Carlucci Roberto, Manea Elisabetta, Ricci Pasquale, Cipriano Giulia, Fanizza Carmelo, Maglietta Rosalia, Gissi Elena
Department of Biology, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy; CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy.
Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council, ISMAR-CNR, Arsenale, Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122, Venice, Italy.
J Environ Manage. 2021 Jun 1;287:112240. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112240. Epub 2021 Mar 16.
Despite the recognized important ecological role that cetaceans play in the marine environment, their protection is still scarcely enforced in the Mediterranean Sea even though this area is strongly threatened by local human pressures and climate change. The piecemeal of knowledge related to cetaceans' ecology and distribution in the basin undermines the capacity of addressing cetaceans' protection and identifying effective conservation strategies. In this study, an Ecosystem-Based Marine Spatial Planning (EB-MSP) approach is applied to assess human pressures on cetaceans and guide the designation of a conservation area in the Gulf of Taranto, Northern Ionian Sea (Central-eastern Mediterranean Sea). The Gulf of Taranto hosts different cetacean species that accomplish important phases of their life in the area. Despite this fact, the gulf does not fall within any area-based management tools (ABMTs) for cetacean conservation. We pin down the Gulf of Taranto being eligible for the designation of diverse ABMTs for conservation, both legally and non-legally binding. Through a risk-based approach, this study explores the cause-effect relationships that link any human activities and pressures exerted in the study area to potential effects on cetaceans, by identifying major drivers of potential impacts. These were found to be underwater noise, marine litter, ship collision, and competition and disturbance on preys. We draw some recommendations based on different sources of available knowledge produced so far in the area (i.e., empirical evidence, scientific and grey literature, and expert judgement) to boost cetaceans' conservation. Finally, we stress the need of sectoral coordination for the management of human activities by applying an EB-MSP approach and valuing the establishment of an ABMT in the Gulf of Taranto.
尽管鲸类在海洋环境中发挥着公认的重要生态作用，但在地中海，其保护措施仍几乎未得到执行，即便该地区受到当地人类活动压力和气候变化的严重威胁。有关鲸类在该海域生态和分布的知识零散，这削弱了应对鲸类保护及确定有效保护策略的能力。在本研究中，采用基于生态系统的海洋空间规划（EB-MSP）方法来评估人类活动对鲸类的压力，并指导在爱奥尼亚海北部（地中海中东部）塔兰托湾指定一个保护区。塔兰托湾有不同的鲸类物种在此完成其生命中的重要阶段。尽管如此，该海湾并不属于任何用于鲸类保护的基于区域的管理工具（ABMTs）范围。我们确定塔兰托湾在法律上和非法律约束方面都有资格指定多种ABMTs用于保护。通过基于风险的方法，本研究通过识别潜在影响的主要驱动因素，探索将研究区域内的任何人类活动和压力与对鲸类的潜在影响联系起来的因果关系。发现这些驱动因素包括水下噪声、海洋垃圾、船舶碰撞以及对猎物的竞争和干扰。我们根据该地区目前已有的不同知识来源（即实证证据、科学和灰色文献以及专家判断）提出一些建议，以加强对鲸类的保护。最后，我们强调通过应用EB-MSP方法并重视在塔兰托湾建立ABMT来进行人类活动管理时部门协调的必要性。
