Bottlenose dolphins in the Adriatic Sea are increasingly relying on trawlers for food, according to a recent study published in Frontiers. Researchers monitored trawlers for 148 days and found that many dolphins are now following fishing boats to scavenge, with 76% of trawlers in one area being pursued by these marine mammals. The study highlights a concerning trend as natural prey becomes scarce due to overfishing.
Dolphins' Scavenging Behavior Intensified
Historically, bottlenose dolphins have followed trawlers, but the current study indicates a significant increase in this behavior. Giovanni Bearzi, co-author of the study and president of Dolphin Biology and Conservation in Italy, stated, “These days the easiest way to find [bottlenose dolphins] is to look for trawlers.” The research revealed that dolphins are not only following the boats but are also feeding on discards and unwanted organisms left behind.
In the 1990s, only 10% of trawlers were followed by dolphins, but recent findings show a dramatic rise to 76% in certain areas. This shift suggests that dolphins are adapting to their environment in response to the depletion of natural prey, which has become increasingly difficult to find due to unsustainable fishing practices.
Impact of Overfishing on Dolphin Populations
The Mediterranean Sea is among the most heavily fished areas globally, with fishing pressure exceeding sustainable levels by twice, according to the FAO (UN Food and Agriculture Organization). Dr. Randall Reeves, another author of the study, emphasized the risks faced by dolphins foraging behind trawlers, including potential injury from fishing gear and hearing damage from chronic noise exposure.
