Corpse of a P. dioptrica.

The family Phocoenidae consists of only six species, distributed in both hemispheres. The Spectacled Porpoise (Phocoena dioptrica) is one of the least known cetaceans. It occurs in both coastal and offshore waters of the Southern Hemisphere with possibly a circumpolar distribution. Nothing is known about the abundance, social behaviour, migrations, sounds or associations of this species. No genetic studies have been conducted on this species throughout its possible range of distribution.

P. dioptrica.

In Argentine waters, it is believe to be taken as bycatch in artisanal shore-based gillnet fisheries of the island of Tierra del Fuego, or caught in wide shallow beaches with hide tides in areas such as Bahía San Sebastián in the northeast coast of the island. Most of the specimens found in this area are skeletons (because animals are rapidly eaten by birds), with only some records of dead fresh animals, thus being more difficult to determine their cause of death. It is the second species of marine mammal most frequently found on these shores (the first one is the Commerson’s dolphin, Cephalorhynchus commersonii). Other threats to this species could include pollution, habitat degradation in coastal waters, oil drilling and production, and commercial shipping traffic throughout its range.

The overall aim of this project is to assess the impact of artisanal local fishermen’s bycatch through surveys during fishing season and to determine the genetic diversity of the Spectacled porpoise on the Patagonian coasts of Argentina through mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis, with the aim of helping in the conservation and knowledge of the species in its southern South American range. To assess the conservation status of the spectacled porpoise off the Patagonian coasts, since in the 2008 IUCN Red List of threatened Species, it is classified as ‘data deficient’. In Appendix II of CITES (2009), it is considered as one of the species that are not necessarily threatened, but that may become so unless closely monitored.

The particular objectives of this scientific plan are to analyse samples of different specimens of Spectacled Porpoise with molecular methods to generate essential baseline data on the conservation status of the Spectacled porpoise; to interview local fishermen about number and species incidentally caught in nets to assess the impact of bycatch in this species; to encourage awareness and interest in marine science and conservation through talks to the local community and fishermen to increase interest in their marine fauna, a sense of ownership and the need to protect it.