Conservation Ecology of Cetaceans within the Namibian Islands Marine Protected Area

6 Feb 2012 Namibian Islands Marine Protected Area, Namibia, Africa Mammals | Marine

Simon Elwen


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29 Apr 2008

Ecology and Conservation of Coastal Dolphins in Namibia

The aim of the project is to investigate the abundance and population dynamics of the endemic Heaviside’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) and dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) within the Namibian Islands Marine Protected Area.

© The Namibian Dolphin Project

© The Namibian Dolphin Project

The lack of information on the cetacean community occurring in Namibian waters is preventing adequate planning and mitigation of human activities which may impact vulnerable populations. Impacts include increased coastal development, ecosystem change due to over fishing, prospecting and mining for diamonds, oil, gas and phosphate. To address this, the Namibian Dolphin Project (NDP) will extend its research and conservation focus to Lüderitz to investigate the abundance and population dynamics of the endemic Heaviside’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) and dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) within the Namibian Islands Marine Protected Area (NIMPA) and assess the effectiveness of this area for protecting cetacean populations.

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