Lecture on conservation of Whales & Dolphins in the Wider Caribbean
On Sat. September 12, the Southern Caribbean Cetacean Network (SCCN) is organizing a lecture by the Chairman of the US Marine Mammal Commission, dr. John E. Reynolds, respected scientist and expert on marine mammals, together with Dr. Dana Wetzel, ecotoxicologist and an expert on the effects of toxic chemicals on marine mammals. This lecture, which will take place in the auditorium of the Sea Aquarium, is to help raise funding to cover the costs of rehabilitation of the stranded Pilot Whale at Jan Thiel. Dr. Reynolds and dr. Wetzel are coming to Curaçao in support of SCCN and its activities. They both work at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, where Dr. Reynolds is director of the Centre for Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle research, and Dr. Wetzel is program manager of Aquatic Toxicology.
The lecture, entitled “Conservation of Marine Mammals in the Wider Caribbean” will focus firstly on the need to elevate conservation of marine mammals from a “feel-good” concept championed when convenient to a fundamental construct of our lives and futures. This new paradigm will require a clear vision of future conservation goals and the roles of societies in achieving them, long-term planning and commitments of funding/resources, rigorous science to resolve critical uncertainties, precautionary protection of habitats and ecosystems in the face of such uncertainty, and an interdisciplinary, comprehensive approach to conservation that engages the social sciences and humanities to elevate the value of conservation over short-term economic gain and many other competing values. Without the social will to make such changes, the future for marine mammals looks bleak.
An overview of threats to Caribbean marine mammals will be presented, based on the Marine Mammal Action Plan (MMAP) approved in September 2008 under the SPAW (Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife) Protocol of the Cartagena Convention. That Plan recognizes that very little is known about the species present, habitat use patterns, migratory behaviors, or other attributes of marine mammals in the region. Despite those uncertainties, the Plan describes threats or perceived threats, as well as actions that must be taken to document and, as needed, mitigate those threats. Whereas, certain issues such as commercial whaling and acoustics have garnered considerable media attention, for Caribbean marine mammals (and people) it is likely that issues such as chemical contamination, climate change, tourism, and perhaps fisheries may pose greater threats in particular regions.
Dr. Dana Wetzel will talk about ecosystem and marine mammal health. Environmental health is one example of an issue that needs to be addressed and documented. Due to the widespread and often poorly regulated use of certain chemicals, fears abound in many parts of the Caribbean about the levels and effects of chlorinated pesticides, oil and gas related chemicals (PAHs) and other anthropogenic contaminants. Because of their long lifespans, blubber (which can accumulate organic contaminants over the lifespan of an animal, and certain other attributes, marine mammals are often considered sentinel species, the health of which can signal hard-to-detect problems associated with the health of the environment, and even for human health. Carefully designed studies can provide information on (a) levels of contaminants in the environment and marine mammals, and (b) effects of those contaminants on physiology, reproduction and health. With empirical data in hand (rather than unsubstantiated fears and assumptions) scientists and managers can make compelling cases for focused mitigation to decision makers.
For Curacao and other islands comprising the Netherlands Antilles, marine mammals are threatened by many of the issues associated with the Caribbean in general, including pollution, fisheries, and tourism. The SCCN is dedicated to learning more about the biology and species composition of the marine mammals of the area, as well as providing information of the nature and effects of perceived threats. Ultimately, the SCCN can accomplish several important things: (a) provide quality scientific information to promote good decision making for species and ecosystem conservation by agencies and legislators; (b) educate the public about the biodiversity of the region’s marine mammals and the status of different populations; (c) highlight appropriate human behaviors that will facilitate conservation of ecosystems and wildlife; and (d) provide a great model for other parts of the Caribbean, and even globally. Ultimately, the SCCN may be a powerful force in promoting the sorts of values-oriented changes necessary to strengthen the social will to do what is necessary for effective conservation for the future.
Dr. Wetzel is a board member of SCCN. Dr. Reynolds is an independent advisor who believes that SCCN with the capacity and facilities available on Curaçao and its motivated and committed people can become an important center of expertise on marine mammals for the region. They are on the island in support of SCCN and to discuss various activities SCCN is planning, including the stranding response workshop that will take place in November this year, and in which both will take part as trainers. They offered to give this presentation to help raise the funding needed to cover the costs of the rehabilitation of the pilotwhale that stranded at Jan Thiel last month, and of a satellite transmitter tag needed to track the pilotwhale upon release. The costs of rehabilitation of the pilot whale are very high, but after having saved the whale’s life when it came ashore, you cannot then turn around decide to stop halfway through because it turns out to be expensive. That would mean certain death for the pilot whale. SCCN is determined to follow through until the whale is strong enough to be released, but needs help to raise the necessary funding. The money and effort invested in this will be returned not only in having a fully recovered pilot whale going back out to the sea, but also in all the knowledge that will be gathered during this whole process
Tickets for the lecture cost ƒ50.00 (including drinks afterwards) and can be ordered by phone, number: 666 0827, or you can drop by at the Dolphin Academy Desk, daily from 8-17:00 hour. The lecture will be in English and will take place in the Auditorium of the Sea Aquarium. Start will be at 19:00, and afterwards there will be an opportunity to talk to the presenters and the SCCN board members and advisors, while drinks are served. Additional donations at that time are also very welcome. For more information: info@sccnetwork.org