Dolphin Bycatch in Tuna Fisheries

The association between yellowfin tuna and dolphins in the Eastern Tropical Pacific drives bycatch that killed millions of dolphins before international pressure drove fleet reform.

Key Facts

The Eastern Tropical Pacific purse seine fishery killed an estimated 6 million dolphins between 1959-1972
International pressure led to the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act and subsequent reduction of dolphin mortality
The dolphin-safe label program emerged from consumer pressure in the 1980s and 1990s
Remaining dolphin mortality in the fishery is approximately 1,000-3,000 annually compared to hundreds of thousands at peak
Other tuna fishing methods including fish aggregating devices and longlines have their own bycatch problems

Welfare Considerations

Dolphin bycatch in tuna fishing represented one of the largest human-caused cetacean mortality events in history. Dolphins herded into purse seine nets drown or are crushed in the net pursing process - traumatic deaths for highly intelligent, socially complex animals. Consumer-driven labeling campaigns demonstrated that market pressure can achieve welfare improvements that regulation alone could not accomplish quickly. The dolphin-safe label, while imperfect, drove industry changes that reduced dolphin mortality by over 99% from peak levels.

What You Can Do

Choose canned tuna with credible dolphin-safe certifications from reliable auditing organizations
Support stronger dolphin-safe standards that address all tuna fishing methods not just purse seines
Reduce overall tuna consumption given the broad bycatch challenges across fishing methods
Advocate for observer coverage requirements in all tuna fisheries to monitor dolphin and bycatch mortality
Support consumer campaign organizations that use market pressure for welfare improvements in fisheries