For the first time, Peru is hosting the plenary meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), the only international organization that brings together governments from around the world to develop conservation and management strategies for cetaceans. The meeting will take place at the Los Delfines hotel in San Isidro, Lima, from September 23th to 27th. Crucial issues such as the need to maintain the moratorium on commercial whaling to ensure the recovery of whale populations, strengthening synergies between the IWC and other global environmental agreements, as well as the financial situation of the IWC will be discussed.

Meanwhile, just the last Thursday an entanglement of a southern right whale was reported, a population shared between Chile and Peru, which is categorized as critically endangered by the IUCN[1].  It is estimated that there are less than 50 animals left from this population, and the entangled female, which was seen by a tour operator in Los Organos, was accompanied by her calf, but they were not able to untangle her before losing sight of her. The same individual was observed again with its calf on Saturday, September 21st in Máncora, but although the incident was reported, IMARPE personnel were not available to carry out the rescue. In the case of this population on the brink of extinction, Peru has a crucial responsibility.

Entanglement in fishing nets represents the main threat to whales, not only causing prolonged death but also considerable agony. When a whale becomes trapped in a fishing net, the restriction of its mobility and the laceration caused by the ropes cause severe physical deterioration, including muscle wasting, wound infections, and often partial fin or tail amputations. Furthermore, prolonged stress and exhaustion resulting from attempts to free itself can drive the whale into a critical condition, compromising its vital functions and resulting in a slow, painful death. This type of anthropogenic interactions not only affects the individual survival of these cetaceans, but also has population impacts, altering social structures and reproductive patterns, which accentuates the need for effective mitigation measures in fishing practices to protect these species in danger.

The IWC has emphasized the urgency of reducing bycatch (or non-accidental fishing) and entanglement in nets, a significant threat to cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in both the ocean and inland waters, which not only endangers risk marine biodiversity but also causes substantial socioeconomic impacts on artisanal fishing communities.

“Historically, more than 102 whale entanglements have been registered along the Peruvian coast. So far in 2024, 9 incidents have already been reported and that is just the tip of the glacier, because most whale and dolphin entanglements are not reported. These entanglements often result in considerable economic losses for local fishermen, with deep-sea and coastal fishermen reporting average losses of S/. 10,613.6 and S/. 1,949.6, respectively,” says Piero Uceda, associate officer of WWF-Peru.

It is estimated that up to 20,000 cetaceans die each year in Peruvian fisheries due to bycatch[2], with the burmeister porpoise and dusky dolphin being the most affected species. This has generated significant concern on a global scale. Due to the high rate of bycatch and fears for the future of local populations, the IWC and the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group raised the alarm and expressed serious concern. Likewise, to comply with the requirements for exporting fishery products to the United States under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of that country, Peru has the obligation to monitor and mitigate the incidental capture of marine mammals in their artisanal and industrial fisheries.

Bycatch is not limited to marine environments, it also affects inland aquatic ecosystems. In the Peruvian Amazon, river dolphins face accidental capture that not only causes unintentional death, but also economic losses for fishermen due to damage to their nets. For this reason, it is urgent to update the Fisheries Management Regulation of the Peruvian Amazon (ROPA), ensuring that it includes guidelines that guarantee harmonious coexistence between fisheries and river dolphins, promoting their conservation and the sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems.

The IWC allows Peru to access crucial international technical support to address entanglements and bycatch of both marine and inland cetaceans. Through this collaboration, Peru can implement advanced technologies to reduce risk and effective practices to address entanglements when they occur.

WWF-Peru works with both marine and inland fishers to promote good fishing practices and implement measures to prevent entanglement of whales and dolphins. "The impact of fishing on cetaceans highlights the urgent need to find solutions that protect both our marine biodiversity and the communities that depend on marine resources," said Aimée Leslie, Conservation Director of WWF-Peru.

The IWC meeting in Peru is not only a crucial event for global cetacean conservation, but also a unique opportunity for Peru to demonstrate leadership in the protection of these species internationally. Through the cooperation and technical support offered by the IWC, the country is in a position to advance the implementation of effective measures against entanglement and bycatch, ensuring the conservation of these species and the communities that depend on them. WWF-Peru will continue to collaborate with the Peruvian government and local communities to ensure sustainable fishing, promoting a harmonious coexistence between human activities and marine life and environment.

[1] https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/133704/50385137
[2] Van Waerebeek & Reyes 1994, Mangel et al. 2010

 

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