La gestion du milieu marin pour de multiples usages est une problématique de plus en plus en complexe. La création d’aires marines protégées (AMP) a été désignée comme étant une stratégie efficace afin de concilier la conservation avec les autres usages. Cependant, pour atteindre les objectifs de conservation, un plan de gestion bien défini de même qu’un programme de suivi efficace doivent être instaurés. En 1998, le parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent (PMSSL) a été créé afin de protéger plusieurs écosystèmes important de l’Estuaire du Saint-Laurent. Une industrie d’observation en mer de baleines en pleine croissance était déjà établie dans la région, qui est également traversé par une voie de navigation commerciale importante. Treize espèces de mammifères marins sont présentes dans la région, parmi lesquelles, quatre espèces de rorquals sont le centre d’intérêt du présent travail : le petit rorqual (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), le rorqual commun (Balaenoptera physalus), le rorqual à bosse (Megaptera novaeangliae) et le rorqual bleu (Balaenoptera musculus). La réduction des risques de collision et des perturbations du comportement susceptibles d’entrainer des conséquences physiologiques constitue un des enjeux majeures pour la conservation des baleines dans cette région. Avant de s’intéresser aux impacts du trafic maritime, des questions de base doivent être étudiées: Combien de baleines utilisent le secteur? Où sont les zones de fortes concentrations? Pour répondre à ces questions, des données d’échantillonnage par distance le long de transect linéaire sur une période de quatre ans (2006-2009) ont été utilisées pour estimer la densité et l’abondance et pour construire un modèle spatiale de la densité (MSD). Les espèces les plus abondantes sont le petit rorqual (45, 95% IC = 34-59) et le rorqual commun (24, 95% IC=18-34), suivi du rorqual bleu (3, 95% IC=2-5) et du rorqual à bosse (2, 95% IC=1-4). Les modèles additifs généralisés ont été utilisées afin de modéliser le nombre d’individus observé par espèce en fonction des variables environnementales. Les MSD ont permis l’identification des zones de concentration de chaque espèce à l’intérieur des limites de la portion de l’estuaire maritime du PMSSL et à valider les abondances estimées à partir des recensements systématiques. De plus, ils ont validé la pertinence de la zone de protection marine de l’estuaire du Saint-Laurent proposée (ZPMESL) pour la conservation du rorqual bleu, une espèce en voie de disparition. Un exercice d’extrapolation a également été effectué afin de prédire les habitats du rorqual bleu à l’extérieur de la zone d’échantillonnage. Les résultats ont montré une bonne superposition avec des jeux de données indépendants. Malgré la nature exploratoire de cet exercice et dans l’attente de meilleures informations, il pourrait servir de base de discussion pour l’élaboration de mesures de gestion afin d’augmenter la protection de l’espèce. Ensuite, les systèmes d’informations géographiques ont été utilisés afin de vérifier le degré de chevauchement entre la navigation commerciale et les résultats des MSD de chaque espèce et l’exercice d’extrapolation. Les analyses ont identifiées les zones de forte cooccurrence entre les navires et les rorquals. Ces résultats démontrent la pertinence des mesures de gestion récemment proposées et ont mené à une recommandation d’ajustement de l’actuel corridor de navigation afin de diminuer le risque de collision. Finalement, le chevauchement avec l’industrie d’observation de baleines a été caractérisé avec des données d’un échantillonnage à partir de points terrestres conduit de 2008 à 2010. Bien que toutes les espèces de rorquals aient été suivies, seulement les résultats concernant les rorquals bleus et les rorquals à bosses sont présentés ici. Pour les rorquals bleus, 14 heures de données d’observation ont été analysées. Les rorquals bleus étaient exposés aux bateaux (<1 km), principalement les zodiacs commerciaux, dans 74 % des intervalles de surface (IS) analysés. L’exposition continue était de 2 à 19 IS et le nombre moyen de bateaux à l’intérieur d’un rayon de 1 km était 2.3 (±2.7, max=14). Lorsqu’en observation de l’animal focal, tous les bateaux commerciaux ont utilisé la zone à l’intérieur de 400 m, enfreignant ainsi le règlement qui prescrit une distance de retrait minimale de 400 m dans le cas d’espèces en voie de disparition. De plus, la variance du taux respiratoire de chaque individu était corrélée avec le pourcentage d’exposition au bateaux (0.73, p<0.05) suggérant une modification comportementale susceptible d’entrainer des conséquences physiologiques. Bien que le rorqual à bosse n’ait pas un statut de conservation critique, sont comportements en fait une cible importante de l’industrie d’observation. Un total de 50.4 heures d’observation du rorqual à bosse a été analysé. Les rorquals à bosse étaient exposés aux bateaux, principalement aux zodiacs commerciaux, pendant 78.5% du temps d’observation. Le nombre moyen de bateaux dans un rayon de 1 km était de 1.9 (±2.3, max=22). L’exposition cumulative aux activités d’observation de baleines peut avoir des conséquences à long terme pour les rorquals. L’application du règlement et des