Famagusta, Cyprus. Fishermen in Cyprus’ Famagusta district say bottlenose dolphins are increasingly damaging nets and taking catches, threatening their livelihoods. The fisheries department says dolphin sightings have become more common but believes total numbers remain low.
Fishermen describe losses and call for a solution
Antonis Zampas, a fisherman in the Famagusta district, described the situation as an “SOS,” saying dolphins are becoming more brazen and, he claims, more numerous. He said the damage caused when dolphins tear through fishing nets is considerable.
Zampas said bottlenose dolphins found near Cyprus’ coast can be three metres long and travel in groups of up to 10. He said the impact is twofold, as dolphins take fish while also destroying nets.
“It’s a double blow,” he told the Cyprus Mail. “They get our fish, so we can’t make a living, and they destroy our nets as well.”
He said he recently suffered about €1,900 worth of damage in a single day. While the state provides some compensation, Zampas said the focus should be on a solution rather than payments.
“We’d prefer that they don’t give us a single cent, and get rid of the dolphins,” he said.
Authorities cite limited population and ongoing study
The department of fisheries and marine research said removing dolphins is not an option. The department agreed that dolphin sightings have become more common and issued a statement last week to that effect.
However, the department said it does not believe overall dolphin numbers have increased and described the population as quite low. It said there are fewer than 100 bottlenose dolphins in Cypriot waters, and that a study is underway to provide a more precise count.
Possible reasons for more sightings remain unclear
The reason for increased sightings is unclear. One theory cited is that people may be more aware of dolphins, with tourist boats drawing attention to them. Another possibility raised is that climate change may have pushed the cetaceans into shallower waters.
How should authorities and fishermen respond to dolphin-related damage while protecting marine wildlife?
