Caterina Maria Fortuna

Leisure boating noise as a trigger for the displacement of the bottlenose dolphins of the Cres–Lošinj archipelago (northern Adriatic Sea, Croatia)

The waters of the Cres-Lošinj archipelago are subject to intense boat traffic related to the high number of leisure boats frequenting this area during the summer tourist season. Boat noise dominates the acoustic environment of the local bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population. This study investigates the spatial and temporal change in the underwater noise levels due to intense boating, and its effect on the distribution of the bottlenose dolphins. In the period 2007-2009 sea ambient noise (SAN) was sampled across ten acoustic stations. During data collection the presence of leisure boats was recorded if they were within 2 km of the sampling station. Bottlenose dolphin spatial distribution was monitored in the same period. Results showed a strong positive correlation between high SAN levels and boat presence, particularly in the tourist season. Dolphin distribution indicated significant seasonal displacements from noisy areas characterized by the intense leisure boating.

The first identified winter feeding ground of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Mediterranean Sea

The presence of ¢n whales in the Mediterranean Sea has been documented since ancient times. In spite of this, reliable information on their ecology and distribution is limited to the north-western part of the basin. Recent genetic studies have demonstrated that Mediterranean ¢n whales comprise a separate population with very limited gene £ow with their North Atlantic co-speci¢cs. Although both published and anecdotal information reports their presence in the south central Mediterranean during winter, there is no information on habitat use. In February 2004, a 14-day boat survey was carried out in the waters surrounding the island of Lampedusa, where ¢n whales occur at this time of the year. A total of 20 ¢n whale groups (average group size two animals) were encountered. In each encounter the animals were engaged in surface feeding activity. From plankton samples and underwater video, the prey species was identi¢ed as the Euphausiid, Nyctiphanes couchi. The information obtained suggests that this area may be an important winter feeding ground for ¢n whales. The results represent signi¢cant new information on ¢n whale ecology in the Mediterranean, with associated conservation and management implications.

Drivers of Population Structure of the Bottlenose Dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus ) in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

The drivers of population differentiation in oceanic high dispersal organisms, have been crucial for research in evolutionary biology. Adaptation to different environments is commonly invoked as a driver of differentiation in the oceans, in alternative to geographic isolation. In this study, we investigate the population structure and phylogeography of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the Mediterranean Sea, using microsatellite loci and the entire mtDNA control region. By further comparing the Mediterranean populations with the well described Atlantic populations, we addressed the following hypotheses: (1) bottlenose dolphins show population structure within the environmentally complex Eastern Mediterranean Sea; (2) population structure was gained locally or otherwise results from chance distribution of pre-existing genetic structure; (3) strong demographic variations within the Mediterranean basin have affected genetic variation sufficiently to bias detected patterns of population structure. Our results suggest that bottlenose dolphin exhibits population structures that correspond well to the main Mediterranean oceanographic basins. Furthermore, we found evidence for fine scale population division within the Adriatic and the Levantine seas. We further describe for the first time, a distinction between populations inhabiting pelagic and coastal regions within the Mediterranean. Phylogeographic analysis suggests that current genetic structure, results mostly from stochastic distribution of Atlantic genetic variation, during a recent post-glacial expansion. Comparison with Atlantic mtDNA haplotypes, further suggest the existence of a metapopulation across North Atlantic/Mediterranean, with pelagic regions acting as source for coastal environments.

An insight into the status of the striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba , of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea

Drift-nets are known to result in high incidental catches of some cetacean species. Despite a UN moratorium on their use in the high seas and a ban in the Mediterranean by all European Union countries, including Italy (EC Reg. 1239/98), some fisheries continue to operate illegally. In 2002 and 2003 three line-transect surveys were conducted in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea around the Aeolian archipelago. These transects were designed to assess the presence, distribution and population size of cetacean species likely to be affected by accidental captures in this area. Data were only sufficient to estimate abundance for the striped dolphin. The best estimate (and first such estimate for this area) was 4030 individuals (CV=0.30, 95% CI=2239-7253) for May 2003. A rough estimate of striped dolphin by-catch, based on floating carcases, was calculated as 36 by-caught animals over a period of 12 days (CV=0.58, 95% CI=11-113). These results, although approximate, are a cause for concern. Conservation and management implications of the results are discussed.

Occurrence of Cuvier's beaked whales in the southern Adriatic Sea: evidence of an important Mediterranean habitat

The intent of this work is to summarize the available knowledge on the appearance, identification and distribution of Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) in the Adriatic Sea through a review of historical data, inspection of natural history collections and collection of original data. In total, eleven occurrences are documented of Cuvier’s beaked whale along the Adriatic coast with all records originating from the deep southern Adriatic basin. The number of recorded stranded Cuvier’s beaked whales in the southern Adriatic represents about 3% of the recorded specimens in the entire Mediterranean. This percentage increases up to about 5% when considering only data collected after the first recorded stranding of the recent era in 1975. Comparing these percentages to the extent of the area relative to the Mediterranean, the proportion of occurrence of the total stranded Cuvier’s beaked whales in the southern Adriatic ranged between the same to double of that of the entire Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, the southern Adriatic Sea should be considered as a potentially relevant habitat of the Cuvier’s beaked whale. This hypothesis has clear conservation implications particularly in view of the adverse impact of sonar experiments, carried out by navies from several countries, on this species and should be further investigated. Finally, there is no evidence of the northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus) ever having occurred in this part of the Mediterranean region.

