Wildlife

Common Dolphin Welfare and Bycatch Impacts

Common dolphins are the most abundant cetacean globally but face significant bycatch mortality in European waters, with UK populations vulnerable to trawl and gillnet fisheries.

Key Facts

Most abundant dolphin globally with millions of individuals worldwide
Lives in large, fast-moving groups that can number thousands
Important prey base for common dolphins is declining in some areas
French and Spanish trawlers cause high common dolphin bycatch
ICES has called for emergency measures to reduce bycatch mortality

Welfare Considerations

Common dolphin bycatch involves drowning — a prolonged and distressing death. Tens of thousands may die annually in European fisheries. Welfare and conservation interests align: reducing bycatch through modified gear, time-area closures, and observer programmes is urgent. UK government advocacy in European fisheries management is vital.

What You Can Do

Support Whale and Dolphin Conservation bycatch campaigns
Choose only MSC-certified fish from low-bycatch fisheries
Write to your MP about UK government policy on cetacean bycatch
Support BDMLR and strandings monitoring
Report any net-entangled cetacean immediately to 01825 765546