1. Giacoma, C. 1, Azzolin, M. 1, Richard, P. 2, Galante, I. 2 1) Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy 2) CTS – Settore Conservazione Natura, Via Andrea Vesalio 6, 00161 Roma, Italy BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) AND FISHERIES AROUND LAMPEDUSA ISLAND (SICILY - ITALY) sostenuto da LIFE 2003 NAT/IT/000163 PROVINCIA REGIONALE DI AGRIGENTO Università di Torino promosso dapartner Starting from 2003, in the framework of the LIFE project NAT/IT/000163, a dolphin-fishery interaction study has been conducted in the Archipelago of Pelagie Islands (South of Sicily, Italy). Since 1997 bottlenose dolphin population has been regularly monitored in the area by the Nature Conservation Department of CTS. During March-December 2004 and January-December 2005 surveys, data have been collected on bottlenose dolphin and fishing boat presence and distribution, while regularly surveying the area of study along transect. In case of simultaneous sighting of dolphins and boats, behavioral data were collected, in order to highlight positive or negative interaction among dolphin and fishery. Data on spatial distribution and group composition of dolphin have been analyzed with respect of presence/absence of fishing boats, and type of fishing gear. A comparison among data collected during the period of intense professional fishing activity is done with data collected during the first period of biological total stop of fishing activity for the area (10 of August – 9 of September 2004). In 2004 141 surveys were conducted, and 102 sightings were realized with a medium group size of 3,76 of animals per group. 2004 and 2005 data are compared. Spatial distribution of dolphin and dolphin-fishery interaction will be implemented in the Action Plan for Bottlenose Dolphin in the Pelagie Arcipelago, due by 2007 as part of the Life Project. Aim of the AP is to guarantee and improve the survivorship of the species in the area. Introduction There is a long history of interactions between cetaceans and coastal, small-scale commercial fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea. In the past, such interactions probably involved mainly common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). In recent times, issues related to perceived competition and direct conflict between dolphins and fisheries have become major concerns. Although the interactions themselves are not necessarily new, the situation is now complicated by several relatively recent developments. First, the conservation status of the marine mammal populations has changed. Both bottlenose and common dolphins are globally abundant, but their populations in the Mediterranean are thought to be geographically isolated from those in the Atlantic Ocean. Both species have declined considerably throughout the Mediterranean basin and are listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. Second, small-scale fisheries in many parts of the Mediterranean havebecome economically marginal, whether due to the depletion of fish stocks, over-capitalisation, market changes or socio-cultural factors. These economic changes may be prompting fishermen to complain about the depredations by dolphins and to perceive these animals as competitors. Third, traditional approaches to predator control are no longer legal, neither ethically acceptable to many people. Finally, over the past two decades a variety of non-lethal acoustic devices to deter marine mammals have been developed and promoted for use in fisheries and aquaculture operations. The availability of these devices has raised expectations that novel approaches can be used to resolve current fishery-marine mammal conflicts in the Mediterranean. The LIFE project NAT/IT/000163 arises from the urgent need to implement conservation measures for Caretta caretta and Tursiops truncatus. A primary objective of the project is to reduce the impact of fisheries on the status of these species in the Sicilian seas. For bottlenose dolphin the area identified for implementing conservation measures is that of the Pelagie Archipelago, a region known to be of primary importance for the species, where a study of direct interaction among bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and fishery has been conducted starting from 2003. The Actions of LIFE project NAT/IT/000163 directly concerned with dolphin-fishery interaction are: A.4) study of the interaction among Tursiops truncatus and Caretta caretta with fishing activity and boat traffic, in the Pelagie Archipelago; D.2) monitoring of Tursiops truncatus population in the Pelagie Archipelago; D.4) pingers application on fishing net. Fig.1 - Transect Materials and methods Starting from March 2004, a population study has been carried out by surveying the area around Lampedusa island, within six miles from the coast. The survey effort has not been constant during the years, due to the weather conditions. Monitoring have been carried out from an outboard motorboat (BWA 650, with an Honda 115 Hp engine), surveying the area by naked eyes and binoculars. Before December 2004 navigation was randomly conducted, after December 2004 navigation have followed predefined transect (fig.1). While surveying the area, at random intervals, boat presence was noted, in terms of number of boats, their characteristic and dimension. For each dolphins’ sighting, information were taken on number of animals and behaviour, and photoId data were collected by an accessorized reflex Nikon F-60, with 35-70 lens mmf 2.8 and AF 80-300 mmf 2.8. Results From the 2nd of March to the 30 of September 2004, 134 surveys have been carried out, for a total of 86 sighted groups, 278 sighted animals, and a sigthing frequency of 0,43 groups/hours of monitoring and 1,39 animals/hours of monitoring (Tab.1 and Fig.2). A comparison among data collected during the period of intense professional fishing activity and data collected during the first period of biological total stop of fishing activity for the area (10 of August – 9 of September 2004), doesn’t seem to show any significant difference on dolphin presence in the area of study. The period with the highest sighting frequency is Jun, followe by July. From the 1 st of October 2004 to 30 of September 2005, 90 surveys have been carried out, for a total of 89 sighted groups, 363 sighted animals, and a sigthing frequency of 0,49 groups/hours of monitoring and 2 animals/hours of monitoring. Compared with the previous period, sighting frequency seems to be more equally distributed during the year (Tab.2 and Fig.3). Tab. 1 and Fig.2 - Survey activity March-September 2004 Tab.2 and Fig.3 - Survey activity October 04-September 05 74% of the boat sighted in the project area, while surveying for dolphin, were fishing boat, the majority of which were fishing trawl. The combined analysis of dolphin sighting data and trawl with/without dolphin data highlights that trawls are found without dolphins in 85% of the time and with dolphin in 15% (Tab.3 and Fig.4). Tab.3 - Trawl with/without dolphins Fig.4 - Trawl with/without dolphins Conclusions Perceptions of conflicts are difficult to judge without an objective assessment of the situation. It is important that a valid assessment of any perceived conflict is conducted by independent researchers. The results of the present study would be integrated with further analysis and with the results of other actions of the LIFE project concerned with dolphin-fishery interaction. Spatial distribution of dolphin and dolphin-fishery interaction will be implemented in the Action Plan for Bottlenose Dolphin in the Pelagie Arcipelago, due by 2007 as part of the Life Project. Aim of the AP is to guarantee and improve the survivorship of the species in the area.