In the overfished Adriatic Sea, bottlenose dolphins are increasingly turning to fishing trawlers for sustenance. A recent study published in Frontiers in Mammal Science highlights this concerning trend off the eastern coast of Italy, particularly near Veneto and Marche.
Bottlenose Dolphins Following Trawlers
Research indicates that dolphins are following trawlers to scavenge for discarded fish. The study found that dolphins trailed 26 percent of otter trawlers near Veneto and a staggering 76 percent near Marche. The dolphins consume leftovers or dart into moving nets to gather food.
According to coauthor Silvia Bonizzoni, head of the group Dolphin Biology and Conservation, “We estimated that the bottlenose dolphin populations of Veneto and Marche, combined, exceed 1,000 individuals.” The study also noted that between 86 and 90 percent of these dolphins were photographed while following trawlers.
Changing Feeding Habits of Dolphins
On average, the dolphins followed 41 percent of otter trawlers and 35 percent of midwater trawlers, which operate closer to the surface. This marks a significant increase from previous research conducted in the 1990s, which reported that only 10 percent of dolphins trailed trawlers.
