Subsurface behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) interacting with fish trawl nets in northwestern Australia: Implications for bycatch mitigation

V.F. Jaiteh; S.J. Allen; J.J. Meeuwig; N.R. Loneragan

doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2012.00620.x

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Subsurface behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) interacting with fish trawl nets in northwestern Australia: Implications for bycatch mitigation

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Subsurface behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) interacting with fish trawl nets in northwestern Australia: Implications for bycatch mitigation

V.F. Jaiteh, S.J. Allen, J.J. Meeuwig and N.R. Loneragan

Marine Mammal Science, Vol.29(3), pp.E266-E281

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2012.00620.x

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Abstract

Most studies of delphinid-trawler interactions have documented the surface behavior of dolphins feeding on discarded bycatch, but not their subsurface behavior around demersal trawl gear. Using video cameras mounted inside trawl nets, we recorded the subsurface behavior of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in a demersal fish trawl fishery in northwestern Australia. Footage from 36 trawls across the fishery was analyzed to determine the extent of dolphin-gear interactions and the behavior of dolphins inside the nets. Interaction rates were high, with dolphins present inside and outside the nets during 29 and 34 trawls, respectively, and for up to 99% of the trawl duration. The proportion of foraging behaviors exhibited inside the nets was higher than the proportions of traveling and socializing behaviors. Twenty-nine individuals were identified inside the net, seven of which returned repeatedly within and between trawls and fishing trips, but were observed primarily in the same localized areas in which they were first recorded. Our results suggest that entering trawl nets may be a frequently occurring, yet specialized behavior exhibited by a small subset of trawler-associated dolphins. We propose that gear modifications, not spatial or temporal adjustments to fishing effort, have the greatest potential to reduce dolphin bycatch.

Details

Title: Subsurface behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) interacting with fish trawl nets in northwestern Australia: Implications for bycatch mitigation
Authors/Creators: V.F. Jaiteh (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
S.J. Allen (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
J.J. Meeuwig (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
N.R. Loneragan (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Marine Mammal Science, Vol.29(3), pp.E266-E281
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Identifiers: 991005542808607891
Copyright: © 2012 by the Society for Marine Mammalogy
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research; School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology; 3.35.796 Marine Mammal Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Marine & Freshwater Biology; Zoology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science