First records of Mesoplodon europaeus (Gervais, 1855), Gervais’ Beaked Whale (Cetacea, Ziphiidae, Mesoplodon), and other beaked whales in Suriname, South America

Abstract

A group of Mesoplodon europaeus (Gervais, 1885), Gervais’ Beaked Whales, were recorded along the Demerara Plateau (Suriname) at depths of 2,300 and 2,700 m. These are the first records of the species within the Guiana Basin. The Demerara Plateau may well offer an important habitat for deep-diving beaked whales, but further research is needed. We emphasize that, in light of a recent increase in oil and gas exploitation activities, there is an urgency to develop effective regionally and nationally specific conservation measures for whales in Suriname.