PICRC partners with Whaleology to record whales and dolphins around Palau

The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) has just concluded a collaboration with Whaleology, a consultancy organization that specializes in the research and protection of whales in the Pacific. Over three weeks in May, Whaleology worked with the researchers at PICRC to provide training on cetacean research techniques and to carry out surveys in Palau’s nearshore and offshore environments to put these methods into practice. 

Whales and dolphins are cetaceans, a widely-distributed and diverse group of marine mammals. As large, long-lived, and migratory animals, they are highly sensitive to the changes of their surroundings. By monitoring their populations, behaviors, and movements, scientists can gather crucial data on the areas and habitats where they feed and breed. This information helps identify potential threats and enables environmental managers to take necessary conservation measures to protect not only the whales but the entire marine ecosystem.

Olive Andrews, Director of Whaleology, was invited by the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) Office to deliver a program for research capacity building at PICRC. Andrews was joined by Ben Parangi, Whaleology’s Director of Education, and Dr. Carlos Olavarria, the Director of CEAZA in Chile and an expert in whale DNA analysis. Their goal was to build capacity with local researchers to further investigate the abundance, diversity, and distribution of whales and dolphins present in the waters of Palau, determine the cultural identity of cetaceans in Palau from acoustic recordings of their dialects, and determine the areas of critical habitat used for feeding and breeding activities to inform cetacean management.  

During a two-day workshop, PICRC researchers learned about the different species of whales, how to identify them, and how to use the equipment necessary for the research. With access to specialized technology such as waterproof microphones (hydrophones), scientists are able to determine the different species of whales and some of their behaviors through the sounds they make. The identification can be complemented by other identifying features such as the shape and positioning of fins on the body.  

PICRC researcher, Greta Sartori, highlighted the importance of the training and awareness that the workshop gave her. “After completing this training, I realized that I’d seen and photographed a very rare whale species, the Longman’s beaked whale, in the PNMS two years ago. We didn’t know that this species existed in Palau and now we have identifiable photographs. And they had a calf with them,” she stated. “Before the workshop, there were 15 different species of whales confirmed in Palau’s waters, and seven more were likely in the area. During the two weeks of surveys, we were able to confirm two different species out of those seven and identify a new one!”

During the surveys aboard PSS Kedam, which were underpinned by a partnership with the Division of Maritime Security and Fish & Wildlife Protection and the Ministry of Justice, the researchers confirmed the presence of dwarf sperm whales—the only marine mammal that, like squid, uses an ink sac as a defense mechanism. Furthermore, the team identified Sei whales in Palau—the 4th largest cetacean. Ten miles outside of Ulong Channel, the researchers came across a feeding frenzy, which consisted of four Bryde’s whales, a school of sharks and many different species of birds feeding on bait fish. PSS Kedam’s Executive Officer, Jim Kloulechad, stated that in 20 years on the water, he’d never seen so many animals at the same time, which, to him, suggests that the PNMS is working. The group also observed a small pod of three orcas, or killer whales, which, Andrews later stated, based on their calls and features, could be related to the killer whales found off the coast of Alaska and Canada. 

As well as telling us more about Palau’s ocean inhabitants, the research could go on to inform future whale watching endeavors in Palau, and best-practices to follow when observing them to protect the safety of these animals. 

Following the research and capacity building program, a cetacean management workshop was hosted at MAFE bringing together government and non-government stakeholders to review what is known of cetaceans in Palau and provide recommendations on issues such as cetacean strandings protocols, cetacean tourism best practices, and progressing an internationally Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) for cetaceans in Palau. 

“The project exceeded our expectations in terms of cetacean data collection and the amount of interest from the public,” said Andrews. “It has been a privilege to work so closely with our Palauan colleagues. This has been a 360-degree learning process and we were delighted with the feedback. We hope that this exciting work together may inform the management of cetaceans in the PNMS.”

Cover image of killer whales taken by Olive Andrews.