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Tracking Sperm
Whales off Madeira.
Photo: Filipe
Alves, Madeira. |
Today, the protection
of marine mammals is of prime importance in the territorial waters (ZEE)
of the Madeira archipelago. Therefore, since 1996 by the new direction of
Dr. Luís Freitas, the Museum integrated a team of marine biologists
with the aim of increasing the scientific knowledgement of the cetaceans
ihnabiting the Madeiran waters:
1996
up to date
it was created a stranding network, allowing to perform post-mortem
exams with the help of a veterinary, in order to determine the causes
of death and how anthropogenic effects can be responsible.
1997
up to date
a photo-identification study, first based on opportunistic sightings
and since 2001 based on direct sea effort, of three target species: Bottlenose
Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala
macrorhynchus) and Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus). A
compilation of a catalogue based on the dorsal fin or the fluke, allows
the identification of each individual, matches, population structure,
abundances, and if there are resident populations (annual or seasonal).
2000
to 2004
"Project for the Conservation of the cetaceans in the Archipelago
of Madeira" funded by LIFE99 NAT/P/006432. See more at: www.cetaceos-madeira.com
The objectives of this Project were to:
» List the species of the cetaceans
using the Madeiran waters, as well as, to determine its conservation status,
indices of abundances, distribution and sazonality, using nautical and
aerial census;
» Determine the impact of whale-
and dolphin-watching activities on the cetaceans populations in Madeira
Island, using powerfull binocles and a digital teodolite from land stations,
and accompanying the activity in situ;
» Sensibilization of the Madeiran
population for the conservation of the cetaceans, with special care for
inorganic wastes. Visits to all schools of Madeira were made for education
purposes;
» Sensibilization of the whale-
and dolphin-watching operators with workshops and with the creation of
voluntary guidelines, as well as, the users of this activity so they may
play an active role on the cetaceans conservation.
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Scientist's from the Musea da Baleia group
searching for cetaceans by boat and helicopter!
Photo: Filipe
Alves, Madeira. |
2003
to 2005
"Project MACETUS" funded by EU-INTERREG IIIB program
(MAC/42/M10). See more at: www.macetus.com
The objectives of this Project were to:
» To study the genetic structure
(collecting skin samples followed by genetic analysis), and the distribution
and movements (using photo-id followed by catalogues comparison) of the
Sperm Whale, Short-finned Pilot Whale, Bottlenose Dolphin and Atlantic
Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis);
» To study the habitat use of
these cetaceans species within the Azores, Madeira and Canary Archipelagos,
using suction-cup-attached time-depth recorder/VHF radio tags;
» To establish a Macaronesian
Network for the Study and Conservation of the cetaceans.
2005
to 2006
"Project GOLFINICHO" funded by FCT (POCI/BIA-BDE/61009/2004).
See more at: www.horta.uac.pt/projectos/golfinicho/paginas/Golfinicho.html
The objectives of this Project were to:
» Determine whether trophic and/or
spatial competition occurs between the Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus
delphis) and the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin and to understand the meaning
of poly-specific associations, by collecting biological samples followed
by genetic and biochemical analyses, by using underwater video images
of these species during feeding behaviour, and by using suction-cup-attached
time-depth recorder/VHF radio tags.
Another Project, the
"EMACETUS", which aim to
study, monitorize and educate for the conservation of the cetaceans in
the Madeira and the Canary Islands, is currently under the EU-INTERREG
program appreciation.
It is also important to highlight that a new building with approximately
5000m2 and four levels is actually being built in the village of Caniçal.
It is expected to open to public during 2007, and will include two main
exibition areas, one with the history of whaling in Madeira and other
directionated to the biology, natural history and conservation of cetaceans,
areas for expositions, conferences and education, as also laboratories
to support scientific research.
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