Dear Colleagues,

This is to announce a new paper in the current issue of Marine and Freshwater Research entitled "Ecology and comparison of coastal and offshore bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in California” (M. Bearzi, C.A. Saylan and A. Hwang)

Abstract
Populations of coastal and offshore bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are considered to differ ecologically, with implications for their protection and management. We assessed occurrence, distribution and behaviour of coastal and offshore populations of dolphins during a photo-identification study in Santa Monica Bay and nearby areas (1997–2007). Bottlenose dolphins occurred year-round and were encountered on 44.2% of all surveys (n = 425). We photo-identified 647 individuals; of these, 375 (58.0%) were coastal (<1 km from shore), 241 (37.2%) offshore (1–65 km from shore) and 31 were both (4.8%). Dolphins mostly travel (69.0%) and travel-dive (61.5%), with offshore dolphins socialising more (22.6%) than coastal. There were low re-sighting rates for both coastal and offshore dolphins. Low re-sighting rates of coastal individuals provide little evidence of year-round site fidelity, suggesting their range is greater than the study area. Several individuals were re-sighted between and over 1-year periods, often foraging. This suggests that coastal dolphins: (1) are highly mobile within inshore waters, but spend time foraging in the study area, and (2) range >1 km from shore, contrary to what has been previously reported.


The article is available on the journal site: http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/126/paper/MF08279.htm


 Regards,


Maddalena Bearzi

______________________________
Maddalena Bearzi, Ph.D.
Ocean Conservation Society, President
P.O. Box 12860
Marina del Rey, CA 90295 - USA
ph.310.8225205, fax 310.8225729
mbearzi@earthlink.net
http://www.oceanconservation.org