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Bottlenose dolphin distribution in a Mediterranean area exposed to intensive trawling.

Authors :
Bonizzoni, Silvia
Gramolini, Roberto
Furey, Nathan B.
Bearzi, Giovanni
Source :
Marine Environmental Research. Jun2023, Vol. 188, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

The Adriatic Sea is one of the areas most exposed to trawling, worldwide. We used four years (2018–2021) and 19,887 km of survey data to investigate factors influencing daylight dolphin distribution in its north-western sector, where common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus routinely follow fishing trawlers. We validated Automatic Identification System information on the position, type and activity of three types of trawlers based on observations from boats, and incorporated this information in a GAM-GEE modelling framework, together with physiographic, biological and anthropogenic variables. Along with bottom depth, trawlers (particularly otter and midwater trawlers) appeared to be important drivers of dolphin distribution, with dolphins foraging and scavenging behind trawlers during 39.3% of total observation time in trawling days. The spatial dimension of dolphin adaptations to intensive trawling, including distribution shifts between days with and without trawling, sheds light on the magnitude of ecological change driven by the trawl fishery. • Bottlenose dolphins routinely follow fishing trawlers in the NW Adriatic Sea. • Boat surveys (19,887 km) to investigate dolphin distribution in years 2018–2021. • Field validation of Automatic Identification System data (three types of trawlers). • Modelling framework with physiographic, biological and anthropogenic variables. • Trawling drives dolphin distribution; shifts between days with and without trawling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
01411136
Volume :
188
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Marine Environmental Research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
164181083
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105993