Rob Taylor, Reuters 31 Dec 08;
CANBERRA (Reuters) - One of the world's highest concentrations of dolphins and whales -- many of them protected species -- has been discovered off the coast of East Timor, local and Australian researchers said on Wednesday.
A "hot spot" of marine cetaceans migrating through deep channels off the Timor coast, including blue and beaked whales, short-finned pilot whales, melon headed whales and six dolphin species was uncovered in a study for the Timor government.
"We were all amazed to see such an abundance, diversity and density of cetaceans. Most of them are actually protected," principal scientist Karen Edyvane told Reuters.
"It's among the world's hot spots for cetaceans," she said.
The survey was done by East Timorese researchers and experts from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, working from a traditional 20-meter wooden Indonesian vessel.
Deep ocean channels of the Wetar and Ombai straits, which plummet more than 3,000 meters (9,800 ft), were a major migratory route for marine wildlife moving between the Pacific and Indian oceans, including large sharks and turtles, the study found.
The channels are also used by U.S. nuclear and Australian navy submarines traveling through the Indonesian islands.
The research highlighted the threat posed by unregulated fishing in the region as cash-strapped East Timor looks to develop its fishing industry while searching out potentially lucrative eco-tourism opportunities like whale-watching.
"We are committed to ensuring that this marine biodiversity is protected," said Celestino Barreto de Cunha, director of fisheries management for East Timor's government.
In just one day, more than 1,000 individuals and possibly as many as 2,000 whales in eight separate pods -- each one containing up to 400 mammals -- were spotted over a 50-kilometer (31-mile) stretch of coast, Edyvane said.
Concentrations were similar to those near Antarctica, where Japan's whaling fleet is currently carrying out its yearly five-month research hunt, chased by anti-whaling activists.
(Editing by Miral Fahmy)
Whale, dolphin hot spot near East Timor
The Age 31 Dec 08;
Thousands of dolphins and whales have been sighted in the deep waters off East Timor, with scientists hoping the migratory corridor will jump-start the tiny country's tourism sector.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) has conducted the country's first major boat-based survey of cetaceans in a joint project with the Timor-Leste government.
"The dolphins and small whales were literally jumping out of the water all around us, it was hard to know which animal to photograph," said Timorese researcher Jose Monteiro.
Working on board a traditional 20-metre wooden Indonesian vessel, the scientists were surprised to uncover a global hot spot of whale and dolphin activity.
They identified about 10 species of cetaceans, including blue whales, beaked whales, short-finned pilot whales, melon headed whales and six species of dolphins.
In one day alone, more than 1,000 individuals in eight separate pods were spotted over a 50-kilometre stretch of coast.
"This is among the highest level of cetacean abundance ever recorded," said principal scientist Karen Edyvane.
"We were all amazed to see such an abundance, diversity and density of cetaceans."
Prof Edyvane said the findings confirmed that the deep oceanic waters off East Timor - along the Wetar and Ombai straits - were a major migratory route for marine wildlife moving between the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Celestino Barreto de Cunha, director of fisheries management within East Timor's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, said the marine hot spot could hold the key to the developing nation's tourism industry.
"The government recognises the enormous potential for marine ecotourism along its coast and will proceed very carefully in the development of this industry," he said.
"We are committed to ensuring that this marine biodiversity is protected and we will continue to look to Australia to provide good scientific advice on developing a sustainable marine ecotourism industry."
AIMS project leader Dr Mark Meekan said ecotourism had become one of the world's fastest growing marine industries and could provide a much needed boost to East Timor's economy.
"There are absolutely huge numbers of cetaceans, that is whales and dolphins," he said.
"It is probably a global hot spot for biodiversity of these animals - it's really quite striking."
