On March 17 the project activities of Green Balkans pilot introduction of pingers as a mitigating measure for the by-catch of Black Sea Harbour porpoise in turbot fishing were launched.
The project aims to collect data on the levels of by-catch, its causes, and to analyze and select the necessary changes and measures that could solve the problem. For this purpose were purchased 200 pingers, 140 of which are mounted on 33 km of nets nets. Pingers are acoustic deterrent devices and are the only currently working method to prevent cetacean by-catch. Experts of the organisation joined the crew of the Ellis fishing vessel and documented the installation and putting into operation of the devices. The next stage of the process is the collection of fishing nets, which is due in the first half of April, and then the results of the survey will be analysed.
Bycatch of marine mammals in fishing nets is a huge problem not only at national but also global level. Data from international studies show that more than 300,000 cetaceans per year get entangled and drowned. For the Black Sea specifically, data from past surveys on the level of by-catch indicate that this is one of the most significant human impacts, with the greatest impact on the porpoises. Surveys with pingers use in the Black Sea are scarce. At the same time by-catch is a problem both for the conservation of biodiversity and for fishing communities. Conducting more complete and regular monitoring is in the interest of both parties, conservation and fishing, in order to take timely and appropriate measures focused at conservation of these highly intelligent mammals in addition to protecting the livelihoods of fishermen.
For additional information:
Dimitar Popov ,e-mail: dpopov@greenbalkans.org
"Black Sea Harbour Porpoise bycatch mitigation in the Bulgarian waters of the Black Sea" project is funded by New England Aquarium, Boston, USA within a research grant from NOAA.
“These environmental data and related items of information have not been formally disseminated by NOAA and do not represent and should not be construed to represent any agency determination, view, or policy.”
The information activities are implemented within:
The project aims to collect data on the levels of by-catch, its causes, and to analyze and select the necessary changes and measures that could solve the problem. For this purpose were purchased 200 pingers, 140 of which are mounted on 33 km of nets nets. Pingers are acoustic deterrent devices and are the only currently working method to prevent cetacean by-catch. Experts of the organisation joined the crew of the Ellis fishing vessel and documented the installation and putting into operation of the devices. The next stage of the process is the collection of fishing nets, which is due in the first half of April, and then the results of the survey will be analysed.
Bycatch of marine mammals in fishing nets is a huge problem not only at national but also global level. Data from international studies show that more than 300,000 cetaceans per year get entangled and drowned. For the Black Sea specifically, data from past surveys on the level of by-catch indicate that this is one of the most significant human impacts, with the greatest impact on the porpoises. Surveys with pingers use in the Black Sea are scarce. At the same time by-catch is a problem both for the conservation of biodiversity and for fishing communities. Conducting more complete and regular monitoring is in the interest of both parties, conservation and fishing, in order to take timely and appropriate measures focused at conservation of these highly intelligent mammals in addition to protecting the livelihoods of fishermen.
For additional information:
Dimitar Popov ,e-mail: dpopov@greenbalkans.org
"Black Sea Harbour Porpoise bycatch mitigation in the Bulgarian waters of the Black Sea" project is funded by New England Aquarium, Boston, USA within a research grant from NOAA.
“These environmental data and related items of information have not been formally disseminated by NOAA and do not represent and should not be construed to represent any agency determination, view, or policy.”
The information activities are implemented within:
