The Council of State on Monday ordered the government to close certain fishing areas in the Bay of Biscay within six months, in order to "
limit the accidental catches of small cetaceans
" and guarantee the conservation of dolphins in the area.
The "
acoustic deterrent devices
" fitted to fishing boats "
do not make it possible to guarantee a favorable conservation status for the species of small cetaceans
", two of which - the common dolphin and the harbor porpoise - are threatened with extinction, "
at least regionally
“, notes the Council of State.