mesures pour augmenter la sensibilisation et le respect de la règlementation actuelle sont nécessaires. Des suggestions pour améliorer la règlementation actuelle sont proposées. Ce travail présente pour la première fois des estimés d’abondance pour l’aire d’étude, améliore les informations disponibles sur les zones de fortes concentrations, donne un appui à l’établissement d’un plan de zonage adéquat à l’intérieur des limites du PMSSL et souligne l’importance de l’établissement de la ZPMESL proposée. Par sa revue compréhensive de la question du trafic maritime en lien avec les rorquals présents dans l’estuaire, cette étude fournit des informations précieuses pour la gestion de ce système socio-écologique complexe. / Management of the marine environment for multiple usages has become increasingly complex. The creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has been pointed out as a successful strategy for combining conservation with other uses. However, to attain conservation goals, a well-defined management plan and a robust monitoring program need to be set. In 1998, the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park (SSLMP) was decreed to protect important ecosystems of the St. Lawrence River Estuary. A growing whale watching industry was already established in the area which is also crossed by an important shipping lane. Thirteen marine mammal species occur in the area, among them, four baleen species, which are the focus of the present work: minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus). Whales’ protection in this area of intensive marine traffic is of concern due to a high collision probability and induced behavioral and physiological changes. Before addressing the effects of the marine traffic, some basic questions needed to be answered: How many baleen whales use the area? Where are their core areas? To answer that, line-transect distance-sampling data collected over four years (2006-2009) were used to estimate density and abundance and to build a spatial density model (SDM). The most abundant species were minke (45, 95% CI=34-59) and fin whales (24, 95% CI=18-34), followed by blue (3, 95% CI=2-5) and humpback whales (2, 95% CI=1-4). Generalized additive models were used to model each species count as a function of space and environmental variables. The SDM allowed the identification of each species core area within the marine portion of the SSLMP, and corroborated the abundance estimates derived from design-based methods. In addition, it corroborated the relevance of the proposed St. Lawrence Estuary Marine Protected (SLEMPA) Area to the conservation of essential habitats of the endangered blue whale. An extrapolation exercise was performed to predict blue whales’ habitats outside the surveyed area. Despite its exploratory nature, the results showed a good match with independent data sets and in the lack of better information could guide the discussion of management measures to enhance species’ protection. Next, Geographic Information System capabilities were used to verify the degree of overlap between the navigation corridor and the resulting SDM of each species and the extrapolation model. The analysis highlighted areas of important co-occurrence of whales and ships, corroborated the adequacy of recently proposed management measures and resulted in a recommendation of adjustment to the current shipping lane in order to decrease collision risk. Finally, the overlap with the whale watching industry was characterized with data from a land-based survey conducted from 2008 to 2010. Although all baleen whale species were tracked, here only results of blue and humpback whales were presented. For blue whales, data from 14 hours of observation were analyzed. Whales were exposed to boats, mainly commercial zodiacs, in 74% of their surface intervals (SI). Continuous exposure ranged from 2 to 19 SI and the mean number of boats within a 1 km radius was 2.3 (±2.7, max=14). A complete lack of compliance with the current whale watching regulations was observed. Additionally, individual blow rate variance was correlated with percentage of exposure to boats (0.73, p<0.05). Although humpback whales do not have a critical conservation status, their intrinsic behaviour makes them a major target to the industry. A total of 50.4 hours of humpback whale observation was analysed. Whales were exposed to boats, mainly commercial zodiacs, during 78.5% of the observation time. The mean number of boats within a 1 km radius was 1.9 (±2.3, max=22). The cumulative exposure to whale watching can have long-term consequences for whales. Law enforcement and measures to raise awareness and compliance to current regulations are urgently needed. Suggestions to improve the current regulation were provided. The present work presents the first abundance estimates for the study area, refines the available information on baleen whales core areas, provides support to the establishment of an adequate zoning plan within the SSLMP and stresses the relevance of the SLEMPA. In addition it provides an in depth overview of the marine traffic issue and provides valuable information to support management of this complex socio-ecological system. / Thesis written in co-mentorship with Robert Michaud.

