https://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/75929/1/1-s2.0-S0025326X13000489-main.pdf

As main meal for sperm whales: Plastics debris

The Mediterranean Sea is greatly affected by marine litter. In this area, research on the impact of plastic debris (including microplastics) on biota, particularly large filter-feeding species such as the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), is still in its infancy. We investigated the possible overlap between microplastic, mesoplastic and macrolitter accumulation areas and the fin whale feeding grounds in in a pelagic Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI): the Pelagos Sanctuary. Models of ocean circulation and fin whale potential habitat were merged to compare marine litter accumulation with the presence of whales. Additionally, field data on microplastics, mesoplastics and macrolitter abundance and cetacean presence were simultaneously collected. The resulting data were compared, as a multi-layer, with the simulated distribution of plastic concentration and the whale habitat model. These data showed a high occurrence of microplastics (mean: 0.082 items/m2, STD ± 0.079 items/m2) spatial distribution agreed with our modelling results. Areas with high microplastic density significantly overlapped with areas of high macroplastic density. The most abundant polymer detected in all the sampling sites was polyethylene (PE), suggesting fragmentation of larger packaging items as the primary source. To our knowledge, this is the first study in the Pelagos Sanctuary in which the simulated microplastic distribution has been confirmed by field observations. The overlap between the fin whale feeding habitat and the microplastic hot spots is an important contribution for risk assessment of fin whale exposure to microplastics.

/pdf/plastic-debris-occurrence-convergence-areas-and-fin-whales-3ath7tg3b7.pdf

Plastic Debris Occurrence, Convergence Areas and Fin Whales Feeding Ground in the Mediterranean Marine Protected Area Pelagos Sanctuary: A Modeling Approach

Chapter 1: CMEMS OSR5     1 1.1 IntroductionKarina von Schuckmann and Pierre-Yves Le Traon     1 1.2 Knowledge and data for international Ocean governancePaula Kellett, Brittany E. Alexander and Jo...

Copernicus Marine Service Ocean State Report, Issue 5

The generally accepted model of Mysticete whale migration is that most individuals undertake seasonal migrations between high and low latitudes. Although numerous exceptions have been described in the literature, the traditional model remains unexamined. This paper represents the first ‘official’ challenge to the traditional model of Mysticete migration.
We set out to review the current state of knowledge on the Mediterranean fin whale migratory pattern, and to examine whether the small, resident population in the Mediterranean is an anomaly within the framework of the traditional model of Mysticete migration. We investigated the prevalence of alternative migratory strategies among the Mysticete whales, reviewing the migratory habits of the Mediterranean fin whales and those of other fin whale and baleen whale populations.
We reach three main conclusions. First, the seasonal behaviour of the resident Mediterranean fin whales is highly dynamic, and a decade of research has not clarified prevailing uncertainties regarding migration patterns. Second, migration strategies similar to those observed in the Mediterranean fin whales are commonly seen in other populations of baleen whales. Third, the traditional model of whale migration is too simplified to describe the repertoire of Mysticete migratory behaviours accurately.
We argue that the paradigm of baleen whale migration warrants further scrutiny to account for more complex movement strategies. We suggest that Mysticete migration should be thought of as a continuum of different strategies that have evolved in the face of different selective pressures. Instead of representing an exception to the rule, the resident Mediterranean fin whales may in fact fall towards one end of a larger spectrum of migratory behaviours. A greater knowledge of ecological factors, reproductive patterns, and local adaptations will be needed to understand the evolutionary mechanisms behind the diversity of migratory habits.

Mysticete migration revisited: are Mediterranean fin whales an anomaly?

We compared and contrasted 11 European case studies to identify challenges and opportunities toward the operationalization of marine and coastal ecosystem service (MCES) assessments in Europe. This work is the output of a panel convened by the Marine Working Group of the Ecosystem Services Partnership in September 2016. The MCES assessments were used to (1) address multiple policy objectives simultaneously, (2) interpret EU-wide policies to smaller scales and (3) inform local decision-making. Most of the studies did inform decision makers, but only in a few cases, the outputs were applied or informed decision-making. Significant limitations among the 11 assessments were the absence of shared understanding of the ES concept, data and knowledge gaps, difficulties in accounting for marine social–ecological systems complexity and partial stakeholder involvement. The findings of the expert panel call for continuous involvement of MCES ‘end users’, integrated knowledge on marine social–ecological systems, defining thresholds to MCES use and raising awareness to the general public. Such improvements at the intersection of science, policy and practice are essential starting points toward building a stronger science foundation supporting management of European marine ecosystems.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/21513732.2017.1417330

Marine and coastal ecosystem services on the science–policy–practice nexus: challenges and opportunities from 11 European case studies

The development of synoptic tools is required to derive the potential habitat of fin whales Balaenoptera physalus on a large-scale basis in the Mediterranean Sea, as the species has a largely unknown distribution and is at high risk of ship strike. We propose a foraging habitat model for fin whales in the western Mediterranean Sea relying on species ecology for the choice of predictors. The selected environmental variables are direct predictors and resource predictors available at daily and basin scales. Feeding habitat was determined mainly from the simultaneous occurrence of large oceanic fronts of satellite-derived sea-surface chlorophyll content (chl a) and temperature (SST). A specific range of surface chl a content (0.11 to 0.39 mg m �3 ) and a minimum water depth (92 m) were also identified to be important regional criteria. Daily maps were cali- brated and evaluated against independent sets of fin whale sightings (presence data only). Spe- cific chl a fronts represented the main predictor of feeding environment; therefore, derived habitat is a potential, rather than effective, habitat, but is functionally linked to a proxy of its resource (chl a production of fronts). The model performs well, with 80% of the presence data <9.7 km from the predicted potential habitat. The computed monthly, seasonal and annual maps of potential feed- ing habitat from 2000 to 2010 correlate, for the most part, with current knowledge on fin whale ecology. Overall, fin whale potential habitat occurs frequently during summer in dynamic areas of the general circulation, and is substantially more spread over the basin in winter. However, the results also displayed high year-to-year variations (40 to 50%), which are essential to consider when assessing migration patterns and recommending protection and conservation measures.

/pdf/potential-feeding-habitat-of-fin-whales-in-the-western-bdt4ivnwrx.pdf

Potential feeding habitat of fin whales in the western Mediterranean Sea: an environmental niche model

A systematic monitoring programme on cetaceans at sea on a "large temporal and spatial scale" was carried out by Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) on board of opportunist platforms (ferries). In 2011/2012 MMOs embarked on four routes crossing the Pelagos Sanctuary. The method for data collecting at sea was the standardized transect line and the surveys were undertaken according to a regular sampling design throughout the year. For the analysis, the sampled year was divided into three different periods: March to May 2011 - June to September 2011 - October 2011 to April 2012. Results showed that the proportion of species, the encounter rates per species and the distribution of

/pdf/seasonal-monitoring-of-cetaceans-and-validation-of-the-248xpspz01.pdf

Seasonal monitoring of cetaceans and validation of the REPCET system in terms of monitoring

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Potential feeding habitat of fin whales in the western Mediterranean Sea: an environmental niche model

Seasonal monitoring of cetaceans and validation of the REPCET system in terms of monitoring