The Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei), one of the smallest dolphins of the world, is endemic to the coastal Atlantic waters off central South America. The primary threat throughout most of its range is incidental mortality in fishing nets. Research suggests that dolphin populations can not sustain the current level of accidental mortality.

“The Franciscana dolphin is seriously threatened and we have to pay attention to this problem,” said Roberto Ubieta, Vice-President of the Association of Ship Owners, Skippers and Fishermen of San Clemente del Tuyú in Buenos Aires province. “If we want to take care of this species, we have to work with others to address the problem.”

Ubieta was one of ten local fishermen, who together with 30 biologists and governmental officials from Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, attended a FVSA-organized workshop on the current situation of this dolphin species.
“It is very important to include artisanal fishermen,” said FVSA Marine Programme Species Coordinator Alejandro Arias. “Through dialogue we can improve fisheries management and the conservation of the marine ecosystem of this region.”

Since 2004, FVSA, together with WWF, Fundación Aquamarina and the Wildlife Trust Alliance, has been working to reduce the incidental mortality of Franciscana dolphins in Argentina. A FVSA project is currently testing the use of bottom hand-lines as an alternative fishing practice to replace gillnets in Bahia Samborombon and Cabo San Antonio. Local fishermen are participating in this project using hand-lines and gillnets — landings of both fishing gear are being compared. The implementation of hand-lines could be an additional conservation tool to reduce the incidental mortality of Franciscana dolphins in Argentina.

“Our mission is to work in partnership to ensure the sustainable management of the coasts and seas of the southwest Atlantic for future generations,” added FVSA-WWF Marine Programme Coordinator Guillermo Cañete. “That is why it was so important for us to met and work with all the actors involved in the Franciscana problem.”

END NOTES:

• The Franciscana dolphin workshop was organized by the FVSA-WWF Marine Programme, Fundación Aquamarina, the Science Department of the National University of Mar del Plata, and the Laboratory of Marine Mammals of the National Patagonic Center (CENPAT).

• WWF began working in Argentina in 1988 when Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina (FVSA) became an associate of WWF. Together, the two organizations hold joint campaigns, arrange global actions, and execute several programmes and projects. Since 1987, FVSA has established 12 wildlife refuges covering 55,000ha. With support from WWF, FVSA is working to restore forest landscapes in the Atlantic Rainforest, one of the richest forest habitats in Argentina. FVSA is also working to protect Argentina’s largest wetlands, the Iberá Marshes, from rising water levels due to the Yacyretá dam. In addition to promoting forest certification and freshwater conservation, FVSA is involved in the promotion of energy resource management, environmental education, and the establishment of marine and inland-protected areas.