Çalışmalarımız
Cetacean Action Plan
THE TURKISH NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE CONSERVATION OF CETACEAN SPECIES IN THE TURKISH WATER OF THE
AEGEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN SEAS
INTRODUCTION
1. Cetacean Diversity
In the Turkish water of the Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea, nine cetacean species are known to occur (Table 1). Those are Delphinus delphis, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella coeruleoalba, Globicephala melas, Grampus griseus, Pseudorca crassidens, Physeter catodon, Ziphius cavirostris and Balaenoptera physalus. There are 14 cetacean species living in the whole Mediterranean Sea. Among them, ten species, including Phocoena phocoena living in the Black Sea, are observed in the Turkish waters. All these cetacean species are under the protection by law since 1983 in Turkish waters (Öztürk, 1996).
Table 1. Presence of cetacean species in the Turkish waters.
|
Species |
Black Sea |
Marmara Sea |
Aegean Sea |
Mediterranean Sea |
|
Delphinus delphis |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
Tursiops truncates |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
Phocoena phocoena |
+ |
+ |
- |
- |
|
Stenella coeruleoalba |
- |
- |
+ |
+ |
|
Grampus griseus |
- |
- |
+ |
+ |
|
Pseudorca crassidens |
- |
- |
+ |
+ |
|
Globicephala melas |
- |
- |
+ |
+ |
|
Ziphius cavirostris |
- |
- |
+ |
+ |
|
Balaenoptera physalus |
- |
- |
+ |
+ |
|
Physeter catodon |
- |
- |
+ |
+ |
(+) Present, ( -) Absent
The species listed below appear in the Annex 2 to the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean.
- Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
- Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
- Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas)
- Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus)
- Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
- False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens)
- Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)
- Bottlenose dolphin (Trusiops truncatus)
- Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris)
Table 3. Convention listings and IUCN status of cetacean species in Turkish waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas.
|
Species |
Bern Convention |
Washington Convention |
Bonn Convention |
EU Habitats Directory |
IUCN Status* |
|
Delphinus delphis |
App.II |
App.II |
- |
Ann.IV |
- |
|
Tursiops truncatus |
App.II |
App.II |
- |
Ann.IV |
DD |
|
Stenella coeruleoalba |
App.II |
App.II |
- |
Ann.IV |
LR |
|
Grampus griseus |
App.II |
App.II |
- |
Ann.IV |
DD |
|
Pseudorca crassidens |
App.II |
App.II |
- |
Ann.IV |
- |
|
Globicephala melas |
App.II |
App.II |
- |
Ann.IV |
- |
|
Ziphius cavirostris |
App.II |
App.II |
- |
Ann.IV |
DD |
|
Balaenoptera physalus |
App.II |
App.I |
App.I&II |
Ann.IV |
EN |
|
Physeter catodon |
App.II |
App.I |
App.I&II |
App.IV |
VU |
*IUCN Status; -: Not included in Red List of threatened species, DD: Data deficient, LR: Lower risk – conservation dependent, EN: Endangered, VU: Vulnerable.
The brief information of the cetacean species in the Turkish water of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas is as follows.
Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Delphinus delphis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common names: Common dolphin (En), Tirtak (Tr), Dauphin commun (Fr)
Globicephala melas (Traill, 1809)
Common names: Long-finned pilot whale (En), Pilot yunus (Tr), Globicéphale commun (Fr)
Grampus griseus (G. Cuvier, 1812)
Common names: Risso’s dolphin (En), Risso yunus (Tr), Dauphin de Risso (Fr)
Physeter catodon (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common names: Sperm whale (En), Kasalot (Tr), Cachalot (Fr)
Pseudorca crassidens (Owen, 1846)
Common names: False killer whale (En), Yalanci katil balina (Tr), Faux-orque (Fr)
Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833)
Common names: Striped dolphin (En), Cizgili yunus (Tr), Dauphin bleu et blanc (Fr)
Trusiops truncatus (Montagu,1821)
Common names: Bottlenose dolphin (En), Afalina (Tr), Grand dauphin (Fr)
2. Major Problems Concerning the Protection of Cetaceans
a) Lack of basic information
b) Fishing activities
Furthermore, the bycatch in the swordfish driftnets in the Aegean and Mediterranean coast of Turkey poses threat for some cetacean species, such as S. coeruleoalba, T. truncatus, and G. griseus. The swordfish fishing season lasts only two months, May and June. Mesh size of the driftnet used for the swordfish is 240-260mm and the total length of the net is 1000 -1500m on average and the depth is 4m. The driftnet is set in the depth of 6-7m in general. Although the driftnet fishery is banned since 1998, there is still some illegal fishing in the region (Öztürk et al. 2001). One example was a female sperm whale, entangled to one of those illegal driftnets and later successfully rescued in Fethiye area on the Mediterranean coast.
