Earth Island Institute's International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) today denounced false claims put out by the Mexican tuna industry at a recent press conference.
At the Mexican press conference, Alfonso Rosinol, a former President of the Mexican Fishery Chamber, claimed that Earth Island Institute receives "about $6 to $7 million with the use of the dolphin safe logo, which was patented by them..."
"Both statements are lies," charges David Phillips, Director of Earth Island Institute. "Earth Island has no patent on the dolphin-safe tuna label; it is available for free under US law to any tuna product meeting the standard of no chasing and netting of dolphins."
As to the claim of Earth Island Institute profiting from the logo, Phillips stated: "The entire budget for Earth Island's dolphin-safe campaign is less than $500,000 annually, and any look at our public financial records proves this."
"The suggestion that Earth Island Institute receives millions of dollars from a freely available logo is absurd," Phillips added.
"The Mexican tuna industry is desperately trying to shift public attention from their killing of thousands of dolphins annually to catch tuna," stated Phillips. "Time and time again, they have lied to hide their slaughter. They have NEVER provided ANY proof to back up their false claims. The people of Mexico must learn the truth about how their tuna industry kills thousands of beautiful, innocent dolphins each year, when alternatives are available to provide tuna and protect dolphins, too."
Earth Island Institute has successfully helped tuna companies around the world, including in Mexico, adopt "Dolphin Safe" fishing techniques to sell in global markets closed to tuna caught by chasing and netting dolphins.
Source: E.I.I. Press Release