Scientists call EU for action against bycatch after more than a thousand strandings during winter

The Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has published advice, warning the European Commission to take immediate action in protecting two cetacean species.

Bycatch displays the biggest threat to common dolphins in the Bay of Biscay and the harbour porpoise in the Baltic Proper. During the winter 2018/19 alone, 11 300 common dolphins were registered dead as a result of fishing activities. And the harbour porpoise is listed as critically endangered. This winter period alone, 1160 dolphins were found stranded. “This indicates a similarly catastrophic level of deaths due to bycatch as occurred in the winter 2018-2019, when 1,200 dolphin strandings were reported, with the vast majority dying as a result of bycatch”

ClientEarth’s marine habitats lawyer Condon states that “the [European] Commission has an obligation to fulfil its role as the guardian of EU law by taking legal action against EU countries that fail to prevent these unnecessary deaths”. Now emergency measures are necessary to protect the marine populations against the incompliance of member states during the last 30 years.

ICES recommend a combination of temporary fishery closures during peak season and the use of acoustic devices (pingers) to deter animals from the nets. They also point out the importance of implementing such measures for the long term to be effective. Countries themselves should also be responsible to “adopt measures for the long-term survival of these populations”.

ICES’ claim is backed by several NGOs. A speaker from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation points out that “the ball is now in the Commission’s court. It must take action to save cetacean lives.”

NGOs back ICES’ warning to the EU commission that cetacean populations need to be protected from current fishing activities

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