Consumption rates and interaction with fisheries of Mediterranean common dolphins in the Alboran Sea

摘要: Abstract Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) are top predators, feeding on a wide variety of prey species, several which also targeted by fisheries. The last remaining healthy group the endangered Mediterranean common dolphin subpopulation is located in Alboran Sea. Their grounds overlap with fishing trawlers targeting European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and blue whiting (Micromessistius poutassou) as well purse seiners small pelagic species such sardine (Sardina pilchardus), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.) (Scomber spp.). In present study, we estimated that individual Sea have food consumption 3.35 ± 0.67 kg/day, based scaling equations applied to stranded animals. This figure similar ones reported for other populations. Although mainly feed mesopelagic none or little commercial interest, they could lead potential conflict fisheries area. We consume more than 16,000 tonnes fish annually, including ca 7365 (95% CI: 3838–11,639) Madeira lanternfish (Ceratoscopelus maderensis), 2,888 (1123–5223) bogue (Boops boops), 2770 (879–5270) sardine, 1,850 (170–4116) gobies (Gobiidae), 1497 (65–3352) (reference period 2006-2011). Estimated was low when compared landings area, however above recent years (393.4 ± 146 landed annually between 2006 2011). Additionally, direct interactions main were evaluated total 111 observed trips (70 41 seiners) no bycatch recorded, non-lethal activity detected from observations this on-board observer program. These interactions, together high prevalence stranding signs study may imply an additional threat cetacean subpopulation.