The dolphin-safe label on tuna cans is very important because it signifies that the tuna in the can is caught without the harming of these precious and gentle mammals. It shows that the dolphins are not hurt when tuna is caught. I hope that the dolphin-safe label is not weakened, because one day I hope that my children and grandchildren will be able to see dolphins in the wild. How would you like your grandchildren to never be able to see a wild dolphin and just be able to hear wonderful stories about these majestic and gentle creatures? That would be awful, wouldn’t it?

Before the dolphin-safe was introduced in 1990, over seven million dolphins had dies in a process of tuna fishing called purse seine fishing. Fishermen chase dolphins in speedboats and helicopters because schools of yellowfin tuna swim just below dolphin pods. Once the dolphins are pursued into a small area, the fishermen deploy a mile long net around the tuna, entangling the dolphins above. The fishermen are supposed to use a method called "backdown" to let dolphins within escape, but this process does not always go the way it is intended to work. Many are injured in the nets and often die. Dolphins can also drown after being trapped beneath the nets because they, like all mammals, have to breathe air. Five hundred to two thousand dolphins can be killed in just one fishing trip. This deadly fishing procedure also causes many unseen deaths and injuries to these beautiful marine mammals. Even if dolphins are not captured, the process of chasing leaves long lasting effects that are often deadly. Many times a mother and her calf are chased and separated. The calf often dies because they depend on their mother for food. Scientists are also afraid of other types of unseen deaths such as injury to major muscles or organs and chase-induced stress, the stress of being chased can affect the lifespan and reproduction rate of these dolphins. On average, a spinner dolphin is chased a total of eleven times and caught six times in its life. In research, I found out that scientists were studying to see of purse seine fishing was the main cause of dolphin deaths. When the information leaned toward purse seine fishing as the main cause, te government cancelled the program. Also, if the current dolphin-safe label is going so well, why should it be weakened?

I just ask you, Mr. President, to keep the dolphin-safe label as it is because it really should mean "dolphin-safe." You are so good at protecting us, so you should protect precious dolphins. I have seen and touched dolphins and I know that they are the most wonderful marine animals. The dolphins’ lives depend on you. So please don’t weaken the dolphin-safe label on tuna cans. Remember, extinction is forever.

Sincerely,

Kevin O.
Somerset, MA