Article 17 web tool

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: Para la estimación del rango se ha efectuado un polígono mínimo convexo (MCP) con las localizaciones encontradas en cada demarcación marina, ya que ha resultado ser el medio más fidedigno de representación, al compararlo con diversos modelos (GAM, Kernel, etc.). Para ello se ha empleado el MCP al 95% mediante la herramienta Home Range Tools para ArcGIS 10.1. ||
->Population: Estima poblacional realizada en el proyecto SCANS-III. No se considera comparable con la estima de 10.000-50.000 ejemplares realizada en el sexenio anterior, por la diferente metodología.
Para determinar el área de ocupación se consideran las cuadrículas que intersecan con el rango y aquellas cuadrículas 10x10 donde hay registros de presencia pero no están incluidas ||
->HabInfo: N/A ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: N/A ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

Open Original Report  

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: N/A ||
->Population:
||
->HabInfo: N/A ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: N/A ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

Open Original Report  

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: The natural range of fin whales in Irish waters, and marine waters covered by the Directive, is a small component of its wider North Atlantic range (Aguilar, 2009; DEHLG, 2009; Berrow et al., 2018) although distinct migratory movement from cold high latitude feeding areas to warm tropical breeding areas may not occur throughout the northeast Atlantic (Reilly et al., 2013).
The range map provided consists of the species’ recorded and likely predominant natural range based on comparatively recent data (2001-2018) and expert judgement, and is partly derived from 2.3. It consists of a block of contiguous 50km x 50km grid cells distributed in Irish marine waters, excluding enclosed shallow bays, and now includes the relevant assessment area under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Prior to 1999-2000, survey effort targeting cetacean species in Irish offshore waters was comparatively limited in coverage, both spatially and temporally. Since 1999-2000 a number of dedicated multi-annual surveillance programmes for cetaceans have operated in Irish waters, with visual and acoustic surveys extending to the limits of Ireland’s EEZ and beyond. With regard to this species it is considered that the years 2007-2018 represent an appropriate period for the evaluation of short-term trends since all survey efforts intensified further during this period.
Sighting and acoustic records from ongoing dedicated surveillance effort in Irish waters (Berrow et al., 2010; Baines et al. 2013; Wall et al., 2013; Cronin & Barton, 2014; Craig et al., 2016; Kavanagh et al. 2017; O’Donnell et al., 2017; O’Sullivan & Manning, 2017; Berrow et al., 2018 and Rogan et al., 2018) provide no evidence of a decline in distribution/range in the recent past; therefore the short-term trend for range is considered to be stable.
The long-term trend over the period 1994-2018 is considered to be uncertain for this species due to limited data availability prior to 1999-2000, as outlined above.
The range value derived from the map referred to above is considered to be the baseline for this species. This surface area calculation is identical to that reported in 2013.
Since there is no evidence of a decline in range since the Directive came into force the current range remains set as the FRR.
There is an assumption that the current range in Irish waters is large enough (a) to encompass all of the ecological variation required by this species during its occurrences therein and (b) to contribute to the long-term survival of the species. ||
->Population: Evidence from deep water acoustic monitoring (Charif & Clark, 2009; Berrow et al., 2018) and multi-annual surveillance programmes (e.g., Ó Cadhla et al., 2004; Berrow et al., 2010; Wall et al., 2013; Cronin & Barton, 2014; Kavanagh et al., 2017; O’Donnell et al., 2017; Rogan et al., 2018) indicate that fin whales occur widely in Irish waters and do so throughout the year.
Within the North Atlantic some 17,000-17,500 whales could be attributable to deeper oceanic waters off western Europe including those shared by Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Britain (Reilly et al., 2013). Yet recent and comprehensive data for this entire region of western Europe have been lacking, particularly with regard to sufficient temporal coverage (i.e., beyond one or more summer months or one year) and spatial coverage (i.e., spanning continental shelf, slope and deeper waters, all of which may represent fin whale habitat).
Comparable data for western European waters as a whole, that were derived from the SCANS-II (2005) and CODA (2007) summer surveys, were combined to deliver a higher population estimate of 19,354 fin whales (95% CL=12,217-30,659; Hammond et al., 2011).
New survey efforts have since been under way through the SCANS-III aerial and shipboard survey programme of 2016 (Hammond et al., 2017) to address spatial gaps in data collection and to integrate international survey effort targeting cetacean abundance estimation in inshore and offshore European waters.
Fin whale data from Ireland’s ObSERVE Programme (see Rogan et al., 2018) have not yet been integrated into a European-wide assessment of population size for this whale species. However the aerial surveys carried out under this programme were successful in enabling four separate abundance estimates (two summer, two winter) to be derived from the sighting data acquired in inshore and offshore Irish waters.
