MARINE MAMMALS IN THE WATERS OF EAST COAST JOHOR

SAIFULLAH A. JAAMAN, Ph.D Associate Professor

FACULTY OF MARITIME STUDIES & MARINE SCIENCE UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU

Tel: 09-6683225 HP: 019-9835147

Email: saifullahaj@umt.edu.my

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

MATERIALS & METHODMATERIALS & METHOD

RESULTSRESULTS

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION

CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONCONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTACKNOWLEDGEMENT

REFERENCESREFERENCES

OutlineOutline

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

In 1949In 1949--1950, C. A. Gibson1950, C. A. Gibson--Hill published “two Hill published “two

popular accounts of whales, porpoises and dolphins popular accounts of whales, porpoises and dolphins

recorded from Malayan and Sarawak waters…in the recorded from Malayan and Sarawak waters…in the

hope of arousing local interest in the group, and so hope of arousing local interest in the group, and so

leading to further records”. leading to further records”.

Little has been achieved Little has been achieved –– esp. on esp. on the status of marine the status of marine

mammals (MM) in mammals (MM) in nearshorenearshore waters of Pen. Malaysia.waters of Pen. Malaysia.

Interest on MM has grown high in recent years, Interest on MM has grown high in recent years,

difficulty in getting funding remains one of the major difficulty in getting funding remains one of the major

limitations to conduct limitations to conduct reseachreseach in Malaysia in Malaysia ((JaamanJaaman, 2010), 2010)..

UMTUMT--INOS INOS HICoEHICoE ProgramProgram –– is focusing on the is focusing on the

population ecology research of MM (MES) in the South population ecology research of MM (MES) in the South

China Sea China Sea –– Bay of Brunei & Pahang/Johor MPs.Bay of Brunei & Pahang/Johor MPs.

Pen. Malaysia harbours 17 of the total 27 MM species Pen. Malaysia harbours 17 of the total 27 MM species

confirmed in Malaysian waters confirmed in Malaysian waters ((Ponnampalam, 2012)..

Around Around TiomanTioman Island & East Coast Johor waters, 9 Island & East Coast Johor waters, 9

MM species have been recorded MM species have been recorded (Gibson-Hill, 1949; Mansor et al.,

2000; Nadarajah, 2000; Affendi et al., 2007; Jamal-Hisne & Ponnampalam, 2011)

1.1. Dugong (Dugong (Dugong Dugong dugondugon))

2.2. LongLong--beaked spinner dolphin (beaked spinner dolphin (StenellaStenella longirostrislongirostris))

3.3. LongLong--beaked common dolphin (beaked common dolphin (DelphinusDelphinus capensiscapensis))

4.4. IndoIndo--Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Pacific bottlenose dolphin (TursiopsTursiops aduncusaduncus))

5.5. IndoIndo--Pacific humpback dolphin (Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa Sousa chinensischinensis))

6.6. Irrawaddy dolphin (Irrawaddy dolphin (OrcaellaOrcaella brevirostrisbrevirostris))

7.7. False killer whale (False killer whale (PseudorcaPseudorca crassidenscrassidens))

8.8. Pygmy killer whale (Pygmy killer whale (FeresaFeresa attenuataattenuata))

9.9. BalaenopteraBalaenoptera sp. (sp. (Omura’sOmura’s whale? whale? Bryde’sBryde’s whale?)whale?)

UKM & DMPM East Coast Johor Scientific Expedition UKM & DMPM East Coast Johor Scientific Expedition

(ECJSE) 2012. (ECJSE) 2012.

Focused on the status of coral reef and water quality.Focused on the status of coral reef and water quality.

Also, an opportunity to collect data on the diversity and Also, an opportunity to collect data on the diversity and

distribution of MM in the area distribution of MM in the area –– UMT was invited, thanksUMT was invited, thanks

Though opportunistic in nature, the survey was important for Though opportunistic in nature, the survey was important for

adding on to the knowledge base of MM in Pen. Malaysia, adding on to the knowledge base of MM in Pen. Malaysia,

which at present remains relatively small.which at present remains relatively small.

The paucity of information makes it impossible to advocate The paucity of information makes it impossible to advocate

conservation measures and may also lead to MM being left conservation measures and may also lead to MM being left

out of consideration during ERA and EIA in areas targeted out of consideration during ERA and EIA in areas targeted

for development or human activity.for development or human activity.

TiomanTioman Island & East Coast Johor waters Island & East Coast Johor waters –– possibly a possibly a

MM “hotMM “hot--spot” with high species diversity??spot” with high species diversity??

