[MARMAM] Statement of concern - Extinction risk to cetaceans

Dear Friends and Colleagues, This message is to invite you to sign onto the attached statement of concern, which we hope speaks for itself. Many of us have worked on cetacean conservation for some time, and whilst there are some signs of population recoveries in some cases, the situation for many populations and species is still deteriorating and, for some, it is critical. So, it seems appropriate for those of us with expertise to now stand together, highlight this situation and call for more action. If you would like to add your name onto the list of supporters of the statement, please send to us the following: · your name as you would like it to appear; · any letters that you would like to display after your name; · the name of your institution; and · your country. Our emails are mark.simmonds@sciencegyre.co.uk and elsvermeulen5@gmail.com The document has been reviewed and we are unable at this stage to accept any proposals for changes. Apart from personal support, we are also looking for people to help launch it, so that people in positions of influence take note of it. This will happen in about two weeks’ time. A final copy of the statement will be published on the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit’s website with an updated list of names in due course (www.mammalresearchinstitute.science/whale-unit) Thank you for taking the time to look at this. We hope you will support it. Apologies for any cross-posting. Take good care, Best wishes, Mark and Els THE REAL AND IMMINENT EXTINCTION RISK TO WHALES, DOLPHINS AND PORPOISES: AN OPEN LETTER FROM [NUMBER] CETACEAN SCIENTISTS [date] Statement of concern We, the undersigned scientists, raise here our gravest concerns about the extinction risk to many species and populations of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises). Each one of us is a cetacean specialist and each one of us believes this issue is now critical. The lack of concrete action to address threats adversely affecting cetaceans in our increasingly busy, polluted, over-exploited and human-dominated seas and major river systems, means that many, one after another, will likely be declared extinct within our lifetimes. Even the large whales are not safe. The recent listing of the North Atlantic right whale, *Eubalaena glacialis*, by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Critically Endangered reveals the serious failure of its relatively wealthy range countries to address a critical decline. Moreover, the factors driving this ongoing decline are well known, and, we believe, could be addressed. Only a few hundred North Atlantic right whale adults remain and, unless appropriate action comes soon, we will undoubtedly lose this entire species. Similarly, the Critically Endangered vaquita, *Phocoena sinus*, of the Gulf of California, Mexico, sits poised on the knife-edge of extinction, with an estimated population size that may be as low as only ten individuals. It is now almost inevitable that these two species will follow the baiji or Chinese river dolphin, *Lipotes vexillifer, *down the road to extinction. The baiji was identified as ‘Possibly Extinct’ by the IUCN in 2017 and, regrettably, there is little hope for this species. We believe, in all three cases, that enough was known about the situation of the species concerned for these dramatic declines to have been avoided, but that the political will to take action has been lacking. The bleak outlook for these three species shows how often too little is done too late. Of the 90 living species of cetaceans, more than half now have a concerning conservation status according to the IUCN, with 13 species listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ or ‘Endangered’, 7 as ‘Vulnerable’ and 7 as ‘Near Threatened’, whilst 24 species are ‘Data Deficient’. These ‘Data Deficient’ species may also be imperilled. We simply do not know. This lack of clear information about so many species and populations is itself a major concern. Additionally, there are 32 subspecies and other distinct cetacean populations which are presently either Endangered or Critically Endangered (please see the list below for further details), and with ongoing research we are recognizing more populations of cetaceans that are discrete and require conservation action. Regrettably, as the cases of the Lahille’s bottlenose dolphin* (Tursiops truncatus gephyreus)* of the subtropical western South Atlantic, the Gulf of Corinth common dolphin (*Delphinus delphis)* and the orcas (*Orcinus orca)* of the Strait of Gibraltar all illustrate, recognition of their distinctiveness may coincide with the realization that their population is already in danger of extinction. Cetacean populations are adversely