c) Coastal development
d) Pollution
Waste water discharges can cause eutrophication in the coastal waters as well as microbial contamination of cetaceans. Industrial wastes cause the contamination of heavy metal and organochlorines in cetaceans.
Ship originated pollution, such as bilge water and oil, affect both coastal and offshore cetaceans. Shipping activities, military exercises, and seismic studies cause noise pollution in marine environment. As cetaceans greatly depend on sounds for communication and feeding, this noise pollution can be affecting them.
Solid waste, such as plastic bags, can be fatal to some cetaceans when they are sucked.
e) Lack of public awareness
ACTION PLAN
1. Objectives
a) Protect and conserve cetacean habitats including feeding, breeding and calving grounds, without however, being restricted to there aspects.
b) Protect, conserve and recover the cetacean populations in the Turkish waters in the Mediterranean Sea.
2. Priorities
a) Elucidating the current status of cetaceans, that is, monitoring, research and data collection and dissemination with regard to biology, ecology, and habitats of cetaceans;
b) Prevention and elimination of pollution;
c) Elimination of incidental catches in fishing gear;
d) Prevention of over-exploitation and illegal catch of fishery resources;
e) Protection of feeding, breeding, and calving grounds if identified;
f) Educational activities aimed at the public and fishermen.
Among the above priorities, a), c), and e) are considered to be the main urgent plans to be implemented for the following reasons. The priority (a), elucidating the current status of cetaceans, is the base line for any researches or conservation plans in the future. Nothing can be elaborated or implemented without the information which is going to be provided by this action. The other two priorities, (c): elimination of incidental catches, and (e): protection of feeding, breeding, and calving grounds, are directly concerning the survival of the cetaceans in the Turkish Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. The other three priorities, b), d), and f), are indirectly affect the survival of the cetaceans in the region in the longer time scale.
3. Activities
A. Survey on distribution of cetaceans
Lack of information on cetaceans is one of the major problems concerning the protection of them. The result of this activity provides basic information for the other activities mentioned below, particularly the establishment of Special Protected Areas.
A.1. Objective
A.2. Description
A.3. Responsibilities
A.4. Stake holders
A.5. Prerequisites
A.7. Calendar
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|
|
Jan |
|
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
||
|
First year |
Survey planning |
Winter survey (Aeg.) |
|
|
|
|
Spring survey (Aeg.) |
|
|
|
|
Summer survey (Aeg.) |
Interviewing |
Autumn survey (Aeg.) |
Interim report |
|
|
Second year |
Survey planning |
Winter survey (Med.) |
|
|
|
|
Spring survey (Med.) |
|
|
|
|
Summer survey (Med.) |
Interviewing |
Autumn survey (Med.) |
Final report |
|
A.8. Budget
TOTAL: $ 250,000
A.9. Monitoring
B. Monitoring cetacean bycatch
Although the pelagic driftnets are forbidden in Turkey, some illegal fishing is still carried out. Besides, some other fishing gears potentially bycatch some animals. It is critically important to eliminate cetacean bycatch.
