Posted on August, 06 2001
A new technique is being tested this year - with fin whales being fitted with satellite transmitters "Argo" and radio tags "VHS".
Attaching transmitters to fin whales - carried out jointly by WWF, the world-wide renowned scientist Richard Sears, and a team from the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique - will allow experts to better understand some of the habits of this rare and very endangered species, such as its winter destination or migratory routes.
Thanks to this summer research, which is part of a multi-year scientific programme, data will also be available on both the number and distribution of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Mediterranean.
The census is being undertaken by the "Groupe de Recherche et d'Etude des Cétacés et Centre de Recherche sur les Cétacés", while analysis on distribution of these animals will be done by WWF France.
As part of the research, human activities in the area will also be identified and quantified in order to have a comprehensive understanding of their impact on cetaceans.
"All this information will constitute an essential basis for formulating tailor-made proposals that will ensure the best protection for the cetaceans", said Laurent Debas, Marine Officer at WWF-France. "Scientific data will definitely prove the strong need to put proper management rules in place in the area of the Whale Sanctuary."
The fin whale is the most numerous whale in the North-western Mediterranean, with some 4.000 individuals.
With a length of 18-20 metres and a weight of 50-70 tonnes, it is the biggest of the cetaceans living in the Mediterranean and the second biggest in the world just after the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
With just 50.000-100.000 individuals left, the fin whale is classified as endangered and is on the Red List of IUCN - The World Conservation Union.
Last year, WWF's research in the Whale Sanctuary focused on a census of a coastal species, the bottlenose dolphins.
Three boats sailed along the French, Corsican and Italian coasts and counted 424 to 515 bottlenose dolphins during the summertime: 198 to 242 in Corsica, 200 to 209 in the Gulf of Lyon, 16 in the islands of Hyères, and 20 to 48 in the Gulf of Genoa.
Established in November 1999 by the governments of Italy, France and Monaco, the Mediterranean Whale Sanctuary covers an area of 84.000 square kilometres lying between the French Côte d'Azur, Monaco, the Ligurian coast in Italy and the islands of Corsica and Sardinia.
Creation of the Sanctuary marked the first that a marine protected area including international waters was established in the Northern Hemisphere.
So far, the governments of France and Monaco have ratified the treaty establishing the Whale Sanctuary, while Italy appears close to ratification.
Eighteen different species of cetacean live in this area, which is their most important feeding ground.
Among these species, seven can be seen throughout the whole year: the pilot whale, fin whale, sperm whale, common dolphin, striped dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and the Risso's dolphin.
In summertime in particular, 25,000 to 45,000 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and about 2,000 fin whales (Balaneoptera physalus) gather in the Sanctuary.
For more information:
Agnès Poiret, WWF-France, +33 1 55 25 84 61