SEMPORNA: The encounter of two adult orcas and two calves in Sipadan here last month highlighted the importance of the Semporna region for marine mammals and provided valuable data for ongoing cetacean studies including conservation in the area.
Footage of the encounter posted on social media by dive operator Scuba Junkie, showed two adult orcas and two calves swimming to the north of Sipadan with one of the orcas splashing the surface of the water with its tail, or ‘lobtailing’, which is thought to be a communication between orcas, or a warning to stay away.
Society of Marine Mammalogy (SMM) awards committee member Dr Lindsay Porter said for many of the marine mammal species seen in the Semporna region, their use of the area is still unknown.
“It may be seasonal, to fulfil critical aspects of lifecycle patterns, for example, a shelter for mothers and young calves – such as the orca last week - or transient, as part of a migration route or larger oceanic passages,” she said in a statement here today.
To date, 21 species of marine mammals have been recorded in Semporna, most of which are oceanic or deep water species.
Porter said the partnership with Scuba Junkie SEAS, a non-profit marine conservation organisation supported by the dive operator, has enabled training to be given to local dive operator staff so that such good imagery and clear descriptions from such encounters received.
“This has helped enormously in documenting other species with certainty. It is exciting to see this species in the Sipadan area and to have the diving community engage so enthusiastically with our study,” she said.
Moreover, Porter said dive operators have assisted this study by also deploying acoustic monitors on the seabed to record marine mammal vocalisations, from which species identification can often be made.
“The use of acoustics has allowed us to more consistently monitor the area, meaning that species identification does not solely rely on opportunistic sightings, but the acoustic recordings provide us with a detailed soundtrack of marine mammal vocalisations and more detailed picture of how the mammals use this area,” she added.
Scuba Junkie SEAS conservation manager David McCann, in the same statement, said he was glad to be able to work in collaboration with researchers and other non-governmental organisations to further understanding of the unique marine environment in this region.
“For example, this is not the first time we have seen an orca with a calf in this area - notably there was an incredible encounter when divers with Scuba Junkie witnessed an orca and a calf eating a sunfish in 2019.
“Examining whether this area has an important role for mothers and calves would be of great interest to many parties,” McCann said and greatly looking forward to finding out on recorded animals at underwater.
Scuba Junkie SEAS which is based at Scuba Junkie’s Mabul Beach Resort here and received fund from SMM is working with researchers to gather data on the marine mammals that occur in the area and enable more accurate identifications.
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