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2002?2010 Conservation Action Plan for the World?s Cetaceans Dolphins, Whales and Porpoises Compiled by Randall R. Reeves, Brian D. Smith, Enrique A. Crespo and Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group Executive Summary This Action Plan represents a consensus of the IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group concerning the status of the world?s 86 currently recognized species of cetaceans (porpoises, dolphins, and whales), threats to their survival, and measures needed to better understand and address tose threats. Two species ? the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) and the vaquita (Phocoena sinus) ? and several geographical populations of whales and dolphins are classified in the Red List as Critically Endangered (Table 1). Other species, notably the Northern Hemisphere right whales (Eubalaena glacialis and E. japonica), blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Hector?s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori), and Ganges/Indus river dolphins (Platanista gangetica), are classified as Endangered. Numerous additional populations are known to be in serious danger of extirpation but have yet to be formally assessed for the Red List. Known or suspected threats include: continued deliberate killing of some species for food and predator control; incidental killing as a result of entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with powered vessels, and entrapment in water regulation devices; removal of live animals from small coastal populations to supply oceanaria and ?research/rescue/captive breeding? facilities; and the disruption of foodwebs and depletion of prey resources as a result of industrial or intensive artisanal fishing. Cetaceans, especially freshwater and coastal species, are suffering from degradation of their habitat caused by dam construction, removal of water for irrigation, land ?reclamation,? and appropriation of bays for aquaculture operations. Longstanding concerns about the disturbance caused by ship noise, seismic operations, drilling, and other acoustic inputs to the marine environment have expanded to encompass the likelihood that new types of military sonar can cause lethal trauma to deep-diving cetaceans. Exceptionally high levels of chemical contaminants in the tissues of cetaceans may be affecting the animals? immune and reproductive systems. Any removals from wild populations, whether by hunting, bycatch, or live-capture, need to be within sustainable limits, which means that sufficient data must be available and a regime for enforcement and monitoring in place. Because fishery bycatch is such a serious and widespread threat to cetacean populations, there is an urgent need to develop alternative fishing gear and practices, and at the same time to implement immediate mitigation measures, ranging from fishery closures to the mandatory use of acoustic deterrents to keep animals away from nets. While research is underway to better define the threats of chemical and noise pollution, acoustic trauma, and climate change, precautionary measures should be taken to moderate (and preferably eliminate) the relevant anthropogenic input factors. Fifty-seven specific initiatives are identified and described for conservation-related research and education: 21 in Asia, 18 in Latin America, six in Africa, seven in Europe, two in North America, and three that are non-regional. The Cetacean Specialist Group has traditionally focused on problems in developing countries, presuming that the needs for support and expertise are greater there than in Europe, North America, and Oceania. Also, most of the group?s attention has been devoted to the small and medium-sized cetaceans, as they are not officially recognized as falling within the aegis of the International Whaling Commission. For the first time, this Action Plan identifies specific management actions needed to prevent the extinction of several of the most seriously threatened species and populations. The baiji and vaquita can be saved only by immediate efforts to drastically reduce fishery bycatch. Tighter fishery management is also needed urgently for at least some populations of franciscanas (Pontoporia blainvillei), Hector?s dolphins, Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris), and short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). It is important to emphasize that these recommended actions are a mere beginning. To achieve our goal of conserving the planet?s diverse and abundant cetacean fauna will require not only rapid progress on the work laid out in this Action Plan, but also a much wider and deeper vision of what needs doing, and the will to pursue that vision without delay.

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