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Prohibiting fishing in certain areas and at certain times is one of the demands of several associations, to protect the dolphin from boats. “We need concrete data to delimit things,” replies Christophe Béchu.
Prohibit fishing in France during certain periods and on certain coasts, “it’s not a taboo subject”, says the Minister for the Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion. Christophe Béchu, guest of franceinfo on Wednesday February 22, responded to fishing associations, such as Sea Shepherd and the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), which are calling for targeted fishing bans.
“It’s not taboo, but we need concrete data to delineate things”, continues Christophe Béchu. Several questions must be decided according to the minister: the territories concerned, the exact dates of the ban, the boats targeted or even the compensation of fishermen.
Christophe Béchu also ensures that measures have already been taken. “No, we are not looking elsewhere”he defends himself, in response to the words of Allain Bougrain-Dubourg, president of the League for the protection of birds, invited a few minutes earlier on franceinfo.
“We issued a decree a few weeks ago to oblige 200 boats to equip themselves with sound scaring devices”dissuading the dolphins from approaching the boats, specifies the minister. “Half of these boats” are also equipped with a camera, to “collect data”. Measurements “which are useless”according to the Bird Protection League.
The Minister for the Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion acknowledges that the images of mutilated and scarified dolphins have “shocked”. It is “a situation that can only outrage”he acknowledges.
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