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Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) was used to study the occurrence and distribution of feeding behav-iour of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Ems estuary, on the border between the Netherlands and Germany. Occurrence was expressed as detection positive hours (DPH) per month or station, and feeding behav-iour was described as feeding buzz ratio (FBR). Three types of analyses were undertaken: 1. A year-round analysis of FBR and DPH for one PAM station close to the Ems harbour; 2. An analysis of FBR and DPH for 10 PAM sta-tions in the Ems estuary in March and September 2010; and 3. A comparison of porpoise clicks and fish density in the area for September/October of 2010. The year-round analysis results showed a variable seasonal pattern of porpoise occurrence, with in general lower values in April–July, and higher values in August–December. FBR and DPH per station differed between March and September 2010. The March data shows an increase of DPH when moving from the Wadden Sea into the estuary, with at the same time an increase in FBR. In September 2010, DPH decreased from outside to inside the Ems estuary, coinciding with an increase in feeding behaviour. Fish density was analysed for 5 potential prey taxa (smelt, whiting, goby, flounder and herring) at sampling stations in 4 areas along the estuary. Flounder and smelt increased in occurrence towards the inner estuarine waters. Smelt is an ana-dromous fish that is a known prey species for porpoise. The results of this study suggest that while feeding activ-ity and occurrence of porpoises is observed all along the estuary and throughout the whole year, the presence of a preferred prey might be the reason for porpoises to move far into the Ems estuary at specific times. The Ems is highly used by humans and some activities, such as construction work and intense shipping, could have potential harmful consequences to the locally occurring porpoises. As this study has only covered a short time frame, the results should be considered preliminary. Future studies on the investigation of fish and porpoise occurrence in this area would allow a more in-depth understanding of this relationship and would be of high relevance for con-servation and management actions.

The tagging of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocosena) with satellite-linked locators or time-depth recorders allows researchers to obtain data on the behaviour and ecology of this species. It is also a valuable tool to investigate the impact of human activities on individuals and a number of recent publications have highlighted that for porpoises in Dutch waters this knowledge is still scarce. However, tagging also impacts the animals. In this report we are providing: 1) an overview of the technical status and the different types of tags, 2) how tags have been used in other areas on porpoises, 3) how tags can be attached to porpoises, 4) how porpoises can be obtained for tagging, and 5) what the legal framework for tagging in the Netherlands is. Finally we discuss relevant research questions and their relationship with current and future projects in The Netherlands and propose suitable pilot studies that take the results of this review into account.

Knowledge on the density, distribution and occurrence of whales and dolphins in the Caribbean Netherlands is sparse. This knowledge is needed as basic input for conservation and management of cetaceans in the area. Especially in the long term, dedicated data is needed to provide a base-line for monitoring the effect of policy decisions, such as a proposed implementation of a whale sanctuary.

In November 2013 aerial surveys were conducted for the first time in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire to evaluate aerial surveys as a tool for marine mammal surveys in these waters, and to assess the distribution and abundance of marine mammals. A secondary aim of these surveys was to collect data on the occurrence of other megafauna (e.g. sharks, rays, turtles) and seabirds. Marine mammals were assessed using distance sampling methods; for other species a strip transect method was applied.

In July 2014 aerial surveys to estimate the abundance of Harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena on the Dutch Continental Shelf were conducted. In total, 229 sightings of 273 individual Harbour Porpoises were collected. Porpoise densities varied between 0.37-3.08 animals/km² in the (four) different areas. The overall density on the entire Dutch Continental Shelf was 1.29 animals/km².

Information on the distribution, abundance and ecology of marine mammal in the Wider Caribbean Region is scarce. This report aims at collating the on-going research in the Wider Caribbean Region, at identifying the most critical knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to inform and facilitate conservation actions and assess the most suitable research techniques to fill these knowledge gaps.

De bruinvis (Phocoena phocoena) is de algemeenste zeezoogdiersoort in Nederlandse wateren. Desondanks waren er tot 2010 geen aantalsschattingen beschikbaar voor het Nederlands Continentaal Plat.

The Dutch offshore industry has the ambition to execute operations on a large scale in Arctic areas, for instance for installation and operation of oil- and gas production facilities and pipelines. Currently, there is no standard for safe operations by service companies in Arctic offshore areas. Therefore a Joint Industry Project (JIP) was started to carry out the necessary investigations to enable the formulation of guidelines for Arctic operations. One of the deliverables of the JIP is an environmental assessment pilot.

European legislation (Habitats Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive) requires monitoring of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) abundance and distribution, as well as changes thereof, in Dutch North Sea waters. The primary objective of the monitoring in The Netherlands is to report on the status of harbour porpoise in Dutch waters every six years, and determine a trend over 12 years.

