Quantifying the dolphins-fishery competition in the Gulf of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Central Mediterranean Sea)

The dolphins-fishery competition in the Gulf of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Central Mediterranean Sea) was investigated during the period 2009-2016. In particular, the biomass removal by the striped and common bottlenose dolphin and the local fishery was estimated by means the food consumption rates of dolphins and landing data of the main fishing gears operating in the area. In addition, an indication on the overlap, in terms of diet/landing composition, occurring between both dolphin species and fishery was discussed.