The most robust of these four seasonal estimates (i.e., those with the lowest CV = 0.38; winter 2016) has been presented in 6.2 via minimum and maximum 95% Confidence Limits.
Since the ObSERVE estimates for fin whale population size are new and variable figures depending on the season and year of coverage, and they represent the first such abundance estimates for Ireland, a realistic baseline value since the Directive came into force (i.e., the FRP) remains unknown. ||
->HabInfo: Use of the range descriptor and range surface area calculation as proxies for habitat and habitat area are judged appropriate for this wide-ranging pelagic species. The species’ natural range and thus habitat in Irish waters is a small component of its wider North Atlantic range (Aguilar, 2009; DEHLG, 2009; Reilly et al., 2013; Berrow et al., 2018; Rogan et al., 2018).
The quality of habitat for fin whale was determined by consideration of the relevant direct and indirect pressures thought to be acting on the species and/or its functional group, and its habitat within its natural environment. These pressures were evaluated in development of the Conservation Plan for Cetaceans in Irish waters (DEHLG, 2009) and informed by more recent scientific surveillance (e.g., Cronin & Barton, 2014; Craig et al., 2016; Kavanagh et al., 2017; O’Donnell et al., 2017; O’Sullivan & Manning, 2017; Berrow et al., 2018; Rogan et al., 2018), using available data concerning, inter alia, habitat use, population size, distribution and ecology, and threats to the species’ protection (e.g., via natural/biological sources, human sectoral activities, management gaps, etc.).
Fin whales may be subject to a number of local and/or regional environmental pressures throughout their range in Irish waters (DEHLG, 2009). However, based on current spatial and temporal data none are considered to be of sufficient impact on the species to be causing a significant deterioration in overall habitat quality in Ireland from a status that is sufficient for long-term survival.
Long-term trends in habitat for fin whale remain uncertain due to insufficient accurate data for this species prior to 1999-2000. However, with improved surveillance and numerous ongoing records of fin whales in the last 18 years, the short-term trend indicates the continued existence of sufficient quality habitat for the species. ||
->Future: Visual and acoustic records of fin whale in Irish waters continue to indicate a wide and frequent occurrence of the species throughout the year, in deep oceanic waters and those overlying the continental slope and also some parts of the continental shelf.
The species also appears to be increasingly recorded in coastal waters off the southwest, south and southeast of Ireland and in the Celtic Sea.
Since many significant (i.e., high level) anthropogenic impacts that may affect this wide-ranging species’ distribution are more localised in space and time within this extensive and diverse marine area, the Future prospects for the Range and Habitat for the species are considered to be Good.
A number of pressures that could act upon this species have been identified. The effect of these pressures may operate on a temporary and/or regional scale and some are likely to continue to act as pressures into the future, thereby constituting a potential threat.
The impacts on individuals or populations of fin whale in Irish waters are not well understood, partly due to the species’ recorded occurrence in comparatively small numbers and to continuing uncertainty regarding its population trends and ecology within Ireland’s marine area. Therefore the Future prospects for the Population are considered to be Unknown. ||
->Conclusion: Contemporary sightings of fin whales and recent acoustic data indicate the wide and frequent occurrence of this species in deep oceanic waters and those overlying the continental slope, and also significant parts of the continental shelf (e.g., Celtic Sea, Porcupine Bank). Hence the Range and Habitat for the species are considered to be Favourable.
While robust and long-term data on fin whale population size and trends in Irish waters as a whole are not available, knowledge of the species’ seasonal distribution and summer abundance in western European waters has improved significantly since the Directive came into force.
There has also recently been a very significant improvement in population abundance data from a large part of the Irish EEZ, yielding two summer and two winter estimates and associated 95% Confidence Limits since 2014.
However there is some uncertainty in the trajectory of northeast Atlantic populations of fin whale since the cessation of whaling. Given these circumstances and estimates to date for Irish and neighbouring European waters, which are variable and thus far drawn from very different methodologies, the Population parameter is considered to be Unknown.
A number of pressures have been identified. While the effect of these pressures may act on a temporary and/or regional scale and some are likely to continue to act as pressures into the future, none is considered to be of sufficient magnitude to be causing an adverse impact on populations of fin whale in Irish waters. Ongoing threats as listed or identified into the future via surveillance will be managed appropriately. Hence the Future prospects for the species are considered to be Favourable.
Based on the assessments for the Range, Population, Habitat and Future prospects parameters, the overall conclusion is that the Conservation Status of fin whale in Ireland remains Favourable. This overall result is the same as in the previous two Article 17 assessments. ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

