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The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) has just partnered with Whaleology, a consulting organization that specializes in the study and conservation of Pacific whales. For three weeks in May, Whaleology worked with PICRC researchers to provide training in cetacean research techniques and conduct surveys in Palau’s nearshore and offshore environments to put these methods into practice.
Whales and dolphins belong to the class Cetacea, a widespread and diverse group of marine mammals. As large, long-lived, and migratory animals, they are very sensitive to changes in their surroundings. By monitoring their numbers, behavior, and movements, scientists can gather important data about the areas and habitats where they feed and breed. This information helps identify potential threats and enables environmental managers to take the necessary conservation measures to protect not only whales, but entire marine ecosystems.
Olive Andrews, Director of Whaleology, hosted a research capacity building program at PICRC at the invitation of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) Office. Ben Parangi, Director of Whaleology Education, and Dr. Carlos Olavarria, Director of CEAZA Chile and an expert in whale DNA analysis, also participated in the program. Their goal was to build capacity with local researchers to further investigate the abundance, diversity, and distribution of whales and dolphins in Palau’s waters, identify cultural signatures of Palau’s cetaceans through dialect recordings, and identify critical habitat areas for feeding and breeding activities to inform cetacean management.
During the two-day workshop, PICRC researchers learned about the different species of whales, how to identify them and how to use the equipment needed for research. With the help of specialized technology such as waterproof microphones (hydrophones), scientists are able to identify different species of whales and some of their behaviors through the sounds they make. Identification can be supplemented by other identifying features such as the shape and position of the fins on the body.
PICRC researcher Greta Sartori stressed the importance of the training and awareness the workshop provided her. “After completing this training, I realized that I had seen and photographed a very rare whale species, the Langman’s beaked whale, two years ago at PNMS. We didn’t know this species existed in Palau, and now we have identifiable photos. They also had a calf with them,” she said. “Before the workshop, 15 different species of whales had been confirmed in Palau waters, and there may be another 7 in the area. During the two-week survey, we were able to confirm two different species from those 7, and identify a new species!”
During the PSS Kedam survey, in partnership with the Department of Maritime Safety and Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Justice, researchers confirmed the presence of pygmy sperm whales, the only marine mammal that uses ink sacs as a defense mechanism like squids. In addition, the team discovered sei whales, the fourth largest cetacean, in Palau. Ten miles from the Ulong Strait, researchers encountered a feeding frenzy that included four Bryde’s whales, a school of sharks, and many different species of birds feeding on baitfish. Jim Kloulechad, executive officer of the PSS Kedam, said that in 20 years at sea, he had never seen so many animals at once, which to him was a sign that the PNMS was working. The team also observed a small group of three killer whales, or orcas. Andrews later said that based on their calls and characteristics, these killer whales could be related to the killer whales found off the coast of Alaska and Canada.
Not only does this research teach us more about Palau’s marine life, it can also inform future whale watching events in Palau and the best practices to follow when watching whales to keep these animals safe.
Following the research and capacity building program, MAFE held a cetacean management workshop to bring together government and non-government stakeholders to review what is known about Palau’s cetaceans and make recommendations on issues such as cetacean stranding protocols, best practices for cetacean tourism, and the establishment of an Internationally Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) for Palau’s cetaceans.
“This project has exceeded our expectations in terms of cetacean data collection and public interest,” Andrews said. “It has been a privilege to work so closely with our Palau colleagues. It has been an all-around learning process, and we have been delighted by the feedback. We hope this exciting collaboration will inform cetacean management at the PNMS.”
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