Monitoring the effects of tourism on whale shark Rhincodon typus behaviour in Mozambique

Nosy Be in northwestern Madagascar is home to a globally important whale shark (Rhincodon typus) aggregation and a growing whale shark tourism industry. Whale sharks, however, are not protected in Malagasy waters and are threatened by fisheries bycatch, collisions with vessels, and disturbance from tourism. We used tourist questionnaires (n = 488) to assess the economic value of, and tourist perceptions of, whale shark tourism in Nosy Be from September-December 2019. We also surveyed whale shark tour operators (n = 12) in December 2018 to understand their perceptions of tourism management needs in the region. Results suggest the Nosy Be whale shark tourism industry was worth US$1.5 million for the three-month 2019 whale shark season. ‘Dedicated’ whale shark divers (i.e., those who came specifically to Nosy Be to swim with whale sharks) spent 55% more money overall and six times the amount individually compared to ‘casual’ whale shark divers. Both tourists and operators supported the protection of whale sharks, with the majority (67.4%) of tourists strongly agreeing that they would choose a tourism destination at which whale sharks are protected. Tour operators did note, however, significant management issues (e.g., overcrowding, lack of regulations/training), recommending the need to better regulate whale shark tourism and interactions. This study emphasises the economic rationale for protecting whale sharks in Madagascar to safeguard the emerging marine tourism industry and ensure it is being sustainably managed.

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Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) behavior: A multi-year analysis of individuals at Georgia Aquarium

10.7287/peerj.preprints.88 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Michael P Black ◽

Matthew Grober ◽

Christian Schreiber ◽

Chris Coco ◽

Alistair Dove

Keyword(s):

Feeding Time ◽

Whale Shark ◽

Short Term ◽

Behavioral Profile ◽

Behavioral Traits ◽

Rhincodon Typus ◽

In Captivity ◽

Whale Sharks ◽

Daily Changes

Background. From the coastal seas near Taiwan to the 6.3 million gallon Ocean Voyager habitat at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, were brought in stages: two females arrived in June 2006 and two males in June 2007. The behavioral observations described in this study began in 2008 as the first reported observations in captivity to assist in husbandry and better understand whale shark behavior variation between individuals and across time. Methods. Two types of observations were made of the four sharks currently in the Georgia Aquarium Ocean Voyager habitat: 1) 15-minute focal observations throughout the day of individual sharks from a high gantry vantage point using Stopwatch+ software to time stamp all recorded behavior and 2) observations of swim speed, depth, and swimming direction for all sharks passing by a section of wall over longer periods of time (15 min-hours). Z-tests were used for inter-observer reliability. Results. For most traits, whale sharks demonstrated unique behavioral profiles that were consistent over many years, but, over the course of years, some of these behavioral traits changed for individual sharks. There were also daily changes in behavior that were consistent across days. For instance, whale sharks showed a clear anticipation of feeding time marked by increases in swimming speed prior to obvious cues of the feed (i.e. 1 hour prior). During observations recorded during the day, whale sharks spent the majority of their time swimming at or near the surface. Most spent relatively equal times swimming clockwise as they did counterclockwise. Swim speeds observed in the habitat were similar to the range of those estimated from work in the field. Conclusion. Each shark in the habitat demonstrated a behavioral profile unique to that individual, and we have observed short-term and long-term consistent patterns as well as changes in some behavior. These observations increase our knowledge of whale shark behavior, assisting in the husbandry of these animals and giving a better understanding of individual differences, temporal changes, and interactions between sharks.

