French Court Upholds Winter Fishing Ban in Bay of Biscay to Protect Dolphins

The Council of State reaffirms a four-week fishing prohibition to reduce accidental dolphin and porpoise deaths, citing significant conservation benefits.

The French Council of State has confirmed the necessity of a four-week winter fishing ban in the Bay of Biscay for vessels over 8 meters to protect dolphins and porpoises from accidental capture.
Scientific data from the 2024 winter ban showed a 75% reduction in dolphin mortalities, highlighting the effectiveness of the measure in conserving marine mammal populations.
The ban, effective from January 22 to February 20, 2025, aligns with a similar European Commission directive targeting specific fishing methods deemed harmful to cetaceans.
The court deemed prior government-issued fishing exemptions illegal, stating they undermined the conservation goals of the ban, and expanded restrictions to include additional fishing gear like pelagic seines.
Fishing industry representatives have expressed frustration, citing economic concerns and calling for alternative solutions to balance marine conservation with the viability of French fisheries.