Letter to President Nieto Regarding the Vaquita

18 December, 2012

Sr. Enrique Peña Nieto
Presidente Constitucional de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Presidencia de la República,
Residencia Oficial de los Pinos
Co. San Miguel Chapultepec 11850
México, D.F.
México

Dear Mr. President,

The Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM), the European Cetacean Society (ECS) and the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) would like to congratulate you on being elected President of Mexico in the past elections. We also wish to express to you our grave concern regarding the plight of the vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus). Together, these three societies have 7,190 members (SMM = 1,920; ECS = 476; SCB = 4,794). These scientists are from many countries and are dedicated to the study, understanding, and conservation of living resources and their ecosystems.

The past Government’s Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT) took critical steps to prevent the immediate extinction of Mexico’s vaquita porpoise through an integrated recovery program. This impressive effort reduced the number of artisanal boats in the Biosphere Reserve of the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta by almost one third. However, these efforts have only slowed the vaquita’s decline toward extinction. The incessant use of gillnets in the vaquita’s distribution area not only continues to prevent recovery, but also results in an ongoing slow decline. Recent scientific studies have re-affirmed that the only strategy that will ensure the vaquita’s survival is to remove all gillnets from its range.

Successful testing of small trawls, developed by Mexico’s National Institute of Fisheries (INAPESCA), to replace the vaquita-lethal gillnets for blue shrimp provides a long-awaited alternative that would allow local fishermen to continue pursuing their primary source of income while saving the lives of many vaquitas. With only about 200 vaquitas left, we concur with the 2012 recommendations made by the vaquita international recovery team (CIRVA) and hope your new Government will require that this alternative fishing gear be used instead of shrimp gillnets throughout the range of the vaquita and assist the fishermen in making this transition. We also encourage efforts to develop alternative gear for catching finfish.

Successful efforts by your Government to save this species would be hailed as a major conservation success, and establish Mexico as a world leader in providing solutions that allow porpoises and artisanal fishing to co-exist.

Very respectfully,
Helene Marsh, Ph.D, FTSE

President, Society for Marine Mammalogy

Thierry Jauniaux, Ph.D.
Chairman, European Cetacean Society Council

Paul Beier, Ph.D.
President, Society for Conservation Biology

Mariana Vale, Ph.D.
President, SCB Marine Section
President, SCB Latin America Section
Chris Parsons, Ph.D.

Cc
Sr. Ing. Juan José Guerra Abud
Secretario de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Blvd. Adolfo Ruiz Cortines # 4209
Jardines de la Montaña, Tlalpan,
México, D.F. 14210
México

Lic. Enrique Martinez y Martinez
Secretario de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación
Av. Insurgentes Sur 478
México, D.F. 06760
México

Senadora Ninfa Salinas Sada
Presidente de la Comisión de Medio Ambiente, Recursos Naturales y Pesca Senado de la República
Centro Histórico Ciudad de México,
México, D.F. 06010
México

Diputada Jacqueline Argüelles Guzmán
Presidente de la Comisión de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Palacio Legislativo de San Lázaro E. “F”, 3° P,
Av. Congreso de la Unión #66, Col. El Parque,
México D.F., 15969

This letter was also sent in Spanish, shown below:

18 de diciembre del 2012

Sr. Enrique Peña Nieto

Presidente Constitucional de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Presidencia de la República,
Residencia Oficial de los Pinos
Co. San Miguel Chapultepec 11850
México, D.F.
México

Excelentísimo Sr. Presidente,

La Sociedad de Mastozoología Marina (Society for Marine Mammalogy, SMM), la Sociedad Europea de Cetáceos (European Cetacean Society, ECS) y la Sociedad para la Biología de la Conservación (Society for Conservation Biology, SCB) quisieran felicitarlo por haber sido elegido Presidente de México en las pasadas elecciones. También deseamos expresar a usted nuestra más profunda preocupación por la difícil situación en la que se encuentra la vaquita (Phocoena sinus). Estas tres Sociedades, en conjunto, tienen 7,190 miembros (SMM = 1,920; ECS = 476; SCB = 4,794). Los científicos miembros de estas tres sociedades provienen de muchos países y se dedican al estudio, comprensión y conservación de los recursos vivos y sus ecosistemas.

