Overview
- The French Council of State has confirmed the necessity of a four-week winter fishing ban in the Bay of Biscay for vessels over 8 meters to protect dolphins and porpoises from accidental capture.
- Scientific data from the 2024 winter ban showed a 75% reduction in dolphin mortalities, highlighting the effectiveness of the measure in conserving marine mammal populations.
- The ban, effective from January 22 to February 20, 2025, aligns with a similar European Commission directive targeting specific fishing methods deemed harmful to cetaceans.
- The court deemed prior government-issued fishing exemptions illegal, stating they undermined the conservation goals of the ban, and expanded restrictions to include additional fishing gear like pelagic seines.
- Fishing industry representatives have expressed frustration, citing economic concerns and calling for alternative solutions to balance marine conservation with the viability of French fisheries.