MATERIALS AND MATERIALS AND

METHODMETHOD

East Coast Johor Scientific Expedition (ECJSE) East Coast Johor Scientific Expedition (ECJSE)

2121--30 May 2012, onboard MV BLACK PEARL.30 May 2012, onboard MV BLACK PEARL.

CCoral reef and water quality survey.oral reef and water quality survey.

Marine mammal searches were conducted:Marine mammal searches were conducted:

Most upper openMost upper open--deck, ≈ 3m height, deck, ≈ 3m height, 360360oo view.view.

Daylight observation (naked eyes + FUJINON 7 x Daylight observation (naked eyes + FUJINON 7 x

50 50 magmag binocular) and sea states Beaufort 0binocular) and sea states Beaufort 0--3.3.

Within 3 hrs after sunrise/before sunset.Within 3 hrs after sunrise/before sunset.

Vessel sailing (max 18km/h), stopping & anchored.Vessel sailing (max 18km/h), stopping & anchored.

Position/Position/tracklinetrackline -- GARMIN 60CSX.GARMIN 60CSX.

UMT Cetacean Sighting Form.UMT Cetacean Sighting Form.

RESULTSRESULTS

Survey EffortSurvey Effort::

9 survey days9 survey days (Beaufort < 3).(Beaufort < 3).

Average distance per day = 32.0km (12.2 Average distance per day = 32.0km (12.2 –– 68.3km).68.3km).

Average time per day = 6.6hrs (4.6 Average time per day = 6.6hrs (4.6 –– 8.6hrs).8.6hrs).

Average effort per day = 224.1km.hrs (56.1 Average effort per day = 224.1km.hrs (56.1 ––

587.4km.hrs).587.4km.hrs).

Num. of sightings = 2, average 0.2 sighting per day.Num. of sightings = 2, average 0.2 sighting per day.

Sighting rate = 0.1 per 100km.hrs.Sighting rate = 0.1 per 100km.hrs.

Num. of species = 1 Num. of species = 1 –– longlong--beaked common beaked common

dolphins (dolphins (DelphinusDelphinus capensiscapensis).).

Date Distance surveyed

(km)

Time surveyed

(hrs)

Survey effort (km.hrs)

Num. of sighting

Sighting rate (per 100 km.hrs)

21/5/2012 21.5 7.4 159.1 1 0.63

22/5/2012 32.1 5.5 176.6 0 0.00

23/5/2012 23.4 6.7 156.8 0 0.00

24/5/2012 40.2 6.6 265.3 0 0.00

25/5/2012 23.7 5.6 132.7 0 0.00

25/5/2012 37.5 7.3 273.8 0 0.00

28/5/2012 12.2 4.6 56.1 1 1.78

29/5/2012 29.5 7.1 209.5 0 0.00

30/5/2012 68.3 8.6 587.4 0 0.00

TOTAL 288.4 59.4 2017.2 2 0.10

min 12.2 4.6 56.1 0.0

avg 32.0 6.6 224.1 0.2

max 68.3 8.6 587.4 1.0

LongLong--beaked common dolphins beaked common dolphins

((DelphinusDelphinus capensiscapensis))

Slender body, narrow long beak and an hourglass Slender body, narrow long beak and an hourglass

pattern on the side pattern on the side –– D. c. D. c. tropicalistropicalis

Sighting 1Sighting 1: 08:30am 21 May 2012 (Monday): 08:30am 21 May 2012 (Monday)

Location N2Location N2oo 27.693’ E10427.693’ E104oo 29.302’ (29.302’ (PulauPulau AurAur –– Lang).Lang).

Observed using nakedObserved using naked--eyes < 5 minutes.eyes < 5 minutes.

Distance < 50m, 2 adults swimming fast in variable direction.Distance < 50m, 2 adults swimming fast in variable direction.

Sighting 2Sighting 2: 09:15am 28 May 2012 (Monday): 09:15am 28 May 2012 (Monday)

Location N2Location N2oo 19.039’ E10419.039’ E104oo 06.915’ (06.915’ (PulauPulau TinggiTinggi –– TgTg. . GuaGua

HujanHujan).).

Observed using binocular < 5 minutes.Observed using binocular < 5 minutes.

1.51.5--2km to NE, 6 adults swimming fast in N direction.2km to NE, 6 adults swimming fast in N direction.