El gobierno anterior, a través de la Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT), dio pasos importantes para evitar la extinción inmediata de esta especie Mexicana a través de un programa de recuperación integrado. Este esfuerzo impresionante, redujo el número de embarcaciones artesanales en la Reserva de la Biosfera del Alto Golfo de California y Delta del Río Colorado en casi un tercio. Sin embargo, estos esfuerzos sólo han desacelerado la velocidad a la que la vaquita se acerca a la extinción. El uso incesante de redes de enmalle en el área de distribución de esta especie impide su recuperación y están dando lugar a un lento pero continuo declive en el tamaño de su población. Estudios científicos recientes han reafirmado que la única estrategia que asegure la supervivencia de la vaquita es eliminando enteramente las redes de enmalle en todo su rango de distribución.

Se han probado con éxito redes de arrastre pequeñas para la pesca de camarón azul, desarrolladas por el Instituto Nacional de la Pesca en México (INAPESCA), para remplazar las redes de enmalle que son letales para la vaquita. Estas nuevas redes ofrecen una alternativa largamente esperada que permitirá a los pescadores locales continuar con su principal fuente de ingresos, mientras que salvan la vida de muchas vaquitas. Con tan sólo alrededor de 200 vaquitas que quedan, estamos de acuerdo con las recomendaciones del 2012 del equipo internacional de para la recuperación de la vaquita (CIRVA), y esperamos que su nuevo Gobierno haga que esta arte de pesca alternativa sea utilizada en lugar de las redes de enmalle de camarón en todo el rango de distribución de la vaquita y que ayude a los pescadores en llevar a cabo esta transición. También, animamos a su Gobierno para que se lleven a cabo los esfuerzos necesarios que permitan desarrollar artes de pesca alternativas para la captura de escama (peces).

Los esfuerzos exitosos por su Gobierno para salvar a esta especie serían aclamados como un gran éxito de la conservación, y establecería a México como un líder mundial en el suministro de soluciones que permitan coexistir a estas marsopas con la pesca artesanal.

Con nuestras más altas consideraciones,

Helene Marsh, Ph.D, FTSE Thierry Jauniaux, Ph.D.
President, Society for Marine Mammalogy Chairman, European Cetacean Society Council

Paul Beier, Ph.D. Mariana Vale, Ph.D.
President, Society for Conservation Biology President, SCB Latin America Section

Chris Parsons, Ph.D.
President, SCB Marine Section

Sr. Ing. Juan José Guerra Abud
Secretario de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Blvd. Adolfo Ruiz Cortines # 4209
Jardines de la Montaña, Tlalpan,
México, D.F. 14210
México

Lic. Enrique Martinez y Martinez
Secretario de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación
Av. Insurgentes Sur 478
México, D.F. 06760
México

Senadora Ninfa Salinas Sada
Presidente de la Comisión de Medio Ambiente, Recursos Naturales y Pesca Senado de la República
Centro Histórico Ciudad de México,
México, D.F. 06010
México

Letter to Myanmar Officials Regarding Irrawaddy Dolphins

Mr Thein Sein
President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
President Office
Office 18
Nay Pyi daw,
Myanmar

Mr. U Ohn Myint,
Minister of Livestock and Fisheries

Mr. U Khin Maung Aye,
Deputy Minister of Livestock and Fisheries

Mr U Khin Ko Lay,
Director General of Livestock and Fisheries

Minister Office
Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries
Office No (36), Naypyitaw
Myanmar

Dear Sirs,

The Society for Marine Mammalogy is the largest professional group in the world dedicated to the study of marine mammals and consists of approximately 2,000 scientists from 60 countries. Its goal is to facilitate the understanding and conservation of marine mammals and their ecosystems.