Open Original Report  

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: considering the very large mobility of the species, range refers to the largest poligon occupied by all sightings ||
->Population: Annual aerial census were performed between 2010 and 2015 (LIFE+ MarPro) until the ±50 nm limit from the coast, leading to a multi-year mean estimate of 627 individuals. This value is in line with the estimate in the previous reporting period obtained by the same method (excluding estimates for the offshore population). ||
->HabInfo: N/A ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: N/A ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

Open Original Report  

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: Range estimated for the current period matches the range given in the 2013 reporting round (excluding analytical differences). This range is considered sufficient and includes all significant ecological variations to ensure survival of the species. Areas within the range are utilised to a lesser or greater extent. ||
->Population: The estimate of population size (6.2) is given as a point estimate (6.2d) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (6.2b&c). This is the first reliable abundance estimate following a dedicated survey covering UK waters for this species. ||
->HabInfo: N/A ||
->Future: These results are based on the current conservation status for each parameter combined with the future trend for each parameter. The future trend is an estimate of how the parameter is likely to progress into the future, using the current trend as a baseline and considering the balance between threats and measures to assess how these are likely to affect that trend over the next two reporting cycles (12 years). For fin whale, the future trend of Range is assessed as Overall Stable. As the current conservation status for Range is Favourable for this species, the future prospects are considered Good.
The future trend and consequently the future prospects for the Population and Habitat parameters are assessed as Unknown; this is due to there being insufficient data to establish current trends for these parameters
||
->Conclusion: Conclusion on Range reached because: (i) the short-term trend direction in Range surface area is stable and (ii) the current Range surface area is approximately equal to the Favourable Reference Range.
Conclusion on Population reached because: (i) the FRP is unknown; and (ii) the short-term trend direction in Population size is unknown.
Conclusion on Habitat for the species reached because: (i) the area of habitat is sufficiently large but (ii) the habitat quality is unknown for the long-term survival of the species; and (iii) the short-term trend in area and quality of habitat is unknown.
Conclusion on Future prospects reached because: (i) the Future prospects for Range are good but; (ii) the Future prospects for Population are unknown; and (iii) the Future prospects for Habitat for the species are unknown.
Overall assessment of Conservation Status is Unknown because two or more of the conclusions are Unknown.
Overall trend in Conservation Status is based on the combination of the short-term trends for Range - stable, Population - unknown, and Habitat for the species - unknown.
||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

