Industrial fishing kills thousands of sea animals every year. Can new technologies help solve this problem?
In the French part of Vizcaya Gulf, one of the richest handkerchiefs in Europe, thousands of dolphins were accidentally stuck in fishing networks every year.
On average, about a thousand dolphins seem to be trapped every winter beaches. However, according to the analysis of the Pelajis Observatory reported by the Coordinator of the Dolphinfree project Bastien Mérigot, the total mortality is much larger: 4.500 to 8,500 dolphins are trapped in fishing networks every year. Many dolphins drowning in networks never reach the shore: they sink before they see, which leaves the researchers with incomplete data about the real size of the problem.
These losses not only damage the sea ecosystems, but also disrupt the livelihoods of dependent fishermen who are dependent on these waters. For the second winter in a row, the authorities applied one month of fishing to reduce dolphin risks. Meanwhile, various European research projects seek innovative technological solutions that can protect sea life without stopping fishing.
Technology speaking to dolphins
The Dolphinfree project, which was financed by the European Union and the fishing sector “Filière Pêche” in order to deal with the crisis in the Gulf of Vizcaya, develops a new approach: the natural communication of an acoustic sign -based dolphins designed to integrate for fishing networks. This device emits signals that mimic the echo patterns on which dolphins are based on their environment. By creating an appearance of acoustic danger – the echo engraving of a mixed dolphin with a mixed dolphin – Beacon warns the dolphins to avoid the region.
The first proof of scientists shows promising results. The dolphins react to the signal away from the area where the sound is spread. However, in order to officially adopt this technology, it should show its effectiveness in large -scale tests on professional fishing boats.
Fishermen recommend reducing sign devices to do better in fishing machines. Devices should also continue to be suitable for fishermen who are killed by ten kilometers long. In addition, the signs require newspaper maintenance and charges and add more workload to already overloaded teams.
Dolphinfree’s ongoing evidence and another electronic solution envisaged by the French government will be carried out on more than 200 fishing boats during 2026 to perfect technology and allow fishermen to meet their needs. With the mortality of dolphins and some luck, 30-40 %of the future wintering avoiding the closing of fishing.
Accidental capture and drag networks: a worldwide problem
Dolphins are not the only victims of unintentional captures in fishing. In the world, it is estimated that 40 % of fish captures are accidentally, that is, sea species that are unintentionally caught. These are other species such as young or protected fish and turtles and seafood. Often, these animals are more returned to the sea, many of them are dead or without dying, which helps to produce large amounts of unnecessary waste and ecological damage.
Draging networks commonly used in commercial fishing are particularly problematic. These big mobile nets sweep everything on their way and catch the species randomly. Fishing fleets face an increasing demand for more selective fishing methods and an increasing examination for the environmental impact of their applications.
A drag network directed by artificial intelligence
To interrupt the accident problem, the EU -funded initiative, the Marine Beacon project, is developing a smart drag network with artificial intelligence. It is based on the concept of “Drag game” created at the Lorient Institute (France).
Unlike traditional networks, smart Drag Network uses underwater cameras and automatic learning algorithms to identify and classify real time capture. The system can distinguish between species that want to fish and species that do not activate the automatic exhaust path for the latter. According to the Marino biologist Robin Faillettaz, who manages the work in IFREMER, this “active choice” may mean a “paradigm change” to perform fishing activity.
In laboratory tests, the Smart Drag Network has shown the ability to control the jumpboard designed to release or release or release fish species in a video recording. The next challenge is to adapt this technology to use on large commercial ships. Engineers should ensure that the system is strong enough to support the difficult conditions of the ocean to prevent compact and light operations, and it is easy to use to integrate fishermen in their daily routines smoothly. The aim is that the equipment can be distributed within minutes and is reliable to use in challenging environments.
