In September 2021, Only One is partnering with MarViva to investigate ships’ disruptions to key marine species that sustain regional ecological and socioeconomic dynamics in Central America and the Eastern Tropical Pacific, with an emphasis on cetaceans such as whales and dolphins.
The study will focus on the High Seas portion of the Costa Rica Thermal Dome. The Dome is a dynamic open-ocean phenomenon which expands and contracts seasonally. During periods of maximum extension, it covers thousands of square kilometers beyond national jurisdiction and part of the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) throughout Central America. The project findings will inform policy recommendations aimed at securing the sustainability of marine resources and regional economic activities linked to ecosystems in international waters.
The Thermal Dome is a unique year-round habitat for the blue whale, and MarViva will primarily focus their research on this endangered, emblematic species. The team will advance preliminary assessment and description of estimated impacts of sound on marine mammal biology and behavior to provide backing for the development of potentially critical maritime traffic regulations.
Project impact
Around 250,000 square kilometers of the High Seas, hosting whales and dolphins, will be analyzed by MarViva
1 report on blue whale distribution versus maritime traffic routes and activity in the Thermal Dome will be produced
6 countries in Central America will be informed of scientific data critical for protecting marine species in the High Seas within the Eastern Tropical Pacific
Why studying the impacts of sound on blue whales matters
The Thermal Dome is a marine biodiversity hotspot home to many forms of ocean life, from tiny zooplankton drifting along the currents, to spotted and spinner dolphins riding the waves, to blue whales — the biggest living animal on Earth, reaching more than 30 meters in length and at least 180 tons in weight.
The Eastern Tropical Pacific hosts blue whales traveling south from California and the Gulf of Mexico, where the population is estimated in approximately 3,000 individuals. In addition to serving as a major migration corridor, satellite tracking has revealed the site to be a breeding and calving area for the whales. As such, the Thermal Dome may be a key habitat for the survival and recovery of blue whales in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. It forms a key part of a network of blue whale habitats, and while several of these sites have already been partially regulated, most have no formal protection, including the Thermal Dome.
It is likely that the greatest point of vulnerability for biodiversity in the Thermal Dome comes from commercial fisheries and maritime traffic, intensified by the lack of regulations and access to relevant information related to these activities. The project being led by MarViva will aggregate and synthesize existing scientific information to analyze data on the impacts of maritime traffic on cetaceans, particularly focused on vessel strikes and noise, as a first step toward making a clear case for navigation regulations to protect their populations in the High Seas.
Representing over 90 percent of the entire planet’s living space and providing a vital habitat and migratory corridors for countless species and a source of sustenance for wildlife and people in all corners of the planet, the High Seas is critical to the health of the entire ocean. However, despite its size and importance, the lack of a formal governance or international agreement to establish protection and management measures allows uncontrolled human activities and impact in detriment of its biodiversity and environmental services.
More about MarViva
Since 2002, MarViva have been on a mission to promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. They advance participatory processes at the local and regional levels, leveraging their multidisciplinary team of experts, composed of marine biologists, environmental lawyers, geographers, journalists, business administrators, and other complementing specialists. Key areas of focus for MarViva include sustainable fishing, the deterrence of marine litter, and capacity building for enhanced marine stewardship.
