What do tuna nets to dolphins?

* Bycatch: Tuna fishing nets are designed to catch tuna, but they often catch other marine life unintentionally. This is called bycatch, and dolphins are frequently caught as bycatch in tuna nets.

* Drowning: Dolphins are air-breathing mammals and cannot survive for long periods underwater. When caught in tuna nets, they can drown.

* Entanglement: The nets can also entangle dolphins, causing injuries and even death. Entanglement can lead to restricted movement, starvation, or infections.

* Population decline: The bycatch of dolphins in tuna nets has a major impact on dolphin populations, contributing to their decline in some areas.

Types of Tuna Nets:

* Purse seines: These nets are large and surround schools of fish, effectively trapping dolphins along with the tuna.

* Longlines: These are long lines with baited hooks that can also entangle dolphins.

Efforts to Reduce Bycatch:

Several measures are being taken to reduce the bycatch of dolphins in tuna nets, including:

* Dolphin-safe tuna: This label indicates that the tuna was caught using methods that minimize dolphin bycatch.

* Observer programs: Trained observers are placed on fishing vessels to monitor for dolphin interactions and help implement mitigation measures.

* Fish aggregation devices (FADs): These devices attract fish to specific areas, which can reduce the need to use purse seines in open water.

Conclusion:

Tuna nets have a significant impact on dolphins, and it's crucial to continue efforts to reduce bycatch and ensure the conservation of these intelligent and vulnerable marine mammals.