AAccording to a research institute, at least 910 dead dolphins washed ashore on the French Atlantic coast this winter – more than ever before. Over 400 animals have been washed up in the past week alone, the La Rochelle-based oceanographic observatory Pelagis said on Friday.
Initial studies of the marine mammals showed that some of the animals had only been dead for a few days, while others had been dead for several weeks. The dolphins studied had marks on their bodies that indicated injuries from fishing nets, fishing gear or ship propellers.
On average, around 850 dead dolphins were washed up on the French Atlantic coast every winter from mid-December to March from 2017 to 2020. They approach shores to forage, especially just before the onset of spring, where industrial fishing boats get in their way. The government in France has so far relied on cameras on the boats or deterrent methods to keep the dolphins away from the boats.
NGOs and conservationists, on the other hand, are calling for a ban on fishing in February and March and have filed a lawsuit against the government. A decision by the Council of State, France’s highest administrative court, is expected soon.