This paper reports on the long-term re-sight histories of fifteen photo-identified humpback whales encountered to date transiting Ecuadorian waters. It also provides information about connections to feeding area destinations. Whale EC1261 has been resighted over a 26 year span and provides insight into age and potential longevity of this species in the stock G. The resighting of whale EC1261 provides the earliest connection from Ecuador to Antarctica. and supports previous findings that Antarctic Peninsula is the main feeding area of humpback whales migrating to Ecuadorian waters. Although there are only a low percentage of re-sighted animals between Ecuador and the Strait of Magellan, two records represent long-term observations of 17 and 21 years. Resightings of these whales previously confirmed the Straits of Magellan as a feeding area (Gibbons et al, 1998; Gibbons et al, 2003; Acevedo et al. 2007; Capella et al. 2008). These results are based on the individual identification of the ventral surface of humpback whale tails. This method has been used extensively by researchers, NGO’s and government institutions in Antarctica, Chile, and Colombia

Review of New Information on Population Size, Distribution, Structure and Causes of Any Changes. The distribution of small cetaceans in the offshore areas of the North Sea has been in the interest of researchers for many years. Information on abundance and distribution is essential to assess the impact of bycatch and other anthropogenic threats, and as basis for management plans to ensure the favourable conservation status of these species. In 2011 we conducted a dedicated aerial line transect survey of the Dogger Bank and adjacent areas (UK, NL, DK, GE waters) in order to investigate the importance of this marine feature as summer habitat for marine mammals.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the Offshore Wind farm Egmond aan Zee (OWEZ) has influenced the occurrence of harbour porpoises.

Identification sheet whales and dolphins Dutch Caribbean.

In het kader van het Shortlist Masterplan Wind programma zijn in 2010-2011 vliegtuigtellingen uitgevoerd om het seizoensgebonden voorkomen en de verspreiding van bruinvissen Phocoena phocoena op het Nederlands Continentaal Plat (NCP) in kaart te brengen. Dergelijke informatie is essentieel om het effect van menselijke activiteiten, i.c. offshore windparken op bruinvissen te begrijpen, te kwantificeren en uiteindelijk te minimaliseren.

Based on the goals set forth in the Dutch Biodiversity Policy Programme, The Netherlands has a traditionally strong commitment to protect biodiversity and marine mammals both internationally and in its own national and Kingdom waters. Last year the responsible ministry, namely the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I), developed a management plan for the biological resources of the recently declared Dutch Caribbean Exclusive Economic Zone. The Dutch Caribbean EEZ was formally declared on June 10, 2010, and amounts to more than 90.000 km2 of diverse tropical marine habitats. One of the key ambition coming forth from that plan was to develop a Dutch Caribbean Marine Mammal Sanctuary (MMS). This report provides the necessary review and background on which to base such an endeavour. Our updated review establishes beyond doubt that the Dutch Caribbean EEZ has a rich and diverse marine mammal fauna which merits more extensive protection. Even though the fauna is only poorly known, based almost exclusively on incidental sightings and strandings, it amounts to a minimum of 19 marine mammal species, and possibly up to more than 30. Without exception, all documented species appear on protected species lists of one or more treaties ratified by the Kingdom, and/or its constituent countries. Large differences are apparent between the leeward and windward sectors of the Dutch Caribbean EEZ, both in terms of species composition and conservation issues. Throughout the region, cetaceans are playing an increasingly important role in island economies as an important natural attraction for eco-based recreation and tourism, and in this respect the Dutch Caribbean also possesses major potential. We here propose the establishment of a MMS as the cornerstone to sustainable conservation and management of these charismatic animals. Ecological arguments for the establishment of habitat protection by means of the concept of sanctuaries are outlined, as are the many environmental issues that would eventually need to be addressed within the sanctuary. Legal designation of a marine mammal sanctuary (MMS) would form the first and most important step which provides the framework for all broader (international cooperation) and in depth (knowledge and conservation development) initiatives. Once established, the fuller implementation of a marine mammal sanctuary should be seen as a gradual process, involving development of knowledge, policy, rules and regulations, public and stakeholder participation. In this the Netherlands would follow and importantly reinforce the efforts of other nations who have already established MMS’s within the region. Favourable pre-conditions for the establishment of a MMS in the Dutch Caribbean include the fact that a) all cetaceans are already have a legal status in the Dutch Caribbean EEZ which calls for actual protection, b) the most deleterious fishing practices are already significantly limited and controlled within Kingdom waters, c) the key enforcer, namely the Coastguard, is already strongly present (largely due to other reasons), d) the islands generally have a strong tradition of marine protected areas in coastal habitat, e) the incremental costs for research and enforcement needed to establish a sanctuary is modest, f) public support is high, thanks to the generally high level of development and awareness of the public, g) indigenous fishery practices do not conflict with cetacean conservation, and h) whale watching interests are only in their infancy. We conclude our review by proposing the following key action points to establishing a MMS: a) Legal designation of the EEZ (one or both sectors) as MMS, along with establishment of legal guidelines for interacting with cetaceans (whale watching). b) Establish bonds of cooperation with sister sanctuaries in the region (France, USA, Dominican Republic), (e.g. regional stranding and sightings data network). c) Conduct baseline quantitative surveys of cetacean distribution and assessments in light of sources of deleterious sound sources and risks of vessel strikes. d) Review and adapt existing national and insular legal frameworks to improve these, preferably by developing separate and standardized marine mammals legislation. e) Develop information systems to promote the development of a whale (cetacean) watching industry. f) Train and equip marine parks and island veterinarians to conduct elementary autopsies and collect basic stranding specimens for analysis of causes of mortality, contamination levels and genetics, and link them to international academic institutions who will accept and analyse the specimens in regional context. g) Develop species action plans (e.g. humpback). h) Conduct cetacean surveys and management reviews every 5 years to assess marine mammal status and conservation progress.

