Rationale
There is no information pertaining to the population abundance of beaked whales within the assessment region, and they are generally considered to be naturally rare. However, there appear to be no current major threats to these species, although marine noise pollution, usually in the form of seismic surveys, navy operations and marine construction, as well as plastic pollution, have been identified as emerging and escalating threats to beaked whales. Anecdotal evidence suggests that beaked whales are more vulnerable to marine noise (particularly mid-frequency active sonar) than other cetaceans. The compounding influences of these threats, in association with other low-level threats, such as anthropogenic climate change, could potentially cause beaked whale population declines. With the exception of the Southern Bottlenose Whale, beaked whales in the assessment region are listed as Data Deficient, which highlights the need for additional research, specifically on assessments of abundance, changes in abundance, distribution and anthropogenic threats, including marine noise pollution. In other parts of the world there have been repeated instances of mass strandings of Cuvierâs Beaked Whales associated with mid to low frequency active sonar. It has been suggested that these sonar effects could extend to seismic surveys (applicable to all beaked whale species). Within the assessment region, only 26 strandings have been recorded. Thus, although this species is presumably common and abundant in South African waters, we list as Data Deficient until abundance and the effects of marine noise pollution can be investigated. Reassessments should follow when new data are available. The Southern Bottlenose Whale is the most abundant of all Ziphiidae species within South African waters, and is the second most commonly sighted whale. Data from the IWC circumpolar surveys places the national population at between 50,000 and 70,000 individuals with an estimated stable population trend and no major threat that could cause population decline. Although, similarly for the other beaked whales, marine noise pollution is considered a major emerging and intensifying threat, it is not projected to cause significant population decline of this abundant species. Thus, we list this species as Least Concern.Regional population effects: Beaked whales are considered to be wide-ranging, seasonally migrating species. Those present within South African waters in summer presumably spend winters in the southern oceans, thus there are no barriers to dispersal, and rescue effects are possible.