Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Struggle, Measures to minimize collisions with sperm whale ships and other marine mammals, particularly in transitional areas such as the Canary and Balearic Islands.
With this aim, it started to work within the framework of the ‘LIFE Intermares’ project. bells oceanographic According to a recent study by the University of La Laguna (Tenerife), it is to collect data on their distribution in both archipelagos that they will design management measures to reduce these collisions in the coming months because they pose a serious threat to the species. 60 percent of deaths are due to these collisions with boats.
In particular, Fundación Biodiversidad will cooperate with: Association of Tursiops in the Balearic Islands conduct a genetic study of sperm whale specimens to monitor their populations and satellite marking, as well as photo-identification campaigns. Technicians will deploy hydrophones at various strategic crossing points of the Mallorca and Ibiza Channels to perform acoustic-passive monitoring of marine mammals.
In this case, business in these areas includes ferry services from both areas. From peninsula to islands, as well as between islands, analyzing the routes of boats and seeing if they pass through sensitive areas for these species. At the same time, similar photo identification, satellite marking, genetic analysis and specific archaeological sampling will be performed in the Canary Islands to confirm the distribution of the sperm whale.
In the Macaronesian archipelago, in the coming months, the foundation will cooperate with Hungary. University of La LagunaThe University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands Ocean Platform (PLOCAN) and CEAMAR in a sampling to demonstrate the effectiveness of the use of specialized thermal cameras built specifically for this type of action, to minimize collisions with transport lines for detecting sperm whales.
All information obtained in both studies will overlap with existing information on marine traffic analysis developed from the Public Works and Trial Center (CEDEX) to propose a prevention program and initiate a pilot project. minimizes collisions between boats and marine mammals.