Occurrence and conservation needs of cetaceans in and around the Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary lies off the north-west coast of Sri Lanka. In the first dedicated cetacean survey of this area, monthly boat-based surveys were carried out over 1 year (April 2004 to March 2005) both within the Sanctuary and seawards in deeper offshore waters. The survey established that the Sanctuary has year-round abundance of cetaceans. Eight species were observed, including three species of large whales. Live sightings of Sousa chinensis in this area were documented for the first time in Sri Lanka, as were the first live sightings of Kogia sima and Peponocephala electra off the west coast of the island. This area appears to be an important habitat for Balaenoptera acutorostrata in Sri Lanka's waters. Several threats to marine mammals were also identified and some were found to be localized and specific to this area. The results of this study were used to produce a set of management recommendations. © 2008 Fauna & Flora International.