Save the dolphins
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Incidental bycatch of dolphins by purse seining tuna fishermen has resulted in the deaths of millions of dolphins over the last century. It is estimated that 7 million dolphins were killed in the tuna nets from the 50s to the 80s. International conservation efforts, in particular the Earth Island Institute Dolphin-Safe tuna project (www.dolphinsafetuna.org) have dramatically reduced the slaughter of dolphins by tuna fleets, but some rogue fishing fleets continue to indiscriminately target dolphins during their fishing operations.
The problem
In the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, yellowfin tuna often swim beneath pods of dolphins, a phenomenon that has intrigued scientists for decades. This association is believed to be related to reducing the tuna’s risk of predation when they are forced to swim closer to the surface due to oxygen limitations in deeper hypoxic waters (Scott et al., 2012). Tuna fishermen have long exploited this phenomenon, using dolphins to locate schools of tuna.
Unfortunately, this practice has led to harm for the dolphins. Fishing fleets, driven by greed, escalated this practice by intentionally chasing and encircling dolphins with purse seine nets, which are massive nets stretching for 1,500-2,500 metres in length and 150-250 metres in depth. Millions of dolphins have drowned in these nets due to indiscriminate tuna fishing practices aimed at catching tuna that swim among them.
Although the intentional chasing and capture of dolphins is now prohibited by US and international regulations, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia continue to employ indiscriminate fishing practices detrimental to dolphins.
Environmental Consequences
By the 1970s it is estimated that over 100,000 dolphins were being killed by tuna fleets annually, resulting in more than 7 million dolphins being killed by purse seine fisheries in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean from 1959-1976. The dolphin species most affected include the pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), spinner dolphin (S. longirostris) and, to a lesser extent, the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis).
Possible Solutions to Save the Dolphin
Purse operations can adopt additional measures to prevent incidental dolphin bycatch in their nets, making fishing practices more dolphin-friendly. Stiffer regulations and consumer group pressure have effectively encouraged dolphin-friendly fishing practices. The US Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 played a pivotal role in reducing dolphin bycatch, leading to regulations requiring tuna fleets to adopt dolphin-friendly practices. International conservation efforts, including the Earth Island Institute Dolphin-Safe tuna project, have significantly reduced dolphin mortality rates from 100,000 annually in the 1970s to around 1000 per year more recently. While this represents a success, any dolphin deaths are concerning. Solutions to reduce dolphin bycatch in tuna nets include:
- Improved Fishing Methods — Modifications of fishing gear and procedures that do not require chasing of dolphins. However, the use of alternative methods that could bycatch sharks and some turtles, unless non-entangling FADs are used with ropes and canvas. Friend of the Sea requires its approved fleets to implement these measures.
- Onboard Observers — Monitoring of fishing operations and recording of dolphin mortality to ensure that no nets are set on dolphins and that dolphin safe practices are followed onboard fishing vessels in compliance with Dolphin Safe tuna laws.
- Dolphin Safe Label — Since consumer purchasing power can be very persuasive, the introduction of a Dolphin Safe label for tuna that has been caught without any dolphins being intentionally chased, encircled, or killed lets consumers make informed decisions when purchasing tuna products. Currently, the United States requires all tuna (including tuna imported from other countries) to meet Dolphin Safe requirements. Pressure can be put on other countries to follow suit, which will in turn force tuna fleets to use dolphin safe procedures during fishing operations.
Activities and Initiatives of the World Sustainability Foundation
The World Sustainability Foundation’s Friend of the Sea project certification programme promotes the responsible harvesting of marine resources, including tuna. In order to qualify for certification, Friend of the Sea tuna fleets must use Sustainable fishing practices that are dolphin-safe according to the Earth Island Institute (www.earthisland.org). An additional requirement for certification requires tuna fleets to use non-entangling Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) that do not endanger other marine life, and to report on the use of FADs during fishing operations.
The World Sustainability Organization’s Friend of the Sea programme strongly supports the Earth Island Institute’s dolphin conservation efforts conducted under their International Marine Mammal Project. The Earth Island Institute monitors more than 700 tuna companies around the world, inspecting fishing vessels, storage facilities and canneries to ensure that tuna companies comply with Dolphin-Safe certification standards.
Call to action to save the dolphin
- Buy only Dolphin-Safe tuna carrying the Dolphin-Safe tuna logo registered by the Earth Island Institute
- Choose Friend of the Sea certified tuna and other seafood as they are all compliant with the Dolphin-safe tuna logo.
- Be aware that the MSC certified tuna from the Mexican tuna fleet is NOT Dolphin-Safe according to the Earth Island Institute so it will not help us to save the dolphin
