We proved that as many as 15,000 dolphins are killed yearly for use as shark bait and human consumption by Peruvian fishermen. Both expeditions brought back graphic video and photographic evidence of dolphins being harpooned, clubbed to death and then butchered.

The unbelievable cruelty to sharks was also documented - it can take as long as an hour for the sharks taken to die. An estimated 80% of the sharks killed are under legal size, decimating the populations. Fins from sharks are exported to Asia.

BlueVoice, along with Peru-based Mundo Azul, is now coordinating the international campaign to end the slaughter of dolphins and the rampant over-fishing of sharks by the 500-boat strong Peruvian fishing fleet.

As the explosive news of this heinous ecological crime spread across international media and major newspapers and television stations in Peru the government responded, inviting our partner, Stefan Austernuhle, president of Mundo Azul, to meetings at several ministries.

These discussions are a very promising beginning to stopping the killing of dolphins, which is illegal in Peru. We must keep the pressure on the government to take decisive action to end this brutal slaughter.

What BlueVoice and Mundo Azul believe must be done:

- Harpoons must be banned from all fishing boats as their sole purpose is to kill dolphins.

- Shutting down illegal sales of dolphin meat on shore must be initiated and enforced long term to destroy the market for this product.

- Shark fishing must be suspended in order to assess the stocks which are thought to be sorely depleted. Stopping shark fishing is the best way to end the killing of dolphins used as shark bait.

We have a unique opportunity to save thousands of dolphins, but we must act forcefully and now. Please help.

For the dolphins of Peru,

Hardy Jones,
BlueVoice.org

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