affected by many interacting factors, including chemical and noise pollution, loss of habitat and prey, climate change and ship-strikes. For many, foremost among these threats is incidental take in fishing operations. Bearing these urgent matters in mind and with the knowledge that cetacean populations can be lost very quickly, we call on: countries with cetaceans in their waters to take precautionary action to ensure these species and populations are adequately protected from human activities, including implementing appropriate and fully resourced monitoring. We note that improved monitoring technologies now offer new opportunities to observe and address activities at sea; and all nations to both work with and strengthen the relevant international bodies that seek to address threats to cetaceans, including, but not limited to, the International Whaling Commission and the Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, both of which are generating important conservation initiatives at this time. Foremost among other relevant international organisations are the regional fisheries bodies, which can address fishing-related threats to cetaceans, noting the urgent need to address such impacts on many populations. Finally, we note that cetacean conservation, like much that relates to the marine environment, may be a concern that seems remote to many people. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, our connection to nature is a key component in our own wellbeing. Whales, dolphins and porpoises are seen and enjoyed all over the world, and are valued as sentient, intelligent, social and inspiring species; we should not deny future generations the opportunity to experience them. They are also sentinels of the health of our seas, oceans and, in some cases, major river systems and the role of cetaceans in maintaining productive aquatic ecosystems, which are key for our survival as well as theirs, is also becoming clearer. Please bring this statement to the attention of the relevant policy makers in your country and help us to help the cetaceans. Species and populations of cetaceans that are deemed at risk of extinction The list shows only the species, subspecies and distinct populations labelled as ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR), ‘Endangered’ (EN) or ‘Vulnerable’ (VU) and displays the latest assessment by the IUCN (highlighted in red) and, where available, the previous assessment, with their dates. ‘Global population’ refers to the status of the whole species or subspecies. The population trend is also noted: I = Increasing, D = Decreasing, S = Stable, ? = Unknown. Balaenidae Bowhead whale, *Balaena mysticetus* East Greenland-Svalbard-Barents Sea subpopulation 2012: CR, 2018: EN, ? Okhotsk Sea subpopulation 2012: EN, 2018: EN, D North Atlantic right whale, *Eubalaena glacialis*, Global population, 2018: EN, 2020: CR, D European population, 2007: CR, ? North Pacific right whale, *Eubalaena japonica*, Global population, 2008: EN, 2017: EN, ? Northeast Pacific subpopulation, 2008: CR, 2017: CR, ? Southern right whale, *Eubalaena australis* Chile-Peru subpopulation, 2013: CR, 2017: CR, ? Balaenopteridae Blue whale, *Balaenoptera musculus*, Global population, 2008: EN, 2018: EN, I European population 2007: EN, ? Antarctic blue whale, *Balaenoptera musculus *ssp*. intermedia*, Global population 2008: CR, 2018: CR, I Bryde’s whale, *Balaenoptera edeni* Gulf of Mexico subpopulation, 2017: CR, D Fin whale, *Balaenoptera physalus,* Global population, 2013: EN, 2018: VU, I Mediterranean population 2011: VU, D Humpback whale, *Megaptera novaeangliae* Oceania subpopulation, 2008: EN, I Arabian Sea subpopulation 2008: EN, ? Sei whale, *Balaenoptera borealis*, Global population, 2008: EN, 2018: EN, I European population, 2007: EN, ? Eschrichtiidae Gray whale, *Eschrichtius robustus* Western North Pacific subpopulation, 2008: CR, 2018: EN, I Delphinidae Atlantic humpback dolphin, *Sousa teuszii*, Global population, 2012: VU, 2017: CR, D Australian humpback dolphin, *Sousa sahulensis*, Global population, 2015: VU, D Australian snubfin dolphin, *Orcaella heinsohni*, Global population, 2008: NT, 2017: VU, D Common bottlenose dolphin, *Tursiops truncatus* Mediterranean population, 2009: VU, D Fiordland subpopulation, New Zealand, 2010: CR, D Black Sea bottlenose dolphin, *Tursiops truncatus *ssp.* ponticus*, Global population, 2008: EN, ? Lahille’s bottlenose dolphin, *Tursiops truncatus *ssp*. gephyreus*, Global population, 2019: VU, D Hector’s dolphin, *Cephalorhynchus hectori*, Global population, 2000: EN, 2008: EN, D North Island Hector’s dolphin, *Cephalorhynchus hectori *ssp*. maui*, Global population, 2000: CR, 2008: CR, D Indian Ocean humpback dolphin, *Sousa plumbea*, Global population, 2015: EN, D Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, *Sousa chinensis*, Global population, 2015: VU, D Taiwanese humpback dolphin, *Sousa chinensis *spp.