fishing banned to save dolphins

Tuesday 21st January 2025 08:17 PM

What is the Bay of Biscay?

It is a sea area located in the Atlantic Ocean, between France and Spain. Many dolphins live there.

The town of Saint-Jean-de Luz is located in the southwest of France, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Its port overlooks the Bay of Biscay. Boats over eight meters will therefore not be able to fish for a month, from January 22. (© mikeosphoto/Adobe Stock)

Too many accidental fishing

Dolphins approach the nets to eat the caught fish, and are trapped. They can no longer breathe and drown. Hundreds of thousands of dolphins die every year around the world.

But there are solutions

• Reduce fishing time

This is what was decided in the Bay of Biscay: big boats are not allowed to fish from January 22 to February 20. Last year, this measure already helped save thousands of dolphins.

• Use sound repellents

These are small devices that fishing boats attach to their nets. They make a particular noise, which repels the dolphins, scares them away. So they don't get trapped.

To find out more, read the big article dedicated to dolphins in the paper newspaper 1day1news.

Nathalie Michel