Coastal bottlenose dolphins can adapt to increased human impact

This recent article looks like an important contribution. It suggests that changes in the behaviour of bottlenose dolphins does not automatically or necessarily imply an impact in terms of population health or dynamics. In this study, dolphins were able to somewhat tolerate a 6-fold increase in vessel traffic, no biologically-significant response being observed as a consequence of increased disturbance.

Indeed, coastal bottlenose dolphins are known to be resilient and opportunistic. They often adapt to changes in human activities and modify their behaviour accordingly. What this study should not suggest is that these results may be extrapolated to any cetacean species, any area, or any kind of human impact.

You can read the full article HERE.