Press release
Following the letter sent to the Puglia Region by the fishermen of Porto Cesareo (Lecce) comes the response from the European Life Delfi project team
Lucchetti (CNR-IRBIM): ‘We are available for discussion with Apulian fishermen and authorities, to study together possible interventions to mitigate the problem’.
The European Life Delfi project has been active for over four years, in pilot areas of the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas, to reduce interactions between dolphins and fishing through innovative technologies
‘With the Life Delfi project we have been working for more than four years on different solutions to reduce interactions between dolphins and fishing at sea. We are well aware that the phenomenon leads to serious consequences on both sides: for the dolphins, attracted by the catch in the nets, the risk is that of being injured or trapped in the nets with often fatal consequences; for the fishermen, loss of catch and damage to the nets as well as suspension of activities. From press reports we have learnt of the heartfelt appeal by Apulian fishermen from Porto Cesareo who have turned to the regional authorities because of the increasing presence of dolphins in their areas, so much so that they have suspended trips out to sea because they are not very fruitful’.
This was stated by Alessandro Lucchetti of CNR-IRBIM and coordinator of the European Life Delfi project, following the letter appealed by the cooperative ‘Pescatori dello Ionio’ of Porto Cesareo to the Apulian regional administration regarding the increased presence of dolphins in their areas, and the economic loss recorded in recent times.
‘The fishermen have explained that the bollards used, after a promising start, have proved to be a lure for the dolphins. We are willing to talk to the administrators and fishermen of the Apulian marinas to examine the situation together and understand what interventions could mitigate the problem. The acoustic deterrents of the Life Delfi project have already been distributed and tested in the pilot areas of the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas, and we are willing to provide devices in Puglia as well. In addition, again as part of the European project, we are experimenting with new bollards, supported by artificial intelligence, created precisely because in some cases the pingers initially keep dolphins away from the nets but then in the medium to long term end up being a lure. Finally, we could provide and test the effectiveness of some new types of creels. So from the project’s side maximum availability’.
Life Delfi, coordinated by CNR-IRBIM and co-financed by the European Union’s LIFE programme, brings together the world of scientific research, marine protected areas, associations, including Legambiente, and universities with the aim of reducing interactions between dolphins and fishing, as well as many other actions: dolphin watching courses to be proposed to fishermen as an alternative economic activity; training of rescue teams able to intervene in the event of dolphins in difficulty or stranded; citizen science activities and awareness-raising and information for the general public.