Marine Mammals in Madagascar: Current Knowledge and Climate Change Salvatore Cerchio Cetacean Conservation And Research Program Wildlife Conservation Society American Museum of Natural History

Pinnipeds –2 species (accidental) Sireniens –1 species - Dugong Cetaceans –7 Mysticetes, 3 confirmed –21 Odontocetes, 12 confirmed Marine Mammal Diversity

Humpback Whale Southern Right Whale Blue Whale –Potential overlap of 2 subspecies Brydes Whale, likely –Species ID uncertain Fin Whale, suspected Minke Whale, suspected Mysticetes: Baleen Whales

Perturbation of Antarctic Ecosystem –Humpback and True Blue Whales Potential local effects for some species that may feed in Madagascar waters –Pygmy Blue Whale Perturbation of migratory patterns due to circulation and SST changes All SPECULATIVE Mysticetes: Potential Impact of Climate Change

Good data limited to two CCRP field sites: Antongil Bay –3 species observed Only Bottlenose dolphin regular/resident Southwest (Toliara/Anakao region) –At least 8 species observed –At least 3 can be considered regular/resident Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Bottlenose dolphin (inshore form / Indo-Pacific species?) Spinner dolphin (Spotted dolphin, Risso dolphin, Pilot whale…) Odontocetes: Toothed Whales and Dolphins

Submarine Canyon Closest point of deep water to coast of Madagascar Presence of some deep water species –Spotted dolphin –(Spinner dolphin) –Pilot whale –Risso Dolphin –Bottlenose dolphin (offshore form) –Pygmy killer whale Near shore shallow water species –Humpback dolphin (obligate) –Bottlenose dolphin (inshore form) –Spinner dolphin SW Bathymetry

Impacts on Coastal Dolphins: Hunting around Toliara and Anakao Direct takes of small cetaceans in Madagsacar primarily on West Coastal regions, at least north to Mahajunga Best documentation in southwest Toliara region Focus of work in village of Anakoa, population of Dolphins taken for food as well as local sale

SpeciesDirect Take“Stranding” Spinner Dolphin Bottlenose Dolphin Humpback Dolphin Unidentified dolphin Total Interview Data – Anakao 1999 (N. Andrianarivelo) Estimated Dolphin Mortalities

Anakao – Recent Dolphin Take (Y. Razafindrakoto & N. Andrianarivelo) October Stenella longirostris Driven against reef and stranded Concealed from authorities Meat sold in villages to N and S Excess buried

Odontocetes: Potential Impacts of Climate Change Impacts on ecosystem and prey resources –Possibly more significant for inshore species Bi-directional Synergies –Dolphin populations already depleted from hunting – could be further stressed by CC reduction in prey species –Removal of top predator – complex effect on coral reef / coastal communities also stressed by CC Again SPECULATIVE

Gaps in Knowledge / Future Directions Obvious conservation concern / emergency in SW region Very little known about cetacean distribution and status throughout almost all other regions Prelim data from Nosy Be indicate potential healthy population of coastal species NEED extensive surveys and baseline data collection NEED studies targeting potential impact of Climate Change NEED work within local communities to ameliorate hunting pressure and promote sustainable resource use