* taiwanensis*, Global population, 2008: CR, 2017: CR, D Irrawaddy dolphin, *Orcaella brevirostris*, Global population, 2008: VU, 2017: EN, D Ayeyarwady River, Myanmar subpopulation, 2004: CR, D Iloilo-Guimaras, Philippines subpopulation, 2018: CR, D Mahakam river, Indonesia subpopulation, 2000: CR, 2008: CR, ? Malampaya Sound, Philippines subpopulation, 2004: CR, D Mekong River subpopulation, 2004: CR, D Songkhla Lake, Thailand subpopulation, 2004: CR, D Peruvian dusky dolphin, *Lagenorhynchus obscurus *ssp.* posidonia*, Global population, 2019: VU, ? Killer whale, *Orcinus orca* Straits of Gibraltar subpopulation, 2019: CR, S Short-beaked common dolphin*, Delphinus delphis*, Mediterranean population, 2003: EN, D Gulf of Corinth subpopulation, 2019: CR, ? Black Sea short-beaked common dolphin, *Delphinus delphis *ssp.* ponticus*, Global population, 2008: VU, Unspecified Eastern spinner dolphin,* Stenella longirostris *ssp*. orientalis*. Global population, 2008: VU, I Striped dolphin, *Stenella coeruleoalba* Mediterranean population, 2010: VU, ? Iniidae Amazon river dolphin, *Inia geoffrensis*, Global population, 2011: DD, 2018: EN, D Lipotidae Baiji, *Lipotes vexillifer*, Global population, 2008: CR, 2017: CR, D Monodontidae Beluga, *Delphinapterus leucas* Cook Inlet, United States subpopulation, 2012: CR, 2018: CR, D Phocoenidae Harbour porpoise, *Phocoena phocoena* European population, 2007: VU, D Baltic Sea subpopulation, 1996: VU, 2008: CR, D Black Sea harbour porpoise, *Phocoena phocoena *ssp*. relicta*, Global population, 1996: VU, 2008: EN, D Indo-Pacific finless porpoise, *Neophocaena phocaenoides*, Global population, 2012: VU, 2017: VU, D Narrow-ridged finless porpoise, *Neophocaena asiaeorientalis*, Global population, 2012: VU, 2017: EN, D Yangtze finless porpoise, *Neophocaena asiaeorientalis *ssp. *asiaeorientalis*, Global population, 1996: EN, 2012: CR, D Vaquita, *Phocoena sinus*, Global population, 2008: CR, 2017: CR, D Physeteridae Sperm whale, *Physeter macrocephalus*, Global population, 2008: VU, 2019: VU ? European population, 2007: VU, ? Mediterranean population, 2006: EN, D Platanistidae South Asian river dolphin, *Platanista gangetica*, Global population, 2012: EN, 2017: EN, ? Ganges river dolphin, *Platanista gangetica *ssp.* gangetica*, Global population, 1996: EN, 2004: EN, D Indus river dolphin, *Platanista gangetica ssp.** minor*, Global population, 1996: EN, 2004: EN, ? Pontoporiidae Franciscana, *Pontoporia blainvillei*, Global population, 2012: VU, 2017: VU, D Rio Grande do Sul/Uruguay subpopulation, 2003: VU, D Ziphiidae Cuvier’s beaked whale, *Ziphius cavirostris* Mediterranean population, 2012: DD, 2018: VU, D This Statement is supported by the following people: [Provisional list] Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho PhD, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP), Mexico Mark Peter Simmonds OBE, University of Bristol, UK C. Scott Baker PhD, Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, USA Els Vermeulen PhD, University of Pretoria, South Africa Erich Hoyt, co-chair, IUCN SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, UK Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara PhD, co-chair, IUCN Task Force on Marine Mammal Protected Areas, Italy Ellen Hines PhD, San Francisco State University, USA Pedro Fruet PhD, Museu Oceanográfico "Prof. Eliézer de C. Rios", Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG & Kaosa, Brazil. Laetitia Nunny MSc, Wild Animal Welfare, Spain Eduardo R. Secchi PhD, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Brazil Artur Andriolo PhD, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora/ Instituto Aqualie, Brazil Stephanie Plön PhD, Bayworld Centre for Research and Education, South Africa Elisabeth Slooten PhD, University of Otago, New Zealand Alexandre N. Zerbini PhD, Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ecosystem and Ocean Studies, University of Washington & Marine Mammal Laboratory, AFSC/NOAA, USA - Instituto Aqualie, Brazil Mariano A. Coscarella PhD, CESIMAR-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Argentina Frank Cipriano PhD, California Academy of Science, USA Juan Pablo Torres-Florez PhD, ICMBio/CMA, Brazil Karen A Stockin PhD, Massey University, New Zealand Olaf Meynecke PhD, Griffith University, Australia Ada Natoli PhD, Zayed University, UAE Dolphin Project, UAE Daren Grover, Project Jonah New Zealand Steve Dawson PhD, University of Otago, New Zealand Silvia Frey PhD, KYMA sea conservation & research, Switzerland Dipani Sutaria, Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Network of India, India