Bycatch of bottlenose dolphins in South Carolina, USA, and an evaluation of the Atlantic blue crab fishery categorisation

In the USA, commercial fisheries that interact with marine mammals are categorised according to number of incidental takes relative defined Potential Biological Removal (PBR) for population. Three categories exist such fisheries: Category I, II and III, each varying in degree regulation. Fishery categorisation is based on a five-year running average entanglements fishery published annually Federal Register. The Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) one South Carolina’s largest terms volume value was recently re-categorised as fishery, resulting heightened exists known areas bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) habitat; therefore, interaction between two probable. This study uses historical mammal stranding data on-board investigations Carolina investigate interaction. Analysis strandings showed approximately 24% 42 entanglement cases from 1992-2003 resulted fishery. nine 12 years examined, mortality rates were found be greater than or equal 10% Management Unit’s PBR, which significant US Marine Mammal Protection Act’s (MMPA) definitions Coastal Stock dolphins. addition, results this per year has exceeded 1% PBR across period (1999-2003), defines Thus, support re-categorisation introduction regulations under MMPA.