Chapter IV — Marine Mammal-Fisheries Interactions 



The parties adopted resolutions in 1993 and 1994 to 

 modify the overall dolphin mortality limits for 1994 

 and 1995, respectively. The limit was reduced to 

 9,300 for each year. In 1994, 73 vessels, including 

 three from the United States, received individual 

 dolphin mortality limits. For 1995, 81 vessels re- 

 quested individual dolphin mortality limits. Of these, 

 42 vessels were from Mexico, 19 from Venezuela, 13 

 from Vanuatu, 6 from Colombia, and 1 from Panama. 

 As stated above, five U.S. vessels requested dolphin 

 mortality limits for the second half of 1995 but did 

 not make any sets on dolphins. 



Under the schedule adopted in 1992, the dolphin 

 mortality quota for 1996 is 9,000. There has been no 

 agreement to reduce the quota further even though it 

 is more than twice the mortality levels achieved each 

 of the past three years. 



As noted above, the 1992 La Jolla Agreement called 

 for expansion of existing research and education 

 programs and establishment of a scientific advisory 

 board to assist the Tuna Commission. Due to a lack 

 of funds, however, the scientific advisory board has 

 met only once since its establishment. Nevertheless, 

 the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission has 

 continued to pursue research into improved and 

 alternative fishing methods. 



During 1995, the Tuna Commission continued to 

 study the feeding habits of dolphins, tuna, and other 

 large pelagic predators in an attempt to determine why 

 these species associate in the eastern tropical Pacific 

 and under what circumstances large yellowfin tuna 

 might be found without dolphins. Preliminary analy- 

 ses indicate that yellowfin tuna feed primarily during 

 the day while spotted and spinner dolphins are mainly 

 nocturnal or twilight feeders. The study suggests that 

 feeding habits may contribute to the formation of the 

 tuna-dolphin association, but they are probably not the 

 major factor. 



The National Marine Fisheries Service has also 

 continued its research program to develop dolphin-safe 

 fishing techniques. As discussed in the previous 

 annual report, the Service held a workshop in March 

 1994 to consider the direction this program should 

 take. During 1995 three of the highest priority 

 projects identified by workshop participants were 



completed. These studies looked at alternative ways 

 of locating large yellowfin tuna, including acoustic, 

 optical, and radar detection. The studies identified 

 acoustic systems (sonar) as the most promising option 

 for long-range detection of large yellowfin tuna not 

 associated with dolphins. Based on these results, the 

 Service plans to conduct additional research on 

 acoustic detection devices in 1996, including an 

 examination of the potential physiological effects of 

 these devices on tuna and dolphins. 



At the 13-15 June 1995 meeting of the Inter- Ameri- 

 can Tropical Tuna Commission, six parties to the La 

 Jolla Agreement issued a joint statement urging the 

 United States to lift the primary and intermediary tuna 

 embargoes currently in effect. Those nations — 

 Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, 

 and Venezuela — reiterated their commitment to 

 conserve the living marine resources of the eastern 

 tropical Pacific and to abide by the provisions of the 

 La Jolla Agreement. The statement expressed the 

 view that increased use of dolphin-safe fishing meth- 

 ods would harm biodiversity by increasing the discard 

 of juvenile tuna and the bycatch of non-target species. 



The nations therefore endorsed fishing for tuna by 

 setting on dolphins as the most effective method for 

 protecting the tuna stocks and other resources of the 

 eastern tropical Pacific. The six nations alleged that 

 U.S. embargoes of tuna that is not dolphin-safe are 

 contrary to international law, lack a scientific basis, 

 are counterproductive to broader conservation goals, 

 and are incompatible with the United States signing 

 the La Jolla Agreement. Expressing concern that the 

 current situation endangers the continued viability of 

 the La Jolla Agreement, the tuna fishing nations called 

 on the United States to allow importation of tuna 

 caught in association with dolphin and to redefine the 

 term dolphin-safe to include all tuna caught in compli- 

 ance with the regulatory measures adopted pursuant to 

 the La Jolla Agreement. 



Oversight Hearing 



Since 1992 the signatories of the La Jolla Agree- 

 ment have operated under its provisions. As noted 

 above, some nations have considered withdrawing 

 from the agreement because, despite significant 

 reductions in dolphin mortality, the United States 



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