Key areas for beaked whales worldwide

Beaked whales represent one of the groups large mammals about which relatively little is still known. Many beaked whale species are known from less than 50 records and only three partial skeletons. subject to bycatch by fisheries, ingestion plastics, accumulation biocontaminants adverse effects anthropogenic noise. However, inadequacy knowledge their biology means that developing effective conservation strategies can be difficult. We suggest best achieved if, in consort with other approaches, key areas for around world identified. five criteria used identify where, if human impacts were occur, they would cause concerns at a regional or global level. Using these criteria, 23 have been identified, based on existing contained database created published unpublished records. In total, covered locations almost 70% all database. identification provide useful tool it important not identified but appropriate assessment mitigation implemented within them ensure adversely affected activities.