Scientists have noted a significant trend of bottlenose dolphins in the Adriatic Sea spending considerable time trailing trawlers, likely in search of food. This behavior has been observed as a response to the ongoing degradation of their natural habitat.
The seabed of the Adriatic has faced extensive damage due to decades of bottom trawling, which has raised alarms about the overall health of the ecosystem. The reliance of dolphins on trawlers may indicate a troubling shift in their feeding habits.
In one observed area, it was reported that 76% of fishing boats were followed by dolphins. Additionally, young dolphins appear to be learning scavenging techniques from their parents, which could have long-term implications for their survival and behavior.