Just got this via e-mail, apologies if it has been done before!
Blanaid
Dear All
I have just received my copy of the Natural World magazine and in it there is an article on dolphin and porpoise deaths dying as 'bycatch' from pelagic bass fisheries and also by inshore gill netters.
Here is the countdown to disaster -
Pre 1987 - An estimated 150,000 common dolphins live in waters off the South West and English Channel
1987-2004 - Pelagic seabass fishery begins. Fast trawlers (mostly French) drown 2000 to 4500 dolphins a year
2001 - Evidence mounts: the deaths may threaten entire populations. Wildlife Trusts and others protest to EU
2002-2004 - Wildlife Trusts gather 50,000 signatures calling for an EU law to end the pelagic fishery
July 2003 - EU scientists draft a proposed regulation to protect sea mammals
MARCH 2004 - EU Fisheries ministers meet and water down the law to leave the pelagic fishery intact
The southwest small population of bottlenose dolphins is declining and last year more than 200 carcases of common dolphins were washed up and scientists believe that this indicates that over 2000 dolphins were killed in the English Channel this year.
What can be done to help?
If you want to please visit
Wildlife Trusts
and sign up on the petition now.
The trust are aiming to get 100,000 signatures and plan to present this when member states first report on implementation of the regulation in July 2006.
Please pass this onto your friends and colleagues to see if they would like to add their names to this petition.
Thanks all