Estrategias para el avistamiento sostenible de cetáceos en las aguas del Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla Iguana, distrito de Pedasí, provincia de los Santos, Panamá
Archivos
Fecha
2013
Autores
Casas Maldonado, José Julio
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Editor
Universidad Nacional (Costa Rica)
Resumen
En general la información sobre cetáceos en las aguas Panameñas es escasa; aunque en los últimos años se nota un aumento en las investigaciones sobre este grupo. Este aumento viene ligado al inicio de actividades económicas sobre estos animales. Aunque este desarrollo no se da de manera sostenible dentro de las comunidades que lo realizan, por lo que causa preocupación el impacto que pueda ocasionar. Este estudio se realizó en el Refugio de Vida Silvestre isla Iguana en Pedasí y tiene como objetivo general determinar las estrategias viables para el desarrollo del avistamiento sostenible de cetáceos como una alternativa turística que genere ingresos económicos importantes a las personas que la desarrollan en la zona. Para esto se realizó un análisis socioeconómico a través de un análisis F.O.D.A. y una evaluación ecológica que revisó aspectos de diversidad, distribución y uso de área de los cetáceos presentes en la zona. Se tomaron datos a lo largo de 10 meses de muestreo con un total de 20 salidas y 45 horas reales logrando determinar que al Refugio llegan hasta ocho especies de tres familias. Sólo tres especies fueron observadas en campo y el resto fueron reportadas por pescadores y/o investigaciones anteriores. La especie más común es Stenella attenuata, x=9,5 individuos (con un rango de 2 a 20 delfines, DS=6,004, n=197); seguido por Tursiops truncatus, individuos (con un rango de 1 a 5 delfines, DS=1,3123, n=32) y Megaptera novaeangliae) (=2,36 individuos (con un rango de 1 a 6 individuos, DS=I ,6109, n=26). Las tres especies se distribuyen hacia el lado Noreste de la Isla, aumentando su concentración en la parte Norte de la misma, en donde se ubican áreas núcleo de importancia, que para ambas especies de delfines parecen estar relacionadas a la presencia de presas, mientras que para M. novaeangliae tiene más relación con factores ambientales que ayudan a la crianza y protección contra depredadores. Los reportes de las especies no observadas indican que Orcinus orca, es una especie que se puede observar durante los meses de verano cuando la temperatura del agua descienden por el afloramiento de la zona. Para Globicephala macrorhynchus se tienen reportes de interacción con diversas artes de pesca. Para Physeter macrocepha/us se tienen dos reportes de organismos varados muertos en la zona. Algunos autores mencionan la presencia de Pseudorca crassidens y Stenella coeruleoalba. La encuesta levantada indica que en la zona hay 15 pescadores que realizan la actividad, transportando entre 300 y 500 turistas anualmente de los cuales el 15% realiza avistamiento de cetáceos. De estos el 65% son extranjeros, 25% nacionales Y 10% locales, sin diferenciación de género. A través del análisis F.O.D.A, se pudo determinar que los pescadores de la zona tienen gran conciencia ambiental Y un creciente interés en capacitarse en el uso sostenible de recursos y están dispuestos a apoyar actividades de investigación en la zona. La observación de cetáceos está generando beneficios socioeconómicos en la zona, pero su desarrollo debe ser el resultado de un proceso conjunto entre autoridades, comunidad y técnicos especialistas en el tema.
