AvaliaÃÃo do impacto causado por embarcaÃÃes de turismo no comportamento do boto-cinza (Sotalia fluviatilis) na BaÃa dos Golfinhos, Tibau do Sul, RN, Brasil

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2004

RESUMO

Marine ecotourism has experienced a worldwide growth in recent years, bringing concern about its impact on the environment. Although the marine tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) is considered to be a threatened species, there have been no studies conducted on their response to tourism vessels. Data were collected in Dolphin Bay, from October 2001 to February 2002. To evaluate the influence of such human activity on the presence and feeding behaviour of marine tucuxis we observed them prior to the arrival of a boat in the bay, during the time while the vessel was there and after the boatâs departure. Both the average number of dolphins and the feeding activity (âchaseâ) displayed by these cetaceans were significantly reduced while a vessel remained in the bay. Marine tucuxis are exclusively coastal and present fidelity to the site where they chose to live, which make any environmental disturbance especially critical. Some of our recommended defensive measures also include a period of stay of the boats, and fewer vessels in the area at the same time. To minimize human impact, our main suggestion is that boats should not enter the bay and maintain their position (motors turned off) at its mouth

ASSUNTO(S)

anatomia animal embarcaÃÃes de turismo boto-cinza avaliaÃÃo de impacto

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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