It turns out that the dolphins in the Mediterranean that are struggling to feel enough Pisces have resorted tostealing the catch of fishermenhunting the same prey .
While we ’re used to get wind about human - wildlife conflict on land , there are increase report of such cases occurring out at ocean . researcher have now looked into the relationship between dolphins and fisher in the waters off northern Cyprus and found that when the cetaceans are present , nets are six times more likely to be damaged . The theme is publish in the journalHuman Ecology .
“ It seems that some dolphins may be actively seeking nets as a manner to get food,”explainslead author Robin Snape , of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter , in astatement . “ This is in all likelihood driven by falling fish stock , which also result in modest arrest – meaning more meshwork are needed and higher price for fishers . ”
The absolute majority of fishermen in the area are small scale and set nets rough 1.2 meters ( 4 foot ) marvellous on the seafloor to fascinate fish . The investigator found that in about 28 percentage of fisheries , common bottlenose dolphins have larn that these net offer up up an easy meal , particularly where over - fishing is drive the fish stock down .
The nautical mammals often tear the net to get at the prey . This is not only dangerous to the dolphins – the squad believe that around 10 are enamour by accident each year , although they admit this is likely an underestimate – but also costly to the fishermen , who have to shell out thousands of euro every twelvemonth to fix their nets .
The squad think that there is a “ vicious cycle ” take place in these weewee . The overexploitation of the fish caudex means the dolphins have less food to use up and that the fishermen have to pose more nets , perpetuating the berth .
While investigating the impact that fishermen are have on dolphin in the part , and frailty versa , the team also essay to circumscribe the stealing of the fisherman ’s catch and destruction of the net using acoustic “ pinger ” . Unfortunately , this did not exactly have the desired outcome . Rather than keep the marine mammals aside , it instead play in event as a “ dinner chime ” to the dolphins , alarm them to where they can get their next gratis meal .
The result that would help both political party here is more effective management of the fishery in the region . The fisher need restrict zones that will not only aid cater nurseries for commercially important metal money of fish but also help the dolphins too .
