Cetacean monitoring in São Tomé and Príncipe

There are about 88 cetacean species in the world. Cetaceans are widely distributed animals in the oceans, that are capable of moving great distances but also to demonstrate site...

There are about 88 cetacean species in the world. Cetaceans are widely distributed animals in the oceans, that are capable of moving great distances but also to demonstrate site fidelity to certain areas where they occur. Most cetacean species occur in tropical areas. However, there is little information about cetacean communities in most tropical areas of the world which makes difficult the assessment of their status and the consequent creation and implementation of conservation measures. São Tomé and Príncipe is one of these cases.

São Tomé and Príncipe seems to be an important marine area for cetaceans due to the abundance of food and great depths that make coastal and offshore species occur near the shore. However, information is still scarce and discontinued. In addition, oil exploration and tourism based on whale watching are now appearing in this region. In addition to these two activities, fishing may also have an impact on cetacean trough by-catch and negative human attitudes due to competition for resources.

Since 2002 efforts have been made in order to study the diversity of cetaceans in this country, through three entities: Escola de Mar, Associação para as Ciências do Mar and more recently MARAPA through Operação Tunhã. Since then, 8 cetacean species have been sighted: humpback whale, bottlenose dolphin, pantropical spotted dolphin, killer whale, sperm whale, dwarf sperm whale, pilot whale and more recently the false killer whale. Our aim is to study the occurrence and diversity of cetaceans, as well as the distribution and habitat use, contributing to the increase of scientific knowledge about species and local marine conservation.

Thus, the results of this project will help to identify and characterize intense use areas, predict the occurrence and temporal and spatial changes of species and to interpret population trends. Ultimately, all the information about cetacean diversity and occurrence in São Tomé and Príncipe may contribute to the implementation of conservation efforts for the occurring species in a correct and effective way.

This project will allow accomplishing a mission with a presence of two biologists; Andreia Pereira and Francisco Martinho to conduct sea surveys based research as well as environmental awareness, integrated into the activities of the NGO MARAPA, during Operação Tunhã. Financial support will only cover travel expenses. We count on you!

Follow our project on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stpcetaceos

Associação para as ciências do mar: http://www.facebook.com/associacaoparaascienciasdomar

MARAPA: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marapa/217952911627145

Escola de Mar: http://www.escolademar.pt/

About the author

Andreia Pereira: Bióloga pela Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa. Encontra-se a finalizar a tese de mestrado em Biologia da Conservação sobre golfinhos-roazes de São Tomé e Príncipe com o título "Behavioural ecology and habitat use of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in São Tomé and Príncipe with remarks for cetacean conservation". Actualmente colabora com a Escola de Mar na componente de investigação científica e educação ambiental. Interessada em estudar de que modo as condições ambientais e humanas afectam a ecologia dos cetáceos em zonas tropicais e na consequente conservação da biodiversidade, está motivada em dar continuidade aos seus estudos neste país.

Francisco Martinho: Licenciado em Biologia Ambiental Marinha, na Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa. Encontra-se a realizar tese de mestrado sob o tema “Residency and behaviour patterns of Coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Arrábida and Troia’s shores”. Acompanha a investigação da Escola de Mar, na área dos cetáceos desde 2008 e tem mais de 300 horas de observação de cetáceos no mar. De momento especializa-se na captura de vídeos subaquáticos.

Budget and due dates

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