Earth Island Institute has issued a warning to fish processors, brokers, and trade offices that Singaporean trading company is apparently selling albacore tuna at below market prices that was caught in gill nets. Tuna companies approved as
Dolphin Safe by
Gill nets are one of the most destructive fishing techniques used in the world today. Using new mono-filament plastic lines, which are invisible underwater to sea life, gill nets entangle and drown a wide range of sea life, including sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, marine birds, and even whales. Drift gill nets longer than 1.5 miles are currently banned in worldwide waters by the United Nations. But some fishermen continue to use them illegally, and smaller gill nets below the limit are still lethal to many species and should not be used. (Albacore caught by gill nets has characteristic scarring patterns, especially around the gills. However, consumers, of course, buying canned tuna cannot tell the difference.)
According to EII because most companies in the world shun gillnet tuna, the Singapore company is selling albacore at below-market rates throughout the world, undercutting the efforts of companies committed to protecting marine life and dolphins.
Earth Island Institute had approached the company to become a Dolphin Safe tuna company, but they have refused.