B.2. Description
B.3. Responsibilities
B.4. Stakeholders
B.5. Prerequisites
B.6. Problems for implementation
|
|
|
Jan |
|
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
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|
First year |
Preparation of brochures |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
Interim report, |
Discussion on mitigation measures |
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|
All year around, bycaught specimens are collected by local authorities and the fishermen are interviewed about the situation. |
Trained experts identify and examine the specimens. |
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|
Second year |
Implementation of mitigation measures All year around, bycaught specimens are collected by local authorities and the fishermen are interviewed about the situation. Trained experts identify and examine the specimens. |
Final report, Workshop on mitigation measures |
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B.9. Monitoring
C. Establishing cetacean stranding network
C.1. Objectives
C.2. Description
C.3. Responsibilities
C.4. Stakeholders
C.5. Prerequisites
C.6. Problems for implementation
C.7. Calendar
|
|
|
Jan |
|
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
|
Activity |
Preparation for workshop: educational materials such as booklets and posters |
Workshop in Istanbul (2 days) |
Official establishment of the stranding network |
|||||
C.8. Budget
C.9. Monitoring
D. Educational programs
D.1. Objective
D.2. Description
D.3. Responsibilities
D.4. Stakeholders
D.5. Prerequisites: None
D.6. Problems for implementation
Fishermen may not be cooperative if the damage made by cetaceans is serious and their economical situations are not good.
D.7. Calendar
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
||||||||||||
|
First year |
Preparation of educational materials Training of volunteers |
Picture competition of cetaceans by school children |
Exhibits for tourists |
Seminars for fishermen, local authorities, school children, etc Interim report |
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|
Second year |
Seminars for fishermen, local authorities, school children, etc
|
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Exhibits for tourists |
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Final report |
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D.8. Budget
D.9. Monitoring
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
First year |
Selection of pilot areas Preparation of educational materials |
Official announcement to public Establishing research and educational centers |
Monitoring and controlling plot areas Researches and education programs
Interim report |
|||||||||
|
Second year |
Monitoring and controlling plot areas Researches and education programs |
Evaluation of pilot areas Final report |
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4. Overall Picture of Turkish National Action Plan
Overall calendar is shown below, although the starting dates are not fixed. The total duration of the Turkish National Action Plan for the Conservation of Cetacean Species in the Turkish Water of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas is 4 years.
|
|
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
|
|
Activity A |
|
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|
|
|
|
B |
|
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C |
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D |
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|
E |
|
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5. Investment Portfolio
|
|
|
Activity |
|
Duration |
Budget (US$) |
|
A |
Survey on distribution of cetaceans |
2 years |
250,000 |
||
|
B |
Monitoring cetacean bycatch |
2 years |
85,000 |
||
|
C |
Establishing cetacean stranding network |
6 months |
60,000 |
||
|
D |
Educational programs |
2 years |
50,000 |
||
|
E |
Establishing Special Protected Areas for cetaceans |
2 years |
200,000 |
REFERENCES
Öztürk, B. 1996. Balinalar ve Yunuslar (Whales and Dolphins). Anahtar yayınevi, Istanbul, 119pp.
Öztürk, B., Öztürk, A.A., Dede, A. 2001. Dolphin bycatch in the swordfish driftnet fishery in the Aegean Sea. Rapp.Comm.int.Mer Medit., 36.
Öztürk, B., Öztürk, A.A. 1998. Cetacean strandings in the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey .Rapp.Comm.int.Mer Medit., 35: 476-477.
Diğerleri
• Bir balinanın hikayesi• Karaya Vuran Deniz Memelileri
• Kaşalot Balinasının Kurtarılması
• Boğazın Sokak Çocukları - İstanbul Boğazı'nda yaşayan yunuslar
• ACCOBAMS toplantıları
• Türkiye’nin Deniz Memelileri
• 22. European Cetacean Society Konferansı
• 6th Scientific Meeting of ACCOBAMS
• 24.European Cetacean Society Konferansı
• 2. Dolfinaryum Toplantısı
• 23. European Cetacean Society Konferansı İstanbul
23rd Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society done in Istanbul
