Dear colleagues,
I am a french researcher on marine mammals in the Mediterranean
Seaworking since twenty-five years on abundance, distribution and
mapping high-risk areas (http://www.ecoocean-institut.org). I am also
the vice-chair of the Scientific Committee of the Regional Sea
Convention for the Conservation of cetacean in that area : ACCOBAMS.
ACCOBAMS organised in 2018 a large synoptic aerial survey over almost
the entire Mediterranean Sea
(https://accobams.org/main-activites/accobams-survey-initiative-2/asi-preliminary-results/
<https://accobams.org/main-activites/accobams-survey-initiative-2/asi-preliminary-results/>).
Data collected concerned cetaceans, seabirds, megafauna and also human
activities (marine litter and boat). In few weeks, a workshop dedicated
on the results, the lessons learned and the use of such large event to
improve the conservation of cetaceans will occur.
Considering the collection of data on boats from aerial survey, two
major objectives lead that choice : mapping pressure in parallel with
animals and getting clue for any attractive/repellent possible effects
on animals. I am in charge of evaluating the usefulness of such
collection of data on this group from aerial survey. I wanted to
illustrate with existing works and based on literature review, discuss
some points considering protocols and type of analysis, but found very
few literatures on this specific subject on Internet, Google Scholar nor
Research gate… Therefore I am writing a message here, looking for
reports/articles of studies around the world having collected data on
boats sightings during aerial survey and would like to know what has
been the use of such data (type of analysis).
It would be very useful if those of you leading aerial surveys and
collecting data on boats could share their experience and
reports/articles with us considering protocols, analysis of data and use
of the results for conservation purpose.
It seems obvious that collecting data on boat equipped with AIS is not
useful, as the AIS source of data will be much more exhaustive for
mapping the pressure. The question still remains considering other boats
(leisure, fishing...). As it seems interesting to collect data at sea,
still I question if any of you have reallly used those data or see the
limitations of them to achieve the objectives.
Many thanks for your reply
Dr Léa DAVID
EcoOcéan Institut
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