Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 4. Marine Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
most common sub-order observed and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) the most
common species. No large whales were observed during the voyage to and from or at the
Phoenix Islands.
Table III-4.18. 2000 Marine mammal sightings around the Phoenix Islands
(source: Stone et al 2001).
Date Position Species # Comment
In 2002, there were two sightings of 15 and 30 dolphins (Obura and Stone 2003). These were
probably Stenella spp. No other marine mammals were observed during either the transit
from and to Fiji and between the Phoenix Islands.
Kerr and Wragg (2006) reported documenting marine mammal sighting during their
expedition to the Phoenix Islands in 2006. Sightings were at Abariringa (Kanton),
Enderbury, Nikumaroro, and Orona (see Table III-4.19 below). They reported observing
spinner dolphins, Stenella longirostris, and the bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncates. No
whales were sighted during their entire voyage.
Table III-4.19. 2006 marine mammal sightings
(source: Kerr and Wragg 2006)
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