|
The
slaughter of dolphins in Peru
The killing
of dolphins for human consumption in Peru
was reported for the first time in 1960.
In the seventies dolphin meat began to be
sold under the name "Muchame".
Muchame is a typical Italian dish. It is
composed of the meat extracted from the
dorsal part of the dolphin and served as
an appetizer.
© Cruzada por la Vida: Bottlenose
dolphin - killed in Cerro Azul, 1995
The commercialization
of small cetaceans increased in the early
eighties and 5 species (dusky dolphin, burmeisters
porpoise, common dolphin, the bottlenose
dolphin and pilot whale) were being openly
fished.
© Cruzada por la vida: Bottlenose
dolphin - killed in Cerro Azul, 1995
In 1985 the
Biologist David Gaskin visited some small
ports in Peru and guessed the total consumption
on around 10000 specimen. In 1989 the Peruvian
population of Dusky dolphins was declared
to be a population at risk by the IUCN Cetacean
Specialist Group and the Peruvian Ministry
of Fisheries prohibited on 23. of November
1990 per Resolution No. 569-90-PE the extraction,
the processing and the commercialization
of small cetaceans, but failed completely
the enforcement of this resolution. A private
inspection of ports and fish-markets in
1993 found that the trade in dolphin meat
had increased to 15 000 to 20 000 dolphins
annually.
© Cruzada por la vida: Dusky dolphin
- killed in Cerro Azul, 1995
As a result
of the publications about the problem the
Ministry of Fisheries prohibited on the
5. of August 1994 for the second time by
Resolution No. 321-94-PE the extraction,
the processing and the commercialization
of small cetaceans and again the government
failed completely in the enforcement of
the regulation.
© Cruzada por la vida: 1996
In 1996 the
Peruvian NGO "Cruzada por la vida"
launched a public campaign against the slaughter
of small cetaceans in Peru.
As a result
of this campaign the Peruvian Congress declared
by law
No. 26585 on the second of
April 1996 the protection of several species
of dolphins and prohibited their extraction,
processing and commercialization.
Finally because
of this law and the public educational campaign
of Cruzada por la Vida the consumption of
dolphin meat dropped dramatically and it
was not longer sold in super markets.
© Mundo Azul: Playa Sin Fin, Lambayeque
- 10. 2000
However,
recent investigations of Mundo Azul have
proved that there is still a ongoing trade
on dolphin meat and a black market in restaurants
and local fish-markets (see pictures beyond).
In order to solve this problem Mundo Azul
launched a public awareness campaign on
the national and international level.
©
Mundo Azul: Playa Sin Fin, Lambayeque -
10. 2000
©
Mundo Azul: Playa Sin Fin, Lambayeque -
10. 2000
However,
recent investigations of Mundo Azul have
proved that there is still a ongoing trade
on dolphin meat and a black market in restaurants
and local fish-markets (see pictures beyond).
In order to solve this problem Mundo Azul
launched a public awareness campaign on
the national and international level.
For more information on dolphins in Peru
click on the following titles:
-
Legal
framework for the conservation of small
cetaceans in Peru
-
Why
it is important to protect the dolphins
?
-
What
does Mundo Azul in order to protect the
dolphins ?
-
How
can I help to protect the dolphins in Peru
?
-
What
can I do if I find a stranded dolphin ?
-
Whale
watching in Peru
-
Galería
de fotos
|
