New paper: 30 years of mamrine mammals stranding data in New Caledonia (spatio-temporal distribution, biometry, stable isotopes, traces elements, genetic diversity, diet)
Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce our more recent publication “*Marine mamals strandings recorded in New Caledonia, South west Pacific Ocean, 1877 to 2022*, published in Pacific Conservation Biology. /ABSTRACT / /Context. Strandings are an important source of information for estimating marine mammal biodiversity, particularly in data-sparse ocean basins such as Oceania. Aims. Here, we report on knowledge acquired from 218 stranding events recorded in the waters of New Caledonia (1877–2022). Methods. We investigated spatio-temporal distribution, stable isotope signatures, trace element concentrations, biometry measurements, genetic diversity, and diet, for the four most commonly stranded taxa (dugongs, 35% of events; sperm whales, 19%; Delphinidae, 18%; pygmy and dwarf sperm whales, 14%). Key results. Beginning in 1991, reports of stranding events increased (183 events, 322 individuals, 20 species from seven families: Dugongidae, Physeteridae, Delphinidae, Kogiidae, Ziphiidae, Balaenopteridae, Otariidae), with hotspots identified on the west coast (Bourail, Ouano, Nouméa) and in Prony Bay. Causes of death were not determined in 84% of stranding events, but were identified in the majority of expert-led necropsies (24 of 29 individuals from 10 species). Yet, valuable information regarding the impact of anthropogenic activities was gathered for some species of concern, such as the endangered dugong (28% human- caused). Since 2016, training and outreach have been provided to rangers, veterinarians, and various public safety officers to support their engagement in the scientific monitoring of marine mammal strandings. A website (www.rescue.ird.nc) was developed to facilitate standardised data collection and storage, and to provide public access to stranding records. Conclusion. Although the number of individuals reported here remains modest, this study provides new information on poorly documented species in New Caledonia. Implications. Long-term monitoring of strandings can help design effective conservation measures/ *The article is available via open-access at: *https://doi.org/10.1071/PC23016 Best regards -- Dr Claire Garrigue UMR ENTROPIE - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement 101 Promenade Gabriel Laroque BPA5 98848 Nouméa Cedex Nouvelle-Calédonie Phone: +687 829560 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Claire_Garrigue
participants (1)
-
Claire GARRIGUE