CCRP Madagascar

The waters surrounding Madagascar are a primary breeding area for humpback whales in the western Indian Ocean.  Historical whaling records from the 19th and 20th centuries have indicated that Antongil Bay, located on the northeastern coast of Madagascar, is a particularly important migratory destination.  However, the status and recovery of this population from long periods of hunting has remained largely unknown.  In 1996, the Cetacean Conservation and Research Program (CCRP), a joint program of WCS and the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), conducted the first scientific expedition to this region.  Since then, the CCRP has conducted conservation and research activities on humpback  whales, focusing effort in Antongil Bay, but also extending to other areas of coastal Madagascar.  In addition, the status of Madagascar's small cetacean populations has been of growing concern for conservation.

The Human Aspect
Antongil Bay is clearly a critical calving and breeding ground for endangered humpback whales.  The CCRP is actively working to ensure that anthropogenic impacts to this species and essential habitat are minimized.  This has included the development of the first laws to protect humpback whales in Madagascar's waters and developing community-based ecotourism (whale-watching) within a conservation-oriented framework.

Threats
Cetacean populations around Madagascar are faced with both direct and indirect threats from human activities.  Targeted takes of small cetaceans and entanglement in fishing gear threaten dolphin populations such as endangered humpback dolphins.  Over-fishing drastically reduces food resources available to small cetaceans, further impacting these populations.  Habitat degradation, such as runoff from erosion, is a potential threat to all cetaceans.  The possibility of a renewed interest in hunting large whale species exists, and the CCRP works at regional and international levels to ensure that Madagascar's cetacean populations continue to be afforded the maximum protection.

WCS Activities
The CCRP focuses on three main activities: conservation research on whale and dolphin populations, capacity-building for Malagasy students and scientists, and the development and promotion of safe, regulated, and educational whale-watching in Madagascar.

Conservation Research -- The CCRP utilizes an integrated approach to study endangered and recovering humpback whales of Antongil Bay.  Primary research objectives include the assessment of population abundance and movements of individual whales, study of habitat-use during the breeding season, genetic studies to explore population structure and social organization within Madagascar's waters and throughout the Indian Ocean and the Southern Hemisphere, and acoustic studies of song and singer distribution.  Dolphin research focuses on evaluating distribution patterns of different species, assessments of population status and structure, and determining the extent to which hunting and fisheries pressures threaten these populations.

Training -- The CCRP assists Malagasy students and researchers in the development of educational opportunities related to marine mammal conservation.  Malagasy students have since become more involved in designing cetacean conservation projects that influence evironmental protection decision-making processes.

Promotion of conservation-oriented whale-watching -- Working with the local participating communities to implement whale-watching activities has been a major focus of the CCRP.  Workshops, pratical training and theoretical courses are provided to the local guides and operators for implementing a safe and responsible whale-watching program in the area.  The development of responsible tourism can help ensure protection of vulnerable species, provide important economic benefits, and enhance educational, environmental, and cultural programs for local communities.

Important Next Steps

• Integration of activities on humpback whales and other marine mammals of Antongil Bay into design of an Integrated Coastal Zon Management Plan
• Development of research and conservation projects on small cetaceans and large whales in the southwestern region with other partners
• Support and encourage environmentally sound whale-watching
• Design and implementation of cetacean conservation education programs
• Continued marine conservation training for students and scientists
• Development of effective interpretive materials for marine mammal conservation
• Formulation of a national strategy for conservation of Madagascar's marine mammals and their critical habitats
• Influence and guide regional (western Indian Ocean) and international marine mammal conservation initiatives