El problema pesquero con los delfines y su persecución en Galicia (siglos XIII al XX)

Abstract

An historical study is undertaken to show the conflictive interaction between man as a fisher and dolphins in Galicia, which results in a chase of cetaceans, held responsible as predators for the driving away of fish schools from the coastal waters and for the damaging of fishermen's nets. Special attention is given to the most peculiar aspects of this chase, such as its legislation, the massive killing of dolphins in Pontevedra, or the chasing runs by navy patrolboats in the river estuaries of Galicia. Finally, after mentioning the attempts at establishing a dolphin industry in the 18^th and 19^thcenturies, a study is made of the most ambitious plan undertaken in the 20^th century to secure the involvement of the whaling industry into this activity. The study also refers to the situation of this activity in the rest of Spain both for its direct relationship with and as a precedent for the Galician case, and makes a comparison between them.