Case Study - Operation Dolphin By-Catch (Secondary)

• Science
• Geography
• +4
• 7-9 Grade
• 9-11 Grade

Introduction

This Case Study connects with our Lesson Plans: Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. It focuses on our campaign Operation Dolphin By-catch targeting dolphin by-catch in French waters.

Instructions

This Case Study connects with our Lesson Plans: Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing 1-3.   It focuses on our campaign Operation Dolphin By-catch targeting dolphin by-catch in French waters.  

This Case Study takes 15 minutes to complete.

Contact: [e-mail]
© Sea Shepherd 2021

Instructions

Case Study Guide Operation Dolphin By-catch (Secondary).pdf

SEA SHEPHERD CASE STUDY

OPERATION DOLPHIN BY-CATCH

This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd.  Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife.  Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year.  IUU is one area Sea Shepherd is working on to help stop illegal fishing and by-catch.

What you already know...

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Action required!

Evaluate your knowledge

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Watch  the video

During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.

Each year along the Atlantic Coast, in the bay of Biscay, up to 10,000 dolphins are killed by fishing trawlers.

Each year along the Atlantic Coast, in the bay of Biscay, up to 10,000 dolphins are killed by fishing trawlers.

Operation By-catch
Each year along the Atlantic Coast, in the bay of Biscay, up to 10,000 dolphins are killed by fishing trawlers.
From January to March on the coasts of Vendée, Charente Maritime and Brittany the area is full of pelagic trawlers fishing in pairs, dragging nets between the two trawlers, and by large industrial fishing vessels.

Operation By-catch
Show this video 2.37 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLQrTuHnThE&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbBWFmIGsduMvIu8Yf1So_FC&index=13&t=83s

French laws
The dolphins die after being caught as by-catch in the nets or from wounds inflicted by the fishermen on board the trawlers.
 
Although the law requires fishermen to declare any dolphins in their catch, in practice the government has not designated any regulatory body to receive this data.

This prevents any monitoring of the mortality inflicted on marine mammals by trawlers. Furthermore, no funds have been allocated to the implementation of more selective fishing techniques, even though these funds exist. Industrial fishing is heavily subsidized in France, but reducing dolphin mortality is not one of the priorities of the government's fisheries policy.

Show this video ( 1.36 min) which shows dolphins being caught in nets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1J8E7iuuco&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbBWFmIGsduMvIu8Yf1So_FC&index=7

Fishing trawlers are targeting endangered sea bass in their spawning grounds.

Fishing trawlers are targeting endangered sea bass in their spawning grounds.

Targeting sea bass
The trawlers are targeting endangered sea bass on their spawning grounds, which is putting at risk the future populations of sea bass.

Sea Shepherd are working to have the state to prohibit trawling in sea bass spawning grounds, monitor fishing, prevent the sale of juvenile fish and have proper recording of data.

Sea Shepherd are working to have the state to prohibit trawling in sea bass spawning grounds, monitor fishing, prevent the sale of juvenile fish and have proper recording of data.

Sea Shepherd’s mission
Sea Shepherd are working to have the state prohibit trawling in sea bass spawning grounds, monitor fishing, prevent the sale of juvenile fish and have proper recording of data.

Show the video (5.47 min) where our volunteer crew explain the campaign and what is taking place:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l_Ykd9CCoo&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbBWFmIGsduMvIu8Yf1So_FC&index=12

How you can help!

Reduce demand for fish.

Boycott small (juvenile) fish sales.

Boycott fish from trawling.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Reduce demand for fish.

Boycott small (juvenile) fish sales.

Boycott fish from trawling.

How you can help
To support this campaign the general public can help by:
➢    Stop or drastically reducing fish consumption.
➢    Boycott small fish (juvenile fish).
➢    Boycott fish from trawl fishing and restricting it exclusively to line-caught fish to help reduce by-catch.

Why does fishing in spawning
grounds threaten the species?

Ask students to complete their answers to the following question using the www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.

“Why does fishing in spawning grounds threaten the species?”

What does the term by-catch mean?

Ask students to complete their answers to the following question using the www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.

“What does the term by-catch mean?

Write down three things you have learned?

What did you learn?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.  

“Write down three things you have learned?”

Write down one thing you didn't understand?

What don’t you understand?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.  

“Write down one thing you didn’t understand?”

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