What is Dolphin Safe Tuna?

In many parts of the world, consumer pressure has led to the labeling and sale of dolphin safe tuna, which is tuna caught without harming or killing dolphins. These concerns arose in the 1980s, when public awareness campaigns by organizations like Greenpeace and the Earth Island Institute alerted consumers to the fact that thousands of dolphins were dying along with tuna every year. The thought of these lovable marine mammals being harvested along with tuna was revolting to many consumers, who started to boycott companies that harvested tuna in an unsafe way. The Earth Island Institute began offering a certification program for dolphin safe tuna, and numerous governments also began to create dolphin safe tuna laws and labels so that consumers could make informed choices about their purchases.

Dolphins are often caught up in the nets used for tuna because of the way in which tuna is harvested. Large circular nets are cast down in a very large area of ocean and then slowly contracted, picking up all of the marine life in the region. Dolphins can be caught in the nets and drowned, or experience severe trauma from the fishing nets. The contents of the nets are dumped on board the fishing ship, and any unwanted species, including dolphins, are tossed back into the water, whether or not they are dead. Drift nets, gill nets, and purse seines are all potentially deadly for dolphins.

There are ways to capture tuna without harming dolphins and other fish in the sea. After heavy consumer boycotting led to demands for dolphin safe tuna, many companies started exploring these humane options. In the United States, all tuna canneries tried to voluntarily obtain and sell dolphin safe tuna, and in 1991, the United States government enacted standards through the Department of Commerce which dictated the requirements for dolphin safe tuna labeling. In 1997, these requirements were controversially relaxed in response to industry pressure, leading to a rise in independent certifications by organizations like the Earth Island Institute.

Most government standards for dolphin safe tuna dictate that no dolphins can be killed or seriously injured in the process of fishing for tuna. Dolphins may be caught in nets, as long as they are not injured. Marine biologists argue that the trauma of being caught up in fishing nets constitutes an injury, but federal governments apparently do not agree. Independent certifications are more rigorous.

The Earth Island Institute offers a dolphin safe tuna label to companies which do not use drift nets, kill or injure dolphins in their nets, or harass dolphins during a fishing trip. Furthermore, dolphin safe and dolphin deadly tuna cannot be mixed in boat wells, and ships over 400 gross tons must submit to being accompanied by an independent observer.

"Dolphin Safe" tuna refers to the certification indicating that the tuna was caught without harming or killing dolphins, which are often found swimming above schools of tuna. The label ensures that fishing methods, such as setting nets around dolphin pods, were not used, thereby reducing dolphin mortality in tuna fishing operations.

Tuna that is labeled "Dolphin Safe" is typically caught using methods like pole-and-line, trolling, or purse seine nets without encircling dolphins. These techniques aim to minimize bycatch and are considered more sustainable and less harmful to dolphins compared to other methods that can entangle or stress the animals.

The price of "Dolphin Safe" tuna can vary, but it is generally comparable to non-certified tuna. Factors such as brand, quality, and point of sale can affect the price. Consumers often find that supporting sustainable fishing practices is worth any potential extra cost.

While "Dolphin Safe" labels are intended to be trustworthy, the effectiveness of the certification has been debated. Monitoring and verification processes have improved over time, but some environmental organizations argue that more stringent standards and oversight are needed to ensure compliance and prevent misleading claims.

Choosing "Dolphin Safe" tuna is crucial for protecting dolphins from being inadvertently caught and killed in fishing operations. It also supports more sustainable fishing practices, which contribute to healthier marine ecosystems and help maintain tuna populations for future generations.

Eco-conscious consumers can look for tuna that is not only "Dolphin Safe" but also certified by reputable organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which ensures that the entire fishing operation is sustainable and minimizes environmental impact. Additionally, opting for plant-based alternatives or species with lower ecological footprints can be a responsible choice.