other main port adjacent to known habitat hotspots. There are further ports that require attention in the region. # of ship strikes Unknown No confirmed reports of ship strikes of ASHW available, though there are records of Bryde’s and Blue Whales being struck by ships in the region, including Oman and Sri Lanka. # of bycaught Poor Direct observations of whales entanglement, strandings and scarring indicate unsustainable bycatch. Habitat Ability to access Fair Current movement of connectivity critical habitats whales appears largely unhindered, but continued access to critical habitat may be under pressure due to the amount of vessel traffic and fishing activity that is increasing. The EWS-WWF assessment report also describes in detail the research methods that can be used to measure the status of these KEAs, and defines and quantifies the current and future desired indicator ratings (Table 2). Summary of indicator ratings for Arabian Sea humpback whale KEAs () Table 2. Date Indicator Rating of Current KEA Indicator Very Rating Poor Fair Good Rating Good Rating Population # of whales in Fair Good May <60 60-150 >150 >250 size study area 2017 # of whale Fair Good May >10 encounters per 1-4 5-10 2017 < 1 whale whales day during whales whales p/d (ave) p/d dedicated p/d (ave) p/d (ave) (ave) surveys # of dead Deaths > Deaths = Deaths < Poor Good May whales per year estimated estimated estimated 2017 0
other main port adjacent to known habitat hotspots. There are further ports that require attention in the region. # of ship strikes Unknown No confirmed reports of ship strikes of ASHW available, though there are records of Bryde’s and Blue Whales being struck by ships in the region, including Oman and Sri Lanka. # of bycaught whales Poor Direct observations of entanglement, strandings and scarring indicate unsustainable bycatch. Habitat connectivity Ability to access critical habitats Fair Current movement of whales appears largely unhindered, but continued access to critical habitat may be under pressure due to the amount of vessel traffic and fishing activity that is increasing. The EWS-WWF assessment report also describes in detail the research methods that can be used to measure the status of these KEAs, and defines and quantifies the current and future desired indicator ratings (Table 2). Table 2. Summary of indicator ratings for Arabian Sea humpback whale KEAs () KEA Indicator Indicator Rating Current Rating Rating Date of Rating Poor Fair Good Very Good Population size # of whales in study area <60 60-150 >150 >250 Fair Good May 2017 # of whale encounters per day during dedicated surveys < 1 whale p/d (ave) 1-4 whales p/d (ave) 5-10 whales p/d (ave) >10 whales p/d (ave) Fair Good May 2017 # of dead whales per year Deaths > estimated Deaths = estimated Deaths < estimated 0 Poor Good May 2017
cms_cop12_doc.26.2.4_concerted-action-arabian-sea-humpback-whales_e.docx