Animal rights activists estimate that more than 100,000 dolphins, porpoises and small whales are killed worldwide every year. Much higher numbers are expected, but the dimensions cannot be estimated precisely. The reasons for hunting are apparently varied.
“It’s a black box,” says Sandra Altherr, biologist and scientific director of animal protection organization Pro Wildlife. The organization has worked with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) to develop a new analysis of dolphin catches.
situation deteriorated
The report “Small Cetaceans – Even Bigger Problems” evaluates 250 studies and other sources. Accordingly, the situation for dolphins and small whales has become even worse in recent years. Hunting of the animals is pushing some populations to the brink of extinction, animal rights groups say. The exploitation of dolphins and small whales has continued to increase in recent years.
The report gives several reasons for this: firstly, dolphins are replacing the lack of fish as a meal in certain poorer regions. On the other hand, dolphins are increasingly used as fishing bait, especially in commercial fishing. The dismembered carcasses are said to attract sharks and catfish. In the past, dolphins were mainly used for this purpose, which were caught as by-catch in fishing nets.
Dolphins as valuable bait
“However, in recent years, targeted hunting of this practice has become increasingly developed,” said WDC dolphin expert Nicola Hodgins. In some areas, the market value of dolphins as bait even exceeds their value as food. According to information, approximately 15,000 dolphins and small whales are killed annually in Peru, and almost 10,000 in Ghana.
Another reason for the increasing killing of dolphins is the overfishing of the world’s oceans: fishermen kill the animals to eliminate so-called “competitors” for dwindling fish stocks. “Given the overfished state of the seas, we fear that dolphin killings may even increase,” Altherr said.
The bot is in danger of disappearing
According to the report, the situation of river dolphins in the Amazon is particularly serious. “Every year, thousands of these endangered animals are slaughtered unnoticed to provide bait for pirate fishing,” Altherr said. In addition, the oil from the animals, also called botos, has recently been used to treat corona infections. “We run the risk of losing the Boto completely in the coming decades,” says Altherr.
In addition to Peru and Ghana, the list of countries where the most dolphins and small whales are killed includes Nigeria, Brazil, Venezuela, Greenland and Taiwan, the report said. In regions such as Indonesia, the Philippines and the Tristao Islands (Guinea), hunting and eating dolphins is a more recent practice.
Higher penalties demanded
Animal rights activists are urgently calling for global regulation of the hunting of dolphins and small whales. Coastal states are encouraged to strengthen and better enforce their national legislation. In addition, international agreements and programs must be urgently enforced to end illegal hunting and regulate permitted hunting.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
