Pantropical spotted dolphin

Fisheries Interactions More Threatening to Maui Nui Dolphins than Previously Thought: Pacific Whale Foundation Researchers Discover New Evidence

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 20, 2021

Using dorsal fin, mouth line and underwater body imagery, the latter a first of its kind for this type of study, researchers found that fisheries interactions on Maui Nui dolphins may be more pervasive than initially thought.

Key Points: 
  • Using dorsal fin, mouth line and underwater body imagery, the latter a first of its kind for this type of study, researchers found that fisheries interactions on Maui Nui dolphins may be more pervasive than initially thought.
  • A recent paper citing an apparent decline in bottlenose dolphin population in Maui Nui highlights the importance of PWF's study in exploring the potential impacts of fisheries interaction to these dolphins.
  • Every image in the nonprofit's extensive photo-ID catalog, was reviewed to identify dolphins with scars on dorsal fins, mouthlines and bodies of dolphins that indicate past interactions with fisheries and fishing gear.
  • Building on established methodology, focused primarily on dorsal fin analysis, researchers used underwater body images to gain a new perspective for assessing fisheries interactions.