Fishing closure in a specific area during the spawning season

Fishing closure in a specific area during the spawning season

Advantages

Eliminates all or nearly all bycatch in the designated area. May also reduce the environmental impact of fishing and help rebuild exploited fish stocks.

Disadvantages

If the closure period is long and the closed area is large, the profitability of fishermen and seafood processing companies can be significantly impacted. If the area is poorly defined, fishing effort may shift to adjacent areas, thereby failing to reduce bycatch. If dolphins move too quickly, the closure may become ineffective in the medium term

KEY WORDS

1. “All fishing gear should be banned during the spawning season. I just got back from three weeks of diving in the Seychelles, and it’s clear how we can conserve resources through effective zone management.” – Gillnet fishermen in the Bay of Biscay, ages 25–39. 2025 Delmoges Survey

2. "We should close during the spawning season for sole and sea bass, as has already been done, but without mentioning dolphins. That way, we’d have a better image with consumers and we’d have significant catches when we resume fishing. We really shouldn’t have highlighted the dolphins. It’s terrible."Gulf of Biscay gillnet fishermen, ages 25–39. 2025 Delmoges Survey

3- “Personally, I’m reluctantly in favor of the closure, in terms of protecting dolphins. I’m willing to close to help replenish fish stocks. But protecting dolphins—I’m not so sure.” Fishmongers, ages 25–39 / La Rochelle, Delmoges 2025 surveys