Creating a habitat model and determine the importance of the area for all cetaceans.

Research conducted by Nova Atlantis Foundation since 2000, has shown a clear functionality of the waters as feeding, breeding and nursing area for resident as well as migratory cetacean species. For migratory species, such as the six species of baleen whales who yearly visit the area during their migration between the polar waters and the equator, the area forms a ‘snack-bar’ where they stop for several days to eat. The rest of their journey, the animals fast, as food-resources in the open ocean waters are limited. Resident tooth whale species, such as Risso’s dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins and sperm whales, are bound to the food-rich waters where they breed and nurse their young in the sheltered bays of the islands. Here, a habitat-model will be developed for all cetacean species sighted in the waters, revealing their specific needs, hot-spot areas and minimal habitat-requirements.
The Ocean Watch Project was set up on Pico island. Over 12 look out post situated along the entire coast of the island, are used to define cetacean hotspots, numbers, and presence. We are currently expanding our research area towards the other islands of the Central Group.

Activities

1. Field observations on cetacean populations
   (abundance, distribution within the area, data base of considerable scale was already
   obtained over the last 5 years)
2. Assessment of feeding, nursing and breeding behaviour of the species concerned
   (diving patterns, spatial and temporal patterns of distribution, photo identification).
3. Creating a “Cetacean” MPA:
   Only 0,3% of our oceans are protected, and only 39 out of 1300 protected marine parks are specially designed for the protection of whales and dolphins. Due to the high cetacean diversity and the possibility to study the species both from land and at sea, the Azores provide a unique opportunity to conduct research on a large number of cetacean species. By collecting systematic data and publishing our results, it will be possible to create an Habitat model and appoint important area’s for cetaceans day to day survival (Critical habitats) using EU habitat legislation. (43/92/EEC)

We aim to list the area as a Marine Protected Area by European Legislation within 5 years from now. Nine years of research have shown a clear snack-bar function of the area for endangered, migrating cetacean species and a nursing and breeding area for a range of both resident and migrating cetaceans. At present, protection has been only partly established (shallow coastal areas), due to the sheer lack of data on this unique marine ecosystem. The protection of this critical habitat for whales and dolphins should be a logical next step.