Le béluga du Saint-Laurent est une espèce menacée au Canada et protégée par la Loi sur les espèces en péril du Canada. La détermination des fonctions biologiques de ses habitats essentiels est nécessaire afin d’assurer le rétablissement de la population. Parcs Canada a entamé en 2009 un suivi des proies du béluga dans deux de ses aires de fréquentation intensive situées dans le Parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent : l’embouchure de la rivière Saguenay et la baie Sainte-Marguerite. L’étude de l’abondance et de la distribution des proies est réalisée par sondage hydroacoustique le long de transects à l’aide d’un échosondeur multifréquences. Un protocole d’observations systématiques du béluga est mené simultanément aux sondages hydroacoustiques à partir de sites terrestres. Le premier objectif de cette étude est de développer la méthodologie concernant le traitement, la classification et la cartographie des données hydroacoustiques échantillonnées. L’objectif principal consiste à déterminer si l’abondance et la distribution des proies pélagiques ont une influence sur l’utilisation de ces deux habitats par le béluga. La cartographie de la biomasse relative de poissons a été réalisée pour la couche de surface, la couche en profondeur et pour l’ensemble de la colonne d’eau par krigeage ordinaire pour les deux habitats pour les 29 transects. À la baie Sainte-Marguerite, le nombre de bélugas observés augmente avec la biomasse relative des proies en surface et en profondeur. À l’embouchure de la rivière Saguenay, les résultats n’ont pas été concluants. Les résultats suggèrent que l’alimentation pourrait être l’une des fonctions biologiques de la baie Sainte-Marguerite. / The St. Lawrence beluga is a threatened species in Canada and protected by the Species at Risk Act in Canada. Determining the biological functions of its critical habitat is needed to ensure the recovery of the population. Parks Canada began in 2009 a monitoring of beluga preys in two of its areas of intensive use located in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park: the Saguenay River mouth and the Sainte-Marguerite bay. The study of the abundance and distribution of prey is achieved by hydroacoustic survey along transects using a multifrequency echo sounder. A systematic observation protocol of the beluga is conducted simultaneously with hydroacoustic surveys from land-based stations. The first objective of this study is to develop the methodology for the processing, classification and mapping of these hydroacoustic data. The main objective is to determine whether the abundance and distribution of pelagic prey influence the use of these two habitats by beluga. The mapping of the fish relative biomass was conducted for the surface layer, the depth layer and the entire water column by ordinary kriging for the two habitats for the 29 transects. At Sainte-Marguerite bay, the number of whales observed increases with fish relative biomass in the surface and deep layers. At the Saguenay River mouth, the results are not conclusive. The results suggest that feeding may be one of the biological functions of the Sainte-Marguerite bay.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Aberdeen, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. Available in PDF format via the World Wide Web.

