Dear President Bush,  

If you had the power to prevent the elimination of a crucial species or the destruction of a vital ecosystem, would you do so?  In reality, Mr. President, you have the power to change a lot in this world.  With the pending war and suffering economy, it is understandable that you have many current problems that you must deal with, and you may not be aware of the severity of the destruction occurring in our natural environment.  Because I know and understand that you have a hectic schedule and countless responsibilities, I am writing you this letter to inform you about a problem that has arisen in our world’s oceans.  

It has been brought to my attention that there has been an ongoing debate concerning dolphin-safe label applied to tuna cans.  If you have not already heard, many dolphins have been harmed or even killed by boats and fishing nets used to capture the tuna we eat.  Innumerable dolphins have been harmed by manufacturers who capture tuna using a method called “purse seine fishing” in which tuna is caught by tracking dolphins.  Manufacturers have known for years that tuna swim along areas in which dolphins reside, so they often times encircle and kill the tuna as well as the dolphins they track.  But considering the fact that there are many methods to catch tuna without harming dolphins (in which 97% of catchers use), there is no excuse as to why these manufacturers can not switch their techniques or abstain from using the dolphin-safe label.

Many companies label their products with a dolphin-safe label to inform consumers that they do not harm dolphins in the process of capturing tuna and that they are making an effort to protect the ocean.  The label that has been used for years is now being threatened.  The United States Department of Commerce is considering allowing companies that do in fact harm dolphins in the process of capturing tuna to use the dolphin-safe label as well.  It is imperative that we do not weaken or eliminate this label as it serves a major purpose.  If we choose to change it in any way, there needs to be a push to strengthen it rather than weaken it.

Since 1960, over seven million dolphins have been killed because of the techniques used by tuna manufacturers.  The dolphin-safe label’s importance does not merely serve the purpose of informing users, rather it also has the power to save a species and protect an ecosystem.  Dolphins are one of the most intelligent animals on this earth.  They serve a purpose and inhabit a niche in the ocean and the elimination of such a crucial species can disrupt the ecosystem of the ocean as a whole.  The oceans of the earth have been polluted, abused, and ignored for far too many years and it is time for us to put our feet down and stop this problem before it escalates any further.  The ocean produces many of our resources, is the home to thousands of species of plants and animals, and remains the biggest mystery of the earth containing thousands of undiscovered organisms and pharmaceuticals that may serve as potential diseases such as cancer.  We have been destroying the ocean at an alarming rate; we are annihilating it at a faster rate than that in which we are able to explore it.  Coral reefs are decaying and sea tortoises have been developing cancerous tumors, are dolphins next on the ever growing list of oceanic destruction?

President Bush, I hope that this letter has enlightened you about the danger that we have bestowed upon the dolphin species and our oceans as a whole.  The dolphin-safe label is a cause worth fighting for.  It is not merely a label to inform humans, but it is a caveat that helps prevent further damage of our earth.  The future of science lies in our oceans’ vast array of organisms and organic material that we have yet to even begin to discover.  Although you have many responsibilities that are seemingly more important than dolphins-safe labels, I hope that this letter helps you to realize that this label will not only help save dolphins, but it will be the first of many needed steps to preserve the ocean and allow future generations the chance to discover and utilize the ocean.  I ask you again Mr. President, if you had the power to prevent the elimination of a crucial species or the destruction of a vital ecosystem, would you do so?  You do have the power and the decision is yours to make.  Think wisely.  Consider the future.  Take action.

Sincerely,

Bonnie L.
Modesto , CA