Tuna Dolphin Controversy

Transcription

1 Tuna Dolphin Controversy Are dolphins protected from tuna fisheries? Is the controversy over? Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) Purse Seine Tuna Fishery 1

2 Spotted and Spinner Dolphins Spotted and Spinner Dolphins 2

3 Tuna swim with dolphins Mixed species assemblage Chase Boats Assist with Setting Net 3

4 Purse Seining Setting net on tuna & dolphins Synching The Purse 1.5km & 180 meter deep 4

5 Dolphins Caught In Net History of the Problem No mortality data prior to estimated 350, ,000/year000/year Before 1970, US 80% of mortality MMPA year exemption to solve problem: gear & procedure modifications 1977 Observers on all US boats 5

6 An Attempt To Release A Dolphin Mitigation Measures 6

7 Backdown Procedure Dolphins are released Requires experienced captain & crew Backdown Procedure: Dolphin Perspective 7

8 Mitigation measures work Mitigation measures work 8

9 History of the Problem US vessels, foreign vessels Decline In US Tuna Fishing Fleet Vessels 9

10 History of the Problem US vessels, foreign vessels Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) 1979 conservation program to match US efforts 1986 Observers on all boats The Tuna-Dolphin Dispute 1986: observers reported mortality at 133,000/year US: required countries exporting tuna to follow their regulations Would allow ~ 2x US takes 1994 Only dolphin-safe tuna in US 10

11 The Tuna-Dolphin Dispute Implemented tuna embargo if not met After 6 months, increased embargo to all fish Trade conflicts between US & Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, others The Tuna-Dolphin Dispute US largest market Dramatic impact on trade, especially for Mexico Panama Declaration (1995): Many countries agreed to mortality limits & embargo lifted 11

12 MMPA First international count Dolphin safe and IATTC Panama Treaty Majority non- US vessels In 2002: Current Status - ETP 1) 91% of all sets made dolphins = no mortality or serious injury 2) Total mortality to less than 2,000 (0.02% population) 12

13 In 2002: Current Status - ETP National Marine Fisheries Service dolphin sets do not have significant adverse impact Tuna caught in sets with no dolphin mortality is dolphin-safe In 2004: Current Status - ETP 1) Earth Island Inst., US Humane Society, & others challenged decision 2) Court ruling changed definition of dolphin-safe 3) N t ht ti h t 3) No tuna caught on a trip where nets were intentionally set on dolphins, & no dolphins killed or seriously injured 13

14 Impacts On Other Marine Animals Other organisms are taken as by-catch Types of Tuna Sets Dolphin Sets School Sets Log Sets or Fish Aggregation Devices 14

15 School Sets Tuna don t surface like dolphins Difficult to find schools over great distances Fish Aggregation Devices Drifting object Small fish Juvenile fish Small pelagic fish Tuna Broadbills (sailfish, marlin) Trigger fish Sharks, rays 15

16 Fish Aggregation Devices Drifting object Small fish Juvenile fish Small pelagic fish Tuna Broadbills (sailfish, marlin) Trigger fish Sharks, rays Fish Aggregation Devices Drifting object Small fish Juvenile fish Small pelagic fish Tuna Broadbills (sailfish, marlin) Sharks, rays 16

17 Fish Aggregation Devices Log sets remove 23x more biomass than dolphin sets 17

18 Log sets School sets Dolphin sets Only dolphin sets take mature adult tuna Need to consider overall impact vs. dolphin impact Current Dolphin Status 18

19 Current Dolphin Status Populations 15 34% initial size Low takes, no recovery??? Current Dolphin Status Hypotheses: 1. Bycatch is higher than reported 2. Ecological effects of removing tuna 3. Effects of break up of school - Increased predation by black fish 19

20 Hypotheses: Current Dolphin Status 4. Repeated chase impacts survival/ reproduction catches 1-50 times/year av. 8 times/year 5. Most likely: separation of mom & calf Current Dolphin Status We don t know the current status Last abundance data analyzed: 2000 L t t (2003 d 2006) d t th Last two surveys (2003 and 2006) data are on the shelf. No surveys since 2006 Retired survey vessel in 2009 (no replacement) 20

21 Reality of the Issue No marine mammal issue has received more attention from legislators, l led to more amendments of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, consumed a larger share of research funding under the Act, or spawned more litigation that has the incidental take of dolphins in this fishery. - Michael Gosliner Current Dolphin Status Eastern Tropical Pacific dolphin status is a non- issue for the US government Regulated to near zero bycatch Observers must still be present and report bycatch on any tuna vessel that will eventually sell tuna to the US Hot button issue between Mexico and US $$$ Only one law suit away from reinstating the program 21