Mundo Azul

The killing of
dolphins in Peru

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The killing of dolphins for human consumption in Peru was reported for the first time in 1960. In the seventies, dolphin meat began to be sold under the name "Muchame". Muchame is a typical Italian dish. It is composed of the meat extracted from the dorsal part of the dolphin and served as an appetizer.

Bottlenose dolphin - killed in Cerro Azul, 1995 (© Cruzada por la Vida)

The commercialization of small cetaceans increased in the early eighties and 5 species (dusky dolphin, burmeisters porpoise, common dolphin, the bottlenose dolphin and pilot whale) were being openly fished.

Bottlenose dolphin - killed in Cerro Azul, 1995 (© Cruzada por la vida)

In 1985, the Biologist David Gaskin visited some small ports in Peru and guessed the total consumption to around 10,000 specimens. In 1989, the Peruvian population of Dusky dolphins was declared to be a population at risk by the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group and the Peruvian Ministry of Fisheries prohibited on 23. November 1990 per Resolution No. 569-90-PE the extraction, the processing and the commercialization of small cetaceans, but failed completely on the enforcement of this resolution. A private inspection of ports and fish-markets in 1993 found that the trade in dolphin meat had increased to 15,000 to 20,000 dolphins annually.

As a result of the publications about the problem, the Ministry of Fisheries prohibited on 5. August 1994, for the second time, by Resolution No. 321-94-PE the extraction, the processing and the commercialization of small cetaceans and again, the government failed completely in the enforcement of the regulation.

In 1996, the Peruvian NGO "Cruzada por la vida" launched a public campaign against the slaughter of small cetaceans in Peru.

As a result of this campaign, the Peruvian Congress declared by law No. 26585 on the 2 April 1996, the protection of several species of dolphins and prohibited their extraction, processing and commercialization.

Finally, because of this law and the public educational campaign of "Cruzada por la Vida", the consumption of dolphin meat dropped dramatically and it was no longer sold in supermarkets.