Sightings

BYCATCH

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‘By-catch’ (the unintentional take of fish and marine mammals associated with fishing operations) is a known and very real threat to cetacea (dolphins, whales and porpoise) and pinnipeds (seals).

It is widely acknowledged that Atlantic trawler operations in the western approaches fishing for mackerel, pilchard, sea bass and other pelagic (deep water) species, are coming into conflict with cetacea (especially Common Dolphin, Delphinus Delphis), whose staple diet includes these fish.

This tends to be the greatest during the period October-March, and it is accepted by U.K. authorities, fishermen, and non-governmental organisations such as the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, that this unintentional capture of cetacea is resulting in a large number of dolphins and porpoise being washed ashore on the Cornish, Devon and French coasts, as well as Bailiwick waters

In Cornwall and Devon it is understood that recorded cetacea mortalities for the year 2001 (as at 31^st May, 2001) stood at 121. In Guernsey, there have been 14 recorded deaths (as at 30^th July, 2001 – source: Guernsey Cetacean Group). In France, the problem is more acute, with an estimated 700+ cetacea being reported washed ashore annually since 1998 (source: WDCS) in the Bay of Biscay and the Gulf of St. Malo.

Studies carried out by the Institute of Zoology in London have shown that 60.4% of common dolphin deaths were directly attributable to by-catch. These rates are simply unsustainable.

Locally, it has been difficult to ascertain the cause of death in all the instances of cetacea strandings, although a few cadavers have included evidence of netting, ropes, deep puncture wounds (possibly from gaff-hooks), regular incisions in the skin (possibly caused by netting), and/or severing of the fins/head.

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Missing front teeth are also indicative of dolphins trying to free themselves from entanglement before they drown.

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In Guernsey, normally 2-3 dolphin deaths are recorded per annum, according to records since 1993. This figure has risen dramatically in recent years, with 24 deaths being recorded in 2000. It is believed that this rise is due to the problem of by-catch.

Other threats to cetacea and pinnipeds include: pollution; human disturbance; habitat degredation; hunting; reduced prey resources; and collisions with water-borne craft.

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Click on images above to enlarge

Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) washed ashore within a couple of days of each other in March 2000, Grand Havre, Guernsey. Fishing is clearly the culprit in the second image, where netting enshrouds the body of the dolphin.

Ban on Pelagic Trawling

A UK Statutory instrument banning the use of pelagic pair trawls for bass in the western channel came into force on 24 December 2004 (Statutory Instrument 3397/2004).

This Order prohibits fishing for bass using pelagic pair trawls within 12 miles of the coast of England in ICES area VIIe, (the Western English Channel). Other bass fisheries, and other pair trawl fisheries (both pelagic and demersal) will be able to continue in this area.

Friday 21st January 2005 - Scottish Pair Trawlers on returned to Plymouth and were shown on BBC TV Program "Spotlight". The skipper told the interviewer that they had been pair trawling inside the 12 mile limit.

He gave the excuse that he thought the ban had been suspended due to legal difficulties regarding the wording of the legislation. Then on return he discovered the ban is still firmly in.

Contact:

Martin Gavet

Marine Mammals of the Channel Islands

Tel: 01481 727967 (Home)

Take Action

Without your action this slaughter will not stop! Make your voice heard!

Are you appalled by the lack of action by the European Fisheries Commission in tackling by-catch? Do you want to help?

If so, please write to:

Commissioner for Fisheries, European Commission, 200 Rue de la Loi, B-1049, Brussels,Belguim

Email: joe.borg@cec.eu.int

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