The overlap has proven deadly. For years, hundreds of dolphins have washed ashore along the coasts of France and Spain, many showing clear signs of accidental entanglement in fishing nets. Now, Europe is stepping in once again.

The European Commission has announced it will reintroduce a seasonal fishing ban in early 2026 after evidence showed the measure works. The temporary closure will run from 22 January to 20 February and will apply to fishing vessels longer than eight metres operating in the Bay of Biscay.

The goal is straightforward. Reduce fishing activity during the most dangerous weeks of the year and give dolphins a chance to survive their winter migration.

This will be the third consecutive winter that the European Union has implemented a seasonal closure in the region. What has changed is confidence. Data from 2025 showed a significant drop in dolphin deaths during the closure period, strengthening the case for repeating the measure.

For scientists at PELAGIS, which has monitored cetacean strandings for decades, the decision confirms what long term research has shown. When fishing pressure decreases during key migration windows, dolphin mortality falls.

Commission officials have emphasized that the policy is rooted in measurable outcomes rather than theory. The decline in strandings has become difficult to ignore.

The ban will affect roughly 300 vessels across multiple EU member states, many of them small and medium scale operations. The European Commission has acknowledged the economic impact and says support will be available.

Fishers affected by the closure will be eligible for compensation through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, alongside possible national aid. The intention is to ensure conservation efforts do not destabilize coastal communities that depend on fishing for their livelihoods.

This balance between environmental protection and economic resilience has become a defining feature of the EU’s approach. The winter pause is only one part of a broader strategy to reduce dolphin bycatch year round.

Fishing vessels in high risk areas are already required to use acoustic deterrent devices, known as pingers, which emit sounds designed to alert dolphins before they encounter nets. Monitoring programs are also expanding, with increased use of onboard observers and video systems to track interactions between fishing gear and marine life.

Together, these measures aim to embed dolphin protection into everyday fishing practices, rather than relying solely on short term closures.
At its core, the Bay of Biscay closure represents a pragmatic form of environmental action. It acknowledges the urgency of protecting wildlife while accepting the realities of working fishing communities.

By limiting activity during peak risk periods, offering financial support, and strengthening oversight, the European Union is testing an approach that could be replicated elsewhere.

The early results suggest dolphins are already benefiting. As the 2026 closure approaches, the hope is that this seasonal pause becomes more than a temporary fix and instead a model for how conservation and industry can move forward together.

Photo by Guillaume Meurice from Pexels