In the coastal waters of southern Brazil, dolphins and humans have developed an extraordinary fishing partnership that benefits both species. This unique collaboration has been happening for generations, with dolphins and local fishermen hunting mullet together.

How the Dolphins and Humans Work Together

In the murky estuaries of Laguna, use their intelligence and natural abilities to help humans catch more fish. The herd schools of mullet toward the shallow waters where the fishermen wait with their nets. When the signal, with a tail slap or dive, the humans cast their nets at just the right moment. Once the mullet are trapped, the dolphins pull fish from the nets to eat or catch the ones stuck outside the nets.

Cooperation Among Dolphins

A recent study published in Current Zoology has revealed that dolphins don’t just cooperate with humans—they also work together among themselves. Using drone footage from 2018, researchers observed the synchronized movements and dive patterns during their foraging hunts. The study found that the more the dolphins coordinated their actions—swimming together and diving in unison—the more successful the hunt was for both and humans.

The Benefits of Mutual Cooperation

This rare example of two top predators cooperating highlights the importance of mutual benefits in nature. As Mauricio Cantor, a behavioral ecologist at Oregon State University, explains, this cooperation allows both species to increase their catch. The collaboration between humans and shows that our relationship with nature doesn’t have to be one-sided; it can be mutually beneficial.

Looking Toward the Future

Researchers are working on using AI to better analyze the behavior and improve our understanding of this unique hunting strategy. Cantor hopes this research will help preserve the partnership between humans and for future generations.