The Net Effect? - Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

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The Net Effect?
A WDCS report for Greenpeace
device may show promising early results, these
are currently only based on a very small
dataset. There is still considerable uncertainty
as to why the device appears to be working
and whether this effect will continue in the
longer term and without detriment to the
dolphins. Therefore, there should be a parallel
programme of research to investigate possible
alternative mitigation measures or fishing
methods for these fisheries.
In the absence of any other effective
measures for the mitigation of bycatch in
pelagic trawls, the Community must be
prepared to introduce management measures
including the suspension or closure of fisheries
where necessary. In particular, where
there is evidence of a serious threat to the
conservation of cetacean populations, the
Commission should introduce emergency
measures, as provided for by Article 7 of the
new Framework Regulation of the CFP ((EC)
No 2371/2002).
Finally, the proposals put forward to date
apply only to fisheries that operate within EU
waters. However, there is evidence of substantial
cetacean and other protected species
bycatch occurring in the EU’s considerable
distant water fisheries such as the pelagic
trawl fisheries off Mauritania. It is therefore,
essential that provisions made for bycatch
monitoring and mitigation (as well as the requisite
provisions for surveillance and enforcement)
are also reflected in the Community’s
regulation of its distant water fleets.