BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhuanet) -- The International Maritime Organization has diverted shipping lanes that pass through the Alboran Sea -- a gateway between the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean -- to avoid bottlenose dolphin foraging grounds off the southern coast of Spain.

Ships must now pass 20 miles further south of thearea, which isknown for its abundance of fish, making it one of Europe's most valuable feeding grounds.

"This is very positive news," said Ricardo Sagarminaga van Buiten, an Earthwatch Institute scientist. "Cargo ships, often carrying dangerous substances, regularly pass through the Alboran Sea's primary dolphin feeding grounds."

Because almost 30 percent of the world's maritime traffic currently passes through this gateway, the diversion will reduce acoustic and water pollution in the area and should help mitigate the impact of accidental oil spills on coastal habitats and tourist beaches.

Dolphin populations in the area are fragmented and genetically isolated, so making these waters safer for dolphins to travel is critical to the survival of the species, the scientists say.

"Bottlenose dolphins have suffered a sharp decline in the Mediterranean over the last decade," van Buiten said. "So diverting the shipping route should give the species an opportunity to recover."

(Agencies)