Abstract--Size-related differences in power production and swim speed duration may contribute to the observed deficit of nursing calves in relation to lactating females killed in sets by tuna purse-seiners in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP).
However, it is not clear that any of these energy-saving strategies will be consistently attainable by spotted dolphin calves during herd movements associated with evading or escaping sets by tuna purse-seiners in the ETP.
Given the model results presented here, it appears that further research and perhaps management actions should be implemented to better understand and reduce the risk of separation of mothers and calves during sets by tuna purse-seiners in the ETP.
Indeed, current fishing practices seem almost to have been deliberately designed to be as unsustainable as possible, with
purse-seiners catching the fish in large numbers as they congregate prior to spawning.
