Status of indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin, tursiops aduncus (Family delphinidae: Order cetacea) in the northern protected islands, hurghada, red sea, Egypt

Abstract

The present work aimed to understand the status of the Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin, Tursiops aduncus Ehrenberg, 1833 (Family Delphinidae: Order Cetacea) sighting in the northern protected Islands. An exclusive study was conducted to describe the sighting of T. aduncus in the northern Red Sea. Sighting of dolphins became the most attractive ecotourism in the Red Sea, especially in Hurghada within the marine boundary of the northern protectorate. Dolphin sighting was monitored in three selected sites, located within the northern protected area (Shaab El-Fanous, Shaab El-Erg, and El-Gouna reef) during the period from July 2015 till May 2017. At the selected sites, the mean value of dolphin sighting showed a seasonal different pattern, recording a sharp peak in spring and summer (June, July and August), and a decline in autumn (October and November). The estimated mean of dolphin sighting averaged 4.9±3.6, 5.1±4.9; 7.8±5.4 individual/ day at Shaab El-Fanous, Shaab El-Erg and El-Gouna reef, respectively. Whereas, the mean of snorkeler/day and boats /day averaged 56 and 5; 82 and 5; 83 and 3 /day at Shaab El-Fanous, Shaab El-Erg and El-Gouna reef, respectively. The daily pattern of dolphin sighting exhibits different ones during the resting time at the study sites. At Shaab El-Fanous, the rest period extended from 8:30 am to 13:00 pm, with a peak at 11:00 am compared to a dolphin rest period from 9:00 am to 14:00 pm, with a peak at 11:30 at Shaab El-Erg and from 9:00 am to 13:30 pm, with a peak at 11:30 am at El-Gouna reefs. The obtained results indicated that in the Red Sea from Halayeb City to Al-Zafarana City, fifteen cases of dolphin accidents were recorded (total 25 individuals) during the last seven years (2014-2021). In the Egyptian Red Sea shore, common threats encountered T. aduncus including fishing nets, shark attacks, and boat accidents. Consequently, great mortality data was determined among T. aduncus; about 88% (22 individuals).