Dolphins and Small Cetaceans: The Threat Is Growing
The hunting of dolphins has continued to increase in recent years, say animal welfare advocates. The killing is driving some populations to the brink of extinction.
Over 100’000 Dolphins Killed Annually
The exploitation of dolphins and small cetaceans has continued to increase in recent years.
More than 100’000 dolphins, porpoises and small whales are estimated by animal welfare advocates to be killed worldwide each year.
The actual figures are suspected to be far higher, though the true scale cannot be precisely determined, said Sandra Altherr, biologist and scientific director at theanimal welfare organisation Pro Wildlife. “It is a black box.” Pro Wildlife, together with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), has produced a new analysis on dolphin hunting.
Exploitation of Dolphins and Small Cetaceans Is Increasing
The report “Small Cetaceans – Even Bigger Problems” evaluates 250 studies and other sources. According to the report, the situation for dolphins and small whales has deteriorated further in recent years. Recreational hunting of the animals is driving some populations to the brink ofextinction, the animal welfare organisations stated.
Dismembered Dolphins Used as Bait
The report cites various reasons for this: on one hand, dolphins serve as a substitute for scarce fish as a food source in certain poorer regions. On the other hand, dolphins are increasingly being used as fish bait, particularly in commercial fisheries. The dismembered carcasses are said to attract sharks and catfish. Previously, dolphins caught as bycatch in fishing nets were primarily used for this purpose.
“However, in recent years a practice of targeted hunting has increasingly developed for this purpose,” said Nicola Hodgins, dolphin expert at WDC. In some areas, the market value of dolphins as bait even exceeds their value as food. In Peru, according to the data, approximately 15’000 dolphins and small whales are killed each year in this way, and in Ghana almost 10’000.
Another reason for the increasing killing of dolphins is the overfishing of the world's oceans: fishermen kill the animals to eliminate alleged “competitors” for dwindling fish stocks. “Given the overfished state of the oceans, we fear that the killing of dolphins will increase even further,” Altherr stated.
Situation of River Dolphins
According to the report, the situation of river dolphins in the Amazon region is particularly serious. “Every year, thousands of these endangered animals are slaughtered unnoticed to serve as bait for illegal fishing,” said Altherr. In addition, the oil of the animals, also known as botos, has recently been used to treat COVID-19 infections. “We are in danger of losing the boto entirely within the next few decades,” Altherr warned.
Among the countries with the highest numbers of killed dolphins and small cetaceans, the list includes, alongside Peru and Ghana, Nigeria, Brazil, Venezuela, Greenland and Taiwan, it was further stated. In regions such as Indonesia, the Philippines and the Tristao Islands (Guinea), the hunting and consumption of dolphins is said to be a relatively recent practice.
Animal welfare advocates are urgently calling for worldwide regulation of the hunting of dolphins and small cetaceans. Coastal states are being urged to tighten and better enforce their national legislation. Furthermore, international agreements and programmes must urgently take measures to end illegal hunting and regulate permitted hunting.
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