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Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) behavior: A multi-year analysis of individuals at Georgia Aquarium

10.7287/peerj.preprints.88v1 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Michael P Black ◽

Matthew Grober ◽

Christian Schreiber ◽

Chris Coco ◽

Alistair Dove

Keyword(s):

Feeding Time ◽

Whale Shark ◽

Short Term ◽

Behavioral Profile ◽

Behavioral Traits ◽

Rhincodon Typus ◽

In Captivity ◽

Whale Sharks ◽

Daily Changes

Background. From the coastal seas near Taiwan to the 6.3 million gallon Ocean Voyager habitat at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, were brought in stages: two females arrived in June 2006 and two males in June 2007. The behavioral observations described in this study began in 2008 as the first reported observations in captivity to assist in husbandry and better understand whale shark behavior variation between individuals and across time. Methods. Two types of observations were made of the four sharks currently in the Georgia Aquarium Ocean Voyager habitat: 1) 15-minute focal observations throughout the day of individual sharks from a high gantry vantage point using Stopwatch+ software to time stamp all recorded behavior and 2) observations of swim speed, depth, and swimming direction for all sharks passing by a section of wall over longer periods of time (15 min-hours). Z-tests were used for inter-observer reliability. Results. For most traits, whale sharks demonstrated unique behavioral profiles that were consistent over many years, but, over the course of years, some of these behavioral traits changed for individual sharks. There were also daily changes in behavior that were consistent across days. For instance, whale sharks showed a clear anticipation of feeding time marked by increases in swimming speed prior to obvious cues of the feed (i.e. 1 hour prior). During observations recorded during the day, whale sharks spent the majority of their time swimming at or near the surface. Most spent relatively equal times swimming clockwise as they did counterclockwise. Swim speeds observed in the habitat were similar to the range of those estimated from work in the field. Conclusion. Each shark in the habitat demonstrated a behavioral profile unique to that individual, and we have observed short-term and long-term consistent patterns as well as changes in some behavior. These observations increase our knowledge of whale shark behavior, assisting in the husbandry of these animals and giving a better understanding of individual differences, temporal changes, and interactions between sharks.

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Seasonal Occurrence, Horizontal Movements, and Habitat Use Patterns of Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the Gulf of Mexico

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2020.598515 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Eric R. Hoffmayer ◽

Jennifer A. McKinney ◽

James S. Franks ◽

Jill M. Hendon ◽

William B. Driggers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Continental Shelf ◽

Site Fidelity ◽

Seasonal Occurrence ◽

Whale Shark ◽

Shelf Edge ◽

Rhincodon Typus ◽

Aggregation Site ◽

Whale Sharks

In the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) form large aggregations at continental shelf-edge banks during summer; however, knowledge of movements once they leave aggregation sites is limited. Here we report on the seasonal occurrence of whale sharks in the northern GOM based on over 800 whale shark sightings from 1989 to 2016, as well as the movements of 42 whale sharks tagged with satellite-linked and popup satellite archival transmitting tags from 2008 to 2015. Sightings data were most numerous during summer and fall often with aggregations of individuals reported along the continental shelf break. Most sharks (66%) were tagged during this time at Ewing Bank, a known aggregation site off the coast of Louisiana. Whale shark track duration ranged from three to 366 days and all tagged individuals, which ranged from 4.5 to 12.0 m in total length, remained within the GOM. Sightings data revealed that whale sharks occurred primarily in continental shelf and shelf-edge waters (81%) whereas tag data revealed the sharks primarily inhabited continental slope and open ocean waters (91%) of the GOM. Much of their time spent in open ocean waters was associated with the edge of the Loop Current and associated mesoscale eddies. During cooler months, there was a net movement southward, corresponding with the time of reduced sighting reports. Several sharks migrated to the southwest GOM during fall and winter, suggesting this region could be important overwintering habitat and possibly represents another seasonal aggregation site. The three long-term tracked whale sharks exhibited interannual site fidelity, returning one year later to the vicinity where they were originally tagged. The increased habitat use of north central GOM waters by whale sharks as summer foraging grounds and potential interannual site fidelity to Ewing Bank demonstrate the importance of this region for this species.

