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The killing of dolphins in Peru |
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Since 2003 Mundo Azul is working in undercover-investigations about the illegal trade with dolphin meat for human consumption in Peru. During 2006 this work was financed within the framework of the project: “Improving Marine Mammal Conservation and Compliance with Environmental Laws on the Peruvian Coast”.
Our work consists in identifying and documenting identify and document illegal venders of dolphin meat for human consumption using hidden camera-equipment. This information is then given to the Division for Ecology (DIRTURE) of the Peruvian police, led by Cornel PNP Juan Tirado Burgos, Chief of the Division, and Major Juan Torres Díaz, chief of the department for the Protection of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Police Division for Ecology then coordinates with the local police stations and organizes the raids in order to capture these ecological criminals.
Mundo Azul does support the organization of police raids with logistics and financial resources.
Video: an interview to Mayor Torres
So far, the following criminals could be caught:
Nicanor Espinoza Albino
Nicanor Espinoza Albino Was the first time captures in 2003 by the Ecological Police and based on under-cover information from Mundo Azul. At that time he was caught with 8 kilograms of dolphin meat and the bodies of five protected seabirds. He was sentenced with a fine of 1000 Nuevos Soles (aproximately 310 $US) and two years of prison .
He was filmed by Mundo Azul members with hidden cameras several times in 2006 selling dolphin meat again. This information was provided to the Ecological
Police. He then was captured by the police on 30 of November 2006 in Callao for the second time with 10 kilograms of dolphin meat. He probably will spend some
time in jail now.
See videos of Nicanor Espinoza Albino selling dolphin meat – taken with hidden camera
Martin Alejandro Salazar Miranda, was captured on
30th of November in the port of Callao selling 14
kilograms of dolphin meat.
See photos from the capture of Nicanor Espinoza Albino and Martin Alejandro Salazar Miranda
Rafael Zapata Sanjinez
This dealer was caught the first time on 11th of June 2003 in Callao. He was caught again July 2007 with more than 30 kilograms of dolphin meat and 12 Guanay-Cormorants for sale.
See photos from the capture of Rafael Zapata Sanjinez
Julio Hernandez was caught on 27th of June in Callao port while selling 34 kilograms of dolphin meat.
The Huamachuma family, the meat dealers of Salaverry port.
Illegal sale of dolphin meat in Salaverry port is dominated by the Huamachuma family.
Maria Teresa Huamachumu Asmat, 38 years, was captured on fourth of December in the fishing town of Salaverry with 38 kilograms of dolphin meat (male bottlenose dolphin - Tursiops truncatus).
See photos from the capture of Maria Teresa Huamachumu
Her relative Elvira Maria Huamachuma Asmat was caught on 28th of June selling 42.5 kilos of dolphin meat on her sales post just aside of Maria Teresa Huamachuma, which to that date did not have dolphin meat on her desk. Both are provided with meat by another family member, being a local fisherman. See photos from the capture
See photos from the capture of Elvira Maria Huamachuma
The case of the Huamachuma family is a good example for an entire family dedicated to illegal activities, and being well aware of what they are doing. However, as long as jail sentences are not implemented ecological crimes will not be considered something to abstain from. It is urgently necessary that the jail sentence for ecological crimes will be increased from three to four years in order to become effective. According to Peruvian law all jail sentences lower then four years are not implemented – therefore nobody goes to jail for an ecological crime in Peru.