Dear Colleagues,

 

The following paper was recently published. 

Murphy, S., Pinn, E., and Jepson, P. 2013. The short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the North-eastern Atlantic: distribution, ecology, management and conservation status. In: Hughes RN, Hughes DJ, Smith IP, eds. CRC Press. Oceanography and Marine Biology Vol 51: 193-280.

 

Abstract and table of contents are below.

A PDF is available at http://www.crcnetbase.com/doi/abs/10.1201/b15406-4

http://www.taylorandfrancis.com/books/details/9781466568662/

or PDF requests can be sent to Sinead.Murphy@ioz.ac.uk

 

Kind Regards,

Sinéad Murphy

 

 

ABSTRACT: The common dolphin is the second most abundant cetacean species in the North-

East Atlantic, with a wide-ranging distribution and is, potentially, impacted by a wide variety of pressures and threats. To assess the conservation status of common dolphins in this region, it is essential to understand population structure, key drivers of population dynamics, key resources and the effects of stressors. In recent years, a number of studies have assessed population structure, distribution and abundance, life- History parameters, dietary requirements and the effect of stressors—especially those caused by anthropogenic interactions, such as incidental capture (i.e., by-catch) and pollutants. A full review of this work is presented, with particular focus on current and potential pressures and threats. Notwithstanding the recent research, due to the lack of baseline data (i.e., prior to human influence) on abundance and pregnancy rate and on historical direct and incidental capture rates, the actual conservation status of the North-East Atlantic common dolphin population is unknown. Current assessments of conservation status of the species are therefore reliant on recent data. However, these assessments are hindered by the lack of data on contemporary incidental capture rates in some fisheries and limited sampling in other fisheries, as well as large data gaps for other stressors. In addition, the numerous potential ways in which multiple and diverse stressors can interact remain poorly understood. This chapter provides an outline of a management framework and describes methods for future evaluation of conservation status through development of indicators focusing on not only population size and distribution but also mortality and condition. Recommendations for research and conservation actions are described.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction

Species Identification

         North-east Atlantic

Population structure in the North Atlantic

         North-east Atlantic population structure

         Ecological stocks

Distribution and abundance

         Contemporary seasonal movements

         Long-term distribution patterns

                North-Atlantic Oscillation

Population abundance

         Continental shelf waters

         Offshore waters

Life history parameters

         Size and morphology

         Population biological parameters

         Age and sex segregation

Feeding ecology

         Temporal, geographic and seasonal variations in diet

                Offshore waters

                Inshore waters

         Age and sex dietary requirements

Health status and causes of death

Stranding patterns

Mass mortality events

Infectious diseases

Non-infectious diseases

Reproductive failure and abnormalities of the reproductive tract

Threats and pressures

Overview of past and present threats

Fisheries interactions

       Operational effects

          Fisheries selectivity of age-sex maturity classes

Biological effects

Climate change

Pollutants

       Persistent organic pollutants

Heavy metals

Oil spills

Noise Pollution

Military activity

Seismic surveys

Aggregate extraction and dredging

Renewable energy

Other Impacts

       Collisions with vessels and shipping noise

       Whale watching and ecotourism

Legislation

         International conventions

             United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

             Convention on Biological Diversity

             Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

             The Bonn Convention (CMS) and the Agreement on the conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic,                      North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS)

             Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-east Atlantic (OSPAR)

             The Bern Convention

             International Whaling Commission

         European

                Directive of Natural Habitats and Wild Fauna and Flora (92/43/EEC)

                EC Council Regulation 812/2004 (‘the Fisheries Regulation’)

                Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Good Environmental Status

Management of the North-east Atlantic population

         Management units

         Population status

         Summary of main pressures and threats

         Management framework

                Management objectives

                Estimating bycatch limits

Conservation status

         Indicators in support of conservation status assessments

Recommended research

Recommended conservation actions

Acknowledgements

References