The dolphin safe label is important because it tells us that no dolphins got killed when the fishermen captured the tuna. At least that’s what it used to tell us. I feel that it is dishonest to capture tuna in a way that is harmful to dolphins and put a label on the tuna can that says it is dolphin safe. Everywhere I go, cub scouts, church, school and at home, adults are teaching us to be honest. They teach us to be as honest as we can. I do not think putting dolphin-safe labels on tuna cans where dolphins are chased and may be hurt is being as honest as you can.

Dolphins are my favorite animal. Dolphins do not do anything harmful. I touched a dolphin at Sea World and they feel like rubber. They communicate by echolocation and they are intelligent. Echolocation means they make a sound and if there is something in front of them it bounces back and tells them which way to move. They are friendly to humans.

When boats chase and trap dolphins they sometimes drown or get scared. Many baby dolphins die because they get separated from their mothers. Other animals like seals, turtles and sharks also get killed.

American fishermen fish in ways that are dolphin-safe. Changing the law might mean they would no longer do so. Fishermen from other countries should be made to fish in ways that are dolphin-safe and not allowed to keep trapping dolphins. Please keep the law as it is where you can’t harm dolphins to catch tuna and use the dolphin-safe label.

Sincerely,

Stephen J.
Almond, NY