Bay Dolphins face extinction

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Aug 25: The dancing dolphins in the Bay of Bengal often seen off Vizag and Kakinada coasts will soon become a part of marine history. These mammals may not be seen in these waters after 15 to 20 years. The newfound craze among the fishing community for the tuna fish has become a major threat for the survival of the dolphins, which are mentioned as highly endangered species in the Red Data Book of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). The reason - these fishermen are using the meat of these mammals a part from other small fishes as bait to catch tuna. Since one year the local traders shifted their focus on tuna due to dwindling of shrimp catch in the Bay of Bengal waters. The consequential depletion in stocks of shrimp has led them to search for alternate exportable species. Tuna is now caught as alternative to the shrimp. Around 70 country boats, fish tuna in these waters between Vizag and Kakinada and each boat catches at least 100 to 200kgs in a single voyage. And half of the catch by these local fishermen is purchased by 4 traders who export them to Japan and the US from Chennai port where chilling facilities are available. One-kilo tuna is sold at Rs 60 in local markets and $4 to $5 in international markets in Japan and US. A dead dolphin that weighs around 200kgs will be cut into small pieces and used as bait. Half-kilo dolphin meat is used to catch one tuna. There are no any official estimates about the killings of these mammals and it was reported that currently one dolphin is dying every month while earlier such incidents occurred once in a year. According to the researches at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute the commonly found dolphins in Bay of Bengal are spinner dolphin, common dolphin and bottlenose dolphin. Population levels of these three species in Bay of Bengal are estimated to be 12,000 and are evenly distributed in entire bay. Spinner and common dolphins are off shore species and are sighted off Visakhapatnam and Kakinada coastal area. The scientists made 13 cruises since last two years and spent almost 350 to 400 days in the sea and estimated the dolphin population. "The dolphin and tuna are friendly and they are seen always together. They both feed on small fishes and cephalopods" said the Principal scientist and scientist in charge of CMFRI, DR G Syda Rao. A researcher in the CMFRI also said that these dolphins are used as bait to catch sharks and tuna. Associate professor in department of Zoology, Andhra University, B Bharatha Lakshmi, who has been observing dolphins in waters of Bay of Bengal between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam for the past 15 years, says that these dolphins are also getting trapped in the pursescine nets, grilled nets leading to suffocation and finally death. The propellers of motorboats and trawlers also crushthem. "At least one dolphin is dying per month in these waters as observed by the decomposed carcass. The mere smell of dolphin attracts tunas who gather en masse at a place and finally become a easy catch for the fishermen," says Dr Bharatha Lakshmi.Lack of surveillance, check by the government and lack of protected zones for fishing were the main causes for the present agony. And according to wild life protection act of 1972, the offender should be imprisoned for seven years with Rs 50,000 penalty, which is a non-bailable offence. "These mammals are legally protected as per various national and international acts. We have conducted many national level seminars, symposiums appealing the government to protect these mammals. But nothing was done till now,'' she said. " Dolphins are treated as heritage in the Western countries where millions of dollars are spent for protecting these endangered species," added the associate professor. "For us our lives are important not these dolphins. We are getting good money by catching tuna and we use dolphins for better catch. It is as simple as that. We can sell a tuna for 1,500 to 2,000 locally and the exporters get more money " said Theddu Nookalu a fisherman. The Conservator of Forests, P V Padmabham said that they do not have any mechanism to patrol in the sea to protect the endangered species like dolphins. "We will definitely take persons into task and will book anyone if they try to market it on the shore. But if anything happens mid sea we cannot do anything". He also added that sometimes these dolphins accidentally get caught into the nets that are meant to catch konam and other fish and instead of bringing these dolphins to the shore the fishermen cut the mammalsinto pieces and use as bait to catch tuna. "At many international symposiums it was stressed the need to introduce and use different kind of nets by the fishermen to catch fish where dolphins can escape easily. But nothing was done so far" said the Conservator of Forests. Unfortunately, no NGO has come forward to put pressure on the government on this issue.