Dolphin Wall Net (DWN) – An innovative management measure devised by ring seine fishermen of Kerala-India to reducing or eliminating marine mammal–fishery interactions

One of the major problems associated with the operation of ring seines in Kerala coast is the attack of dolphins. In order to overcome this problem without harming marine cetaceans, fishermen developed a special type of net forms an outer protective wall to the ring seines. This paper discusses the structural and operational details of this net. This initiative of traditional fishermen to conserve marine cetaceans is documented in this communication. •An extensive study on the operational aspects of ring seine net of India was conducted.•Dolphin attack is found to be the most prevailing problem among ring seine fishermen.•Ring seine fishermen of Kerala developed Dolphin Wall Net for reducing or eliminating the mammal–fishery interaction.•The structural and design details were recorded scientifically and are described in this text.