Bycatch of short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the pair bottom trawl fishery of the Bay of Biscay and its mitigation with an active acoustic deterrent device (pinger)

The authors evaluated the effectiveness of DDD®03H Dolphin Dissuasive Devices, or DDD pingers (an acoustic deterrent device) to reduce common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) bycatch in a demersal pair trawler in the Bay of Biscay. Results showed that the DDD pingers reduced common dolphin bycatch by more than 90%, and that common dolphin bycatch in this trawl fishery is related to fishing zone and depth, but not necessarily factors such as time of day and haul duration.