Marine Conservation and Accession: The Future for the Croatian Adriatic

The European Union (EU) is the world’s largest trading bloc and the most influential supra-national organisation in the region. The EU has been the goal for many eastern European States, for Croatia accession remains a priority and underpins many of its national policies. However, entry into the EU requires certain commitments and concessions. In October 2003 the Croatian parliament declared an ecological and fisheries protection zone in the Adriatic. Under pressure the zone was suspended, finally entering into force in March 2008 exempting EU States. There are other marine conflicts between Croatia and the EU, particularly the contested maritime border with Slovenia, and the development of the Croatian fishing fleet in opposition to the Common Fisheries Policy. Conversely, attempts to harmonise Croatian Nature Protection with the EU Habitats Directive, facilitated by pre-accession funding, has galvanised conservation policy. Since 2005 two marine protected areas have been declared, significantly increasing the marine ecosystem under protection. Finally, the development of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive is the latest EU attempt to integrate environmental policy in the maritime realm. This will have an effect not only on member States but neighbouring countries. For marine nature protection to be effective in the region the Adriatic Sea needs to be viewed as a mutually important shared and limited resource not a bargaining chip. Negotiations of the EU and Croatia have been watched closely by the other Balkan States and precedents set in this case have the potential to affect EU expansion to the East.

Distribution and abundance estimates of bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) around Lampedusa Island (Sicily Channel, Italy): implications for their management

marina pulcini, daniela silvia pace, gabriella la manna, francesca triossi and caterina maria fortuna ISPRA—Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 60, 00144 Rome, Italy, CTS—Nature Conservation Department, Via A. Vesalio 6, 00161 Rome, Italy, Oceanomare-Delphis Onlus, Via G. Marinuzzi, 74, 00124 Rome, Italy, University of Parma, Biology Department, Viale G.P. Usberti, 43124 Parma, Italy

Long-Term Monitoring of Anthropogenic Noise and Its Relationship to Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Distribution in the Cres–Lošinj Archipelago, Northern Adriatic, Croatia

The Cres-Losinj archipelago represents an important nursing and feeding ground for the resident Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphin) population. Scientific research on Tursiops truncatus in this area has been conducted since 1987, and the population abundance is currently estimated to be 113 individuals (95% CI = 107–121; SE = 6.967), showing a significant decline of 39% between 1995 and 2003 (Fortuna 2006). Being top predators, dolphins represent the symbol of a healthy environment; hence a reduction in their abundance is considered an indication of the endangered status of this population. The low Tursiops truncatus density in the region may be related to the habitat degradation of the northern Adriatic waters, particularly to the scarce availability of food resources in an environment subject to high anthropogenic pressure (Bearzi et al. 2004).

Are the 1/3-Octave Band 63- and 125-Hz Noise Levels Predictive of Vessel Activity? The Case in the Cres–Lošinj Archipelago (Northern Adriatic Sea, Croatia)

A 3-years sea ambient-noise (SAN) monitoring was carried out in the Cres-Lošinj Archipelago (Croatia), where a bottlenose dolphin population is threatened by unregulated nautical tourism. A total of 540 5-min SAN samples were collected and analyzed in an Indicator 11.2.1 (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) perspective. The 1/3-octave band center frequencies of 63 and 125 Hz (re 1 μPa.rms) proved to be predictive of local predominant ship type over time. However, the noisiest band level was centered on 200 Hz. We therefore suggest measuring a wider frequency band than those requested in Indicator 11.2.1.

Occurrence of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and other cetaceans in Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica

Abstract During January and February 2004, data on presence and distribution of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and other cetaceans were collected by helicopter surveys along the coastline of Terra Nova Bay and adjacent localities (western Ross Sea, Antarctica). A total of 37 sightings of killer whale, of both B and C types, were recorded as well as 17 sightings of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), nine of Balaenoptera spp., two of Arnoux’s beaked whale (Berardius arnuxii) and four of undetermined species. The type C killer whale was the most abundant, with 23 sightings, whereas we recorded type B only twice. Group size ranged between 1 and 30 animals, with an average of eight individuals. Seventeen killer whales were photo-identified and 13 resightings occurred during the study period. Killer whales showed a differential pattern in partitioning the study area. Their encounter rate was significantly higher (t-test = 2.6045, P < 0.05) in the northern area extending from Edmonson Point to the Campbell Glacier Tongue (encounter rate, ER = 0.031), compared to the southern area from Mario Zucchelli Station to the Drygalski Ice Tongue (ER = 0.003).