Biological parameters of franciscana dolphins, Pontoporia blainvillei, by-caught in artisanal fisheries off southern Buenos Aires, Argentina

Authors
Negria, M.F., Panebianco, M.V., Denuncio, P., Viola, M.N.P., Rodriguez, D., Cappozzo, L.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Page #s
9 pgs.
Contact information
Laboratorio de Ecología, Comportamiento y Mamíferos Marinos, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’ (CONICET), Avenida Ángel Gallardo 470 (C1405DJR), Buenos Aires, Argentina
Summary

Incidental captures of the franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) by artisinal coastal fishermen of Buenos Aires, Argentina were investigated. Data was collected on carcasses of 54 incidentally captured dolphins between 2003 and 2009. Results indicated that the majority (69%) were animals four years old and younger, 74% of entangled animals were sexually immature and 85% were physically immature. Entanglements were not associated with any disease or physiological disorder. No bycatch mitigation techniques were tested for this paper.