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Multi-method assessment of whale shark (Rhincodon typus) residency, distribution, and dispersal behavior at an aggregation site in the Red Sea

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0222285 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. e0222285 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jesse E. M. Cochran ◽

Camrin D. Braun ◽

E. Fernando Cagua ◽

Michael F. Campbell ◽

Royale S. Hardenstine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Red Sea ◽

Whale Shark ◽

Rhincodon Typus ◽

Aggregation Site ◽

Dispersal Behavior

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Quantity and quality of prey available for the whale shark (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) at the Mexican Caribbean aggregation site

Regional Studies in Marine Science ◽

10.1016/j.rsma.2021.101696 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 101696

Author(s):

Oscar Reyes-Mendoza ◽

Natali Cárdenas-Palomo ◽

Jorge Herrera-Silveira ◽

Emanuel Mimila-Herrera ◽

Jorge Trújillo-Córdova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Whale Shark ◽

Rhincodon Typus ◽

Aggregation Site ◽

Mexican Caribbean

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The Behavioural Impacts of Commercial Swimming With Whale Tours on Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Hervey Bay, Australia

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.696136 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Stephanie H. Stack ◽

Kate R. Sprogis ◽

Grace L. Olson ◽

Florence A. Sullivan ◽

Abigail F. Machernis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Management Strategies ◽

Tourism Industry ◽

Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽

Humpback Whales ◽

Population Recovery ◽

Energy Reserves ◽

Baleen Whale ◽

Short Term ◽

Marine Tourism ◽

Behavioural Responses

Swim-with-whale tourism has expanded across several countries globally, with humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) being the most commonly targeted species of baleen whale. Behavioural responses from humpback whales to swim-with-whale tours have been reported, however, responses are likely context-dependent. In 2014, swimming with humpback whales began in Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia, an important resting ground and migratory stopover for humpback whales. The behavioural responses of humpback whales to this swim-with-whale industry have not been examined in Queensland, preventing informed management of this industry. The aims of this study were to: (1) examine short-term behavioural responses in whales before, during, and after swim-with-whale tours, and (2) investigate behavioural responses of whales throughout swim-with-whale tours compared to whale watch tours. Data were collected on board a commercial vessel, where before, during and after data were collected during swim-with-whale tours (250 h) and whale watch tours (150 h). Within the swim-with-whale tours, behavioural changes were detected before, during, and after the vessel approached and placed swimmers in the water on a mermaid line, with the majority of significant changes occurring in the during and after phases. The number of direction changes made by the whales was highest when swimmers were in the water and the whales did not resume undisturbed behaviour after the swimmers exited the water. There was a 50% reduction in the proportion of time that whales spent resting during swim-tours compared to during whale watch tours. In both tour types, the time spent engaging in various behaviours was impacted by the distance between the vessel and the whale(s). These results support the conclusion that the behaviour of humpback whales in Hervey Bay was altered in response to swim-with-whale tourism. As humpback whales are capital breeders with limited energy reserves, reducing disturbance to them is of high importance for their continued population recovery and for the sustainability of the marine tourism industry. In Australia, where swim-with-whale tourism is becoming more established, robust education and enforcement programs, combined with continued monitoring of population dynamics through scientific research, are needed to minimise impacts to the population and guide adaptive management strategies.

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High tolerance of progressive elastic compression in peripheral arterial disease

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000799 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (5) ◽

pp. 413-417 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Serge Couzan ◽

Jean-François Pouget ◽

Claire Le Hello ◽

Céline Chapelle ◽

Silvy Laporte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Venous Insufficiency ◽

