Wild Dolphins in Tuna Fisheries | Animal Welfare Hub

Yellowfin tuna schools often swim beneath dolphin pods in the Eastern Pacific — a behavior exploited by seine net fisheries that has killed millions of dolphins over decades.

Key Facts

The Eastern Tropical Pacific tuna fishery killed over 7 million dolphins between 1959 and 1991
Dolphin-safe labeling was introduced in the 1990s and significantly reduced dolphin mortality
Current Eastern Pacific mortality is under 1,500 dolphins per year — still significant
Dolphins caught in purse seines experience stress, injury, and sometimes death by drowning
The 'dolphin-safe' standard does not cover all fishing methods that harm dolphins

Welfare Considerations

Dolphins caught in purse seine sets experience acute terror and physical trauma. They are air-breathing mammals trapped underwater as nets tighten. Those not immediately killed may suffer exhaustion, propeller injuries, or panic-induced cardiac events. Even successful releases involve significant stress. The decades-long campaign against dolphin bycatch demonstrates what consumer pressure can achieve, but dolphins continue to die in tuna fisheries — a welfare problem requiring ongoing vigilance.

What You Can Do

Choose tuna certified as genuinely dolphin-safe under independent verification standards
Reduce overall tuna consumption, particularly from Eastern Pacific fisheries
Support organizations monitoring and reporting on dolphin bycatch in tuna fisheries
Engage with tuna brands about their sourcing and bycatch monitoring practices
Advocate for international fisheries agreements that include dolphin welfare protections