Thousands of dolphins die annually as bycatch in fishing operations globally, with significant welfare implications from entanglement, drowning, and injury during capture and release.
Dolphin bycatch represents large-scale wildlife suffering that is largely invisible to consumers. Death by entanglement and drowning is a protracted and distressing process. Even dolphins that survive bycatch events may carry injuries or stress-related health impacts that affect survival. The regulatory response has been slow relative to the scale of the problem. Acoustic deterrents work and are cost-effective, yet their deployment remains inconsistent. Consumer power — choosing certified dolphin-safe seafood and supporting mandatory pinger requirements — provides practical leverage on this issue.