The EU Commission will implement measures to reduce incidental catches of Bay of Biscay dolphins and small cetaceans
The European Commission has taken steps to mitigate the incidental catches of dolphins and other small cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay, following a joint recommendation from France, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium.
A delegated act has been implemented to secure regional measures for 2025, aimed at preventing bycatches caused by fishing activities in the region.
The new regulations will now undergo a two-month scrutiny period by the European Parliament and Council. If no objections are raised, the measures will come into effect in time for the closure of the Bay of Biscay to fishing vessels over eight metres in length, starting from 22 January to 20 February 2025. This closure is expected to impact around 300 EU vessels, according to preliminary data from the concerned Member States.
Measures to Reduce Incidental Catches
The regulations will require specific types of fishing vessels, including pelagic and demersal trawls, seiners, and netters, to remain in port during this one-month period. The winter season has been identified as a high-risk time for incidental catches of small cetaceans, prompting the closure.
Additional measures include the mandatory use of acoustic deterrent devices on all mid-water pelagic trawls and demersal twin trawls. To enhance monitoring efforts, a year-round dedicated programme will involve on-board observers and cameras, with increased oversight during the high-risk winter period on a voluntary basis.
Addressing a Long-Standing Issue
The problem of dolphin and small cetacean strandings during the winter in the Bay of Biscay has been a recurring concern. Bycatches in fishing nets, along with factors such as natural mortality, diseases, and disorientation, have contributed significantly to the strandings.
In response, the fishing sector and Member States are actively investing in research and trials of new technologies to minimise interactions between fishing vessels and small cetaceans. The hope is to foster a sustainable coexistence in the future, allowing fishing activities and cetacean conservation to go hand in hand.
These measures represent a key step in the EU’s ongoing efforts to protect marine biodiversity while balancing the economic interests of the fishing sector.