Dolphin Species Living in the Mediterranean and Their Effects on Fisheries
Dolphin Species Living in the Mediterranean
Many boats fishing in the seas around Turkey encounter different dolphin species throughout the season.
However, the majority of fishermen define all species as "dolphins" only.
However, every dolphin species living in the Mediterranean;
- behavior,
- diet,
- living space,
- interaction with fishing nets
are different from each other.
Knowing these differences is important for both understanding network damage and planning the right protection methods.
How Many Species of Dolphins Live in the Mediterranean?
The main species that regularly appear in the Mediterranean are:
- Caterpillar (Common Bottlenose Dolphin)
- Striped Dolphin
- Mutur (Short-beaked Common Dolphin)
Sperm whales, pilot whales, and other marine mammals can also be seen in some areas. However, the species that most frequently interact with fishing nets are the three groups above.
1. Caterpillar (Tursiops truncatus)
General Features
It is one of the most common species encountered by fishermen.
Its length usually varies between 2-4 meters.
He is very curious and intelligent.
He likes to live in areas near the coast.
Therefore, there is a high probability of encountering fishing nets.
Feeding Behavior
In his diet;
- mullet,
- sea bass,
- sea bream,
- horse mackerel,
- sardines,
- Squid
can be found.
It hunts by following schools of fish.
Interaction with Fishing Nets
Fishermen fishing close to the shore encounter this species the most.
While trying to get the fish in the net;
- net ropes can be stretched,
- fungi can be relocated,
- Lead ropes can be forced.
For this reason, many network damages are associated with this type.
2. Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)
This species is more common in the high seas.
It gets its name from the dark stripes on its body.
It can swim quite fast.
It has been observed that it can reach over 35 km per hour.
Relationship with Networks
It is less common in coastal fishing.
However, it may encounter some network systems used offshore.
It usually moves in flocks.
3. Porpoise (Delphinus delphis)
The population of this species, which used to be very common in the Mediterranean, has decreased in some regions.
It has a very social structure.
It wanders in flocks.
It feeds on small school fish.
Importance for Fisheries
It can be seen in areas where shoal fish such as sardines and anchovies are concentrated.
Therefore, in some seasons, it may come close to fishing nets.
In which seas are they seen in Turkey?
Black Sea
The shad type is common.
Sea of Marmara
Different species can be observed as it is a transition zone.
Aegean Sea
It is one of the most frequently encountered areas by fishermen.
Mediterranean
There are both coastal and offshore species.
Why is it important to know the type of dolphin?
The behavior of each species is different.
Therefore;
- In which region you hunt,
- In which season the employee works,
- which fish species is targeted,
can affect the protection strategy.
The Dolpinger Approach
Dolpinger systems aim to contribute to easier acoustic detection of fishing nets rather than targeting a specific dolphin species. Very successful results have been obtained in Turkey and it is preferred by fishermen.
This approach;
- coastal fishing,
- commercial fishing,
- Different types of networks
It is one of the protective solutions that can be applied for.
Proper product selection and proper installation can directly impact system performance.
Conclusion
Dolphin species living in the Mediterranean differ from each other in behavior.
The important point for fishermen is not to know which species they are encountering, but to understand the natural behaviors of these species.
In this way, methods to reduce network damage can be applied more consciously.
Acoustic pinger systems are among the technological solutions developed for this purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common dolphin in Turkey?
Although it varies by region, the shad (Tursiops truncatus) is one of the most common species.
Which type comes closer to fishing nets?
Shad that live near the shore may interact with fishing nets more frequently.
Are dolphins protected?
Yes. In Turkey and many countries, dolphins are protected under national and international regulations.
