//Progress

Results

1. Implementation of the Marine Strategy regarding cetaceans

One of the project’s first results has been the analysis of the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive concerning cetaceans in France, Portugal and Spain, the three member states that are part of the project.

This has allowed us to know each country’s approach, the species reported and in which aspects greater coordination is required to improve the consistency and coherence of implementing the Marine Strategies in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast sub-region.

The analysis and results, and conclusions can be found in the report:

Review of second cycle reports of Marine Strategies and state of the art for cetaceans

2. Coordinated assessment, determination of "Good Environmental Status" and monitoring strategy for cetaceans

We have established a proposal for monitoring cetacean populations, their abundance and distribution, and the threshold values for determining the good environmental status of the Bay of Biscay and the Iberian Coast sub-region.

All current monitoring methodologies and protocols have been analysed, available data on cetacean populations have been compiled, and information gaps have been identified.

All these results can be consulted in the following report.

In addition, all the statistically analysed information has been used to develop an application to predict the abundance and distribution of cetacean species in the Bay of Biscay.

3. Coordinated assessment and monitoring of cetacean bycatch

Based on the review of data on cetacean populations, a spatial analysis of the risk of bycatch and the establishment of threshold values for each species of capture that do not put populations at risk have been carried out.

An inventory of existing bycatch monitoring programmes and other related projects past or ongoing in France, Spain and Portugal has been established.

Data have been obtained from bycatch abundance and impact estimation campaigns, carried out by sightings from boats or light aircraft, by photo-identification of coastal populations and from data provided by fishery observers, logbooks, remote electronic monitoring systems and strandings.

Thanks to the information collected, definitions and thresholds for good environmental status have been updated, and risk areas have been identified where the presence of cetaceans and the type of gear used during fishing activity would increase the incidence of bycatch. 

Cetacean bycatch risk assessment in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coasts

4. Assessing the effectiveness of cetacean bycatch reduction strategies and proposing technical fishing measures

We have compiled existing information on current bycatch reduction devices and identified weaknesses and information gaps in their use.

The results are included in the technical and scientific report that describes the range of available mitigation measures and evaluates their success in reducing cetacean bycatch mortality and the reasons for these results.

The effectiveness of the cetacean bycatch reduction strategies currently used for each fishing gear has also been assessed. In this line, the feasibility of pingers, acoustic devices, for fixed and purse seine nets has been analysed, and a pilot project has been carried out to evaluate the feasibility of cetacean exclusion devices designed by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) in trawl fishing.

In addition, the possibility of using the “Movement Rule” has been analysed, based on the displacement of vessels and the choice of fishing grounds according to the presence of cetaceans in certain areas, information accessible through an app that fishermen constantly update.

The results of these trials are available in the Technical Report on research and development of innovative mitigation solutions through pilot projects and spatial measurement tools.

 

 

5. Dissemination of results and sectoral participation and training

Results transfer is an essential part of the project. For this reason, we have produced different dissemination materials, such as a leaflet and a video.

In addition, we have held workshops with sectors involved in the marine environment, mainly the fishing sector, to explain the project’s progress and results and encourage their participation. 

The aim has also been to improve their knowledge of marine environments, strategies, and interactions between fishing activities and cetacean populations.