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Behavioural Responses of Common Dolphins Delphinus delphis to a Bio-Inspired Acoustic Device for Limiting Fishery By-Catch

Author

Listed:
  • Loïc Lehnhoff

    (UMR Marine Biodiversity, Exploitation and Conservation (MARBEC), CNRS, Université Montpellier, IFREMER, IRD, Avenue Jean Monnet, 34203 Sète, France
    UMR Laboratory of Computer Science and Systems (LIS), Campus de La Garde, Université Toulon, Université Aix Marseille, CNRS, DYNI, 83041 Toulon, France)

  • Hervé Glotin

    (UMR Laboratory of Computer Science and Systems (LIS), Campus de La Garde, Université Toulon, Université Aix Marseille, CNRS, DYNI, 83041 Toulon, France)

  • Serge Bernard

    (UMR Laboratory of Computer Science, Robotics, and Microelectronics (LIRMM), Université Montpellier, CNRS, 34095 Montpellier, France)

  • Willy Dabin

    (Observatoire Pelagis (UAR 3462), La Rochelle Université, CNRS, 17000 La Rochelle, France)

  • Yves Le Gall

    (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER), Centre Bretagne, 29280 Plouzané, France)

  • Eric Menut

    (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER), Centre Bretagne, 29280 Plouzané, France)

  • Eleonore Meheust

    (Observatoire Pelagis (UAR 3462), La Rochelle Université, CNRS, 17000 La Rochelle, France)

  • Hélène Peltier

    (Observatoire Pelagis (UAR 3462), La Rochelle Université, CNRS, 17000 La Rochelle, France)

  • Alain Pochat

    (SAS Ocean Technology (OCTECH), 29120 Pont l’Abbé, France)

  • Krystel Pochat

    (SAS Ocean Technology (OCTECH), 29120 Pont l’Abbé, France)

  • Thomas Rimaud

    (Les Pêcheurs de Bretagne, 56100 Lorient, France)

  • Quiterie Sourget

    (Association du Grand Littoral Atlantique, 56100 Lorient, France)

  • Jérôme Spitz

    (Observatoire Pelagis (UAR 3462), La Rochelle Université, CNRS, 17000 La Rochelle, France)

  • Olivier Van Canneyt

    (Observatoire Pelagis (UAR 3462), La Rochelle Université, CNRS, 17000 La Rochelle, France)

  • Bastien Mérigot

    (UMR Marine Biodiversity, Exploitation and Conservation (MARBEC), CNRS, Université Montpellier, IFREMER, IRD, Avenue Jean Monnet, 34203 Sète, France)

Abstract

By-catch is the most direct threat to marine mammals globally. Acoustic repellent devices (pingers) have been developed to reduce dolphin by-catch. However, mixed results regarding their efficiency have been reported. Here, we present a new bio-inspired acoustic beacon, emitting returning echoes from the echolocation clicks of a common dolphin ‘ Delphinus delphis ’ from a fishing net, to inform dolphins of its presence. Using surface visual observations and the automatic detection of echolocation clicks, buzzes, burst-pulses and whistles, we assessed wild dolphins’ behavioural responses during sequential experiments (i.e., before, during and after the beacon’s emission), with or without setting a net. When the device was activated, the mean number of echolocation clicks and whistling time of dolphins significantly increased by a factor of 2.46 and 3.38, respectively ( p < 0.01). Visual surface observations showed attentive behaviours of dolphins, which kept a distance of several metres away from the emission source before calmly leaving. No differences were observed among sequences for buzzes/burst-pulses. Our results highlight that this prototype led common dolphins to echolocate more and communicate differently, and it would favour net detection. Complementary tests of the device during the fishing activities of professional fishermen should further contribute to assessment of its efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Loïc Lehnhoff & Hervé Glotin & Serge Bernard & Willy Dabin & Yves Le Gall & Eric Menut & Eleonore Meheust & Hélène Peltier & Alain Pochat & Krystel Pochat & Thomas Rimaud & Quiterie Sourget & Jérôme S, 2022. "Behavioural Responses of Common Dolphins Delphinus delphis to a Bio-Inspired Acoustic Device for Limiting Fishery By-Catch," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-25, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:20:p:13186-:d:942003
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