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Publication year : 0
Thematic : Coastal Biodiversity
Language : English
Note
This study reviews and updates information on cetacean strandings in the state of Ceara´, Brazil (028300S 418150W– 048300S
368450W), comprising 573 km of coastline. In the years 1992–2005, there were 252 cetacean stranding events, representing 19
species: three species of Balaenopteridae, three Physeteridae, two Kogiidae, two Ziphiidae and 11 Delphinidae. Three species
comprised the majority (78.9%) of stranding events: estuarine dolphin, Sotalia guianensis (61.9%); sperm whale, Physeter
macrocephalus (10.3%); and rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis (6.7%). There was an increasing trend in the
number of cases reported in the first five years with a highest frequency achieved in 1996. Stranding events occurred throughout
the year, with the lowest frequency occurring in the autumn (March–May). Approximately 4% of the events were attributed
to natural causes while 24.6% were human-related, mainly incidental captures. Meat removal for human consumption
or bait was recorded in 6.7% of events. In the study area, Sotalia guianensis, P. macrocephalus and Steno bredanensis were
the most abundant cetacean species, whereas Lagenodelphis hosei, Pseudorca crassidens, Orcinus orca, Kogia sima,
Mesoplodon europaeus, Balaenoptera acutorostrata and Balaenoptera bonaerensis are probably rare in the area.
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Keywords : Management
Encoded by : Pauline Carmel Joy Eje
