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Humpback whale sightings in southern waters of the Dominican Republic lead to proactive conservation measures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2009

A.R. Whaley ,
A.J. Wright ,
I. Bonnelly de Calventi  and
E.C.M. Parsons
A.R. Whaley
Affiliation:
Los Amigos de los Delfines, Fundación Dominicana de Estudios Marinos, Inc. (FUNDEMAR), Sócrates Nolasco, No. 6, Ensanche Naco, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic The University (of London) Marine Biological Station Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, ScotlandKA28 0EG
A.J. Wright*
Affiliation:
Leviathan Sciences, 3414 17th St N, Apt. 3, Arlington, Virginia, 22207, USA
I. Bonnelly de Calventi
Affiliation:
Los Amigos de los Delfines, Fundación Dominicana de Estudios Marinos, Inc. (FUNDEMAR), Sócrates Nolasco, No. 6, Ensanche Naco, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
E.C.M. Parsons
Affiliation:
Leviathan Sciences, 3414 17th St N, Apt. 3, Arlington, Virginia, 22207, USA The Department of Environmental Science and Policy, MSN 5F2, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444, USA
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: A.J. Wright, Leviathan Sciences, 3414 17th St N, Apt.3, Arlington, Virginia, 22207, USA email: marinebrit@gmail.com
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Abstract

The Amigos de los Delfines made four sightings of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) during surveys for dolphins near the Parque Nacional del Este (Eastern National Park), on the south-eastern coast of the Dominican Republic in March 2005. A number of behaviours were documented, including breaching apparently in response to harassment by local tour boats. The northern waters of the country are well known breeding sites for humpback whales, which led to the creation of the Silver Bank Marine Mammal Sanctuary. The information obtained during these sightings has led to a number of management efforts to reduce the impacts of human activities on the whales beyond the borders of the Sanctuary.

Keywords

humpback whalesouthern Dominican Republicdistributionproactive conservationvessel disturbancewhalewatching management
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 1 , January 2008 , e70
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2007

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