Abstract:

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.

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