Killing of Dolphins

A REQUIEM FOR THE DARLING DOLPHIN.

Dolphins are the most harmless of creatures. They are friendly, gregarious and very playful. We have even heard of instances of the lovely fish rescuing men. But what if somebody tells you that these charming fish are slaughtered. I for one was shocked to my skeleton. To harm them is like killing a mocking bird. So who are the heartless villains who commit such infamous deeds?

It is happening in Vizag on the South Eastern coast of India. The Indian newspaper The Hindu reports that ‘dolphins and sharks may soon disappear from the Bay of Bengal off the Vizag coast.’

After the heartrending ‘Colin episode’, this story is too much to bear.

Dolphins are often seen cavorting playfully along this coast, but sadly few are in evidence these days. And who are the villains of the piece? Mechanized boats according to The Hindu.

A study conducted by researchers based at The Andhra University reveals that the populations of dolphins, like the bottle-nosed and spinner varieties are being depleted at alarmingly proportions. It is true, habitat loss and pollution are some of the causes. But the prime cause lies elsewhere. Commercial fishermen are to blame for this wanton destruction. They catch them along with other kinds of fish.

An increase in the rate of tuna fishing is the contributing cause. Since tuna and dolphins occupy the same locales, presence of the latter is a sure sign of the former. And when these fishermen go in for the kill, they slaughter the dolphins also. These unscrupulous fellows are in the habit of eating dolphin meat and the leftovers are used as bait to catch tuna.

Since they are gregarious, they approach the fishing boats in a playful manner and get caught in the gill and purse-seine nets. No wonder dead dolphins are often washed up on the shore. The presence of the big ships and trawlers and ever increasing port traffic add to the woes of these fine animals. Worst of all, the utter lack of policing activities also contribute to the death of the valuable specimens, according to The Hindu.

I request nature lovers in and around Vizag to take up the matter and do all they can to stop this heinous practice. I request all Indians to protest vociferously through any medium they can so that these fine mammals are left to themselves and is not molested in any way.

IT IS MY BELIEF THAT MAN HAS BECOME A PEST ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET.