An overview of dolphin depredation in Italian artisanal fisheries

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009-08, Vol.89 (5), p.921-929
• Main Authors: Lauriano, G., Caramanna, L., Scarnò, M., Andaloro, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic mammals; bottlenose dolphin; Cetacea; Commercial fishing; depredation; Dolphins & porpoises; Fish; Fisheries; fishery; Fishing; Fishing equipment; Fishing gear; Interviews; Marine; Mediterranean Sea; Small-scale fisheries; Variables
• ISSN: 0025-3154; 1469-7769
• DOI: 10.1017/S0025315409000393

Conflict between dolphins and fisheries is an important management issue in many parts of the world. In 2002, we examined the extent of depredation in the Italian small scale fishery by means of in situ interviews. Overall, 245 landing sites were investigated, representing 11.09% of the whole Italian artisanal fleet. The association between the commonly used artisanal fishing gear and the interacting fauna was investigated by means of correspondence analysis. Set gillnet and trammel nets were the types of the fishing gear most vulnerable to dolphin depredation; the interaction with these gear amounted to 66.4% while fish damage was reported in 72.2% of the cases. A regional ranking of the interactions in terms of both fishing gear alteration and fish damage, shows that the problem is most pressing in the Friuli, Campania, Sardinia and Apulia regions. This study is the first attempt to monitor dolphin–fisheries interactions and assess depredation rates in Italy, providing information on the areas where future investigation should be concentrated.