California’s harbor porpoises are rebounding following the state’s 1994 gillnet ban, a recent study reported.
Harbor porpoises, gentle animals found in shallow coastal waters who generally keep to themselves, are at a greater risk of getting tangled and inadvertently captured by gillnets, known as “bycatch.” Their numbers hit an all-time low in 1990, after decades of commercial fishing that killed hundreds of them every year.
But in the years since California outlawed gillnets, three of the region’s four porpoise groups have grown to the size where scientists consider their populations are stabilizing.
“This is very good evidence that if we can eliminate the deaths in fishing nets, marine mammal populations can come back in a big way,” said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research biologist Karen Forney. “The story in California tells us that these animals are capable of recovering if we eliminate the factors causing their decline.”
Scientists became aware of the extensive damage gillnets caused to wildlife after they noticed seabirds dying in droves off the Central California Coast, the LA Times reported. They subsequently discovered that harbor porpoises’ numbers were perilously low, and that numerous other marine mammals also were suffering, including sea otters.
Sadly, gillnets are still legal in federally-owned waters off California, where a commercial fishery continues to operate after former President Donald Trump vetoed a proposed ban. If you haven’t yet, sign Lady Freethinker’s petition urging Sen. Dianne Feinstein to reintroduce this crucial bill, which could help save critically endangered marine species.
SIGN: Ban Fishing Gillnets That Slowly Suffocate Helpless Dolphins
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Good,they should ban alot of things pertaining to marine life. The fishermen should go out farther to catch whatever. They no marine life stays closer to shore.
GOOD NEWS — THANK YOU for sanity and compassion — PORPOISE population REBOUNDS after California gill net BAN —
INHUMANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is proof that banning gill nets save sea creatures, and not just the porpoise .
Ban all gillnets
All animals should be treated with respect and be treated how you would like others to treat you. Never abuse or neglect any animals no matter what they are!!
ALL gill nets need to be banned & the ban needs to be rigorously enforced. The poor vaquita is on the brink of extinction, if not already extinct.
Agree,
“This is very good evidence that if we can eliminate the deaths in fishing nets, marine mammal populations can come back in a big way,” said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research biologist Karen Forney. “The story in California tells us that these animals are capable of recovering if we eliminate the factors causing their decline.”
The Trump thing has done so much damage. It’s time to reintroduce lifesaving bans to protect the species at risk and beyond. The light can shine now that Trump is gone and that’s a start for a better future for animals and the planet.