Animal rights groups hope graphic video will drive stricter regulations on drift nets
Ocean wildlife and endangered species are continually harmed or killed by this dangerous fishery and it’s time to end the slaughter.
MARTIN WISCKOL: ‘Upset over controversial swordfish nets that inadvertently trap dolphins and other sea animals, a coalition of animal rights groups has released a graphic video in hopes of winning support for stricter regulations on the industry… The minute-long video, posted at bandeathnets.com, shows dolphins and a sea lion caught by the nets as well as a live shark having its fin cut off on the deck of a drift net boat.
“If a dolphin, whale, turtle, swordfish, thresher shark or mako shark swims into that net, they’re going to die,” said Paul Nicklen, co-founder for SeaLegacy, one of the groups pushing for stricter laws. “It’s out of sight, out of mind. Ocean wildlife and endangered species are continually harmed or killed by this dangerous fishery and it’s time to end the slaughter”…
One sea lion and 18 dolphins were trapped — and all died — according to federal observers placed on 20 percent of the drift net fishing trips in California from May 1, 2016 to Jan. 31, 2017, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, which regulates the industry. No whales or turtles were caught’. SOURCE…
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