Is it true that millions of dolphins have died in the ETP as a result of the tuna purse seine fishery?
Yes. Between 1959 and 1976 it is estimated that over 6 million dolphin mortalities occurred in association with the ETP tuna purse seine fishery. However, since that time the numbers have dropped dramatically. For example, according to IATTC estimates, the total annual mortality of dolphins in the fishery has been reduced from about 132,000 in 1986 to less than 1,200 in 2008–about 0.01% of the population.
