Filip Molnár
Bay of Biscay: Fishing closures stop dolphin deaths
Bay of Biscay: Fishing closures stop dolphin deaths
Filip Molnár | December 20, 2024
In 2024, a one-month fishing closure was introduced in French waters of the Bay of Biscay following a decision of the Conseil d’Etat (France’s highest administrative court). The decree applied to all boats over eight metres in length using gear that poses a risk to dolphins and was effective between 22 January and 20 February 2024. Now, the results are in—the fishing closure was effective, and accidental captures (bycatch) of dolphins dropped to pre-2016 levels.
A common dolphin swimming underwater. Photo: Anna Cucknell / © IFAW
Since 2016, strandings of dolphins with evidence of bycatch have occurred in unprecedented numbers along the Biscay coast. Year after year, the number of bycaught dolphins has increased, and according to scientific reports, cumulative common dolphin catches between 1990 and 2019 reached 89,000. Record-high bycatch rates were also estimated between 2019 and 2021.
Positive step toward protecting dolphins
In September, IFAW welcomed the European Commission’s joint recommendation, agreed between France, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium, to implement the same closure from 22 January to 20 February 2025 to prevent bycatch of dolphins and other small cetaceans. We’re pleased that attention was also paid to monitoring measures and that the closure will give a chance for fish stocks to recover.
According to preliminary figures provided by the Member States concerned, the closure is expected to affect around 300 EU vessels. Since neither the European Council nor the European Parliament objected to this decision, it became part of the EU legislation in December.
More action is still needed
While IFAW supports these closures, we also stress that a transition towards sustainable and just fisheries is urgently needed to make a lasting impact. Fishing closures can cause significant profit loss across the sector if nothing is done to bridge this income gap. For the closures in 2024, a compensation package of €30 million was allocated to impacted fishermen and fishmongers, but this is not sustainable in the long term.
Common dolphins swimming underwater in the Azores. Photo: © Scott Portelli
To eliminate bycatch while protecting livelihoods in the fishing industry, EU fisheries need incentive schemes and rewards. This would support the viability of fisheries in the Bay of Biscay without harming dolphins. Additionally, we need to collect more scientific data to determine the most effective measures. This can all be achieved by allocating bonus/malus fishing rights according to certain criteria to be defined (e.g., dolphin bycatch numbers per boat, fishing in sensitive areas, type of gear used, collection of scientific data).
To facilitate this transition, the fisheries system and policies must change at the national and EU level.
We are grateful for the generous support of Nationale Postcode Loterij, which helps us work on dolphin protection in the Bay of Biscay.
Related content
Every problem has a solution, every solution needs support.
The problems we face are urgent, complicated, and resistant to change. Real solutions demand creativity, hard work, and involvement from people like you.
DonateIFAW affiliates are registered as tax-exempt nonprofit organizations in several countries. Depending on where you reside, your donation may qualify for a tax deduction or benefit. See the pull-down menu at the bottom right of this page to see how IFAW operates in your country.