Mapping distributions, as well as linking movements to oceanographic features,
could help identify areas of high conservation importance and offer initial predictions of the effects of climate change.
There are some studies based on satellite telemetry on the habitats and movements of several species, such as fin whales (Panigada et al. 2017), Scopoli’s
shearwaters (Soriano-Redondo et al. 2016), Balearic shearwaters (Guilford et al.
2012), and sea turtles (Luschi and Casale 2014). Other studies have modelled the
preferred habitats of sperm whales (Pirotta et al. 2011) and short-beaked common
dolphins (Cañadas and Hammond 2008). Overall, few studies have investigated
megafauna movements and habitats in the Mediterranean in general and in the
Alboran Sea in particular. A broad analysis of all the sources of data on megafauna
species led to the establishment of Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean
Importance (SPAMIs) under the framework of the Barcelona Convention (Halpin
et al. 2014; UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPA 2010).
This work represents a relevant contribution to the implementation of conservation measures for megafauna populations. However, beyond these specific cases,
additional studies are urgently needed to gather specific spatial ecology data in order
to conduct multi-species trophic network analyses. In the face of such urgency,
electronic tagging technology could allow the medium-term identification of key
ecological foraging hotspots and migratory corridors linking the Mediterranean Sea
and the Atlantic.
Satellite tracking data from a number of published and unpublished projects have
provided the foundation for launching a massive international Mediterranean-wide
multispecies electronic tagging programme in order to develop an ecosystem-based
management system (Hooker et al. 2011). This project should be strongly
recommended by scientists via regional fishery management organizations.
ARGOS telemetry programmes seem expensive at first glance but are relatively
affordable compared to the recurrent international scientific trawling and acoustic
surveys undertaken in the Mediterranean Sea each year within the EU data collection
programme.
A specific budget could fund extensive tagging surveys for a given number of
species over a period of several years (e.g., 1–5 years). Because some large pelagic
shark species (i.e. shortfin mako) are now very rare, tagging operations should be
conducted on a long-run basis. These tagging operations should be conducted
systematically. This approach could provide clues for the effective spatial management of large marine ecosystems (Block et al. 2011).
Initiatives have been proposed for the use of aerial sightings, such as the one
coordinated by ACCOBAMS (ACCOBAMS 2019). However, these approaches are
expensive. In this sense, new technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs), could also be very useful in research on marine environments because
these devices can easily detect marine megafauna on the surface. For example,
Kiszka et al. (2016) and Pirotta et al. (2017) used UAVs to obtain information
relevant to marine conservation. Nevertheless, new legislation on UAVs is needed.
Acknowledgements The research programme on blue shark ecology in Alboran Sea was
supported by funding from Stellaris Association (Seaquarium of Grau du Roi -France, Sealife
736
J. C. Báez et al.
could help identify areas of high conservation importance and offer initial predictions of the effects of climate change.
There are some studies based on satellite telemetry on the habitats and movements of several species, such as fin whales (Panigada et al. 2017), Scopoli’s
shearwaters (Soriano-Redondo et al. 2016), Balearic shearwaters (Guilford et al.
2012), and sea turtles (Luschi and Casale 2014). Other studies have modelled the
preferred habitats of sperm whales (Pirotta et al. 2011) and short-beaked common
dolphins (Cañadas and Hammond 2008). Overall, few studies have investigated
megafauna movements and habitats in the Mediterranean in general and in the
Alboran Sea in particular. A broad analysis of all the sources of data on megafauna
species led to the establishment of Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean
Importance (SPAMIs) under the framework of the Barcelona Convention (Halpin
et al. 2014; UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPA 2010).
This work represents a relevant contribution to the implementation of conservation measures for megafauna populations. However, beyond these specific cases,
additional studies are urgently needed to gather specific spatial ecology data in order
to conduct multi-species trophic network analyses. In the face of such urgency,
electronic tagging technology could allow the medium-term identification of key
ecological foraging hotspots and migratory corridors linking the Mediterranean Sea
and the Atlantic.
Satellite tracking data from a number of published and unpublished projects have
provided the foundation for launching a massive international Mediterranean-wide
multispecies electronic tagging programme in order to develop an ecosystem-based
management system (Hooker et al. 2011). This project should be strongly
recommended by scientists via regional fishery management organizations.
ARGOS telemetry programmes seem expensive at first glance but are relatively
affordable compared to the recurrent international scientific trawling and acoustic
surveys undertaken in the Mediterranean Sea each year within the EU data collection
programme.
A specific budget could fund extensive tagging surveys for a given number of
species over a period of several years (e.g., 1–5 years). Because some large pelagic
shark species (i.e. shortfin mako) are now very rare, tagging operations should be
conducted on a long-run basis. These tagging operations should be conducted
systematically. This approach could provide clues for the effective spatial management of large marine ecosystems (Block et al. 2011).
Initiatives have been proposed for the use of aerial sightings, such as the one
coordinated by ACCOBAMS (ACCOBAMS 2019). However, these approaches are
expensive. In this sense, new technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs), could also be very useful in research on marine environments because
these devices can easily detect marine megafauna on the surface. For example,
Kiszka et al. (2016) and Pirotta et al. (2017) used UAVs to obtain information
relevant to marine conservation. Nevertheless, new legislation on UAVs is needed.
Acknowledgements The research programme on blue shark ecology in Alboran Sea was
supported by funding from Stellaris Association (Seaquarium of Grau du Roi -France, Sealife
736
J. C. Báez et al.