures.
• Dissemination actions and implementation of palliative measures: Preparation of reports and specific action plan to present to the administration, tour operators and whale-watching boats, so that palliative measures can be adopted, following a logical sequential order depending on the levels of affectation observed.
• Environmental awareness days to raise awareness among different users, paying special attention to the tourism sector, in relation to the value of these populations and the anthropic risks they face.