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The killing of
dolphins in Peru |
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The killing of dolphins for human consumption does not have a cultural background in Peru. The history of dolphin killing in Peru clearly shows that it is a poverty caused problem. Dolphin meat consumption started in the early seventies and increased to about 15,000 to 20,000 dolphins per year in the mid-nineties.
Dolphin killing is prohibited by ministerial
resolution since 1990 but efficient enforcement was not implemented
since it was declared prohibited by law
No. 26585 in 1996, when official landings dropped to near zero and
the problem seemingly was resolved.
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Playa Sin Fin, Lambayeque - 10. 2000 (© Mundo Azul) |
However, recent investigations by Mundo Azul have proved that there is still an on-going trade of dolphin meat and a black market in restaurants and local fish-markets. Dead dolphins and illegal trade with dolphin meat can be found along two-thirds of the Peruvian coast from the south in Ilo to the Peninsula of Bayovar. An estimated 3,000 dolphins are killed illegaly each year. In order to solve this problem, Mundo Azul became active against the illegal killing of dolphins by:
Implementing
undercover investigations of the black market on a national level and
supporting police and naval enforcement activities
Launching a nationwide
awareness campaign
Implementing local
environmental education activities in fishing towns
Investigating and monitoring local dolphin populations
Promoting dolphin
watching tourism as an economic alternative for fishermen