Out of Sight, out of Mind? Evidence of Human-Induced Threats in the Elusive Ziphius cavirostris of the Mediterranean Sea.

Cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea are increasingly exposed to a suite of anthropogenic threats, including fisheries interactions, vessel strikes, and environmental degradation. While much is known about these impacts on common species, deep-diving and elusive cetaceans like the beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris remain poorly studied due to their offshore distribution and brief surface intervals. This study reports a rare sighting of Z. cavirostris in the Western Mediterranean Sea exhibiting a significant dorsal laceration, potentially linked to human activity. The observation was made during a standardized ferry-based monitoring survey in the Alboran Sea. We contextualize this sighting within broader data on anthropogenic threats to cetaceans, highlighting the underreporting of sub-lethal injuries in offshore species. This case underscores the importance of opportunistic platforms and long-term monitoring networks, such as FLT Med Net, in detecting and evaluating human-induced impacts on rarely observed marine mammals. Our findings advocate for targeted conservation actions and improved mitigation strategies in high-risk areas of the Mediterranean Sea to protect vulnerable cetacean populations, including beaked whales.