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Ecology and Behavior of Commerson's dolphin in Puerto Deseado,
Southern Patagonia, Argentina
The Commerson´s dolphin (Cephalorynchus commersonii)
dwells in the southern coast of Argentine Patagonia. Most
sightings of commerson´s dolphin take place in coastal
areas and in river mouths, bays, fiords, and estuaries. The
commerson´s dolphin is on the red list of animals at
risk (IUCN 1990) classified as an insufficiently known species.
The coastal habits make them particularly susceptible to the
effects of human activity.
The Ría Deseado area is featured by the presence of
cliffs, gullies, bays, canals and islands, with rocky and
sand beaches. At the entrance to the estuary, lies the city
of Puerto Deseado, a busy port with traffic of about 600 vessels
a year, being one of the most important maritime harbors in
Argentina.
Objectives:
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To make a detailed record of
the abundance and distribution of the species population
in the area. |
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To record tourist boat traffic and its
effects on the distribution and abundance of individuals
in areas of reproduction, breeding, and feeding. |
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To make a record of the fishing activity
in the area and to measure the level of pollution by means
of necropsies on carcasses eventually found stranded or
incidentally entangled in fishing nets. |
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