• Question: how do dolphins get stuck in fishing nets

    Asked by MissCyanxx to Gemma on 17 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Gemma Cripps

      Gemma Cripps answered on 17 Nov 2015:


      Hi MissCyanxx

      This is a really sad topic, but one that does not get enough attention. They get caught in fishing nets, because the nets are very long and wide and capture everything within its designated area. This is called a fishermans “bycatch”. The dolphins are unable to get out of this net, and often die because they cannot get enough oxygen.

      Whilst this is very sad, there are conservation companies out there which really help these dolphins, and make laws to protect them. We too can do our bit to help, when we are the supermarket and we pick up canned tuna or salmon for our dinner, we can choose the tins which say “dolphin friendly” on them. The companies which use this label make sure they only collect fish by fisherman who do not have dolphin bycatch 🙂

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