Bottle reflectors on nets could help dolphins dodge fishing gear
Two studies tested attaching glass or plastic bottles to gillnets to boost dolphins’ ability to detect nets via echolocation. Results varied by region: in Peru and Zanzibar the bottles had mixed or limited effects (Peru saw more fish but no clear dolphin reduction; Zanzibar saw more tuna with no dolphin data to conclude), while in Brazil, bottom-set nets with bottle reflectors reduced dolphin bycatch by about 88% without harming target fish. The authors suggest the approach is low-cost and scalable, warranting further trials elsewhere to confirm effectiveness.