Port of Imbituba Begins Whale Monitoring Season

SCPAR Porto de Imbituba has launched its Cetacean Monitoring Program activities. During this last week of June, field teams underwent practical and theoretical training to enhance their performance for the upcoming season. Land-based observation will begin on July 1st and continue through November 30th.

Field teams will conduct daily land-based monitoring from two fixed observation points, using a fixed-point methodology to spot southern right whale groups. Throughout the season, aerial surveys will also be carried out to assess the number of whales present along the southern coast of Santa Catarina. During these flights, photographs of each whale will be taken, and the areas with the highest group concentrations will be mapped.

Prospects for this year are positive, as monitoring will take place at two sites. The main team, which includes three observers, will oversee the Imbituba Port Cove, while a second team with two observers will be based at the Ribanceira Beach Cove. In addition to land-based observation, three aerial surveys for census and photo-identification are planned across the entire Right Whale Environmental Protection Area (APA).

During the season, SCPAR Porto de Imbituba will also implement its Internal Good Practices Procedure, designed to inform and raise awareness among ship captains and crew about the potential presence of these marine mammals in navigation areas. The initiative includes an educational video in English, the distribution of brochures and posters on board ships to promote environmental awareness, and the issuance of notices and alerts for increased caution when whales are spotted during vessel maneuvers.

“The coastal region of Imbituba is the main approach area for these marine mammals, so conducting monitoring is extremely important to ensure the conservation and safety of the species while maintaining port operations,” says Christiano Lopes, CEO of the Port of Imbituba.

“Southern right whales were hunted for centuries along the entire Brazilian coast, to the point that sightings disappeared from the Santa Catarina coast for some years. Today, we can observe the population growing year after year,” notes Paulo Márcio de Souza, Head of the Health, Safety, and Environment Department at the Port of Imbituba.

“Imbituba was the last whaling station to close along the Santa Catarina coast, and in a way, we owe a debt to these magnificent animals. The whale monitoring program is also a way to make amends for the past, and it is carried out with great care and dedication by the Port of Imbituba,” adds Souza.

“The Southern Right Whale Monitoring Program’s main goal is to allow port operations to develop in harmony with the environment, respecting the reproductive season of this very special species in our region,” highlights Camila Amorim, oceanographer at SCPAR Porto de Imbituba.

Source: Portal Portuário

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