cropped dolphin-2e87482466ef72fc510b16749ac51c7f.jpg

New publication: Displacement responses of a mysticete, an odontocete, and a phocid seal to construction-related vessel traffic

Effects of the construction of a gas-pipeline on 3 species of marine mammals

A 3-year study on the effects of the construction of a gas-pipe line in the Irish Broadhaven Bay has revealed the displacement of at least two of the eleven marine mammal species that frequent the area. Both minke whale and grey seal presence was negatively correlated with the number of vessels working in the bay. Grey seals use the area for resting, and minke whales forage in the bay. Hence, disruption of these behaviours could have negative effects on the build up to their energy reserves. A third species, bottlenose dolphin, seemed less affected by the presence of the construction activities, and in fact showed a positive relation with the number of boats, which may have been related to good feeding conditions during the period of intense construction activities.

 

Displacement responses of a mysticete, an odontocete, and a phocid seal to construction-related vessel traffic.

Anderwald P, Brandecker A, Coleman M, Collins C, Denniston H, Haberlin MD, O’Donovan M, Pinfield R, Visser F, Walshe L (2013)

Endangered Species Research 21: 231-240 


Return