Carolina Loch PhD, University of Otago New Zealand Susan Bengtson-Nash, Assoc Professor, Griffith University, Australia Isabel C. Avila PhD, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia Krista Hupman PhD, NIWA, New Zealand Mike Bossley PhD, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Australia Will Rayment PhD, University of Otago, New Zealand Isabella Clegg PhD, Animal Welfare Expertise, Sydney, Australia Meike Scheidat PhD, Wageningen Marine Research, University of Wageningen, The Netherlands Fabian Ritter, President, MEER e.V., Germany Naomi A. Rose PhD, Animal Welfare Institute, USA Katharina J. Peters PhD, Massey University, New Zealand Emma Betty PhD, Massey University, New Zealand Raphaela Stimmelmayr PhD, University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA. Kerstin Bilgmann PhD, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia Miguel Iñíguez Bessega MSc, Fundación Cethus, Argentina Vanesa Reyes Reyes PhD, Fundación Cethus, Argentina, and Whale and Dolphin Conservation, UK David G Kaplan Esq, Cetacean Society International, USA Claudio Campagna, WCS, Argentina Joan Gonzalvo PhD, Tethys Research Institute, Italy Diego Rodríguez PhD, Mar del Plata University, Argentina Fernando Trujillo PhD, Fundacion Omacha, Colombia and Correspondence Member of the Science Academy of Colombia Danielle Kreb PhD, Yayasan Konservasi RASI, Indonesia George Sangster PhD, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, The Netherlands Jolanda Luksenburg PhD, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, The Netherlands Cornelis J. Hazevoet PhD, Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, Lisbon, Portugal Cristina Milani PhD, Italy Alexander Werth PhD, Hampden-Sydney College, USA Caroline Weir PhD, Ketos Ecology, United Kingdom Colin D. MacLeod PhD, GIS IN Ecology, UK Prof. Giovanni Di Guardo, DVM, Dipl. ECVP, University of Teramo, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Italy Robin W. Baird Ph.D., Cascadia Research Collective, USA Jeremy J. Kiszka PhD, Florida International University, Miami, USA Arda M. Tonay PhD, Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, Istanbul University / Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), Turkey Rebecca M Boys, Massey University, New Zealand Giovanni Bearzi PhD, Dolphin Biology and Conservation, Italy Marta Hevia, Fundación Cethus, Argentina Mariano Sironi PhD, Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas, Argentina Paulo H. Ott PhD, Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul – Uergs & Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Aquáticos do Rio Grande do Sul – GEMARS, Brazil Lindsay Porter PhD, IUCN Species Survival Commission-Cetacean Specialist Group, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Emmanuelle Martinez PhD., NorthTec, New Zealand Lindy Weilgart PhD, Dalhousie University, Canada and OceanCare, Switzerland Beatrice Jann, President Swiss Whale Society SWG, Switzerland Enrico Gennari PhD, Oceans Research Institute, South Africa Simone Panigada PhD, President, Tethys Research Institute Marijke Nita de Boer PhD, University of Wageningen, The Netherlands Maria Jiménez A. MSc, Fundación Conservaré, Colombia Hanna Nuuttila PhD, Swansea University, UK Meredith Thornton, University of Pretoria, South Africa Michael Stachowitsch PhD, University of Vienna, Austria Joan Giménez PhD, University College Cork, Ireland Draško Holcer PhD, Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation, Croatia Liliane Lodi PhD, Instituto Mar Adentro, Brazil Sarah Dolman MSc, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, UK Pablo Denuncio PhD, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata / CONICET, Argentina Patricia Burkhardt-Holm Dr. rer.nat., Professor of Ecology, University of Basel, Switzerland Patrick Lyne C.Mar.Sci., IWDG, DMAD, MMOA, Ireland Paulo C. Simões-Lopes, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Aquatic Mammals Lab (LAMAQ) BrazilSharon Young MSc, Humane Society of the United States, USA Janet Mann PhD, Georgetown University, USA Leonardo L. Wedekin PhD, Socioambiental Consultores Associados, Brazil Lars Bejder PhD, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA Milton Marcondes DVM, Research Coordinator – Humpback Whale Institute, Brazil. Mauricio Cantor PhD, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina & Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Brazil Peter Mackelworth PhD, Blue World Institute, Croatia Hal Whitehead PhD, Dalhousie University, Canada Ida Carlén, Coalition Clean Baltic, Sweden Nicola Hodgins, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) & University of Exeter, UK Ignacio Benites Moreno PhD, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Monique Pool, Green Heritage Fund Suriname, Suriname