Dear colleagues, I am pleased to inform you of my last publication on
bottlenose dolphins and acoustic deterrent devices. The following paper is now
available online which describes the first practical attempt to assess the
influence of an AHD on the behaviour of common bottlenose dolphins in
association with a marine fin fish farm. Article title: A trial of acoustic
harassment device efficacy on free-ranging bottlenose dolphins in Sardinia,
Italy
Journal title: Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology
Authorr: Mr. Bruno Diaz Lopez & Fernando MariñoDOI:10.1080/10236244.2011.618216
Abstract
Acoustic harassment devices (AHDs) have been deployed to reduce the interaction
between different marine mammals and fisheries in many areas. Despite field
studies on some marine mammal species, there is a lack of information about
their effectiveness on common bottlenose dolphins. The controlled exposure
experiment described here is the first practical attempt to assess the
influence of an AHD on the behaviour of free-ranging common bottlenose dolphins
in association with a marine fin-fish farm. A total of 90.7 h were spent in
direct observation of 55 groups of bottlenose dolphins along the north-eastern
coast of Sardinia (Italy). Activation of the AHD did not have a significant and
immediate effect on bottlenose dolphins’ presence, distance from the AHD, group
size or time spent in the fish farm area. The AHD alone did not effectively
deter bottlenose dolphins, particularly when other motivating factors, such as
food, were present. Thus, prior to
further employment of AHDs, additional research in their effects on the marine
environment is essential for coastal conservation and aquaculture management.
If you are interested in a reprint, please email Bruno Diaz Lopez at
[email protected] This article is now published online at:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10236244.2011.618216
Best regards,
Bruno Diaz Lopez Chief Researcher / Marine Zoologist Bottlenose Dolphin
Research Institute BDRI V.Armando Diaz Nº4 07020 Golfo Aranci (SS)
Italy www.thebdri.com [email protected] tel.+ 39 346 081 5414tel. + 0789 183
11978
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