Influence of Dolphin-Watching Tourism Vessels on the Whistle Emission Pattern of Common Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins

Recent years have seen a notable rise in dolphin-watching boat activities along the Algarve coast in Portugal, potentially affecting the common dolphin (<i>Delphinus delphis</i>) and bottlenose dolphin (<i>Tursiops truncatus</i>) local populations. This study examines the imp...

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Main Authors: Ana A. Silva, Joana Castro, André Cid, Sérgio M. Jesus, Fábio L. Matos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Oceans
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1924/5/4/44
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author Ana A. Silva
Joana Castro
André Cid
Sérgio M. Jesus
Fábio L. Matos
author_facet Ana A. Silva
Joana Castro
André Cid
Sérgio M. Jesus
Fábio L. Matos
author_sort Ana A. Silva
collection DOAJ
description Recent years have seen a notable rise in dolphin-watching boat activities along the Algarve coast in Portugal, potentially affecting the common dolphin (<i>Delphinus delphis</i>) and bottlenose dolphin (<i>Tursiops truncatus</i>) local populations. This study examines the impact of increasing underwater noise levels from these boats on dolphin vocalizations. Field recordings were conducted from June to September 2022, analyzing dolphin whistles in various boat presence scenarios. The results indicate significant changes in whistle-frequency characteristics with boat presence, including increased start, low, and high frequencies, alongside a decrease in the number of inflection points in modulated whistles. The changes might negatively impact dolphin populations viability, underscoring the need for further research. Additionally, improved mitigation strategies may be necessary to reduce the potential negative effects of dolphin watching on cetacean communication and behavior in the Algarve region.
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spelling doaj-art-ff038005c5214089a9d8f879107a2ea42025-08-20T02:43:53ZengMDPI AGOceans2673-19242024-10-015477078410.3390/oceans5040044Influence of Dolphin-Watching Tourism Vessels on the Whistle Emission Pattern of Common Dolphins and Bottlenose DolphinsAna A. Silva0Joana Castro1André Cid2Sérgio M. Jesus3Fábio L. Matos4Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FCT), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalAIMM—Associação para Investigação do Meio Marinho, Rua Maestro Frederico de Freitas N15-1°, 1500-399 Lisboa, PortugalAIMM—Associação para Investigação do Meio Marinho, Rua Maestro Frederico de Freitas N15-1°, 1500-399 Lisboa, PortugalLaboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems (LARSyS), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalAIMM—Associação para Investigação do Meio Marinho, Rua Maestro Frederico de Freitas N15-1°, 1500-399 Lisboa, PortugalRecent years have seen a notable rise in dolphin-watching boat activities along the Algarve coast in Portugal, potentially affecting the common dolphin (<i>Delphinus delphis</i>) and bottlenose dolphin (<i>Tursiops truncatus</i>) local populations. This study examines the impact of increasing underwater noise levels from these boats on dolphin vocalizations. Field recordings were conducted from June to September 2022, analyzing dolphin whistles in various boat presence scenarios. The results indicate significant changes in whistle-frequency characteristics with boat presence, including increased start, low, and high frequencies, alongside a decrease in the number of inflection points in modulated whistles. The changes might negatively impact dolphin populations viability, underscoring the need for further research. Additionally, improved mitigation strategies may be necessary to reduce the potential negative effects of dolphin watching on cetacean communication and behavior in the Algarve region.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1924/5/4/44acoustic behavioracoustic parameters<i>Delphinus delphis</i><i>Tursiops truncatus</i>underwater boat noisevocal signals
spellingShingle Ana A. Silva
Joana Castro
André Cid
Sérgio M. Jesus
Fábio L. Matos
Influence of Dolphin-Watching Tourism Vessels on the Whistle Emission Pattern of Common Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins
Oceans
acoustic behavior
acoustic parameters
<i>Delphinus delphis</i>
<i>Tursiops truncatus</i>
underwater boat noise
vocal signals
title Influence of Dolphin-Watching Tourism Vessels on the Whistle Emission Pattern of Common Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins
title_full Influence of Dolphin-Watching Tourism Vessels on the Whistle Emission Pattern of Common Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins
title_fullStr Influence of Dolphin-Watching Tourism Vessels on the Whistle Emission Pattern of Common Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins
title_full_unstemmed Influence of Dolphin-Watching Tourism Vessels on the Whistle Emission Pattern of Common Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins
title_short Influence of Dolphin-Watching Tourism Vessels on the Whistle Emission Pattern of Common Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins
title_sort influence of dolphin watching tourism vessels on the whistle emission pattern of common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins
topic acoustic behavior
acoustic parameters
<i>Delphinus delphis</i>
<i>Tursiops truncatus</i>
underwater boat noise
vocal signals
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1924/5/4/44
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