Open Original Report  

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: Para la estimación del rango se ha efectuado un polígono mínimo convexo (MCP) con las localizaciones encontradas en cada demarcación marina, ya que ha resultado ser el medio más fidedigno de representación, al compararlo con diversos modelos (GAM, Kernel, etc.). Para ello se ha empleado el MCP al 95% mediante la herramienta Home Range Tools para ArcGIS 10.1. ||
->Population: Desde 2104 no se producen avistamientos en la región biogeográfica.
Para determinar el área de ocupación se consideran las cuadrículas que intersecan con el rango y aquellas cuadrículas 10x10 donde hay registros de presencia pero no están incluidas ||
->HabInfo: N/A ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: N/A ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

Open Original Report  

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: "5.1 Considering that marine mammals are migratory and highly mobile species, range surface area is assumed as the maritime waters under Azores and Madeira jurisdiction (including internal and territorial waters and the Portuguese sub-areas of the Exclusive Economic Zone).

5.10 Favourable reference range is unknown according to expert opinion. Marine mammals are highly migratory and their ecological range and distribution are very wide, at the ocean basin scale and, therefore, much greater than the biogeographical region.
" ||
->Population: N/A ||
->HabInfo: 7.1 Sufficiency of area and quality of occupied habitat unknown according to the guidelines (habitat area is stable but the quality is unknown - Table 4: Assessing trend direction of habitat for the species) ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: Açores: Baseado na opinião dos peritos ainda não há dados suficientes para se poder avaliar o estado de conservação atual da espécie, pelo que se reportou unknown em todos os campos de avaliação. ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: A espécie ocorre nos Açores como visitante e tem sido observada perto da costa
ou em associação com montes submarinos. A presença da espécie nos Açores é
sazonal e o pico de abundância verifica-se na Primavera e no início do Verão,
quando a espécie se encontra em migração para latitudes mais altas. No entanto,
dados de acústica passiva indicam que a espécie também ocorrena região
durante o Outono e Inverno.

13.3 Azores: For the distribution map the data were collected under the Azorean Fisheries Observer Program (POPA; www.popaobserver.org) and consisted of dedicated visual transects, which were performed following a fixed protocol by fishery observers on-board pole-and-line tuna vessels.

Open Original Report  

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: Para la estimación del rango se ha efectuado un polígono mínimo convexo (MCP) con las localizaciones encontradas en cada demarcación marina, ya que ha resultado ser el medio más fidedigno de representación, al compararlo con diversos modelos (GAM, Kernel, etc.). Para ello se ha empleado el MCP al 95% mediante la herramienta Home Range Tools para ArcGIS 10.1. ||
->Population: Estima poblacional realizada en el marco del ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative. No se considera comparable con la estima de 500-1.000 ejemplares realizada en el sexenio anterior, por la diferente metodología.
Para determinar el área de ocupación se consideran las cuadrículas que intersecan con el rango y aquellas cuadrículas 10x10 donde hay registros de presencia pero no están incluidas ||
->HabInfo: N/A ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: N/A ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

Open Original Report  

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: N/A ||
->Population: N/A ||
->HabInfo: N/A ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: N/A ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

Open Original Report  

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: N/A ||
->Population: N/A ||
->HabInfo: The surface area of the habitat is estimated at 17442 km2 (equal to range). ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: N/A ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: The species inhabits mainly deep (400 to 2,500m) and oddshore waters, but can also occur in slope and shelf waters as well, depending on exceptional distribution of their prey. Fin whales have been observed occasionally (or stranded) along the Hellenic Trench as well as in the Aegean Sea. However, such observations are considered only occasional and may be due to particular years and oceanographic conditions; this is the reason why they have not been included in the species range. Although the trend for the range is unknown, repeated surveys that covered the south western part of the species range (west of Lefkada Island) failed to make any observation of fin whales. This may be due either to a decrease of the actual range, or just to a statistical aspect of the fact that the density of this population unit may be low.

Open Original Report  

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: N/A ||
->Population: N/A ||
->HabInfo: N/A ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: N/A ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

Open Original Report  

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Balaenoptera physalus"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: N/A ||
->Population: Population transits the Southern Waters SAC/SPA during migration. ||
->HabInfo: N/A ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: N/A ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

Open Original Report