Byrd et al.: Effects of commercial fishing regulations on stranding rates of bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus) 
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Figure 3 
Number (n), mean (x), and standard deviation (SD) of stranded bottlenose dolphins ( Tur- 
siops truncatus) recovered per month in North Carolina from November 1997 through April 
2005 for each human interaction (HI) category: HI-FI (i.e., evidence of fishery interaction) 
or Hi-other (e.g., evidence of mutilation, propeller wounds), Hl-no (i.e., no signs of HI), 
and HI-CBD (human interaction could not be determined). Shaded areas represent winter 
months (November-April). The vertical dashed line delineates the two time periods (TPs), 
TP1 and TP2. Monthly HI-FI strandings increased during winters of TP1, but were more 
diffuse during TP2. Numbers of stranded dolphins classified as Hi-other and Hl-no showed 
little variability among months and years. Numbers of monthly HI-CBD strandings were 
variable; increased rates were evident generally during winter months. 