Map of Study Area, with Map of Study Area, with

tracklinestracklines and dolphin sightingsand dolphin sightings

Long-beaked common dolphin, D. capensis

Short-beaked common dolphin, D. delphins

Long-beaked common dolphin, D. capensis

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION

LOW num. of sighting & rate (LOW num. of sighting & rate (ECJSE 2012):ECJSE 2012):

Highly likely caused by the survey design. Highly likely caused by the survey design. Dedicated Dedicated

prepre--determined transect lines survey covering the determined transect lines survey covering the

whole area may yield a higher sighting rate?whole area may yield a higher sighting rate?

Also may be due to the environmental conditions Also may be due to the environmental conditions

(weather?)(weather?) and ecological factorsand ecological factors (prey/fish season?)(prey/fish season?)..

Sighting rate 0.1 per 100km.hrs ≈ cetacean survey in Sighting rate 0.1 per 100km.hrs ≈ cetacean survey in

TiomanTioman (Jamal(Jamal--HisneHisne & & PonnampalamPonnampalam, 2011), 2011)..

Relatively lower than cetacean surveys in the SCS of Relatively lower than cetacean surveys in the SCS of

Sabah & Sarawak Sabah & Sarawak ((JaamanJaaman et al., 2008; Bali et al., 2010; et al., 2008; Bali et al., 2010; JaamanJaaman, ,

2010).2010).

LOW species diversity (LOW species diversity (ECJSE 2012):ECJSE 2012):

Known MM Known MM sppspp in East Coast Johor waters:in East Coast Johor waters:

Species Tioman Sibu Tinggi Pemanggil Endau-Mersing

mainland

Sources

Dugong dugon 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2 B, C, D

Stenella longirostris 1 C

Delphinus capensis 1 1 A, E

Tursiops aduncus 1, 2 E

Pseudorca crassidens

2 E

Feresa attenuata 2 E

Sousa chinensis 2 E

Orcaella brevirostris 2 C

Balaenoptera sp. 1 E

1 – sighting, 2- stranding / skeletal remain, 3 – by-catch in fisheries

A (Gibson-Hill, 1949), B (Mansor et al., 2000), C (Nadarajah, 2000), D (Affendi et al., 2007),

E (Jamal-Hisne & Ponnampalam, 2011).

LOW species diversity (LOW species diversity (ECJSE 2012):ECJSE 2012):

In In TiomanTioman, 92% of 43 tour boat operators, , 92% of 43 tour boat operators,

fishermen, and dive operators interviewed in 2010fishermen, and dive operators interviewed in 2010 ––

dolphins are quite common & have seen dolphins dolphins are quite common & have seen dolphins

while they are out at sea while they are out at sea ((JamalJamal--HisneHisne & & PonnampalamPonnampalam, 2011)., 2011).

Recently, a group of actively swimming melonRecently, a group of actively swimming melon--

headed whales were recorded near headed whales were recorded near TiomanTioman –– the 1the 1stst. .

record in the area (Dr Lee Jennie, pers. comm.).record in the area (Dr Lee Jennie, pers. comm.).

Dedicated MM surveys conducted during fishing Dedicated MM surveys conducted during fishing

seasonseason –– may give a high MM sighting rate & may may give a high MM sighting rate & may

prove that the areaprove that the area is a MM “hotis a MM “hot--spot” with high spot” with high

species diversity?species diversity?

CONCLUSION & CONCLUSION &

RECOMMENDATIONRECOMMENDATION

Only longOnly long--beaked common dolphins were observed near beaked common dolphins were observed near

PulauPulau AurAur and and PulauPulau TinggiTinggi..

Num. of sightings, sighting rate & cetacean diversity are low Num. of sightings, sighting rate & cetacean diversity are low

–– hhighlyighly likely caused by the survey design and may not likely caused by the survey design and may not

represent the actual status.represent the actual status.

Dedicated and periodically boat and aerial surveys for Dedicated and periodically boat and aerial surveys for

marine mammals are needed marine mammals are needed in the East Coast Johor watersin the East Coast Johor waters

to determine species diversity.to determine species diversity.

to understand the seasonality, habitat use, and social to understand the seasonality, habitat use, and social

interactions of the marine mammal populations.interactions of the marine mammal populations.

Findings useful for marine park and fisheries authorities: Findings useful for marine park and fisheries authorities:

to plan conservation management strategies.to plan conservation management strategies.

to promote marine mammalto promote marine mammal conservation through ecoconservation through eco--

tourism activities.tourism activities.

Department of Marine Park Malaysia,

Ministry of Natural Resources &

Environment (grant).

School of Environmental & Natural

Resource Sciences, UKM.

Faculty of Maritime Studies & Marine

Science, UMT.

Master & crews of MV BLACK PEARL.

Spinner dolphins in Sarawak

AcknowledgementAcknowledgement

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