During the ban, some larger fishing boats opted to fish for eel in estuaries outside the Gulf, as allowed by regulations, to mitigate the financial impact.

Despite some boats fishing for eel, Bertaud expressed concerns over the lack of compensation for port operations, highlighting the stark contrast between the financial support for fishermen and the port authorities.

Fishing boats over eight meters resumed operations in the Gulf of Gascogne on February 21, 2025, following a four-week suspension that began on January 22, aimed at protecting dolphins.

The recent fishing ban significantly reduced dolphin deaths from accidental captures, dropping from an average of 6,100 between 2017 and 2023 to just 1,450 during the winter of 2023-2024, according to the Pelagis Observatory.

The fishing ban, which lasted four weeks, affected approximately 300 fishing vessels from Finistère to the Spanish border, and its impact on accidental catches of small cetaceans will take time to assess.

Christophe Bertaud, director of the La Rochelle fishing port, reported significant financial losses during the ban, with only two boat visits in February 2025 compared to 60 visits and €50,000 in fees during the same month in 2024.

While the impact of the latest ban on incidental dolphin captures remains to be seen, previous closures have shown a substantial decrease in dolphin fatalities, with a reported reduction of 75% during the last ban.

Unlike fishermen, port authorities do not receive any compensation for the financial impact of the fishing ban, raising concerns about the sustainability of port operations.

Fishermen affected by the ban are receiving 85% compensation, with the French Ministry of Ecological Transition announcing a €20 million aid package for vessels and fishmongers impacted by the closure.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea has set a critical threshold of 4,900 dolphin deaths per year, which endangers the cetacean population in the Bay of Biscay.

The effects of the recent fishing closure on the incidental capture of small cetaceans will not be known for several months, leaving uncertainty about the long-term benefits of the ban.