Marine Mammal Communities and Human Activities in the North-Eastern Tropical Pacific: Conservation and Management Strategies

Marine mammals could be impacted by deep-sea mining activities because of their physiological and behavioural characteristics, their migration patterns and their ecology, although there are knowledge gaps concerning them for the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ). This chapter aims at reviewing the current state of marine mammal populations and their associated ecosystems in the water column of the tropical north-eastern Pacific. Specifically, we assess their vulnerability to natural and anthropogenic impacts, in particular to deep-sea mining in the mineral-rich CCZ. As there is growing evidence that marine mammal communities and other apex predators play a critical role in ecosystem structures and functions, we outline their vulnerability and the existing conservation measures for marine mammals in the Pacific. We then propose to enhance knowledge in different domains of research linked to marine mammals and to adapt conservation strategies to ensure their well-being and the continuity of the ecosystem services they provide to the oceans and human societies in integration with other fields of ocean management.