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RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Marine mammal strandings recorded in New Caledonia, South West Pacific Ocean, 1877 to 2022

Claire Garrigue https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8117-3370 A B * , Solène Derville https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0380-7921 A B C , Claire Bonneville A B , Maële Brisset B , Paco Bustamante https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3877-9390 D , Christophe Cleguer https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9026-336X E , Eric E. G. Clua F G , Willy Dabin H , Sylvie Fiat https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7999-5906 A , Jean-Lou Justine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7155-4540 I , Pauline Machful https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1926-8594 J , Tepoerau Mai B K , Patrice Plichon L , Annie Portal J , Christine Sidobre A , Debbie Steel M , Jean-Christophe Vivier N and Elodie Vourey J
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A IRD UMR ENTROPIE (Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de La Réunion, IFREMER, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), BP A5, Nouméa Cedex 98848, New Caledonia.

B Opération Cétacés, BP 12827, Nouméa, New Caledonia.

C GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA.

D Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS – La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle 17000, France.

E Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.

F PSL, EPHE, CRIOBE USR3278 EPHE-CNRS-UPVD, PoBox1013, Papetoai 98729, French Polynesia.

G Labex CORAIL, Université de Perpignan, 58 avenue Paul Alduy, Perpignan 66850, France.

H UAR Pelagis, Université de La Rochelle, 5 Allée de l’Océan, La Rochelle 17000, France.

I ISYEB, Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (UMR7205 CNRS, EPHE, MNHN, UPMC, Université des Antilles), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CP 51, 55 rue Buffon, Paris Cedex 05 75231, France.

J Pacific Community – SPC, B.P. D5, Nouméa 98848, New Caledonia.

K Institut Louis Malardé, Laboratoire des substances naturelles et médicinales, BP 30, Papeete, Tahiti 98713, French Polynesia.

L Province Sud, DDT, 6 route des artifices, BP L1, Nouméa Cedex 98849, New Caledonia.

M Marine Mammal Institute, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Newport, OR 97365, USA.

N Deceased. Formerly of Clinique vétérinaire de Sainte-Marie, Nouméa, New Caledonia.

* Correspondence to: Claire.garrigue@ird.fr

Handling Editor: Rochelle Constantine

Pacific Conservation Biology 30, PC23016 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC23016
Submitted: 20 April 2023  Accepted: 12 November 2023  Published: 7 December 2023

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY)

Abstract

Context

Strandings are an important source of information for estimating marine mammal biodiversity, particularly in data-sparse ocean basins such as Oceania.

Aims

Here, we report on knowledge acquired from 218 stranding events recorded in the waters of New Caledonia (1877–2022).

Methods

We investigated spatio-temporal distribution, stable isotope signatures, trace element concentrations, biometry measurements, genetic diversity, and diet, for the four most commonly stranded taxa (dugongs, 35% of events; sperm whales, 19%; Delphinidae, 18%; pygmy and dwarf sperm whales, 14%).

Key results

Beginning in 1991, reports of stranding events increased (183 events, 322 individuals, 20 species from seven families: Dugongidae, Physeteridae, Delphinidae, Kogiidae, Ziphiidae, Balaenopteridae, Otariidae), with hotspots identified on the west coast (Bourail, Ouano, Nouméa) and in Prony Bay. Causes of death were not determined in 84% of stranding events, but were identified in the majority of expert-led necropsies (24 of 29 individuals from 10 species). Yet, valuable information regarding the impact of anthropogenic activities was gathered for some species of concern, such as the endangered dugong (28% human-caused). Since 2016, training and outreach have been provided to rangers, veterinarians, and various public safety officers to support their engagement in the scientific monitoring of marine mammal strandings. A website (www.rescue.ird.nc) was developed to facilitate standardised data collection and storage, and to provide public access to stranding records.

Conclusion

Although the number of individuals reported here remains modest, this study provides new information on poorly documented species in New Caledonia.

Implications

Long-term monitoring of strandings can help design effective conservation measures.

Abstract

RESUME

Contexte

Les échouages constituent une source d’informations importante pour estimer la biodiversité des mammifères marins, en particulier dans les bassins océaniques pour lesquels les données sont rares, comme l’Océanie

Objectif

Nous présentons ici les connaissances acquises à partir de 218 échouages enregistrés dans les eaux de Nouvelle-Calédonie (1877–2022).

Méthodes

Nous avons étudié la distribution spatio-temporelle, les signatures isotopiques, les éléments traces, les mesures biométriques, la diversité génétique et le régime alimentaire des quatre taxons les plus fréquemment échoués (dugongs, 35% des échouages; cachalots, 19%; Delphinidae, 18% ; cachalots pygmées et nains, 14%).

Principaux résultats

À partir de 1991, les signalements d’échouages ont augmenté (183 événements, 322 individus, 20 espèces de sept familles: Dugongidae, Physeteridae, Delphinidae, Kogiidae, Ziphiidae, Balaenopteridae, Otariidae), avec des points chauds identifiés sur la côte ouest de la Grande Terre (Bourail, Ouano, Nouméa) et dans la Baie de Prony. Les causes de décès n’ont pas été déterminées pour 84% des échouages, mais elles ont été identifiées dans la majorité des autopsies réalisées par des vétérinaires (24 des 29 individus de 10 espèces). Des informations précieuses concernant l’impact des activités anthropiques ont été recueillies pour certaines espèces préoccupantes, telles que le dugong, une espèce en voie de disparition (28% des échouages d’origine humaine). Depuis 2016, des formations et des activités de sensibilisation ont été dispensées aux gardes nature, aux vétérinaires et à divers agents publics pour soutenir leur engagement dans la surveillance scientifique des échouages de mammifères marins. Un site Web (www.rescue.ird.nc) a été développé pour faciliter la collecte et le stockage de données standardisées et pour fournir un accès public aux enregistrements d’échouages.

Conclusion

Bien que le nombre d’individus signalés échoués ici reste modeste, cette étude apporte de nouvelles informations sur des espèces peu documentées en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Implications

La surveillance à long terme des échouages peut aider à concevoir des mesures de conservation efficaces.

Keywords: age, diet, marine mammals, mtDNA, stable isotopes, stomach contents, stranding, trace elements.

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