What is it about?
We provide the first estimate of the abundance of dolphins occurring within a trawling fishery area off the northwest coast of Western Australia, based on aerial surveys and genetic sampling. Our results suggest that there are fewer dolphins than expected (between 2,000 and 5,000 individuals), and that a community of those animals consistently associates with trawlers in order to feed.
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Why is it important?
Bycatch in fishing gear is one of the largest sources of human-caused mortality in cetaceans worldwide. The tendency for dolphins to exploit the fishery for feeding increases entanglement and mortality risks. Determining how many dolphins occur in an area and are exposed to fishing is key to assessing the likely impacts of bycatch on populations.
Perspectives
The data presented in this study provide a basis for further assessments of the level of impact that dolphin bycatch has on the population.
Dr Phil J Bouchet
University of Western Australia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Preliminary estimates of the abundance and fidelity of dolphins associating with a demersal trawl fishery, Scientific Reports, July 2017, Nature,
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05189-0.
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