Dolphin Experience: Lowering Fishing Interactions

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Interactions of dolphins with fishing activities is a concern for the conservation of these species and has economic consequences for the fishery sector. Dolphins steal fish from nets, sometimes in a highly selective manner, directly causing commercial losses; damage fish caught in nets so they are no longer tradable; damage nets which then need to be repaired or replaced; and scare schools of fish, reducing the catch. The time spent by fishermen to manage the interactions with dolphins causes a reduction in time spent on fishing activities. This interaction has raised public concern, especially in areas like southern Italy and the Adriatic Sea where fisheries play an important social and economic role.

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of LIFE DELFI is the reduction of dolphin mortality caused by fishing activities. Specific objectives are to: 1. disseminate bycatch reducer devices to reduce interactions between dolphins and fishing gear; 2. replace traditional fishing gear with less impacting gear; 3. support fishermen in the development of dolphin watching as an additional economic activity, especially in dolphin hot spot areas; 4. support fishermen in adopting more sustainable fishing practices through information desks; 5. raise awareness on the role of fishing in the protection of the marine environment; and 6. help public authorities to support fishermen through the introduction of compensation measures for damage caused by dolphins.

LIFE DELFI actions improve the conservation status of common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, listed in Annex II and IV of the Habitats Directive, in the IUCN Red List of threatened species, in Annex II of the Bern Convention, in Annex II of the SPA/BIO protocol of the Barcelona Convention, and in Annex II of the Bonn Convention.

LIFE DELFI contributes to the designation of marine Natura 2000 network sites, since there are knowledge gaps for Tursiops truncatus and loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta.

DELFI will provide regional authorities with relevant data, in particular for Tursiops truncatus occurrence and status.

 

The project also contributes to the Regulation on the conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems (2016/0074) and its robust monitoring and mitigation measures reduce interactions between cetaceans and fishing gear in line with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) and the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020.

RESULTS

Expected results:

reduction of 30% in level of dolphin-fishing interactions through the improvement and spread of new bycatch reducer devices and alternative fishing methods;

reduction of 25% of intentional killing episodes by fishermen;

50% reduction of fishermen's economic losses, due to less fish spoiled or subtracted from nets, and to the damage caused by dolphins to fishing gear;

around 320 new generation acoustic pingers, to deter dolphins, produced and disseminated, at least 100 Italian vessels and 300 fishermen involved;

around 350 visual deterrents produced and disseminated, at least 30 vessels involved, replicated in Croatia (5 vessels), 100 fishermen involved;

around 830 alternative fishing gears (e.g. pots) produced and disseminated, at least 30 vessels involved;

18 training courses for dolphin watching operators, 300 fishermen trained and 50 fishermen directly involved;

eight information desks activated within two years of project;

a dolphin-friendly Code of Conduct prepared and adopted by 100 fishermen;

nine Dolphin Rescue Teams activated;

1 000 people download the Dolphin WatchApp;

three million people reached by information materials;

communication campaign for local populations, A dolphin as a friend, launched, with 500 kits distributed to schools;

educational activities for tourists, such as sailing tours (10 events per year); and

networking activities with other projects, and a range of scientific publications and meetings to promote replicability in Europe.