315
In addition to long-term acoustic monitoring, incorporating molecular data to
monitoring protocols is urgently needed. The population genetic studies by
Barragan-Barrera et al. (2015) in Bocas del Toro, highlights the importance of such
information. Her research indicates that this small bottlenose dolphin population is
highly isolated form others in the Caribbean, and thus should be treated it as a separate conservation unit, and likely considered threatened in Panama. Another example is the case of coastal spotted dolphins. Escorza-Trevino et al. (2002) genetic
work showed significant differences between Costa Rican spotted dolphins and
those from the rest of Central America. Molecular data is relevant for conservation
and management strategies, especially for cetaceans, which habitat overlaps with
important fishing areas and tourism. Finally, we need infrastructure and capacity
building for our stranding networks. As described in the stranding section, most
strandings are associated with pathogens highlighting the importance of trained scientists, access to laboratories, and novel methods that can provide a better understanding of the causes of death in both countries. Helping to produce conservation
policies that reflect cetacean population’s health status.
While Costa Rica and Panama are leading the way in marine mammal research and
conservation efforts in Central America, the lack of resources and funding can quickly
hamper these efforts. Our small scientific community worries about the impact of
rapidly growing boat-based whale watching industry and associated noise along our
coasts, and how increasing noise levels can affect the soundscape of important habitats such as breeding grounds for migratory whales. We also worry about the lack of
estimations of local cetacean mortality in fishing nets and direct killing (for shark bait)
and, the effect that global warming will have in tropical habitats. Finally, we worry
about the limited sources for funding whether governmental or private that allow us to
continue filling up the gaps on the basic ecology of these animals, this information is
the basis to make the right decisions on management and policy making.
References
Acevedo A, Burkhart S (1998) Seasonal distribution of bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and pantropical spotted (Stenella attenuata) dolphins (Cetacea: Delphinidae) in Golfo Dulce, Costa
Rica. Rev Biol Trop 46: 91–101
Acevedo A, Smultea ME (1995) First records of humpback whales including calves at Golfo Dulce
and Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, suggesting geographical overlap of northern and southern hemisphere populations. Mar Mamm Sci 11:554–560
Acevedo J, Rasmussen K, Félix F, Castro C, Llano M, Secchi E, Saborío MT, Aguayo-Lobo A,
Haase B, Scheidat M (2007) Migratory destinations of humpback whales from the Magellan
Strait feeding ground, Southeast Pacific. Mar Mamm Sci 23:453–463
Acevedo-Gutierrez A, DiBerardinis A, Larkin S, Larkin K, Forestell P (2005) Social interactions
between Tucuxis and bottlenose dolphins in GandocaManzanillo, Costa Rica. Lat Am J Aquat
Mamm 4:49–54
Barragán-Barrera DC, May-Collado LJ, Islas-Villanueva V, Caballero S (2015) Isolated in
the Caribbean: low genetic diversity of a bottlenose dolphin in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
International Whaling Commission. SC/66a/SM/13
12 Ecology and Conservation of Cetaceans of Costa Rica and Panama
In addition to long-term acoustic monitoring, incorporating molecular data to
monitoring protocols is urgently needed. The population genetic studies by
Barragan-Barrera et al. (2015) in Bocas del Toro, highlights the importance of such
information. Her research indicates that this small bottlenose dolphin population is
highly isolated form others in the Caribbean, and thus should be treated it as a separate conservation unit, and likely considered threatened in Panama. Another example is the case of coastal spotted dolphins. Escorza-Trevino et al. (2002) genetic
work showed significant differences between Costa Rican spotted dolphins and
those from the rest of Central America. Molecular data is relevant for conservation
and management strategies, especially for cetaceans, which habitat overlaps with
important fishing areas and tourism. Finally, we need infrastructure and capacity
building for our stranding networks. As described in the stranding section, most
strandings are associated with pathogens highlighting the importance of trained scientists, access to laboratories, and novel methods that can provide a better understanding of the causes of death in both countries. Helping to produce conservation
policies that reflect cetacean population’s health status.
While Costa Rica and Panama are leading the way in marine mammal research and
conservation efforts in Central America, the lack of resources and funding can quickly
hamper these efforts. Our small scientific community worries about the impact of
rapidly growing boat-based whale watching industry and associated noise along our
coasts, and how increasing noise levels can affect the soundscape of important habitats such as breeding grounds for migratory whales. We also worry about the lack of
estimations of local cetacean mortality in fishing nets and direct killing (for shark bait)
and, the effect that global warming will have in tropical habitats. Finally, we worry
about the limited sources for funding whether governmental or private that allow us to
continue filling up the gaps on the basic ecology of these animals, this information is
the basis to make the right decisions on management and policy making.
References
Acevedo A, Burkhart S (1998) Seasonal distribution of bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and pantropical spotted (Stenella attenuata) dolphins (Cetacea: Delphinidae) in Golfo Dulce, Costa
Rica. Rev Biol Trop 46: 91–101
Acevedo A, Smultea ME (1995) First records of humpback whales including calves at Golfo Dulce
and Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, suggesting geographical overlap of northern and southern hemisphere populations. Mar Mamm Sci 11:554–560
Acevedo J, Rasmussen K, Félix F, Castro C, Llano M, Secchi E, Saborío MT, Aguayo-Lobo A,
Haase B, Scheidat M (2007) Migratory destinations of humpback whales from the Magellan
Strait feeding ground, Southeast Pacific. Mar Mamm Sci 23:453–463
Acevedo-Gutierrez A, DiBerardinis A, Larkin S, Larkin K, Forestell P (2005) Social interactions
between Tucuxis and bottlenose dolphins in GandocaManzanillo, Costa Rica. Lat Am J Aquat
Mamm 4:49–54
Barragán-Barrera DC, May-Collado LJ, Islas-Villanueva V, Caballero S (2015) Isolated in
the Caribbean: low genetic diversity of a bottlenose dolphin in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
International Whaling Commission. SC/66a/SM/13
12 Ecology and Conservation of Cetaceans of Costa Rica and Panama