I write to you as President of the Society concerning an article in the Myanmar Times (Battery fishing rise threatens unique dolphin cooperation, 6-12 August 2012; http://www.mmtimes.com/2012/news/638/news63821.html).

This article describes a rapid increase in the use of electricity for catching fish in the Ayeyarwady River, which is seen as a threat to a Critically Endangered population of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) (http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/44556/0) and to the unique cooperative fishing by dolphins and local cast-net fishermen. Marine mammal scientists are particularly concerned about adding new threats because of most river dolphins and porpoises in Asia are already Critically Endangered and because of the recent extinction of the baiji (Yangtze River Dolphin).

I commend the Government of Myanmar for taking important actions to protect Irrawaddy dolphins and the human-dolphin cooperative fishery. As you are aware, in December 2005 the Department of Fisheries established a protected area for these dolphins in a 74-km segment of the Ayeyarwady River between Mingun and Kyaukmyaung. I note the conservation progress made in this Ayeyarwady Dolphin Protected Area with the adoption of a management plan and implementation of systematic patrols for educational outreach and enforcement together with the Wildlife Conservation Society. I understand that this sanctuary’s establishment also included a prohibition on the use of electricity to catch fish. The apparent increase in electric fishing suggests that activities to deal with this potential new threat likely need strengthening.

Society members have formed an ad hoc Mekong Dolphin Working Group to provide technical advice and support to the Cambodian Government and World Wildlife Fund – Cambodia, which are addressing conservation challenges similar to those you face with the same species of dolphins. This group includes experts from the United Kingdom, United States, China, Japan, Spain, and Canada. On behalf of the Society, I offer our technical assistance for conserving Myanmar’s critically endangered dolphin population in the Ayeyarwady River. These experts could, for example, suggest methods to monitor dolphin numbers and thereby evaluate the efficacy of efforts to reduce threats like electric fishing. If you agree, the Society could establish a working group to advise your government on the Ayeyarwady River dolphin population. I would be happy to put you in touch with the relevant individuals and to facilitate such a development if you would like.

I appreciate your support for Irrawaddy dolphin conservation and your understanding about the urgency to strengthen conservation actions to protect the dolphins in the Ayeyarwady. The Society of Marine Mammalogy is very willing to respond to an invitation to provide technical assistance if you consider this appropriate.

Yours sincerely,
Helene Marsh PhD, FTSE

President Society of Marine Mammalogy

Professor of Environmental Science
Dean of Graduate Research Studies
James Cook University
Townsville, 4811
Australia

helene.marsh@jcu.edu.au
phone: +61747815575

Letter to Japanese Government Regarding Dolphin and Small Whale Hunts

Prime Minister of Japan
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda
1-6-1 Nagata-cho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
100-8968 JAPAN

Director General of Fisheries Agency
Masanori Sato
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
1-2-1 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
100-8950 JAPAN

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Michihiko Kano
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
1-2-1 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
100-8950 JAPAN

Embassy of Japan
Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki
2520 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington D.C. 20008-2869

23 May 2012

Dear Sirs:

The Board of Governors of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, a professional society consisting of more than 1,800 scientists from 60 countries dedicated to the study, understanding, and conservation of marine mammals and their ecosystems, has recently reviewed information on the dolphin and small whale hunts in Japan. On behalf of the Board and Society, I would like to convey our serious concern regarding the sustainability of those hunts and to request clarification on a number of points.

