Capricorn Cetacean Project
Principal Investigators: Dr Daniele Cagnazzi, Professor Maria Cristina Fossi (Laboratoirio Bioamarkers, University of Siena), Dr Michael Kruetzen (Anthropological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich).
This project is still at the development stage, more information will be provided once the project is finalised.
Project Overview
This project is the extension of the Capricorn Inshore Dolphins Project, but it differs from the previous study by adopting a comprehensive approach to understand dolphin’s biology and their interactions with the environment and human activities. This research build on and use baseline already gathered long-term data in combination with impact assessments of human activity on dolphins, to build Predictive Demographic Models for determining whether or not populations are likely to persist in the future. Such risk assessment is essential for identifying species of concern, setting priorities for conservation action, and developing effective recovery plans. The processes and outcomes of this research and development will allow us to better understand, and respond to, the effects of human activities in the region and apply this model to other regions.
Project objectives:
1) to investigate the ecotoxicological status of inshore dolphins in the Gladstone and Fitzroy River regions.
2) to develop Population Viability Models for the Gladstone and Fitzroy River dolphins population.
3) to use results from obj.1 and 2 together with data on effects of impacts to assess the likely outcomes of different uncertainties, threats and management actions in terms of population growth rate - “Sensitivity Analysis”.
4) to formulate recommendations for management in consultation with local stakeholders and managers to produce an adaptive management plans.
This project is still at the development stage, more information will be provided once the project is finalised.
Project Overview
This project is the extension of the Capricorn Inshore Dolphins Project, but it differs from the previous study by adopting a comprehensive approach to understand dolphin’s biology and their interactions with the environment and human activities. This research build on and use baseline already gathered long-term data in combination with impact assessments of human activity on dolphins, to build Predictive Demographic Models for determining whether or not populations are likely to persist in the future. Such risk assessment is essential for identifying species of concern, setting priorities for conservation action, and developing effective recovery plans. The processes and outcomes of this research and development will allow us to better understand, and respond to, the effects of human activities in the region and apply this model to other regions.
Project objectives:
1) to investigate the ecotoxicological status of inshore dolphins in the Gladstone and Fitzroy River regions.
2) to develop Population Viability Models for the Gladstone and Fitzroy River dolphins population.
3) to use results from obj.1 and 2 together with data on effects of impacts to assess the likely outcomes of different uncertainties, threats and management actions in terms of population growth rate - “Sensitivity Analysis”.
4) to formulate recommendations for management in consultation with local stakeholders and managers to produce an adaptive management plans.
