OCEAN -OBSERVATORY

In order to develop a scientific program for the knowledge of marine mammals all over the Lesser Antilles made possible by the regular presence of a specialised team on the site, DELPHINIA SEA CONSERVATION created by the end of 2001 the Ocean Observatory project (l'Observatoire de l'Océan), with Martinique and Port du Marin as activity centres.

Being the fruit of two years of intense research in the Caribbean, OCEAN OBSERVATORY consists of an information network provided and shared by scientific institutes, local populations, professionals and sea users, as well as the media; its aim is to provide decision-makers with scientific elements that are essential for the management and protection of marine mammals and their habitats.

Random observations:
An important source of information comes from observations made by sailors.
Currently, these observations, so-called random, are practically not exploited. Added to those issued by scientific programs, they are very important to improve the knowledge of the Cetacean populations. The Ocean Observatory Network was created to systematically centralise and process this information.

The Ocean Observatory Network
It is a Network meant for the Cetacean observation composed of an international fleet of sailors, charter boats, rental boats, fishermen, merchant ships and airplanes.
An observation form simple and quick to fill in is at the disposal of all sailors in order to note down important information while meeting Cetaceans: position, time, weather, all elements enabling the identification of species and the animal behaviour.
After being sorted, these forms will contribute to the creation of the "Cetacean Distribution Atlas in the Caribbean" under the supervision of Prof. P.C. Beaubrun from the Laboratoire de Biogéographie and Ecologie des Vertébrés de l'Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes de Montpellier (www.ephe.sorbonne.fr). The Ocean Observatory Network is present from the Virgin Islands to Bonaire with fifteen form distribution and collection centres. This has been made possible thanks to the active participation of Harbour Offices, Nature Reserves and the shipchandlers Budget Marine chain.

The Eco-booklet
This annual publication spreads ecological information in collaboration with the "Ocean Observatory" network for Cetacean observation. It is published both in French and English. Fifteen thousand copies are distributed free in Martinique and in the Caribbean. Written by important European scientists, its articles touch themes such as physics, oceanography, ecology, cetology and protection of environment.
Worked out in a simplified approach and a will to popularise scientific concepts, the Eco-booklet aims to inform in another way, leading to a reflection upon the exploitation of resources in order to stimulate a new awareness of sea environmental protection.

Are Fishermen and Cetaceans
in competition on the FAD ?

A topical problem, that might have important social and economic effects in the near future, is arising in waters offshore Martinique: professional fishermen are getting more and more disturbed by the presence of Cetaceans while catching with the FAD (Fishing aggregating device, see page --). The presence of these "porpoises" nearby this device, devouring pulled baits or caught prey, compels professionals to transfer their efforts on other similar devices.

This situation seems to be recent and might express Cetaceans' adaptability and opportunism, however its extent is more and more frequently reported by the fishermen. These professionals show an increasing anxiety about this phenomenon which has been confirmed during meetings we have had both with the people in charge of the Ifremer and handling the FAD dossier, and with those of the Regional Council.
It would be very unfortunate that, would this situation persist or even develop, it harms efforts made for a long time by the authorities of the Martinique to transfer the pressure of fishing towards the offshore areas.

Disturbances caused to fishermen by Cetaceans nearby the FAD are problems that are not known on the scientific level (for example, this phenomenon has not been reported in the proceedings of the Trois-Îlets Colloquium, Caribbean-Martinique, 1999). The same regarding the relationship between these devices and Cetaceans' attraction. The introduction of a study on such a subject with obvious social and economic consequences in an integrated and pluridisciplinary analysis on the FAD operation, puts Martinique in a pilot position.

The 5 major objectives of this project are the following:

1- identify Cetaceans species that approach the FADs and that are detrimental to fishing.
2- quantify disturbances' actual extent and fluctuations in space and time the professionals are submitted to by Cetaceans near the FADs.
3- propose decision-makers realistic and pertinent solutions allowing to improve their adjusting strategies in order to find a remedy to the disturbances experienced with FAD fishing.
4- update data on oceanographical phenomena regarding the concentration of Cetaceans nearby FADs.
5- bring complementary information essential for a better knowledge on the role of big predators (Cetaceans) in the operation of piscatorial eco-systems linked with FAD devices.