French researchers attach cameras to dolphins to reduce fishing bycatch

The French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer) began deploying cameras on the backs of common dolphins in the Bay of Biscay, a body of water off the coast of France.

Researchers attached the devices using poles to record images, sounds, and diving depths. The cameras automatically detach after a few hours and float to the surface to be recovered via a signal.

Germain Boussarie, a researcher at Ifremer, said the data will help scientists understand dolphin feeding strategies and movements. The institute aims to use this information to develop more targeted solutions to prevent dolphins from getting caught in fishing nets. The footage already shows the animals hunting small fish alongside bluefin tuna and being observed by northern gannets, a type of seabird. The project addresses a long standing issue in the Bay of Biscay where dolphins frequently die in fishing gear.

While the French government has implemented a one month fishing ban for certain vessels to help, the Pelagis observatory reported that a perfect technical solution has not yet emerged. In addition to tracking behavior, Boussarie said the cameras could help researchers monitor how climate change affects dolphin behavior and the long term viability of the population.