Marina Costa PhD, Tethys Research Institute, Italy Simon Elwen PhD, Sea Search Research and Conservation, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Tess Gridley PhD, Sea Search Research and Conservation, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Randall Reeves, chair, IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group, Canada Bill Fulton BSc Dip Aut Comp, Living Ocean Inc, Australia Camila Domit PhD, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Paraná, Brazil Jose David Palacios Alfaro Lic, Fundación Keto, Costa Rica Gianni Pavan, University of Pavia, Italy Suwat Jutapruet PhD, Prince of Songkla University, Surat Thani Campus, Thailand Denise Risch PhD, Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Scotland, UK Anoukchika D Ilangakoon MSc, IUCN SSC - Cetacean Specialist Group, Sri Lanka Gianna Minton PhD, Megaptera Marine Conservation, The Netherlands Fredrik Christiansen PhD, Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Denmark R. Ewan Fordyce, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Vic Cockcroft PhD, Nelson Mandela University. South Africa. Graham John Pierce, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC), Spain Manuel E. dos Santos PhD, MARE-ISPA, Portugal Shane Gero PhD, Dalhousie University, Aarhus University, and The Dominica Sperm Whale Project, Canada/Dominica David Gruber PhD, City University of New York, USA Michael J. Tetley PhD, IMMA Coordinator, IUCN SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, UK Frants H. Jensen PhD, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA Robert Wood PhD, Harvard University, USA Florent Nicolas, Groupe d´Etude des Cétacés du Cotentin, France Nicholas Tregenza DCH, University of Exeter, UK. Anastasia Miliou, Scientific Director, Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, Greece Sandra Hörbst MSc, Gansbaai South Africa Steven Benjamins PhD, Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK Trish Franklin PhD, The Oceania Project and Southern Cross University, Australia Wally Franklin, PhD, The Oceania Project and Southern Cross University, Australia Kevin Robinson PhD Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, Scotland Jimena Belgrano, Fundación Cethus, Argentina Jörn Selling, firmm.org, Spain Caterina Fortuna PhD, National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Italy) Isabel García-Barón PhD, Institution: AZTI, Spain Natacha Aguilar de Soto PhD, University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain Jean-Luc Jung PhD, HDR, ISYEB, UMR 7205, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, et Université de Brest, France Gill Braulik PhD, University of St. Andrews, UK Mario Acquarone PhD, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, Norway Peter Corkeron PhD, Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, USA Alana Alexander PhD, University of Otago, New Zealand Rochelle Constantine PhD, University of Auckland | Te Whare Wananga o Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand Laura J May-Collado PhD, Smithsonian Research Tropical Institute,Panama and CIMAR-Universidad de Costa Rica Astrid Frisch Jordán, Ecología y Conservación de Ballenas (ECOBAC), México Krishna Das PhD, University of Liège, Belgium Thibaut Bouveroux PhD, University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Alabama, USA Philippa Brakes, Research Fellow, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, New Zealand Ursula K. Verfuss PhD, SMRU Consulting, UK Marta Azzolin PhD, University of Torino and Gaia Research Institute Onlus, Italy Maša Frleta - Valić, Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation, Croatia Michael Stocker, Director, Ocean Conservation Research, California, USA Natacha Aguilar de Soto, PhD, University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain Paola Tepsich PhD, CIMA Research Foundation, Italy Weerapong Laovechprasit DVM Thailand Fulbright Fellow, University of Georgia, Thailand Emma Carroll PhD, Te Whare Wānanga o Tāmaki Makaurau University of Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand Alexandros Frantzis PhD, Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute, Greece Javier Almunia PhD, Loro Parque Fundación, Spain Katrina Johnson, Bates College, USA Sarah Dwyer PhD, Far Out Ocean Research Collective, New Zealand Rodrigo García Píngaro, Organization for Cetacean Conservation of Uruguay, Uruguay Andrew Stanworth PhD, Falklands Conservation, Falkland Islands Helena Herr PhD, University of Hamburg, Germany ----- Dr Els Vermeulen - Research Manager Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Pretoria, South Africa Office: Shop 11 Astoria Village, Main Road, Hermanus 7200 Cell: +27 (0)60 9714301 www.mammalresearchinstitute.science/whale-unit www.adoptawhale.co.za