Nuevos registros de cetAceos para la VIII RegiOn, Chile (1997 a 1999)

the last information on the presence of cetaceans for the coast of the viii region (ca. 36o to 39os) corresponds to studies conducted during the early 80's and some other sporadic studies during the 90's. this work informs about new records of cetaceans along the coast of the viii region, for the period from 1997 to 1999, regarding the sightings of living animals at sea, as well as the findings of dead animals stranded on the regional beaches. a total of 12 new records are presented, corresponding to the species eubalaena australis desmoilins, 1822, kogia breviceps (de blainville, 1838), mesoplodon densirostris (de blainville, 1817), orcinus orca (linnaeus, 1758), grampus griseus (cuvier, 1812), and phocoena spinipinnis burmeister, 1865; besides of one individual identified only to the genus level (kogia spp.). although several of these species have been previously reported for regional waters, this study presents the first record of k. breviceps and m. densirostris in the area, both species of oceanic habits and poorly studied worldwide. it is also documented the occurrence of direct operational interactions with fisheries for p. spinipinnis, and indirect interactions for o. orca. finally, it is highlighted the lack of scientific studies on the cetaceans that occur in the area, although the region is an area of high biological productivity, with a notable development of the fishing industry, which also was of high importance as a whaling centre