Dear MARMAM readers,
I am pleased to announce the publication of my new paper in Marine Biology:
Bruno Diaz Lopez (2012) Bottlenose dolphins and aquaculture: interaction and
site fidelity on the north-eastern coast of Sardinia (Italy). Marine Biology
DOI 10.1007/s00227-012-2002-x
ABSTRACT:
Owing to the worldwide growth of aquaculture over the last years, new habitats
have been created through the supplement of nutrients. This addition of
nutrients affects the whole marine food web, resulting in predator species such
as bottlenose dolphins becoming attracted to these areas. During this
5-year-long study that was carried out along the north-eastern coast of
Sardinia (Italy), bottlenose dolphin’s history of exposure to aquaculture
perturbations and their effects was documented. The interaction with a fish
farm was assessed by studying the site fidelity, group dynamics, and seasonal
and yearly occurrence. In all, 1,838 hours were spent in the field. Behavioural
observations showed that the predominant activity (89 % of the time) in the
fish farm was foraging (predation and depredation). The occurrence of
bottlenose dolphins appeared to be related with the seasons and with the fish
farm harvesting operations. Thus, the peak dolphin occurrence
in the fish farm area throughout Fall coincides with the period in which they
spend most of their time foraging. A relatively small community remained
resident interacting with the fish farm over a long period of time. Hence,
these individuals gained intimate knowledge on how to capitalize on the fish
farm industry. This heterogeneity in site fidelity and residence patterns is
highly relevant when coastal management initiatives are considered.
A PDF copy of the paper in press can be accessed via :
http://www.springerlink.com/content/5k386u71v8060252/?MUD=MP
or via email requests to: Bruno Diaz Lopez (br...@thebdri.com),
Best regards,
Bruno Diaz Lopez
Chief Researcher / Marine Zoologist
Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI
V.Armando Diaz Nº4 07020 Golfo Aranci (SS) Italy
www.thebdri.com
i...@thebdri.com
tel.+ 39 346 081 5414
tel. + 0789 183 1197
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