Area of Study: Whales and Dolphins

The Magallanes region has an enormous environmental heterogeneity and harbours one of the highest specific diversities of marine mammals in Chile and the world (67% of Chile’s mammal species are found here). As examples, the humpback whale, sei whale, Peale’s dolphin, and Commerson’s dolphin are included. This great diversity was significantly threatened until about 40 years ago when the whaling industry was dissolved. Currently, there are other potential threats such as garbage, maritime traffic, and the intention to install wind generators in the area, in addition to the advent of green hydrogen. On the other hand, these cetaceans have a certain degree of protection, given that their capture is prohibited, and there is a Marine Protected Area with the intention of safeguarding their feeding and breeding grounds. However, it protects the cetaceans but not really their prey, so further investigation is needed to make it effective in achieving its objectives.

To better conserve these species, various aspects that are not yet well understood must be studied. This includes their diet and trophic ecology. One approach used for this is stable isotope analysis, which allows addressing these questions to assess the impacts generated by fluctuations in prey abundances and thus make better decisions for their conservation.