The Tuna Industry Is Also Killing Dolphins
Consuming tuna carries heavy consequences which are not visible on its packaging. The fishing industry tries to convince consumers by labelling their tuna as “dolphin safe”, implying dolphins are not killed in the process of fishing.
However, here at Animal Equality we go to great lengths to investigate, unravel and expose the marketing myths which animal exploitation industries use to try and advertise their products as ethical. We find extreme animal suffering in all of our investigations. We exposed the truth of “Quality Assured” meat, as well as the hidden reality of organic free-range eggs and also the tuna industry.
Image from an Animal Equality investigation into the tuna industry
The brutal killing of tuna also involves the death of other marine animals such as dolphins. Despite this, there appears to be a growing demand for seafood, thus also increasing the death and destruction of the sea and its inhabitants.
According to WWF, “The U.S. alone imported 314,863 metric tons of tuna worth $1.3 billion in 2010.” However, there is also an increase of consumers who are awakening to the truth behind tuna and its unethical implications.
Tuna’s agonising after being ripped away from the ocean. Image by Animal Equality.
Commercial fisheries implement brutal fishing techniques, one of these being so-called ‘bottom trawling’ which involves dragging a huge net along the sea bed, catching everything in its way – including dolphins.
These dolphins suffocate or die due to stress. It’s a brutal industry. Whale and Dolphin Conservation estimates that over 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises die every year in fishing nets across the globe.
Dolphin trapped in the ocean. Image by HectorsDolphins.
You might have seen “dolphin safe” labelled tuna, but dolphins are always at risk from commercial fishing. Dolphins and tuna often co-exist and live together. Tuna fishing not only brutally kills tuna, but also dolphins.
Dolphins trapped in net. Image by NOAA.
Your daily actions can help the tragic fate of hundreds of thousands of animals. Tuna, dolphins, turtles, whales, sharks… they are all victims of the fishing industry. Choose plant-based alternatives which are fish-friendly and don’t fuel the damage of our oceans.
Check out these fish-free recipes!
Update 08/04/2021
For years it was believed that fish farming would be a solution to overfishing. But this is not the reality.
In a recent exposé conducted by brave Animal Equality investigators, we revealed animals suffering from prolonged pain in a Scottish Salmon Company slaughterhouse. This investigation was the first of its kind ever to have been carried out in the UK and our findings were shocking. Many salmon’s gills were cut when they were still conscious, causing them to be in agony for up to several minutes as a result. Others – who fell or were thrown to the ground, due to the ever-increasing kill line speeds – were callously left to suffocate.
We are urging the UK Government to put in place stronger legal protections for fish. You can join us by signing our petition:
As carnivorous fish, salmons are fed on fishmeal and fish oil feeds that are produced by the fishing industry. In the UK alone over 100 million fish are farmed every year and each of those animals requires an enormous amount of additional fish as feed. These destructive practices are leading to the continuous exploitation of marine resources.
Protect Fish
Scientists confirm that fish feel pain and suffer. Protect these sensitive beings by choosing plant-based alternatives to animal food products.
