Dolphin Bycatch in Tuna Fisheries

Dolphins continue to be killed as bycatch in tuna fisheries despite decades of reform, with hundreds of thousands of individual deaths recorded in some ocean regions.

Key Facts

Eastern Pacific yellowfin tuna schools associate with dolphins, leading fishers to set nets around them
Peak bycatch mortality exceeded 500,000 dolphins annually in the 1970s-80s before reforms
Current Eastern Pacific Dolphin Program mortality quota is around 5,000 dolphins per year
'Dolphin-safe' labeling does not prohibit all fishing methods harmful to dolphins
Mediterranean and other regions have weaker protections for dolphin bycatch
Spinner, spotted, and common dolphins are the most frequently affected species

Welfare Considerations

Dolphins caught in purse-seine nets experience extreme fear, physical exhaustion, injury from netting, and in many cases drowning. Those released may suffer stress-induced immune suppression and separation from their social groups. Even surviving bycatch events can disrupt long-term social bonds and reproductive success in these highly intelligent animals.

What You Can Do

Check tuna brand certifications for independent observer verification programs
Support fisheries transitioning to pole-and-line or hook-and-line methods
Back political campaigns for stronger dolphin bycatch limits globally
Reduce tuna consumption or switch to sustainably harvested alternatives
Advocate for transparent reporting of dolphin bycatch in all major fisheries