부산대학교 도서관

We report on two sightings of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) off eastern Cyprus, in the Eastern Mediterranean, reported through social media. The records are of relevance because there is a paucity of information for this endangered population in Cyprus waters, these being the first published direct observations. One is of a solitary male and another of a social unit. Human threats to the species such as anthropogenic noise and plastic debris are significant and growing. Long-term systematic surveys are called for, to better understand the ecology of the species in Cyprus waters, while opportunities for better reporting of deep-diving cetaceans are discussed. Marine development and resource exploitation projects must be appropriately assessed and their impacts on deep diving cetaceans mitigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]