
Dolphins have been ensnared in fishing nets in the Atlantic waters off Western Europe for decades. However, alterations to fishing practices in the area have led to a sharp increase in the number of deaths.
A record number of dead dolphins washed up on France’s Atlantic beaches after what animal activists claim to be the aftermath of the fishing industry’s cruel practices.
Between 1 December and 25 January, researchers at the Pelagis sea mammal and bird observatory affiliated with the University of La Rochelle documented 370 dead dolphins found along the Gulf of Gascony.
According to them, dolphins in the area are dying because they get entangled in fishing gear, and this has been the leading cause of their deaths since the 1990s.
“Without any doubt, being entangled in fishing gear remains the principal cause of death observed in common dolphins found in winter strandings on beaches and has been since the 1990s,” Pelagis reported.
“This situation is worrying and not specific to France as it affects neighbouring countries,”
Dolphin population in danger
The numbers have been so high that the survival of local populations seems unlikely, marine biologists say.
“We’re reaching mortality rates that threaten the survival of the dolphin population in the Bay of Gascony,” Morgane Perri, a marine biologist in Brittany, western France, said.
“For the last three years, we’ve seen more than 1,000 deaths (dolphins and porpoises) over a four-month period each winter.”
Experts have raised concerns, and they, along with animal activists, are urging the authorities to intervene.
Sea Shepherd France, a marine conservation group, released hundreds of photos of dolphins injured and wounded by fish trawlers. One of the dolphins’ bodies was even mutilated with a homophobic message. It washed up on a French beach at Sables d’Olonne.
“This is the worst face of fishing: no respect for the living, no love for the sea that sustains them. Those who atrociously mutilated this dolphin should never be allowed to fish again.”
Reported deaths is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’
According to Lamya Essemlali, president of Sea Shepherd France, “the number of dolphins washing up on beaches is the tip of the iceberg, and the toll could be many times higher.”
Essemlali continued: “The large majority of the dolphins captured and freed then drown at sea and their bodies sink.
“It is urgent that we close certain zones to fishing boats during certain periods.”
Dolphins have been ensnared in fishing nets in the Atlantic waters off Western Europe for decades. Now, however, marine scientists believe the sharp increase in dolphin captures is a result of the altered fishing practices in the area.
Data revealed that 669 dolphins were killed during the sea bass and hake fishing season last year, from December 2021 until April 2022.
Ban trawlers
The activist group is calling for a ban on trawlers that fish in sea bass spawning grounds and stricter enforcement of fisheries regulations, but the government has not responded favourably.
“We keep asking for this, but the fishing lobby is powerful in France, and the government has refused. It’s extremely frustrating,” Essemlali said.
“The only thing we can do is display the dead and mutilated dolphins to local people and to the press and make people realise what is happening.”
Share this story: Record number of dead dolphins washed up on France’s shores.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Is Tobey Maguire vegan? Here’s what we know
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th August 2023
Tobey Maguire often speaks about veganism and animal issues. Tobey Maguire, the actor best known for playing Spider-Man in the Sam Raimi trilogy, is a vegan. He has been a vegetarian since 1992 and became a vegan in 2009. A lifelong commitment to animal rights Maguire’s decision to go vegan was motivated by his love …
Continue reading “Is Tobey Maguire vegan? Here’s what we know”
Plant-based food jobs surge with 32% growth in just 3 months
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th August 2023
The number of open jobs advertised in the plant-based industry increased by almost a third from April to July 2023, GlobalData reported. The plant-based food industry is booming, and this is reflected in the number of job openings in the sector. According to data from GlobalData, the number of open jobs advertised in the plant-based …
Continue reading “Plant-based food jobs surge with 32% growth in just 3 months”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …