The Indian Ocean Marine Mammal Research
Conservation & Education Project, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Bull Sperm Whale. Photo by Abigail Alling, 2013. Copyright Biosphere Foundation
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- In 1979 the International Whaling Commission declared the Indian Ocean (north of 55° S latitude) a Marine Mammal Sanctuary and encouraged international cooperation to protect the populations of great whales in the area.
- Sri Lanka lies within the sanctuary and is a feeding area for blue, sperm, humpback and Brydes whales as well as numerous smaller cetaceans.
- Biophere Foundation collaborated with Captain Raja (whale watching ship, Raja & the Whales) and the University of Ruhuna to set-up the Indian Ocean Marine Mammal Research Unit in Sri Lanka for basic science, conservation and education.
- In 2012 - 2013, BF worked with Captain Raja to prepare a baseline study using years of data that he collected about the Abundance and Distribution of Cetaceans off the Coast of Sri Lanka with particular emphasis on ship-strikes. One of the busiest shipping routes in the world lies just off the southern coast.
- BF also carried out visual and passive acoustic monitoring surveys along with Dr. Jonathan Gordon (University of St. Andrews / Vanishingpoint Marine Ltd), and provided photographic images to the University of Ruhuna to initiate an ID catalogue for blue and sperm whales. This data will provide critical information about their distribution and population size.
- In 2014, BF invited Russell Leaper and Susannah Calderan (IFAW marine mammal scientists/ Member of the IWC) to join the project team. With their guidance, transects were done along the southern coast to observe the distribution of blue whales and ships and arrive at possible conservation initiatives re ship-strikes. A preminary paper about the study was presented at the IWC in June 2014.
- BF will return in 2015 to continue this work with the hopes to make a diference for the well-being of all.
On behalf of all onboard Yacht Mir, we wish to thank the Ward Family Foundation, Kopcho Family Foundation & Swire Pacific Offshore for all of your help - and, all of the local & international collaborators and volunteers.
Sri Lanka Bull Sri Lanka Pygmy Blue Whales with Mir - Copyright Biosphere Foundation - Abigail Alling, 2013
Sri Lanka Sperm Whales with Mir Crew - Copyright Biosphere Foundation - Abigail Alling, 2013
Sri Lanka Pygmy Blue Whale - Copyright Biosphere Foundation - Abigail Alling, 2013