Conservation and Research Priorities for the Endangered Lahille’s Bottlenose and Franciscana Dolphins in Southern Brazil

Conservation and Research Priorities for the Endangered Lahille’s Bottlenose and Franciscana Dolphins in Southern Brazil

Dr. Eduardo Secchi will describe the benefits of continued ecological research, priorities, stakeholder communication and the potential of strengthening the human dimension for the conservation of two coastal small cetacean species, the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) and Lahille’s bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus gephyreus) in southern Brazil. Research and conservation efforts for both species were based on long-term studies and collaboration among several institutions from Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Entanglement in gillnets is the greatest threat to the viability of both species. 

Over the years there has been a notable lack of integration between social and scientific dimensions in trying to regulate fisheries to protect endangered species. Conservation strategies that result in legal restrictions are often developed in a top-down approach passing over the fishing community’s necessities. A project has been created to contribute for social engagement and to build a change in the educational policy of the schools around fishing communities in Rio Grande, Southern Brazil. It is expected, in the medium to long term, that community engagement will help to achieve conservation and social goals.