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Marine mammal conservation: over the horizon

Nelms, SE; Alfaro-Shigueto, J; Arnould, JPY; Avila, IC; Bengtson Nash, S; Campbell, E; Carter, MID; Collins, T; Currey, RJC; Domit, C; Franco-Trecu, V; Fuentes, MMPB; Gilman, E; Harcourt, RG; Hines, EM; Hoelzel, AR; Hooker, SK; Johnston, DW; Kelkar, N; Kiszka, JJ; Laidre, KL; Mangel, JC; Marsh, H; Maxwell, SM; Onoufriou, AB; Palacios, DM; Pierce, GJ; Ponnampalam, LS; Porter, LJ; Russell, DJF; Stockin, KA; Sutaria, D; Wambiji, N; Weir, CR; Wilson, B; Godley, BJ

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Authors

SE Nelms

J Alfaro-Shigueto

JPY Arnould

IC Avila

S Bengtson Nash

E Campbell

MID Carter

T Collins

RJC Currey

C Domit

V Franco-Trecu

MMPB Fuentes

E Gilman

RG Harcourt

EM Hines

SK Hooker

DW Johnston

N Kelkar

JJ Kiszka

KL Laidre

JC Mangel

H Marsh

SM Maxwell

AB Onoufriou

DM Palacios

GJ Pierce

LS Ponnampalam

LJ Porter

DJF Russell

KA Stockin

D Sutaria

N Wambiji

CR Weir

B Wilson

BJ Godley



Abstract

Marine mammals can play important ecological roles in aquatic ecosystems, and their presence can be key to community structure and function. Consequently, marine mammals are often considered indicators of ecosystem health and flagship species. Yet, historical population declines caused by exploitation, and additional current threats, such as climate change, fisheries bycatch, pollution and maritime development, continue to impact many marine mammal species, and at least 25% are classified as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable) on the IUCN Red List. Conversely, some species have experienced population increases/recoveries in recent decades, reflecting management interventions, and are heralded as conservation successes. To continue these successes and reverse the downward trajectories of at-risk species, it is necessary to evaluate the threats faced by marine mammals and the conservation mechanisms available to address them. Additionally, there is a need to identify evidence-based priorities of both research and conservation needs across a range of settings and taxa. To that effect we: (1) outline the key threats to marine mammals and their impacts, identify the associated knowledge gaps and recommend actions needed; (2) discuss the merits and downfalls of established and emerging conservation mechanisms; (3) outline the application of research and monitoring techniques; and (4) highlight particular taxa/populations that are in urgent need of focus.

Citation

Nelms, S., Alfaro-Shigueto, J., Arnould, J., Avila, I., Bengtson Nash, S., Campbell, E., …Godley, B. (2021). Marine mammal conservation: over the horizon. Endangered Species Research, 44, 291-325. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01115

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 18, 2021
Online Publication Date Mar 25, 2021
Publication Date 2021
Deposit Date Nov 15, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Endangered Species Research
Print ISSN 1863-5407
Electronic ISSN 1613-4796
Publisher Inter Research
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 44
Pages 291-325
DOI https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01115

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Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Copyright Statement
© The authors 2021. Open Access under Creative Commons by
Attribution Licence. Use, distribution and reproduction are unrestricted. Authors and original publication must be credited.





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