Bay of Biscay: France temporarily bans fishing to protect dolphins

Source: BBC

Bay of Biscay: France temporarily bans fishing to protect dolphins

19 January 2024

By Megan Fisher
BBC News

France has announced a temporary ban on almost all commercial fishing in the Bay of Biscay to protect dolphins.

It will start on Monday and run until 20 February affecting fishing grounds off the country's Atlantic coast.

French marine experts CIEM estimate around 9,000 dolphins die in the bay each year after being accidentally caught in fishing gear.

Local fishermen say the ban is "absurd" and fear losing money - but the government has promised compensation.

Last year the country's top administrative court, the State Council, ordered the move after environmentalists called for better protection for the marine mammals.

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68030476