Title
Two incidents of fishing gear entanglement of Ganges River dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) in waterways of the Sundarbans mangrove forest, Bangladesh
Author(s)
Mansur, E.F.; Smith, B.D.; Mowgli, R.M.; Diyan, M.A.A.
Published
2008
Publisher
Aquatic Mammals
Abstract
Incidental mortality in fishing gear, especially gillnets, is considered among the most severe threats to the endangered Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica). However, almost no information is available about actual interactions of the species with fisheries. An emaciated adult Ganges River dolphin was found stranded on Katka Beach where the eastern Sundarbans mangrove forest of Bangladesh meets the Bay of Bengal. The dolphin had a piece of fine-thread, mono-filament, 5-cm mesh-size gillnet, used to catch hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) in large rivers and coastal areas, wrapped tightly around its rostrum. It also had a thicker strand, double-filament, 2.5- to 3.5-cm mesh-size gillnet, used to catch medium-size fin fishes in large rivers and small creeks, entangled in its teeth at the end of the rostrum. The dolphin was disentangled and released. In another incident, the carcass of a nonlactating female Ganges River dolphin was also retrieved from a local fishing boat in the northeast portion of the Sundarbans. The dolphin had become entangled in a long-line fishing gear very similar to the rolling hooks used in the Yangtze River that have been cited as among the primary factors contributing to the probable extinction of the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer). These incidents confirm that Ganges River dolphins are vulnerable to being accidently killed by becoming entangled in gillnets and long-fines. These events also indicate the importance of monitoring mortality rates and establishing a protected area network in channel segments where the species occurs in relatively high numbers.
Keywords
biomonitoring; dolphin; endangered species; gear selectivity; gillnet; mangrove; mortality; protected area; species conservation; Asia; Bay of Bengal; Eurasia; Ganges River; Indian Ocean; South Asia; Hilsa; Lipotes vexillifer; Orcaella brevirostris; Pisces; Platanista gangetica; Platanista gangetica gangetica; Tenualosa ilisha; Bangladesh; Fishing gear entanglement; Ganges River dolphin; Irrawaddy dolphin; Long-line; Sundarbans
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PUB11948