33rd Conference of the European Cetacean Society
The 33rd annual European Cetacean Society conference will be taking place in Ashdod, on the Mediterranean coast of Israel from 5-7 April 2022. This will be the first hybrid event in the history of...
MEDACES Blog
Predicting global killer whale population collapse from PCB pollution
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are among the most highly polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)–contaminated mammals in the world, raising concern about the health consequences of current PCB exposures. PCB-mediated effects on reproduction and immune function threaten...
DEEP SEA LANTERNFISH help transmit parasites to sperm whales and giant squid
Bioluminescent fish are the missing link for a widespread marine parasite, certain types of which infect humans and cause severe symptomshttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2018/09/sperm-whales-lanternfish-parasites-bioluminescent-fish-news/.
A needed change in cetacean conservation
In European waters, cetacean conservation tends to focus on direct and obvious threats. Cetacean conservation should go beyond just avoiding further population decline or warding off the extinction of single species. Allowing only the...
Fin whale lost at the Valencia Yacht Club
An 18-metre-long fin whale was trapped on the 14th of july for about four hours at the Valencia Yacht Club in Spain. The animal was able to return to the open sea guided by...
The Common Dolphin in the Mediterranean needs urgent conservation measures
Factors that likely contributed to making common dolphins increasingly less common include incidental mortality in fishing gear, habitat degradation, and the effects of chemical pollutants, underwater noise, and climate change. These impacts may have...
Lost in the Mediterranean, a young grey whale travelling in the Mediterranean
A young grey whale lost in the Mediterranean is looking for its way home. Wally entered the Mediterranean through the Gibraltar Strait probably in march, followed Moroccan coast before cutting across to Italian shores,...
Fifth Conference on Cetacean Conservation in South Mediterranean Countries (CSMC5).
The Fifth Conference on Cetacean Conservation in South Mediterranean Countries (CSMC5) welcomes experts in cetacean-related science and knowledge, particularly from the South Mediterranean region, aiming at exchanging experiences and information and at discussing best...
Strandings patterns and diets of striped dolphins in portuguese coasts (1981-2014).
This study investigates stranding patterns and diet of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the portuguese coasts, from years 1981-2014. The results shows that striped dolphins are mostly piscivorous. Main preys found in stomachs of...
A Spanish marine area is the first European area to be awarded as Whale Heritage Site.
Tenerife – La Gomera marine área has been awarded with a prestigious title as the first Whale Heritage Site in Europe. Currently there are only 3 more sites with this title: Dana Point, awarded...
Population decline of the monk seal from the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
This study evalues the situation of the monk seal (Monachus monachus) subpopulation from eastern Mediterranean Sea (Greece). This species is considered a flagship for marine conservation and today it is reduced to only 3...
Bottlenose dolphins and human interactions in the northen Adriatic Sea.
This study analyzed the spatial distribution of the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, in the coast of Veneto (northen Adriatic Sea). Also, it is evaluated the effect of fishing activities to dolphin´s ocurrences in this...
What are the major causes of mortality in the Western Mediterranean cetaceans?
Most species of Mediterranean cetaceans are in population decline, being classified from “Vulnerable” to “Critically Endangered” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This study lists the main causes of cetaceans...
