An overview of the potential consequences for cetaceans of oceanic acidification.

• Main Authors: Claire L. Bass, Mark P. Simmonds, Steve J. Isaac
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ocean acidification
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.231.6365; http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/ocean_acidification.pdf

There has been a recent increase in research dedicated to understanding the complex effects of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and organisms. Whilst study in this area is very much in its infancy, there is a clear message from a range of scientists and research institutions that this could have serious implications for cetaceans, with high latitude species likely to experience changes in their food web structure within this century. This paper provides a summary of the key peer-reviewed literature on ocean acidification with reference to consequences for cetaceans, their food webs or habitats. Drawing on assertions made in these papers, it is our contention that the potential impacts of ocean acidification on cetaceans merit future in-depth consideration from the Scientific Committee of the IWC and may have implications for the management of whale populations.