Le béluga du Saint-Laurent est une espèce menacée au Canada et protégée par la Loi sur les espèces en péril du Canada. La détermination des fonctions biologiques de ses habitats essentiels est nécessaire afin d’assurer le rétablissement de la population. Parcs Canada a entamé en 2009 un suivi des proies du béluga dans deux de ses aires de fréquentation intensive situées dans le Parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent : l’embouchure de la rivière Saguenay et la baie Sainte-Marguerite. L’étude de l’abondance et de la distribution des proies est réalisée par sondage hydroacoustique le long de transects à l’aide d’un échosondeur multifréquences. Un protocole d’observations systématiques du béluga est mené simultanément aux sondages hydroacoustiques à partir de sites terrestres. Le premier objectif de cette étude est de développer la méthodologie concernant le traitement, la classification et la cartographie des données hydroacoustiques échantillonnées. L’objectif principal consiste à déterminer si l’abondance et la distribution des proies pélagiques ont une influence sur l’utilisation de ces deux habitats par le béluga. La cartographie de la biomasse relative de poissons a été réalisée pour la couche de surface, la couche en profondeur et pour l’ensemble de la colonne d’eau par krigeage ordinaire pour les deux habitats pour les 29 transects. À la baie Sainte-Marguerite, le nombre de bélugas observés augmente avec la biomasse relative des proies en surface et en profondeur. À l’embouchure de la rivière Saguenay, les résultats n’ont pas été concluants. Les résultats suggèrent que l’alimentation pourrait être l’une des fonctions biologiques de la baie Sainte-Marguerite. / The St. Lawrence beluga is a threatened species in Canada and protected by the Species at Risk Act in Canada. Determining the biological functions of its critical habitat is needed to ensure the recovery of the population. Parks Canada began in 2009 a monitoring of beluga preys in two of its areas of intensive use located in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park: the Saguenay River mouth and the Sainte-Marguerite bay. The study of the abundance and distribution of prey is achieved by hydroacoustic survey along transects using a multifrequency echo sounder. A systematic observation protocol of the beluga is conducted simultaneously with hydroacoustic surveys from land-based stations. The first objective of this study is to develop the methodology for the processing, classification and mapping of these hydroacoustic data. The main objective is to determine whether the abundance and distribution of pelagic prey influence the use of these two habitats by beluga. The mapping of the fish relative biomass was conducted for the surface layer, the depth layer and the entire water column by ordinary kriging for the two habitats for the 29 transects. At Sainte-Marguerite bay, the number of whales observed increases with fish relative biomass in the surface and deep layers. At the Saguenay River mouth, the results are not conclusive. The results suggest that feeding may be one of the biological functions of the Sainte-Marguerite bay.

Bibliography: leaves 378-402. / xviii, 402 leaves : ill. (chiefly col.), maps (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Explores the status and nature of interpretation within the Australian whale watching industry, on both a national scale and as it is practiced at three diverse case study sites along the southern coast, and develops strategies which may enable this form of tourism to reach it's highest educative potential / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geographical and Environmental Studies, 2000

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-05-19T17:30:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 francielerezendedecastro.pdf: 2523026 bytes, checksum: 8193d983291bf26d154acc6d87190604 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-07-01T19:23:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 francielerezendedecastro.pdf: 2523026 bytes, checksum: 8193d983291bf26d154acc6d87190604 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-01T19:23:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 francielerezendedecastro.pdf: 2523026 bytes, checksum: 8193d983291bf26d154acc6d87190604 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-09 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O estabelecimento de um sistema representativo de Áreas Protegidas é parte das estratégias de conservação das baleias-jubarte (Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781). Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a representatividade das Áreas Prioritárias para a Conservação (APCs) e das Unidades de Conservação (UCs) considerando os movimentos desta espécie na costa brasileira. O uso destas Àreas por baleias-jubarte foi medido pela freqüência da ocorrência de posições registradas no interior das APCs e UCs. Dados de localização por telemetria satelital foram filtrados e modelados pelo Modelo de Estado e Espaço (State-Space Model) e sobrepostos aos polígonos representantes de cada APC e UC (banco de dados Ministério do Meio Ambiente - MMA e Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e Recursos Renováveis – IBAMA). As análises foram realizadas com o software R 2.11.1 e ArcGIS 9.3. De um total de 131 APCs registradas na, atualmente, conhecida área de distribuição da espécie na costa brasileira 53 Áreas Prioritárias para a Conservação foram usadas por baleias-jubarte. As frequências foram maiores dentro do que fora de APCs (p<0,001). E de 73 UCs registradas dentro da mesma área, 13 Unidades de Conservação foram usadas pela espécie e as freqüências foram menores dentro do que fora de UCs (p <0,001). Concluímos que as novas APCs identificadas, Áreas ainda não protegidas, são representativas considerando o movimento das baleias-jubarte. Já as Unidades de Conservação considerando a reduzida freqüência de ocorrência de baleias nestas Áreas já manejadas apresentam baixa representatividade. Estudos de telemetria por satélite mostram-se úteis para avaliar a representatividade das Áreas Prioritárias e Protegidas na conservação indireta de baleias-jubarte, contribuindo para estratégias de gestão da espécie em águas brasileiras. / The establishment of representative systems of Protected Area is part of conservation strategies of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781) conservation. This study aimed to evaluate the use of the Priority Areas for Conservation (PACs) and Conservation Units (CUs) by humpback whale along the Brazilian coast. The use was measured by the frequency of positions registered inside the PACs and CUs. Locations data from satellite telemetry were filtered and modeled by State Space Model and overlapped on the PACs and CUs shapes (Ministério do Meio Ambiente - MMA and Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e Recursos Renováveis – IBAMA databases). The analyses were performed using the software R 2.11.1 and ArcGIS 9.3. From a total of 131 PACs, recorded in the currently known limit of distribution in the Brazilian coast, 53 Priority Areas for Conservation were used by humpback whales. The frequencies were higher inside the PACs than outside (p<0,001). And from 73 UCs recorded, 13 Conservation Units were used by humpback whales and the frequencies were lower inside the CU’s than outside (p<0,001). We concluded that the PACs identified, areas not yet protected, are representative considering the movement of humpback whales. However, CU’s are still poorly representative for humpback whales conservation considering the low frequency of occurrence of whales in these areas already managed. Satellite telemetry studies are useful to assess the representativeness of Priority and Protected Areas in the conservation of humpback whales indirectly, contributing to strategies for management of the species in Brazilian waters.