Sustainability of catches in Wakayama Prefecture
According to information available to us, there is reason for concern about the pattern of catches of dolphins and small whales in Wakayama Prefecture since the late 1960’s. Catches of the two preferred species, striped dolphins and short-finned pilot whales, reached a peak in the early 1980’s, with nearly 13,000 striped dolphins and more than 800 pilot whales taken in the highest years. Since then, the catches of those species have declined despite the fact that there is still a strong local demand for cetacean meat. Catches of less desirable species, especially bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins, have increased.
Sustainability of catches along Izu Peninsula
In a similar situation, very large catches of striped dolphins, more than 10,000 animals in some years, were made by villages along the Izu Peninsula after World War II. The annual catch of this species on the peninsula has declined to fewer than 100, despite the fact that there is still a strong local demand for cetacean meat. Consumers on the Izu Peninsula now import Dall’s porpoise meat from northern Japan.

We are aware that catch limits have been imposed on fisheries for dolphins and small whales in Japan and realize this could account for some of the recent declines in catch levels. However, at least some of the major reductions in catch levels of preferred species, notably striped dolphins in Wakayama Prefecture and on the Izu Peninsula, occurred well before quotas had been introduced, suggesting that the hunting pressure was unsustainable. Even if current catch levels were considered sustainable based on rigorous, up-to-date population assessments (which we understand they are not), this would not necessarily allow for population recovery. Nor would it give due consideration to other factors that potentially affect the stocks, such as mortality in fishing gear and pollution impacts, or to behavioral features of these highly social animals that are difficult to measure and incorporate into management.

Request for clarification of the analytical methods used to determine safe limits on dolphin and small whale catches in Japan
The Society for Marine Mammalogy emphasizes the importance of rigorous, objective science to support and inform the management of all human activities affecting living natural resources. The Society recognizes, however, that in many cases the available science is not adequate to provide a sound basis for deliberate exploitation of wild populations. It is in the spirit of those core principles that I request clarification of the analytical methods Japanese authorities have used to determine safe limits on dolphin and small whale catches. An example of the detail we would like is the analysis by Okamura et al. (2008)¹ that specifies abundance and growth rates together with human-caused mortality to assess sustainability. Although I have not polled the Society’s membership, I am confident that the vast majority of members would wish to see Japan take a precautionary approach to management of cetacean fisheries in order to prevent further population declines.

All countries, including mine and those of other Society members, need to rethink our earlier ideas about the resilience of wild populations of marine mammals in the light of rapid, ongoing, and profound changes in the global environment. This important task is a focus of much of our Society’s work, and is the reason we are trying to better understand Japan’s program for managing small cetacean hunting to ensure sustainability.

I hope you will consider these requests and expressions of concern and I look forward to a reply at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Randall Wells

Randall S. Wells, PhD
President

¹Okamura, H, T. Iwasaki and T. Miyashita. 2008. Toward sustainable management of small cetacean fisheries around Japan. Fisheries Science 74: 718-729

Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River of Cambodia

H. E Nao Thuok
Director General of Fisheries Administration
#186, Preah Norodom Blvd
Sangkat Tonle Bassac
Khan Chamcar Morn
P.O. Box 582 Phnom Penh
Cambodia

H. E Touch Seang Tana
Chairman of Commission for Conservation and Development of Mekong River
Dolphin Eco-tourism Zone
Office at the Council of Ministers
41 Russian Federation Boulevard, Sangkat Monorom, Khan 7 Makara,
Phnom Penh 12252
Cambodia

Dear Excellencies:

On behalf of the 1,963 scientist and student members of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, I would like to congratulate you on your approval of the “Kratie Declaration on the Conservation of the Mekong River Irrawaddy Dolphins,” signed on 12 January 2012, and your commitment to work together with the World Wide Fund for Nature to conserve Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River of Cambodia. As was clearly evident during my participation in the Mekong Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Workshop held in Kratie on 10-12 January 2012, this small, Critically Endangered (IUCN Red-List) subpopulation is an important part of Cambodia’s natural heritage, and it faces serious challenges to its continued survival.

In recognition of the urgent need for coordinated and sustained efforts to prevent the extinction of this subpopulation, the members of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, the largest association of marine/aquatic mammal scientists in the world, support you in recognizing and endorsing the findings and recommendations of the Workshop.

Randall Wells

Randall Wells, PhD
President