464
recorded in 2001 and 2002, and no sightings were recorded in 2004 and 2008 (Groch
et al. unpublished). A possible reduction in sightings along the southeast of Brazil
was also detected reviewing data of strandings and sightings available from various
sources (Figueiredo et al. 2013). Between 2000 and 2011 a total of 36 records was
found (n = 59 individuals), between May and October. Mother and calf pairs represented 76% of all sightings. Annual sightings were significantly reduced when compared previously to available data from the period between 1981 and 1999 (Santos
et al. 2001). Much of this area is now developed which will increase the potential of
conflicts between right whales and human activities as the whales reoccupy or
expand their range (Groch et al. 2005).
16.9 Potential Threats
The National Action Plan for the conservation of aquatic mammals list the potential
threats for the recovery and conservation of right whales in Brazil (Rocha-Campos
and Camara, I. G. 2011). Currently, the main threats faced by right whales are
thought to be ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear.
Collisions with vessels are a recognized source of severe injuries and mortality of
whales. Between 1999 and 2014 four cases of southern right whales with injuries or
scars compatible with vessel collisions, including 3 live animals and one calf washed
ashore dead, are reported along Santa Catarina coast (Groch et al. 2015). The live animals consisted of 2 cataloged females and one calf, all resighted later with the lesions
completely healed. The most severe case was the female recognized as B128, cataloged
since 2002 (Fig. 16.19). Despite the severity of the lesions she was resighted in apparently good general condition, spanning 57 days since first sighted with the open
wounds. The whale was monitored the whole period and was accompanied by a calf.
Vessel collisions have been proposed to cause the death of right whales mostly
south of Santa Catarina State (Greig et al. 2001; Gomes 2005). A review on strandings along the Brazilian coast between 1936 and 2004 reported the death of 6 whales
caused by ship strikes, out of 45 stranding records (Gomes 2005). Most of the cases
occurred in Rio Grande do Sul State, south of the species main concentration area
in Santa Catarina. Marine traffic in the area is extensive due to the presence of the
Port of Rio Grande, the only fishing and cargo ships facility on the state coast,
which my increase the probability of collisions (Greig et al. 2001).
Strandings have been reported for Santa Catarina, however in most of the cases
the causes were not determined (Groch et al. 2013). During the period of 2002–
2013, a total of 23 strandings were registered, including all classes of whales. A rate
of 1.9 strandings per year is observed, and only one case of anthropogenic cause of
mortality was confirmed, due to vessel collision. Most strandings were of dead individuals except for four live animals, from which one calf died shortly after stranded,
two juvenile were successfully rescued and one adult had to be euthanized. Calves
constitute the majority of events and there is a prevalence of strandings in the central
and northern part of the state coast. In the northern state coast the ship traffic is high
due to the 2 large Ports located in the area, and vessel traffic might be a cause of
K. Groch
recorded in 2001 and 2002, and no sightings were recorded in 2004 and 2008 (Groch
et al. unpublished). A possible reduction in sightings along the southeast of Brazil
was also detected reviewing data of strandings and sightings available from various
sources (Figueiredo et al. 2013). Between 2000 and 2011 a total of 36 records was
found (n = 59 individuals), between May and October. Mother and calf pairs represented 76% of all sightings. Annual sightings were significantly reduced when compared previously to available data from the period between 1981 and 1999 (Santos
et al. 2001). Much of this area is now developed which will increase the potential of
conflicts between right whales and human activities as the whales reoccupy or
expand their range (Groch et al. 2005).
16.9 Potential Threats
The National Action Plan for the conservation of aquatic mammals list the potential
threats for the recovery and conservation of right whales in Brazil (Rocha-Campos
and Camara, I. G. 2011). Currently, the main threats faced by right whales are
thought to be ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear.
Collisions with vessels are a recognized source of severe injuries and mortality of
whales. Between 1999 and 2014 four cases of southern right whales with injuries or
scars compatible with vessel collisions, including 3 live animals and one calf washed
ashore dead, are reported along Santa Catarina coast (Groch et al. 2015). The live animals consisted of 2 cataloged females and one calf, all resighted later with the lesions
completely healed. The most severe case was the female recognized as B128, cataloged
since 2002 (Fig. 16.19). Despite the severity of the lesions she was resighted in apparently good general condition, spanning 57 days since first sighted with the open
wounds. The whale was monitored the whole period and was accompanied by a calf.
Vessel collisions have been proposed to cause the death of right whales mostly
south of Santa Catarina State (Greig et al. 2001; Gomes 2005). A review on strandings along the Brazilian coast between 1936 and 2004 reported the death of 6 whales
caused by ship strikes, out of 45 stranding records (Gomes 2005). Most of the cases
occurred in Rio Grande do Sul State, south of the species main concentration area
in Santa Catarina. Marine traffic in the area is extensive due to the presence of the
Port of Rio Grande, the only fishing and cargo ships facility on the state coast,
which my increase the probability of collisions (Greig et al. 2001).
Strandings have been reported for Santa Catarina, however in most of the cases
the causes were not determined (Groch et al. 2013). During the period of 2002–
2013, a total of 23 strandings were registered, including all classes of whales. A rate
of 1.9 strandings per year is observed, and only one case of anthropogenic cause of
mortality was confirmed, due to vessel collision. Most strandings were of dead individuals except for four live animals, from which one calf died shortly after stranded,
two juvenile were successfully rescued and one adult had to be euthanized. Calves
constitute the majority of events and there is a prevalence of strandings in the central
and northern part of the state coast. In the northern state coast the ship traffic is high
due to the 2 large Ports located in the area, and vessel traffic might be a cause of
K. Groch