Title
Cetacean diversity, common occurrence and community importance in Fijian waters
Author(s)
Miller C, Batibasaga A, Chand P, Dulunaqio S, Fox M, Jupiter SD, Naisilisili W, Nand Y, Sharma-Gounder S, Smith B (2016) Cetacean diversity, common occurrence and community importance in Fijian waters. Pacific Conservation Biology.
Abstract
Fiji has demonstrated a strong commitment to cetacean conservation via national, regional and international
plans and agreements. To provide baseline information in support of these efforts, this paper provides an updated listing of
cetacean species found in Fijian waters and identifies locations where cetaceans have been noted on a consistent basis.
Information for this review was sourced from peer-reviewed publications, field reports, historical whaling records,
national consultations, anecdotal and opportunistic sources, as well as a national database held by the Fiji Government’s
Department of Fisheries. Reliable and recent records were confirmed for 10 cetacean species in Fijian waters. In addition,
less reliable records and regionalspecies’ information providessupport for the occurrence of at least 14 additional species
or groups of similar-looking species that could not be identified more specifically. Thirteen hotspot areas within the Fiji
Economic Exclusive Zone were preliminarily identified as being particularly important for cetaceans, including numerous
sites within the Vatu-i-Ra and Lomaiviti passages and surrounding waters. Issues with the available data include uneven
coverage, inherent biases within available sources, and difficulties with species identification and verification in some
cases. Nevertheless, it is hoped that this review will provide a reference point from which to move forward with cetacean
management and conservation efforts in Fiji.
Keywords
cetaceans, Fiji, Pacific Regional Whale and Dolphin Action Plan, SPREP, Convention of Migratory Species.
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