The Caribbean Cetacean Society (CCS) presented the (preliminary) results of a two-year study on whales and dolphins around the ABC Islands. This research was conducted through regional cooperation and capacity-building efforts. During a symposium in Curaçao, the key findings were shared with a select group of stakeholders, followed by a panel discussion on the conservation implications for the region.

Urgent need for collective action

The key message of the symposium was the urgent need for collective action to ensure the survival of these marine mammals. Protecting the unique populations of whales and dolphins in the Caribbean region requires coordinated efforts across the islands. The presentation was led by Jeffrey Bernus, Director of CCS, and Stacey Mac Donald, CCS Regional Coordinator. This study represents the largest standardized monitoring effort across all three ABC islands to date. Over two years, CCS conducted two major expeditions, training 46 participants from 14 local organizations. So far, they have observed 47 groups across 9 different species of cetaceans species. Cetaceans are a group of mammals that live in water, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Cetaceans are protected species by law in Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.

Symposium © Caribbean Cetacean Society

The symposium was attended by a diverse audience of over 40 people, including representatives from conservation organizations such as Carmabi, STINAPA Bonaire, and DCNA, as well as stakeholders from both the private and public sectors. Minister of Health, Nature, and the Environment of Curaçao, Javier Silvania, was present and expressed that CCS and the community of Curaçao can count on his support to advance the protection of marine mammals and their habitat in Curaçao. Delegations from Aruba and Bonaire were also in attendance, highlighting the importance of inter-island cooperation. This research by CCS and the symposium were made possible with the support of WWF-NL, SPAW RAC, Profound, and the Rotary Club of Curaçao.

Dolphin © Katjana Cabenda

Research results

The research revealed that some bottlenose dolphins move between the Yarari Sanctuary of Bonaire and the waters of Curaçao, suggesting an important ecological connection between these islands. Furthermore, CCS has discovered that the pilot whales that live in the waters of Bonaire are migrating to the coast of Venezuela. These findings underscore the importance of regional cooperation: protecting whales and dolphins requires joint efforts in the Caribbean region. Other notable findings include the identification of over 20 individual sperm whales, previously unstudied in the area, and a large group (an estimated 150) of striped dolphins, a species that CCS has documented only once before in their four years of Caribbean research. The study also highlights the important nursery role the three islands play for various cetacean species, as numerous juveniles of both dolphins and whales were observed.

Panel discussion © Caribbean Cetacean Society

Threats

However, the research also shed light on significant threats to these marine mammals. Heavy harassment, disturbance by marine traffic, and physical damage from propeller strikes and fishing lines were documented, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures. During the panel discussion, the implications of this research for conservation on the ABC islands were explored. Nina Zander, policy project manager at the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), remarked: “While this research should continue as additional knowledge that is beneficial in shaping measures, policy, and legislation to protect these valuable species, we should not wait until we know everything – as we will never know everything. We can already start with adaptive management plans and take the collaborative action to protect these species and their habitat”.

Jeffrey Bernus added: “There are already some low-hanging fruits that can be addressed. For example, considering areas where we know certain species thrive and there is no interest in development. Those areas can already be designated for protection, while we investigate what other measures are needed and how these can best be implemented”. Both the private and public sector indicated that there is a need for education followed by enforcement, noting that more awareness on the presence of whales and dolphins and the threats they face in the ABC islands is essential to enhance to their protection on the islands.