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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Aerial survey as a tool to estimate whale shark abundance trends
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Volume 368, No. 1, Year 2009
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Description
Aerial surveys have been used to estimate population abundance of both terrestrial and marine species; in the marine environment this has largely been used for air-breathing species that spend time regularly at the surface. Whale sharks spend a large proportion of their time close to the surface and so are amenable to aerial survey techniques. This study presents the results of six years of synoptic aerial belt-surveys done nearly daily during the peak whale shark season around the island of Mahe, Seychelles. A total of 580 survey flights were flown providing 699.7 hours of survey record. A seasonal peak of shark sightings per hour was recorded in September or October in most years with the maximum on a single survey of 28.4 h- 1 in October 2006. The aerial survey data were used to generate an estimate of relative population abundance indicating that highest mean annual relative population estimate was also in 2006, with an estimate of 38, while the lowest mean estimate was 11 in 2004. These estimates were then compared to weekly capture-mark-recapture estimates of abundance based on unique individual identification data. The results indicate that the use of aerial survey data alone may give an acceptable indication of instantaneous relative population abundance but further refinement is necessary to estimate absolute regional abundance. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Rowat, David R.L.
Seychelles, Mahe
Marine Conservation Society Seychelles
United Kingdom, Millport
University Marine Biological Station
Gore, Mauvis A.
United Kingdom, Millport
University Marine Biological Station
Meekan, Mark Gregory
Australia, Townsville
Australian Institute of Marine Science
Lawler, Ivan R.
Australia, Townsville
James Cook University
Bradshaw, Corey J.A.
Australia, Adelaide
The University of Adelaide
Australia, Adelaide
South Australian Research and Development Institute
Statistics
Citations: 83
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 6
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.jembe.2008.09.001
ISSN:
00220981
Research Areas
Environmental
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Seychelles