Ankle Brachial Index ◽

Arterial Disease ◽

Return Flow ◽

High Tolerance ◽

Compression Stockings ◽

Short Term ◽

Poor Tolerance ◽

The Mean ◽

Peripheral Arterial

Summary. Background: Theoretically progressive compression stockings, which produce a higher compression at the calf than at the ankle level, improve venous return flow without exacerbating peripheral arterial insufficiency (PAD). We aimed to evaluate the short-term tolerance of elastic progressive compression stockings on peripheral arterial vascularisation in patients with symptomatic PAD and associated mild venous insufficiency. Patients and methods: Monocentric, prospective, open pilot study of 18 patients (acceptability study, 6 x 6 plan) evaluating the short-term tolerance of progressive compression stockings (18 ± 2 mmHg at calf and 8 ± 2 mmHg at ankle level) in patients with PAD (ankle brachial index ABI > 0.60 < 0.75) and chronic venous insufficiency (C1s–C4 stages of the CEAP classification). Day 15 tolerance was evaluated by a composite primary criteria comprising: no decrease > 15 % of ABI on each side, no decrease > 15 % of toe brachial index (TBI) on each side and no decrease > 25 % of the number of active plantar flexions performed while standing. Results: The proportion of men was 77.8 %, mean age was 77.3 ± 7.5 years and no patient were diabetic. At inclusion, the mean low ABI was 0.60 ± 0.04 and the mean high ABI was 0.77 ± 0.18. The mean low TBI was 0.32 ± 0.09 and the mean high TBI 0.46 ± 0.15. The mean number of active standing plantar flexions was 33.0 ± 5.0. The majority of the patients were classified in CEAP C2s and C3 classes (class 2: 16.7 %, class C2s: 27.8 %, class C3: 44.4 %, class C4: 5.6 % and class C4s: 5.6 %). Poor tolerance occurred in no patient. By day 30, no patient had worsening of their arterial and venous symptoms. No adverse events occurred during the study. Conclusions: These results suggest a high tolerance of progressive elastic stockings (18 ± 2 mmHg at calf and 8 ± 2 mmHg at ankle level) in symptomatic PAD.

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Evaluation of the Efficacy of ST2 and NT-proBNP in the Diagnosis and Prediction of Short- Term Prognosis in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.25258/ijpcr.v9i04.8539 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (04) ◽

Author(s):

Shivananda B Nayak ◽

Dharindra Sawh ◽

Brandon Scott ◽

Vestra Sears ◽

Kareshma Seebalack ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Cardiac Biomarkers ◽

Double Blind Study ◽

Short Term ◽

Double Blind ◽

Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽

The Mean ◽

Design And Methods ◽

The Relationship

Purpose: i) To determine the relationship between the cardiac biomarkers ST2 and NT-proBNP with ejection fraction (EF) in heart failure (HF) patients. ii) Assess whether a superiority existed between the aforementioned cardiac markers in diagnosing the HF with reduced EF. iii) Determine the efficacy of both biomarkers in predicting a 30-day cardiovascular event and rehospitalization in patients with HF with reduced EF iv) To assess the influence of age, gender, BMI, anaemia and renal failure on the ST2 and NT-proBNP levels. Design and Methods: A prospective double-blind study was conducted to obtain data from a sample of 64 cardiology patients. A blood sample was collected to test for ST2 and NT-proBNP. An echocardiogram (to obtain EF value), electrocardiogram and questionnaire were also obtained. Results: Of the 64 patients enrolled, 59.4% of the population had an EF less than 40%. At the end of the 30- day period, 7 patients were warded, 37 were not warded, one died and 17 were non respondent. Both biomarkers were efficacious at diagnosing HF with a reduced EF. However, neither of them were efficacious in predicting 30-day rehospitalization. The mean NT-proBNP values being: not rehospitalized (2114.7486) and 30 day rehospitalization (1008.42860) and the mean ST2 values being: not rehospitalized (336.1975), and 30-day rehospitalization. (281.9657). Conclusion: Neither ST2 or NT-proBNP was efficacious in predicting the short- term prognosis in HF with reduced EF. Both however were successful at confirming the diagnosis of HF in HF patients with reduced EF.

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The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Chinese-listed tourism stocks

Financial Innovation ◽

10.1186/s40854-021-00240-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wenmin Wu ◽

Chien-Chiang Lee ◽

Wenwu Xing ◽

Shan-Ju Ho

Keyword(s):

Stock Returns ◽

Cultural Differences ◽

Stock Price ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Tourism Industry ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Short Term ◽

Tourism Sector ◽

Event Study Method ◽

The Impact

AbstractThis research explored the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak on stock price movements of China’s tourism industry by using an event study method. The results showed that the crisis negatively impacted tourism sector stocks. Further quantile regression analyses supported the non-linear relationship between the government’s responses and stock returns. The results present that the resurgence of the virus in Beijing did bring about a short-term negative impact on the tourism industry. The empirical results can be used for future researchers to conduct a comparative study of cultural differences concerning government responses to the COVID-19.

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