Franciscana's (Pontoporia blainvillei) Diving and Surface Times Through Drone Monitoring

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Abstract
The franciscana dolphin (_Pontoporia blainvillei_), a small cetacean native to the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SAO), is critically threatened by bycatch in gillnet fisheries and habitat degradation. The Franciscana Management Area (FMA) Ia, located in Espírito Santo, Brazil, harbors the most endangered population of small cetaceans in the SAO. The Doce River region represents a vital habitat for this species, particularly following the 2015 mining waste spill, which further disrupted local ecosystems. Through drone-based monitoring, this study investigates the diving and surface behavior of franciscana dolphins, providing valuable insights for refining population estimates and advancing conservation strategies. The average surface time was 17 seconds (±15s), and the average dive time was 64 seconds (±26s). The diving time was almost four times longer than the surface time. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring to support effective management of this vulnerable population.

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