Incomplete reporting of whale, dolphin and porpoise ‘bycatch’ revealed by molecular monitoring of Korean markets

摘要: We report the results of molecular monitoring ‘whalemeat’ markets in Republic (South) Korea based on nine systematic surveys from February 2003 to 2005. As has no programme commercial or scientific whaling and there is a closure hunting dolphins porpoises, only legal source these products was assumed be incidental fisheries mortalities (‘bycatch’) as reported by government International Whaling Commission. Species identification 357 using mitochondrial DNA control region cytochrome b sequences web-based DNA-surveillance revealed three species baleen whales (North Pacific minke, common form Bryde’s humpback), beaked (Cuvier’s, Stejneger’s Blainville’s), seven (short-finned pilot, false killer whales; Risso’s, bottlenose, white-sided dolphins) two porpoises (harbour finless). Comparison market with official records number discrepancies. Of eight identified 2003, were not for that year. 11 2004, five bycatch, although one species, humpback whale, ‘stranded’. also found significant inconsistencies expected frequencies most including large over-representation finless whales. suggest ways which could improved provide better information magnitude bycatch other illegal, unregulated unreported (IUU) exploitation wildlife.