The greatest threat to the Franciscana dolphin is accidentally getting entangled and drowned in fishing nets.
Research has shown that long-lining for fish is actually more profitable than using traditional gillnets in Argentina, but more work is needed in other areas.
Another solution involves use of a new type of gillnet that is more likely to reflect dolphin sonar. This net may help reduce the mortality, by warning the dolphins of the net’s presence (assuming the dolphins are using their sonar at the right time).
But funding is scarce, and efforts to change the traditional ways of fishing are time and labor intensive. Change is not easy.
Conservationists are scrimping to build even one of the improved gill nets. Funds for travel expenses to talk to fishermen about changing their ways are difficult to come by.
If you can help, please become a member or donate to the SDRP. All proceeds in the months of September-October, 2011 will be directed to the Franciscana dolphin project.
Since 2005, the SDRP has collaborated with Fundacion Aquamarina, a conservation organization in Argentina, led by Pablo Bordino, that is attempting to head off the extinction of the Franciscana.
Below is a summary of the activities of our colleagues in Argentina in 2011
Franciscana Dolphin Project
By Pablo Bordino, MS, Fundacion Aquamarina• Field trials to test the effectiveness of reflective gillnets (barium sulphate + nylon) to reduce dolphin bycatch in Bahia Samborombon. After over 800 sets, the tests of these nets that reflect dolphin echolocation signals showed that reflective gillnets have the same catch per unit effort compared to traditional gillnets, so their use would not reduce a fisherman’s profits.
• Continued efforts to encourage fishermen to use hand-lines instead of gillnets as a way to reduce the dolphin bycatch in Bahia Samborombon. Research showed that the use of hand-lines could be more profitable than the use of gillnets for local fishermen. Effort in 2011 was focused on dissemination of our results. Meetings and personal interviews with fishermen are necessary to encourage them to voluntarily change to hand lines. Currently, and after 3 years of field trials, 9% of the fleet is using hand-lines instead of gill nets. Our efforts continue.
• Continued effort to improve an observer program to evaluate trends in dolphin bycatch in Bahia Samborombon and Cabo San Antonio (Northern Buenos Aires). Although the program was established some years ago, efforts in 2011 were focused on the voluntary recruitment of local fishermen through meetings and personal interviews.
• Necropsies of entangled and stranded dolphins. Necropsies of 31 dolphins were coordinated and conducted, including 5 stranded dolphins. Samples were collected for genetic, stable isotopes, contaminants, histopathology, and age determination. This information is crucial to help us understand the life history of the Franciscana dolphins. Conservationists need to understand the biology in order to understand population structure and how to protect this endangered species.
• Photographic identification efforts in Bahia Samborombon, Bahia Blanca, and Bahia San Blas. To date, 17 individuals have been identified from natural markings, but the work is difficult because of poor water clarity and the large areas to be covered.
• Scientific papers have been, or are being, drafted on: 1) Diving behavior, 2) Bycatch mitigation and conservation strategy for the species in Argentina, 3) Home ranges and habitat use of the species in Bahia Samborombon and Bahia San Blas, and 4) Evaluation of dolphin habitat compared to fishing effort in Bahia Samborombon.
• Argentina Marine Mammal Action Plan Consultancy. The Federal government has decided to develop an action plan for the conservation of marine mammals with emphasis on bycatch mitigation. A specific action plan for Franciscana dolphins is being currently discussed with the UAPA (Argentina Artisanal Fishermen Union).
• Collaborative field research with Brazilian and U.S. (SDRP) colleagues: to conduct tagging of Franciscana dolphins in Bahia Babitonga, Brazil with satellite-linked tags to determine home ranges and movements relative to gill net fishing activities.
• Franciscana dolphin (and marine mammals) legislation for the Rio Negro Province. Consultancy for revision of the current laws
2012-2013 new initiatives and objectives
• To further encourage fishermen to switch from gillnets to hand lines
• To test the combination of reflective gillnets with pingers in order to investigate the mechanisms involved during the incidental entanglement.
• To investigate echolocation (sonar) behavior of the species.
• To evaluate Franciscana dolphin abundance in Bahia Samborombon.
• To tag Franciscana dolphins in open waters (outside bays).
AquaMarina: other activities
Education: A short informal course was offered to 6 local educators. Additionally, 3 new graduate students from the Universidad de Buenos Aires have received field training.
Beach Restoration Project: An agreement of cooperation was signed with Pinamar County in order to continue with the development of a coastal management plan and field tests to reduce coastal erosion.
Tierra del Fuego artisanal Fishery management: Within the Artisanal Fishery Management initiative, the Provincial Government of Tierra del Fuego has invited us to conduct research on Commerson’s dolphin bycatch.
COMET-LA Project: The Community Based Management of Environmental Challenges in Latin America Project intends to identify and analyze solutions to prevent and resolve tensions arising from the use of natural resources, including ecosystem services, due to environmental and climate changes. An agreement of cooperation has been signed with the Universidad de Cordoba (España), Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), Universidad Nacional de Mejico (Mexico), Instituto Argentino de Oceanografia IADO, in order to conduct research in Northern Buenos Aires.
Initiatives for 2011-2012
• Escuela del Mar (School of the Sea). To establish a place where science, art and sport related to the marine environment is focused on kids. The location was generously offered by the Pinamar County government at the beach. As this is a summer resort, we expect to reach a wide audience and accomplish our objectives in environmental education.
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