No description available.

Data collected during boat-based and aerial surveys were used to describe population structure, movements, temporal patterns of migration and skin condition of humpback whales in breeding sub-stock C1-S off southern Africa. Results confirmed that the migration route along the south coast of South Africa is linked to the winter ground off Mozambique. A lack of exchange between breeding sub-stocks C1-N and C1-S was found, suggesting that these are independent of each other. Molecular analysis revealed unexpected levels of population structure between the migration route and the winter ground of C1-S, as well as the possibility that this migration route is also utilised by some individuals from breeding sub-stock C3. A skin condition of unknown aetiology that primarily affects humpback whale mother-calf pairs was identified. The first assessment of its prevalence and severity was made, providing a baseline for future monitoring. Humpback whale abundance in an inshore region of Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique was estimated and attempts were also made to use the limited information off Plettenberg Bay/Knysna, South Africa. In addition to improving our understanding of humpback whales from Breeding Stock C, knowledge about another baleen whale species utilising the southwest Indian Ocean was extended. The first evidence of southern right whale presence off the coast of Mozambique since the cessation of whaling was documented. It remains unknown whether this is a remnant sub-stock or the recovering South African sub-stock reoccupying its historical range.

Species distribution maps can provide important information to focus conservation efforts and enable spatial management of human activities. Two sympatric marine predators, grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), have overlapping ranges but contrasting population dynamics around the UK; whilst grey seals have generally increased, harbour seals have shown significant regional declines. A robust analytical methodology was developed to produce maps of grey and harbour seal usage estimates with corresponding uncertainty, and scales of spatial partitioning between the species were found. Throughout their range, both grey and harbour seals spend the majority of their time within 50 km of the coast. The scalability of the analytical approach was enhanced and environmental information to enable spatial predictions was included. The resultant maps have been applied to inform consent and licensing of marine renewable developments of wind farms and tidal turbines. For harbour seals around Orkney, northern Scotland, distance from haul out, proportion of sand in seabed sediment, and annual mean power were important predictors of space-use. Utilising seal usage maps, a framework was produced to allow shipping noise, an important marine anthropogenic stressor, to be explicitly incorporated into spatial planning. Potentially sensitive areas were identified through quantifying risk of exposure of shipping traffic to marine species. Individual noise exposure was predicted with associated uncertainty in an area with varying rates of co-occurrence. Across the UK, spatial overlap was highest within 50 km of the coast, close to seal haul outs. Areas identified with high risk of exposure included 11 Special Areas of Conservation (from a possible 25). Risk to harbour seal populations was highest, affecting half of all SACs associated with the species. For 20 of 28 animals in the acoustic exposure study, 95% CI for M-weighted cumulative Sound Exposure Levels had upper bounds above levels known to induce Temporary Threshold Shift. Predictions of broadband received sound pressure levels were underestimated on average by 0.7 dB re 1μPa (± 3.3). An analytical methodology was derived to allow ecological maps to be quantitatively compared. The Structural Similarity (SSIM) index was enhanced to incorporate uncertainty from underlying spatial models, and a software algorithm was developed to correct for internal edge effects so that loss of spatial information from the map comparison was limited. The application of the approach was demonstrated using a case study of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus, Linneaus 1758) in the Mediterranean Sea to identify areas where local-scale differences in space-use between groups and singleton whales occurred. SSIM is applicable to a broad range of spatial ecological data, providing a novel tool for map comparison.