INGESTION OF MARINE DEBRIS AND EVIDENCE OF ENTANGLEMENTS INVOLVING ANTARCTIC MINKE WHALES (<i>BALAENOPTERA BONAERENSIS</i>) SAMPLED IN THE INDO-PACIFIC SECTOR OF THE ANTARCTIC

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  • Isoda Tatsuya
    Institute of Cetacean Research
  • Tamura Tsutomu
    Institute of Cetacean Research
  • Pastene Luis A.
    Institute of Cetacean Research Project Microbiomes as Bioindicators of the Aquatic Ecosystem Health in Chilean Patagonia, Centro de Estudios del Cuaternario de Fuego-Patagonia y Antártica (CEQUA)

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  • INGESTION OF MARINE DEBRIS AND EVIDENCE OF ENTANGLEMENTS INVOLVING ANTARCTIC MINKE WHALES (BALAENOPTERA BONAERENSIS) SAMPLED IN THE INDO-PACIFIC SECTOR OF THE ANTARCTIC

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Abstract

<p>This study presents the results of an examination of marine macro debris ingested by Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in the Indo-Pacific sector of the Antarctic in the period 1987/88–2018/19. Whales used in this study were sampled by surveys of the former Japanese whale research programs under special permit in the Antarctic. Also, this study examines evidence of past and present entanglements around the body of the animals. Of a total of 11,992 whales examined, 19 had ingested macro debris (0.16%) such as polymer products and wood. Only four cases of entanglements were recorded in the 11,992 whales examined (0.03%). Of 5,215 whales examined from the period of 2005/06 onward, six whales presented body marks associated with past entanglements (0.12%). It was concluded that the frequency of macro debris ingested as well as the number of entanglement cases involving Antarctic minke whales sampled in the Indo-Pacific sector of the Antarctic are extremely low in comparison with whales in the North Atlantic. These low frequencies of ingested debris and entanglements are unlikely to have a negative effect on the conservation of the Antarctic minke whale populations in this sector of the Antarctic.</p>

Journal

  • Cetacean Population Studies

    Cetacean Population Studies 3 (0), 286-294, 2021-12-28

    Publication Committee for Cetacean Population Studies

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