Common bottlenose dolphin

The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is a marine mammal belonging to the order Cetacea and the family Delphinidae. It is a highly intelligent species that inhabits coastal and offshore waters, often overlapping with zones dedicated to aquaculture and large-scale fishery activities.

In the context of coastal farming, the bottlenose dolphin is considered a significant biological challenge for aquaculture operations. While it does not consume crops, it poses a direct threat to the infrastructure of sea-cage systems. Their foraging behavior leads to persistent interactions with the protective netting used to contain cultivated fish stocks.

The biological cycle of the species is characterized by slow maturation and low reproductive rates. A female typically gives birth to a single calf after a 12-month gestation period, with a nursing phase lasting up to two years. This reproductive strategy makes the species sensitive to environmental changes and interactions with industrial installations.

The damage caused by these mammals involves structural failure of fish cages, leading to the loss of biomass and expensive equipment repairs. Furthermore, the presence of these dolphins acts as a stressor for farmed species, which suppresses growth rates and feed conversion efficiency, directly impacting the profitability of maritime agricultural units.

Protection strategies involve both physical and non-lethal deterrents to prevent damage. Key mitigation measures include:

• The deployment of tensioned, high-strength netting systems.
• The installation of acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs).
• Strategic site selection to avoid known migratory paths.
• Implementation of predator nets around existing cages.