In general, information on cetaceans in Panamanian waters is scarce; although in recent years there has been an increase in research on this group. This increase is linked to the beginning of economic activities on these animals. Although this development does not occur in a sustainable manner within the communities that carry it out, therefore the impact that it may cause is of concern. This study was carried out in the Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge in Pedasí and its general objective is to determine viable strategies for the development of sustainable whale watching as a tourist alternative that generates significant economic income for the people who develop it in the area. For this, a socioeconomic analysis was carried out through a SWOT analysis. and an ecological assessment that reviewed aspects of diversity, distribution, and area use of the cetaceans present in the area. Data was taken over 10 months of sampling with a total of 20 outings and 45 real hours, managing to determine that up to eight species from three families arrive at the Refuge. Only three species were observed in the field and the rest were reported by fishermen and/or previous investigations. The most common species is Stenella attenuata, x=9.5 individuals (with a range of 2 to 20 dolphins, SD=6,004, n=197); followed by Tursiops truncatus, individuals (with a range of 1 to 5 dolphins, SD=1.3123, n=32) and Megaptera novaeangliae) (=2.36 individuals (with a range of 1 to 6 individuals, SD=I , 6109, n=26). The three species are distributed towards the northeast side of the island, increasing their concentration in the northern part of it, where core areas of importance are located, which for both species of dolphins seem to be related to the presence of prey, while for M. novaeangliae it has more to do with environmental factors that help with breeding and protection against predators. The reports of the unobserved species indicate that Orcinus orca is a species that can be observed during the summer months when the water temperature drops due to the upwelling of the area. For Globicephala macrorhynchus there are reports of interaction with various fishing gear. For Physeter macrocepha/us there are two reports of dead stranded organisms in the area. Some authors mention the presence of Pseudorca crassidens and Stenella coeruleoalba. The survey carried out indicates that in the area there are 15 fishermen who carry out the activity, transporting between 300 and 500 tourists annually, of which 15% go whale watching. Of these, 65% are foreigners, 25% nationals and 10% locals, without gender differentiation. Through the SWOT analysis, it was possible to determine that the fishermen in the area have great environmental awareness and a growing interest in training in the sustainable use of resources and are willing to support research activities in the area. The observation of cetaceans is generating socioeconomic benefits in the area, but its development must be the result of a joint process between authorities, the community and specialist technicians in the subject.
In general, information on cetaceans in Panamanian waters is scarce; although in recent years there has been an increase in research on this group. This increase is linked to the beginning of economic activities on these animals. Although this development does not occur in a sustainable manner within the communities that carry it out, therefore the impact that it may cause is of concern. This study was carried out in the Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge in Pedasí and its general objective is to determine viable strategies for the development of sustainable whale watching as a tourist alternative that generates significant economic income for the people who develop it in the area. For this, a socioeconomic analysis was carried out through a SWOT analysis. and an ecological assessment that reviewed aspects of diversity, distribution, and area use of the cetaceans present in the area. Data was taken over 10 months of sampling with a total of 20 outings and 45 real hours, managing to determine that up to eight species from three families arrive at the Refuge. Only three species were observed in the field and the rest were reported by fishermen and/or previous investigations. The most common species is Stenella attenuata, x=9.5 individuals (with a range of 2 to 20 dolphins, SD=6,004, n=197); followed by Tursiops truncatus, individuals (with a range of 1 to 5 dolphins, SD=1.3123, n=32) and Megaptera novaeangliae) (=2.36 individuals (with a range of 1 to 6 individuals, SD=I , 6109, n=26). The three species are distributed towards the northeast side of the island, increasing their concentration in the northern part of it, where core areas of importance are located, which for both species of dolphins seem to be related to the presence of prey, while for M. novaeangliae it has more to do with environmental factors that help with breeding and protection against predators. The reports of the unobserved species indicate that Orcinus orca is a species that can be observed during the summer months when the water temperature drops due to the upwelling of the area. For Globicephala macrorhynchus there are reports of interaction with various fishing gear. For Physeter macrocepha/us there are two reports of dead stranded organisms in the area. Some authors mention the presence of Pseudorca crassidens and Stenella coeruleoalba. The survey carried out indicates that in the area there are 15 fishermen who carry out the activity, transporting between 300 and 500 tourists annually, of which 15% go whale watching. Of these, 65% are foreigners, 25% nationals and 10% locals, without gender differentiation. Through the SWOT analysis, it was possible to determine that the fishermen in the area have great environmental awareness and a growing interest in training in the sustainable use of resources and are willing to support research activities in the area. The observation of cetaceans is generating socioeconomic benefits in the area, but its development must be the result of a joint process between authorities, the community and specialist technicians in the subject.
Descripción
Casas Maldonado, J. J. (2013). Estrategias para el avistamiento sostenible de cetáceos en las aguas del Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla Iguana, distrito de Pedasí, provincia de los Santos, Panamá. [Tesis de Maestría]. Universidad Nacional, Puntarenas, C.R.
Palabras clave
BIODIVERSIDAD, BIODIVERSITY, HABITAT, CETACEA, MAMIFEROS MARINOS, ECOLOGIA, ECOLOGY, SOSTENIBILIDAD, AREAS SILVESTRES, PANAMA