Background The Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) has a very large distribution range and is found everywhere around European coasts, from the Mediterranean to the North sea. However, few population estimates have been made and the UICN has classified the species as “data deficient”. In Corsica, three Bottlenose dolphin censuses, taken by the GECEM in 1993, 2000 and 2003 (127-154; 153-212; 130-173 individuals respectively) suggest a total of about 200 individuals. The Bottlenose dolphin is the species most exposed to human activities because it's favourite habitat is the continental shelf. The species has learned to use fishing resources implemented by humans: sometimes they feed directly from the nets and tear them. Fish consumption may represent from 3 to 7% of its body weight, needing a daily ration of about ten kilos. On the other hand, when the sea is overpopulated with boats, this is a threat to dolphins. The noise pollution caused by many pleasure boats affects the hearing of these animals who live in an essentially acoustic environment. Sea traffic disturbs their activities and social links, and the risk of collision is not non-negligible, particularly when they have young. Whale watching has a negative effect if there is too much of it and essential rules are not respected. Since 1999, WWF-France has worked for the conservation of marine mammals in the Mediterranean. The Cap Ligure programme, which ran for 4 years, supported the creation of the PELAGOS Sanctuary in Corsica and the improvement of scientific knowledge. In 2000, when a census was taken, scientists sounded the alarm: the exasperation of fishermen, facing increasing attacks by Bottlenose dolphins on their nets, had reached a critical point. The evidence was supported by scientists' observations in Corsican protected marine areas. It was against this background that the WWF-France launched the Life LINDA programme in 1993. Objectives The main objective of the LINDA project was to protect populations of Bottlenose dolphins off Corsica, guaranteeing peaceful cohabitation of economic activities and the animals. The main stakeholders (people concerned with environmental management, socioeconomic representatives, fishermen, local population and tourists) were to work together to introduce sustainable practices for fishing, boating and whale watching activities. The main activities were as follows: • the acquisition of knowledge: identifying and monitoring populations, measuring noise pollution producing an action plan, etc. • implementing measures to reduce conflict between Bottlenose dolphins and the fishing industry: working with fishermen to devise strategies for avoiding Bottlenose dolphins, testing alternatives etc. • carrying out activities to promote sustainable methods of management of nautical tourist activities: monitoring whale watching, producing a code of good behaviour, poster and brochures with recommendations, inclusion in courses for coastal boat licences, campaigns to inform pleasure boaters etc. • raising the awareness of children and the general public: educational kit, discovery classes, television documentary, conference-debates etc. The activities were to be carried out at three sites: the marine nature reserves of Bonifacio and Scandola and Agriates. These three Natura 2000 sites are included in the international marine sanctuary and are believed to hold half of the total Corsican population of Bottlenose dolphins (est.198 to 242 individuals). Results The LINDA project has improved knowledge about the ecology of the Bottlenose dolphin on Natura 2000 sites in Corsica (size of the population, movements, diet, etc). The research and field work has lead to proposals for a Bottlenose dolphin action plan. Good communication and the full involvement of local fishermen from the start of the project, (through concertation meetings, a newsletter and daily presence of a representative from the Reserve) has to some extent calmed the growing tensions between the Corsican fishing community and the Bottlenose dolphin. The degree of interaction between dolphins and local fishing was quantified objectively. The impact of the interaction on fishing revenues (whether in the catch or the damage done to nets), was assessed and practical fishing solutions to limit this interaction were defined. These were notably: abandon mesh sizes 7 and 9 and use size 5; − change to 12h hauls rather than 24h hauls; − change equipment and use longline. The use of acoustic pingers to keep the dolphins away from the nets proved to be ineffective. It was recommended that fishermen should be compensated for the loss of revenue caused by dolphins by offering them a tourist activity (whale-watching) and thereby use the dolphin as a commercial product. During the project, the impact of whale watching practices in Corsica were assessed and quantified. 35 interactions during observation situations were analysed. The project has resulted in the definition of a code of conduct for whale watching (recommendations on responsible boating). Furthermore, a management programme (including notably a labelling project) was also being developed by the PELAGOS Sanctuary at the end of the project. Communication and awareness raising activities carried out during the project were exceptional and reached a great many people in the various target groups (children, pleasure boaters, fishermen, local population, journalists). Here are a few examples of some of the activities: - Educational pack (including CD, 3D model of dolphin, photos, cartoon story and game…) for presentations to schoolchildren and a broader public. More than 7000 children provided with information. - Information campaign for pleasure boaters was launched during three consecutive summers, with the help of 34 eco-volunteers. Overall, the campaign reached 14 000 people. - Leaflets, posters and panels on responsible boating, and website (www.lifelinda.org) - A 26 minute documentary was made to promote the work done within the framework of the programme and the issues involved in conserving the Bottlenose dolphin. It was broadcast on SNCM and Corsica Ferries boats which cross between Corsica and the mainland during the summer, to inform tourists. The film was also broadcast on the Planète, Seasons and France 3 Corse channels which cofinanced its production. Finally, it was shown at various "nature and environment" film festivals. A 4-minute version was also produced for projection at trade fairs and in thoroughfares and waiting areas. - To inform the population, twenty lecture-discussion sessions were held in winter and summer, in the presence of scientific managers or programme coordinators. All these conferences attracted more than 600 people. They were completed by a presentation at targeted events such as the Fête de la science, the Festival du vent or Cap Mer. In April 2016, 9 years after the project closed, the LIFE external monitoring team conducted an ex-post follow up visit. This highlighted the role the LINDA project played in establishing a dialogue between different stakeholders, and in advancing the concerns of fishermen in public discussions of human-dolphin interactions (e.g. regarding the damage dolphins cause to fishing nets). The project’s work has led to a better understanding of the Corsican bottlenose dolphin population, and raised the awareness of tourists and the local population, especially young people, to threats facing the dolphins. The film produced during the project was broadcasted on ferries several years after the end of the project, for example, while other sensitising tools are still in use (e.g. educational tools developed by LINDA were improved and diversified by the GIONHA project). The ‘Pelagos/Accobams’ label is now in place for ‘high quality whale watching’ and has been taken up by the Corsican tour operator Naveva. However, the ex-post visit noted that other actions and recommendations were not pursued after the end of the project, and no further funding was sought. Likely explanations advanced were that the coordinating beneficiary was not based in Corsica and local organisations did not subsequently take ownership, while too many loosely-connected stakeholders were involved with no common agenda. The ex-post visit also concluded that several recommendations made in 2007 are no longer valid, because the fishing habits of both dolphins and fishermen have changed.