France Enforces Month-Long Fishing Ban in Bay of Biscay to Protect Dolphins

The unprecedented move, affecting both French and foreign vessels, aims to curb the annual death of 9,000 dolphins due to accidental capture.

France has enforced a month-long ban on commercial fishing in the Bay of Biscay to protect dolphins, affecting about 450 French vessels and resulting in fishing from Finistere, in the extreme west of Brittany, to the Spanish border almost entirely ceasing until Feb 20.
The ban was ordered by the Council of State, France’s top administrative court, and applies to both French and foreign fishermen in boats longer than 26ft.
The move follows calls by environmental activists to protect dolphins in the wake of a surge in deaths among the mammals along France’s Atlantic coast, with about 9,000 of the animals dying in the region each year after being ensnared in nets as a result of accidental capture.
The fishing industry has criticized the ban, warning that it will result in 8,000 fewer tons of seafood products and represent a loss of €60 million in sales for the fish trade.
The French government has promised to support the industry and activate “partial unemployment measures and specific aid, if necessary”, including compensation amounting to up to 85 per cent of revenues.