Saving Dolphins from Tuna Nets |
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Keep the "Dolphin Safe" Tuna Label Honest: NO NETS ON DOLPHINS! |
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The "dolphin safe" label found on every tuna can means no dolphins were intentionally chased and encircled with deadly tuna nets. Tuna fishermen in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) target dolphin schools because they know tuna swim beneath. Over the past 4 decades, the tuna fishery has killed more than 7 million dolphins. In 1990, consumer pressure brought about the "dolphin safe" tuna program, which has worked. Dolphin deaths have decreased by 97% since 1990. |
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However, this March, Secretary of Commerce William Daley will be making a decision on whether to seriously weaken the "dolphin safe" label. Without public pressure, the definition of "dolphin safe" will be weakened to allow chase, harassment, netting, injuring, and even killing of dolphins when catching tuna, as long as an on-board observer reports no dolphins killed outright or "seriously injured." We cannot let this happen. Scientific evidence demonstrates that the chasing and netting of dolphins is causing serious harm to dolphins. Even with much reduced reported dolphin mortality, dolphin populations are showing no signs of recovery. Furthermore, U.S. consumers do not want tuna caught by methods that kill and injure thousands of dolphins each year. Chasing, harassing, and netting dolphins is NOT "dolphin safe."
 300 Broadway, suite 28 San Francisco, CA 94133 415/788-3666 or fax 415/788-7324 marinemammal@earthisland.org |
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