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Nature Foundation Launches Second Annual Marine Mammal Research Project; Partners with Dolphin Defenders St. Maarten to bring awareness on Marine Mammals in territorial waters.
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The St. Maarten Nature Foundation is once again conducting its Marine Mammal Monitoring project which will last from February until May. The Nature Foundation, in cooperation with Dolphin Defenders St. Maarten, will be conducting a wide scale census of all Marine Mammals found in St. Maarten/ St. Martin territorial waters, including within the Man of War Shoal Marine Park. "Many on St. Maarten might not be aware that there is a relatively significant Marine Mammal population in the waters surrounding St. Maarten, including numerous species of whales and dolphins. St. Maarten lies within the area of the Western Atlantic where various whale species come to give birth to their young. From February to May several hundreds of Humpback Whales migrate from the northern Atlantic to areas within the Caribbean to give birth and nurse their young before heading back up north", commented Tadzio Bervoets, Nature Foundation Manager. Numerous other species, including sperm whales and several types of dolphins, make their home in local waters. Several questions will be answered as a result of the study, including most numerous species, migration routes and dates, and the feasibility of regulated wild whale and dolphin watching trips. This year the Nature Foundation will be partnering with Dolphin Defenders St. Maarten to bring greater awareness to the general public about St. Maarten’s wild Marine Mammal Population and conservation issues faced by Marine Mammals in local waters.
Results of last year’s study showed that the most abundant Marine Mammal species was the Humpback Whale, with the total number recorded at 33 individuals, including calves. The second most abundant species was the Bottle Nose Dolphin, with total of 19 individuals; the third most abundant species was the Long Snouted Spinner Dolphin with nine individuals recorded. The Man of War Shoal Marine Park had a considerable number of recordings of both whale and dolphin species which adds considerably to the biological value of the Park. Acoustic recordings of male Humpback Whales singing were also taken at various points in the waters surrounding St. Maarten, and the public is urged to listen to the local whale songs on www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfpsnuUNXDW. If anyone wishes to receive a Marine Mammal Sighting form or report a sighting of a whale or dolphin please contact the Nature Foundation at manager@naturefoundationsxm.org or via telephone at 5444267. Information will also be distributed through the Nature Foundation Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Maarten-Nature-Foundation.