We all know how the “dolphin safe†label can add value to tuna products while also providing peace of mind to the consumer, however how reliable are some of these labels and what is the difference between them?
There are a large number of “dolphin safe labels,†but the fact of the matter is there is no universal verification for these claims and each label imposes its own regulations, some stricter than others.
For example, the US Department of Commerce label requires an Inter American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) approved observer to be present on purse seine vessels greater than 400 short tons carrying capacity, but not other vessels. Vessels operating outside the IATTC area may be given this certification without any outside observation.
Other labels, such as the one used by John West Australia, are created by the company, although in this case the company claims to be monitored by the Earth Island Institute.
Dolphin Safe Labels
For this reason, among others, the US Consumers union says that there is no guarantee that dolphins have not come to harm. Greenpeace has also said in a 2008 report that “a dolphin friendly label is not a guarantee of sustainably fished tuna,†however they have said little else about the issue.
FIS.com contacted Greenpeace to find out what their stance was on the matter, and what solutions they propose, however they declined to respond.
One solution would be to educate consumers on which fisheries are sustainable and truly “dolphin safeâ€. However, not only are consumers not knowledgeable but very few manufacturers state the method of catch, or sometimes the species.
It would also be reasonable to cut-down the number of labels and to establish global standards, so as not to confuse consumers.
In the end, I found at least seven different “dolphin safe†labels. Others were difficult to distinguish whether they were simply designed differently, or if they had any difference in certification procedure.
Of these labels, the Earth Island Institute and Department of Commerce labels were only two which properly explained what procedures were taken, although the procedures could be made much clearer.
So are these labels worthless? To manufacturers, obviously not since having a label clearly add value to the product. However to the consumer, I must conclude that unless information becomes clearer and more readily available and unless some kind of uniformity is adopted, these are no more than a decorative icon on a can.
