Behavioral responses of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, to gillnets and acoustic alarms

Authors
Cox, T.M, Read, A.J., Swanner, D., Urian, K. and D. Waples
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Biological Conservation
Volume (Issue #)
115
Page #s
203-212
Contact information
tara.cox@duke.edu
Summary
The authors tested the behavioural response of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to gill nets equipped with active and control Dukane NetMark 1000 pingers. Although dolphins were observed significantly fewer times within a 100m circular buffer zone from the alarms, overall results showed no significant differences in the number of groups observed, or closest approaches by animals to the net, between active and control periods.

Field Studies

Behavioral responses of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, to gillnets and acoustic alarms

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
North Carolina, USA
Target catch
Mixed
Effect on bycatch species
No difference on group size or closest approach to the net between active and control pingers
Effect on target catch
None
Reduction technique
Fishing Gear