We here provide a synoptic overview and preliminary update of the marine mammals of the Dutch Caribbean EEZ based on 279 cetacean sighting and stranding records. The Dutch Caribbean EEZ is composed of two distinct sectors. One is centered around the leeward Dutch islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (71,000 km2) while the other is centered around the windward Dutch islands of Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten (22,000 km2). The previous principal review (of cetaceans) dating from 1998, was based on only 70 records from the leeward sector and confirmed the occurrence of some 13 species for Dutch Kingdom waters. Now, with a 4-fold increase in number of records, 19 species can be documented for the Dutch Kingdom waters (18 species in the leeward sector and 8 species in the windward sector). The windward sector stands out for its large number of humpback whale sightings (45% of records) and may form part of its former (or current) calving grounds. This species remains relatively rare in the leeward sector (5% of records) and continues to be targeted by aboriginal fishing in its destination wintering grounds to the east, where the relict breeding population is having difficulty to rebound. The species is of growing interest to tourism in the region and urgently needs full protection from all fishing in the southern Caribbean. The leeward EEZ sector further lies down-stream from seasonal upwelling areas off Venezuela that support the largest fishery of the Caribbean. This sector stands out for its high occurrence of beaked whales and the Bryde’s whale. Marine mammal strandings are much more common here (26% of records) than in the northern sector (3% of records). Human induced mortalities (first suggested in 1974) and disturbance due to coastal tourism and recreation are key and growing concerns in the southern Dutch EEZ sector. The marine mammal fauna of the Dutch Caribbean is evidently rich and varied but continues to suffer man-induced mortality and disturbance. Several nations, including the USA, the Dominican Republic and France, have recently established marine mammal sanctuaries in Caribbean waters. The Netherlands should consider doing the same.

Helicopter and shipboard surveys were conducted for cetaceans in the Weddell Sea from the German research vessel ‘Polarstern’. The first survey in 2006/07 started south of South Africa, went to Neumayer Station in Atka Bay (70°29.6’ S/07°57.6’ W), crossed the Weddell Sea from Neumayer to south of Elephant Island and worked around the South Shetland Islands and east of the Antarctic Peninsula in front of former Larsen A and B glaciers. The second survey covered two transects: the first more westerly one started at 57°09.3’ S/00°39.1’ E and went to Atka Bay (70°29.6’ S/07°57.6’ W) whereas the second (return leg) followed a more easterly course from Atka Bay over Maud Rise to 57°03.1’ S/12° 27.5’ W. No observations could be conducted from 63 to 57°S on the return cruise due to fog (visibility

The project Fisheries Measures in Protected Areas (FIMPAS) aims to introduce fisheries measures in the marine Natura 2000 sites within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Dutch part of the North Sea by the end of 2011. The FIMPAS project covers three such areas, the Dogger Bank and the Cleaver Bank (both to be designated for protection under the Habitats Directive) and the Frisian Front (to be designated for protection under the Birds Directive). These sites are beyond the Dutch 12 nm zone and several EU Member States fish within these areas. Therefore fisheries measures must be implemented through the Common Fisheries Policy. These marine protected areas, as well as the potential fisheries measures, are a consequence of the implementation of the European Birds and Habitats Directives and will be proposed to the European Commission by the Dutch government. The Dutch Ministry for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), together with Dutch environmental NGOs and the Dutch fishing industry, are cooperating within the FIMPAS project to develop the necessary fisheries measures to achieve the conservation objectives for the Dutch Natura 2000 sites of the North Sea. LNV has asked the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to organize the necessary scientific processes and give advice on the desired fisheries measures involving the relevant stakeholders in this process.