UNDERGRAD DISSERTATION
Assessing the Spatial Overlap Between the Home Ranges of Resident Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) with Marine Traffic, and Fishing Activity in Alghero, Northwest Sardinia
Abstract

Understanding the spatial dynamics and habitat use of cetacean populations not only provide fundamental insights into how animals interact with their environment and respond to anthropogenic stressors, but is also critical for effective conservation. This study examines the ranging patterns of 10 resident bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Alghero, northwest Sardinia, to assess the overlap between their critical habitats and two major human-induced disturbances in the region; marine vessel traffic and fishing activities. The objectives were to (1) identify key habitat areas essential for the dolphins' daily activities, (2) assess the influence of local anthropogenic pressures on dolphin behaviour and habitat use, and (3) provide data-driven recommendations for mitigating human-dolphin conflicts. Using photo-identification data collected from April to October 2024, we applied kernel density estimation (KDE) to determine the home and core ranges of each individual. When overlaid with areas representing the identified threats, we found most dolphins experienced significant exposure to both marine traffic and fishing activities, with ≥70% overlap in their home ranges and ≥94% in their core areas for marine vessel traffic. Overlap with fishing activity was also considerable, though more variable, with ≥57% overlap in home ranges and ≥35% in core areas. Additionally, statistical analysis revealed considerable individual variation in response to marine traffic, with some dolphins exhibiting strong positive correlations, while others showed negative correlations, indicating limited interaction with high-traffic zones. In contrast, fishing activity demonstrated weaker correlations overall, with a few individuals showing moderate positive associations. These findings underscore the complex nature of dolphin responses to human-induced disturbances, highlighting the need for targeted conservation measures. One proposed strategy is extending the Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Alghero, to enhance protection by considering individual area- fidelity.

manon.rene@mrenebiology.org