Article 17 web tool

Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Lagenorhynchus albirostris"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: White beaked dolphin mainly occurs in the Danish Skagerrak and northern North Sea. This is estimated to constitute 50% of the Danish MATL region = 37000 km2. ||
->Population: Long term trend magnitude is assessed to be from -18% to 22% (95% CI). ||
->HabInfo: N/A ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: N/A ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

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Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Lagenorhynchus albirostris"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: N/A ||
->Population: Le faible nombre d'observations dans les eaux françaises ne permet pas d'estimer l'abondance de cette population. Durant le dernier cycle d’évaluation, seuls 2 individus ont été observés échoués.
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->HabInfo: N/A ||
->Future: N/A ||
->Conclusion: N/A ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

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Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Lagenorhynchus albirostris"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: The natural range of White-beaked dolphins in Irish waters, and marine waters covered by the Directive, is a small component of the species’ wider North Atlantic range (DEHLG, 2009; Kinze, 2009; Hammond et al., 2017; Kiszka & Braulik, 2018; Rogan et al., 2018), while recent evidence from repeated winter aerial surveys (Rogan et al., 2018) has confirmed that the species occurs in Irish waters in all seasons.
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 up to 2,500-3,000m deep, in coastal areas excluding small enclosed shallow bays.
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 records from ongoing dedicated surveillance effort in Irish waters (e.g., Berrow et al., 2010; Wall et al., 2013; Kavanagh et al. 2017; Rogan et al., 2018) provide no evidence of a decline in distribution/range in the recent past; indeed there is evidence that the range is slightly larger than estimated in 2013, extending into deeper oceanic waters of the Rockall Trough and Porcupine Seabight. 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 a revised baseline for this species. This surface area calculation is slightly greater than that reported in 2013.
Since there is no evidence of a decline in range since the Directive came into force the current range is 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 multi-annual surveillance programmes (e.g., Ó Cadhla et al., 2004; Berrow et al., 2010; Wall et al., 2013; Kavanagh et al., 2017; Rogan et al., 2018) indicate that White-beaked dolphins occur widely in Irish waters and do so throughout the year. This is particularly the case in continental shelf and slope habitats but also to a lesser degree in waters over 2,000m in depth.
However, recent and comprehensive data for the entire region of western Europe have been lacking until recently, particularly with regard to sufficient temporal (i.e., beyond one or more summer months or one year) and spatial coverage (i.e., spanning continental shelf, slope and deeper abyssal waters, all of which may represent White-beaked dolphin habitat).
Within the North-East Atlantic, based on aerial survey effort approximately 36,300 White-beaked dolphins were estimated to occur in the summer of 2016 in waters off northern and western Europe but excluding Ireland (Hammond et al., 2017).
White-beaked dolphin 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 the species, although this should now be feasible given simultaneous aerial survey efforts in the summer of 2016 (Hammond et al., 2017; Rogan et al., 2018).
In a new departure for data acquisition on White-beaked dolphins in Ireland the aerial surveys carried out under this programme were successful in enabling three separate abundance estimates (two summer, one winter) to be derived from the sighting data acquired in inshore and offshore waters. The most robust of these seasonal estimates (i.e., those with the lowest CV = 0.44; summer 2015) has been presented in 6.2 via minimum and maximum 95% Confidence Limits.
The Favourable Reference Population has been set as approximately equal to the current population to account for improved knowledge. Although the short-term trends are uncertain, this value is considered to represent the minimum necessary to ensure the long-term survival of the species. ||
->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 (DEHLG, 2009; Kinze, 2009; Wall et al., 2013; Hammond et al., 2017; Kiszka & Braulik, 2018; Rogan et al., 2018).
The quality of habitat for White-beaked dolphin 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., Baines et al., 2013; Hammond et al., 2017; Kavanagh et al., 2017; 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.).
White-beaked dolphins 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 White-beaked dolphin remain uncertain due to insufficient accurate data for this species prior to 1999-2000. However, with improved surveillance and numerous ongoing records of White-beaked dolphins in the last 18 years, the short-term trend indicates the continued existence of sufficient quality habitat for the species. ||
->Future: Visual records of White-beaked dolphin in Irish waters indicate a wide and regular occurrence of the species throughout the year, in waters overlying the continental shelf and slope and also parts of some deeper oceanic basins.
The species is also regularly recorded in all coastal waters, including occasionally in the Irish 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.
While the impacts on individuals or populations of White-beaked dolphin in Irish waters are not well understood, partly due to continuing uncertainty regarding its population trends and ecology within Ireland’s marine area, ongoing threats as listed or identified into the future via surveillance will be managed appropriately in Ireland. Therefore the Future prospects for the Population are considered to be Good. ||
->Conclusion: Contemporary sightings of White-beaked dolphins indicate the wide and frequent occurrence of this species throughout Irish waters, from those overlying the continental shelf and continental slope to the margins of deeper ocean basins (e.g., Rockall Trough, Porcupine Seabight). Hence the Range and Habitat for the species are considered to be Favourable.
While robust and long-term data on White-beaked dolphin 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 one winter estimate and associated 95% Confidence Limits since 2014.
While there is some uncertainty in the trajectory of North-East Atlantic populations of White-beaked dolphin, given the available estimates for a large part of Irish waters and the species’ wide and frequent occurrence, the Population parameter is considered Favourable.
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 White-beaked dolphin 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 White-beaked dolphin in Ireland remains Favourable. This overall result is the same as the previous Article 17 assessment. ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

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Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Lagenorhynchus albirostris"
Information provided in the field 2.8.2: Reported additionnal information: ||
->Range: Vorige keer is deze soort niet ingevuld. ||
->Population: Vorige keer is deze soort niet ingevuld, nu wel.
De populatiegrootte van de witsnuitdolfijn is moeilijk in te schatten. Tijdens de SCANS-III survey en eerdere surveys werden de meeste witsnuitdolfijnen in het Britse deel van de Noordzee gezien. Ze komen vooral voor in kouder water (<13 graden). De gehele populatie bestaat uit ca 36 duizend dieren. (OSPAR intermediate assessment). In Nederlandse wateren worden soms tientallen gezien. Recente studies suggereren dat de populatiegrootte in de Noordzee afneemt als gevolg van toenemende watertemperatuur door klimaatverandering. ||
->HabInfo: Water warmt op door klimaatverandering en heeft daardoor waarschijnlijk effect op de verspreiding en beschikbaarheid van prooisoorten. De witsnuitdolfijn schuift naar het noorden op. ||
->Future: The northern part of the North sea is the southern part of its natural distribution range and its presence in the territorial waters of the Netherlands is largely depending on the population in the Atlantic Ocean.
Het leefgebied in de Noordzee wordt in de periode tot 2030, maar ook daarna door zeer grootschalige bouw van windmolenparken mogelijk ingeperkt. Het is onbekend wat het effect van deze grootschalige bouw is op witsnuitdolfijnen. ||
->Conclusion: Vorige keer is de soort niet ingevuld, nu wel. Daarom gekozen voor 'No information on the nature of change'. ||
->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

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Scientific name used in original MS report if different than recommended: "Lagenorhynchus albirostris"
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). Although the population estimate is higher than that of the 3rd reporting round (2013; ~43% higher), there is considerable overlap between the confidence intervals of the 2013 estimate and the current estimate, indicating that there is no significant difference between the two values and the population is relatively stable. However, there are too few data points to confidently conclude this. ||
->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 white-beaked dolphin, 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.
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->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.
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->JustificationThreshold: N/A ||
->Other: N/A

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