About This Project

Humpback whales are important marine mammals that help maintain ocean food webs and ecological processes. In the Dominican Republic, an important population migrates every winter to have their offspring. FUNDEMAR seeks to support ongoing humpback whale monitoring in the Silver and Christmas Bank Marine Mammal Sanctuary and start a program in the Southeastern Reefs Marine Sanctuary, a highly touristic area, to support whale watching regulations.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The Silver and Christmas Bank Marine Mammal Sanctuary (SMMBPN) is the largest marine protected area in the Dominican Republic and first sanctuary for marine mammals of the Atlantic Ocean. Seven species of marine mammals have been reported, including the manatee (critically endangered in the DR) and the North Atlantic humpback whale (Least Concern). It is historically estimated that 85% of the North Atlantic humpback whale population uses the waters of the Sanctuary to carry out vital functions, mating and breeding.

In parallel, the Southeastern Marine Reef Sanctuary (SAMAR) includes the country's East coast and is experiencing an increasing number of Humpback whale sightings.

What is the significance of this project?

Saona Island, the main touristic destination of the DR, is part of the SAMAR, and doesn't currently have any regulation for whale watching in the area yet. Starting a Humpback whale monitoring program is crucial in the area as the first step to implement further regulations. It would be the first robust monitoring of whales in the southeastern area with the potential to photo-identify individuals and giving a broader view of the ecology of these important animals. Then, we will compare the data with the SMMBPN, which has a long term monitoring program implemented.

What are the goals of the project?

The methodology entails 2 to 4 days a week diagonal transects on boat between Catalina Island and Saona Island, both extremities of the SAMAR, looking for any signal showing whale presence (blow, jump, pec or tail slap). We also can count on marine user reports from fishermen and excursion boat captains to alert on whale sightings in the area.

Once located, the objective is to take pictures of the dorsal fin and ventral side of a tail (or fluke), with patterns that are unique to each individual, allowing for the photo identification of each whale.

Then, we can process the photo set visually or using ID softwares (ex. Fluke) to identify each individual.

After data processing, season, abundance, and individual presence differences will be assessed to compare populations in SMMBPN and SAMAR.